Send us the purchase price, location, build year and chassis number (VIN). You'll receive a clear indication of the transport costs, taxes and next steps, before you finalize the purchase.
// Australia specialist, from purchase to registration
Car import Australia
Australia offers models Europe never received, from the Holden to rustfree 4x4s. Marlog Car Handling manages the entire import process onyour behalf: from vetting the purchase to shipping, customs, BPM and delivery to your door.
10-14
weeks lead time
Weekly
sailings from Australia
Administration
customs, BPM & RDW handled
25+
years of import experience
// Rust-free and exclusive
What makes importing from Australia different
Australia's dry climate means cars often arrive in remarkably original, rust-free condition. The supply is unique too: Holdens, utes and 4x4s that were never sold in Europe. The flip side is the distance, the fact that every car is right-hand drive, and that a miscalculated budget can quickly make the import unprofitable.
Costs clear up front
Shipping from the other side of the world, import duty, VAT and BPM (the Dutch registration tax) together decide whether an import pays off. A full calculation shows you that before you buy.
A purchase you can trust
Inspecting a car in Australia yourself is rarely an option. Checking the documents, condition and history remotely prevents expensive surprises.
The right shipping method
RoRo or container determines the price, the lead time and how well your car is protected during the long voyage. Each vehicle has a logical choice.
Right-hand drive & RDW
Every Australian car is right-hand drive. Registration is allowed, but the RDW (the Dutch vehicle authority) sets lighting requirements. We handle the adjustments.
// Our solution
From Australian purchase to Dutch registration
You buy the car; we’ll take care of the rest. Or you outsource only the parts you’d rather not handle yourself. Here’s what we arrange as standard for an import from Australia.
- Purchase documents and vehicle details are being checked
- Collection from a dealer, auction or private seller anywhere in Australia
- Transport to the port and shipping to the Netherlands
- Customs clearance, import duty and BPM declaration
- RDW inspection and adjustment of the lighting
- Delivery or collection once the car is registered
// The process
How to import a car from Australia
Importing a car from Australia takes 10 to 14 weeks on average. Our six steps show what happens at each stage and when you'll hear from us.
01
Vehicle & document check
Before you commit, we check the registration papers, invoice, location, condition and expected import costs. So you know up front whether the import is worth it.
02
Purchase and collection
Once you approve, we arrange transport from the dealer, auction or private seller to the nearest port, such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Fremantle.
03
Export from Australia
Our local agents handle the export documents and port formalities, so your car can go on board without any delay.
04
Shipping to the Netherlands
Your car travels by RoRo or container to Rotterdam or Antwerp, including transport insurance. The sea voyage takes 5 to 7 weeks.
05
Customs, import duty & BPM
After arrival we handle customs clearance, pay the import duty and VAT, and take care of the full BPM declaration.
06
RDW, registration & delivery
We guide the inspection, adjust the lighting for right-hand drive where needed, arrange the registration and deliver the car to you.
Start your Australian car import today
Have a specific car in mind, or want the costs calculated first? Our import specialists are happy to think along, with no obligation, before you buy.
Request a quote
// What are the costs
What does a car import from Australia cost?
An import quote for Australia breaks down every cost separately: inland transport in Australia, shipping, insurance, import duty, VAT, BPM, RDW and our service fee. Only then can you see whether a car is genuinely cheaper than buying one here.
Marlog Car Handling calculates the full import cost before you buy. No vague estimates, but a concrete breakdown per item so you know exactly where you stand.
| Cost item | Indication | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inland transport in Australia | € 400 – € 1.500 | Depending on the distance to the port |
| RoRo shipping | € 2,500 – € 3,500 | Suitable for cars in running condition |
| Container shipping | € 3,000 – € 5,000 | More protection; suited to valuable cars |
| Import duty | 10% | On purchase price plus transport; classics 30+ in original condition often 0% |
| VAT | 21% | On import; classics 30+ in original condition 9% |
| BPM | Variable | Based on CO₂, age and trim; 25 years and older BPM-exempt |
| RDW & adjustments | € 250 – € 950 | Lighting, inspection and registration |
// Driving right-hand drive in the Netherlands
Right-hand drive cars on Dutch plates
Australians drive on the left, so every Australian car is right-hand drive. The good news: a right-hand drive car can be registered, insured and driven in the Netherlands without any problem.
The RDW does set extra requirements at inspection. The headlights must be suitable for right-hand traffic so you don’t dazzle oncoming drivers, and the rear fog light must be on the correct side. Marlog carries out these adjustments before the inspection, so registration passes first time.
// Popular Australian cars
Frequently imported from Australia
With Holden, Australia had its own carmaker and a range of models that were never sold in Europe. And thanks to the dry climate, Australian cars are often remarkably rust-free. These are the models we ship most often.
Holden Commodore
Holden GTS
Ford Falcon
Toyota Hilux
Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota RAV4
Hyundai Tucson
Ford Ranger
Have a different model in mind? We also import the Holden Maloo, Nissan Patrol and other models sold only in Australia. Just ask about the options.
// Choosing your shipping method
RoRo of container from Australia?
The voyage from Australia is long. The right method depends on the value, condition and your timing. Marlog advises per vehicle which option fits and what it means for your costs and risk.
RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off)
The cost-effective choice for cars in running condition without loose parts or luggage. The car is driven on board under its own power and secured on the ship.
Container
More protection for classics, exclusive cars or non-running vehicles, and the right choice if parts need to travel along. Available as a sole or shared container.
// Taxes
BPM on an import from Australia
BPM is the Dutch registration tax. The amount varies widely from car to car and can differ by thousands of euros. Before you buy, Marlog calculates which tax route is most favorable for your car, so there are no surprises.
New car
BPM is calculated on the CO₂ emissions. The more economical the car, the lower the assessment. We calculate the exact amount before you buy.
Used car
BPM falls with age and depreciation. Depending on the build year and trim, we calculate the most favorable route for you in advance.
Classic car 25+
Cars 25 years or older are fully BPM-exempt. That makes classic Holdens and Ford Falcons especially attractive to import.
Pick-ups
Australian cars such as the Toyota Hilux may qualify as a commercial vehicle (gray plate). Where the conditions are met, that works out favorably for BPM.
A different type of vehicle?
Do you have another type of car in mind? Contact us to discuss the possibilities.
Contact us
// Client experiences
What clients say about their import from Australia
// Our work in pictures
From an Australian port to a Dutch driveway
Every day, vehicles from all over the world arrive at our site in Roosendaal. Here they're unloaded, inspected, tested and prepared for delivery. An impression of how your car is handled with us.
Import Advisor
Lucas
// Ready to get started?
Want to import a car from Australia?
// FAQ
Frequently asked questions about importing a car from Australia
Allow 10 to 14 weeks on average from purchase to Dutch registration. The sea voyage from Australia takes 5 to 7 weeks, depending on the port and the route. On top of that come the purchase and inland transport in Australia, the export formalities, customs clearance in the Netherlands and the RDW inspection. Sailings from east-coast ports such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are usually more frequent than from Fremantle.
Yes. A right-hand drive car can be registered, insured and driven in the Netherlands without any problem. The RDW does set requirements at the import inspection: the headlights must be suitable for right-hand traffic so oncoming drivers aren’t dazzled, and the rear fog light must be on the correct side. Marlog carries out these adjustments before the inspection, so registration passes first time.
The total cost is made up of inland transport in Australia, shipping by RoRo or container, insurance, import duty, VAT, BPM and the cost of the RDW inspection and any adjustments. Because of the distance, shipping from Australia is more expensive than from the United States, for example: expect € 2,500 to € 5,000 depending on the method. Marlog calculates every item before you buy, so you know in advance whether the import is worthwhile.
On import into the Netherlands you pay 10% import duty and 21% VAT on the purchase price plus the transport costs. You also file a BPM declaration; the amount depends on the CO₂ emissions, age and trim. There are favorable exceptions: cars 25 years and older are BPM-exempt, and classics 30 years and older in original condition often fall under 0% import duty and 9% VAT. We work out in advance which route applies to your car.
Yes. Inspecting a car 16,000 kilometers away yourself is rarely an option. We check the registration documents, condition and history of the vehicle in advance and assess whether the asking price and import costs are realistic. Through our local network we also support the purchase itself, collection from a dealer, auction or private seller, and transport to the port.
Yes. If you’re moving from Australia back to the Netherlands, you can import your car as removal goods under certain conditions, free of import duty, VAT and BPM. The main requirements: you’ve lived outside the EU for at least twelve months, you’ve owned and used the car for at least six months, and you don’t sell it for at least twelve months after import. Marlog handles the exemption application and the entire transport.
RoRo is usually the more economical choice for cars in running condition without loose parts or luggage. A container offers more protection during the long voyage and is the wiser option for classics, exclusive cars or non-running vehicles. A container can be booked as a sole or shared unit; sharing lowers the cost. We advise per vehicle which method suits the value, condition and your timing.
Can't find your question? Get in touch or browse our full FAQ.