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International Removals Companies Car Shipping To The Netherlands Global Moving Experts

Car Shipping to the Netherlands from the UK

✓ Netherlands Service ✓ Car Shipping to the Netherlands ✓ Shipping a Car to the Netherlands ✓ Vehicle Import Netherlands ✓ RDW Registration Netherlands ✓ Import Duty Car Netherlands ✓ FIDI-Certified
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Car shipping to the Netherlands from the UK. Vehicle import, RDW registration and roll-on roll-off ferry options covered. P&O Hull to Rotterdam overnight. One FIDI-certified partner matched free. Around 3,000 British nationals moved to the Netherlands in 2024, per Statistics Netherlands. Get Matched Free
🚚 Importing your vehicle: RDW registration and roll-on roll-off

Importing your vehicle: RDW registration and roll-on roll-off

Shipping a car to the Netherlands from the UK involves three stages. The crossing, Dutch customs clearance, and RDW registration. Each stage has specific rules. Getting them wrong can delay your car for weeks. Getting them right means your car is on the road in the Netherlands within days of arrival.

The P&O Hull to Rotterdam Europoort ferry is the most common route for car shipping to the Netherlands. Vehicles roll on at Hull and roll off at Rotterdam. The crossing takes about 11 hours overnight. Rotterdam Europoort is one of Europe's most experienced vehicle import entry points.

International Removals Companies is a free matching service run by DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD. We don't carry out car shipping. We match each vehicle import enquiry with one FIDI-certified partner. We work with vetted moving companies and removal companies for Netherlands routes. They advise on the crossing, customs and RDW process. Free. No obligation.

Get a Netherlands Quote

Free matching. One FIDI-certified partner. No obligation.

Netherlands removals service from the UK
One FIDI-certified partner matched free for every Netherlands enquiry.
🚘 RDW registration: importing a UK car to the Netherlands

RDW registration: what happens after your car arrives

Once your car clears customs at Rotterdam Europoort, it needs an RDW inspection and Dutch plates. RDW stands for Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer, the national vehicle authority. The RDW is the Netherlands' national vehicle authority.

RDW inspection process
  • Book an RDW inspection via rdw.nl before or on arrival
  • The inspector checks the vehicle identity number (VIN), lights, tyres and safety
  • Right-hand drive cars are legal in the Netherlands
  • Headlamps need a beam deflector for driving on the right (a temporary fix until Dutch plates fitted)
  • Dutch insurance must be arranged before the RDW appointment
  • After passing inspection, Dutch plates and registration (kenteken) are issued
Import duty on a UK car
  • A vehicle may qualify for the vrijstelling voor verhuisboedel exemption
  • The car must have been owned and used by you for at least six months
  • It must be imported within twelve months of taking up residence
  • It must be used only for personal use in the first twelve months in the Netherlands
  • Your partner mover files the customs claim through the Dutch Customs AGS system at Rotterdam Europoort
  • Check the full rules at douane.nl
BPM (bpm motor vehicle tax): Even with the transfer-of-residence exemption, a vehicle may still be liable for BPM if it does not qualify under the exemption rules. Check belastingdienst.nl for the current BPM rules. Your partner mover advises on what applies to your specific vehicle.
🚚 Car shipping route options from the UK

Route options for car shipping to the Netherlands

P&O: Hull to Rotterdam
Most popular for car shipping. Vehicles roll on and off. Overnight crossing. Rotterdam Europoort handles vehicle imports routinely. Best for northern UK and Midlands.
Stena Line: Harwich to Hook
About 7 hours. Drive-on drive-off. South Holland landing. Near Rotterdam and The Hague. Good for East Anglia and South East.
DFDS: Newcastle to IJmuiden
Overnight. North Holland landing near Amsterdam. Drive-on drive-off. Best for northern UK moves to Amsterdam or North Holland destinations.
Eurotunnel road
Drive via Folkestone (35 minutes to Calais), then through Belgium and into the Netherlands. No vehicle ferry needed. Fast for southern England. Amsterdam in under 4 hours from Channel.
📄 Dutch customs: what you need to know

Dutch customs for removals from the UK

Since January 2021, the UK is outside the EU. All goods shipped from the UK to the Netherlands need Dutch customs clearance. The vrijstelling voor verhuisboedel exemption removes import duty and 21% BTW on goods you've owned for at least six months. You must import everything within twelve months of taking up residence. Your partner mover files the claim through the Dutch Customs AGS system with a signed inboedellijst. You can't self-file.

What you need for Dutch customs
  • Signed inboedellijst (packing inventory) for all goods
  • Proof goods owned for at least six months
  • BSN (Burgerservicenummer) – Dutch citizen service number
  • Proof of Gemeente registration in the BRP
  • Full Netherlands delivery address
The vrijstelling voor verhuisboedel removes import duty and BTW (21%) on goods owned for at least six months, imported within twelve months of taking up residence. Your partner mover files it through the Dutch Customs AGS system.
🚚 Route and crossing options from the UK

Route options from the UK to the Netherlands

Your matched partner mover picks the best crossing for your UK postcode and Dutch address. These are the four main options.

🕑 Eurotunnel road

Folkestone to Calais: 35 minutes. Best for London and South East. Amsterdam in under 4 hours from the Channel.

🚢 P&O: Hull to Rotterdam

Overnight ferry. Goods stay in vehicle. Rotterdam Europoort in the morning. Best for northern UK.

🚢 Stena Line: Harwich to Hook

About 7 hours. South Holland near Rotterdam and The Hague. Good for East Anglia.

🚢 DFDS: Newcastle to IJmuiden

Overnight. Docks 20km from Amsterdam. Best for northern UK moves to Amsterdam and North Holland.

💷 Indicative costs: planning guide only

Removal costs: rough planning guides

Actual prices depend on your volume, UK postcode, Dutch city and access. These are rough planning guides only. Your matched partner mover gives a firm quote after a survey.

Part load

£800 – £1,500

3 to 7 days

Studio / 1-bed

£1,200 – £2,000

1 to 2 days

2 to 3-bed

£2,200 – £3,800

1 to 2 days

4-bed or larger

£3,500 – £5,500+

Priced after survey

💰 Currency exchange: GBP to EUR

Currency exchange: converting pounds to euros

The Netherlands uses the euro. The currency code is EUR. Once you arrive, most costs will be in euros. That includes rent, bills and food. Sort your currency exchange early. It saves money. It saves stress.

What you'll need euros for on arrival
  • Rental deposit (one to three months' rent in advance)
  • First month's rent before UK income transfers
  • Opening a Dutch bank account
  • Registration fee at the Gemeente
  • Day-to-day costs in your first weeks
Tips on exchanging GBP to EUR
  • Avoid exchanging at the ferry terminal or airport. Rates are poor.
  • Online services like Wise or XE offer better rates than banks.
  • Set up a euro account or multi-currency card before you travel.
  • Check the live GBP/EUR rate at XE.com before committing.
  • For large sums like a deposit, compare specialist FX providers.
Note: The GBP/EUR rate changes daily. International Removals Companies does not offer currency exchange. Confirm rates with your bank before committing funds.
Common questions about car shipping to the Netherlands

Common questions about car shipping to the Netherlands

Do I pay import duty on my car when shipping to the Netherlands?

You may qualify for the vrijstelling voor verhuisboedel exemption. It removes import duty on a vehicle owned and used by you for at least six months. Imported within twelve months of taking up residence, and used only for personal use in the first twelve months. Your partner mover files the claim through the Dutch Customs AGS system at Rotterdam Europoort. Check douane.nl for the current rules.

How do I register a UK car in the Netherlands?

Once your car has cleared customs, book an RDW inspection via rdw.nl. The inspector checks the VIN, lights, tyres and safety. Right-hand drive cars are legal. You'll need Dutch insurance before the appointment. After passing, Dutch plates are issued. You also get a kenteken (registration document).

Can I bring a right-hand drive car to the Netherlands?

Yes. Right-hand drive cars are legal in the Netherlands. You'll need a headlamp beam deflector for driving on the right. This is needed until Dutch plates are fitted. The RDW inspection covers this. Your partner mover advises on any specific requirements for your vehicle.

What is the best ferry for car shipping to the Netherlands?

P&O Hull to Rotterdam Europoort is the most popular for car shipping. Vehicles roll on and roll off. The overnight crossing is efficient for northern UK and Midlands collection points. Stena Line Harwich to Hook of Holland is good for East Anglia. DFDS Newcastle to IJmuiden suits North England moves to Amsterdam.

What is BPM and do I have to pay it?

BPM (bpm) is a Dutch vehicle tax. Even with the transfer-of-residence exemption on import duty, your car may still be liable for BPM depending on its value and age. Check belastingdienst.nl for the current rules. Your partner mover advises on your specific vehicle, but BPM is calculated and paid separately from the customs filing.

How much does car shipping to the Netherlands cost?

The cost of shipping a car to the Netherlands depends on the vehicle size, the ferry route and any customs administration fees. As a rough guide, roll-on roll-off ferry charges for a standard car on P&O Hull to Rotterdam are around £150 to £300 one way. Your partner mover gives a full quote including customs administration after assessing your vehicle.

What is the vrijstelling voor verhuisboedel for car imports?

It's the Dutch transfer-of-residence exemption. For vehicles, it removes import duty if the car was owned and used for at least six months. Imported within twelve months of moving, and kept for personal use only in the first twelve months. Your partner mover files the claim through the AGS system. You can't apply yourself.

What does FIDI FAIM mean for my car shipping to the Netherlands?

FIDI FAIM is the top quality standard for removal companies. Ernst and Young audit each firm against more than 200 criteria every three years. We match car shipping enquiries with FIDI FAIM-accredited partners, so the company handling your vehicle import is fully vetted.

How does the free matching service work for car shipping?

International Removals Companies is a free matching service. We don't carry out car shipping. Submit your enquiry and we match it with one vetted FIDI-certified partner for car shipping to the Netherlands. They advise on the ferry, customs and RDW process. No obligation. No charge.

🏆 FIDI-certified partner movers for the Netherlands

FIDI FAIM: the standard behind every Netherlands removal

FIDI FAIM is the top quality standard for removal companies. Ernst and Young audit each firm against more than 200 criteria every three years. The audit covers insurance, Dutch customs knowledge, staff training and claims handling. We only match Netherlands enquiries with FIDI FAIM-accredited partners.

International Removals Companies has operated since November 2010. We don't carry out removals. We connect each enquiry with one FIDI-certified removal company, free of charge. DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD, company 07425576, ICO ZB022743. Norman House, Saint Saviours Estate, Abbey Street, London, SE1 3DH. Working Member of AGM Group since 2010.

Working Member of AGM Group since 2010. Partner movers hold FIDI FAIM (Ernst and Young audit) and BAR Overseas accreditation.
UK car on a roll-on roll-off ferry for car shipping to the Netherlands
P&O Hull to Rotterdam: the most direct roll-on roll-off route for car shipping to the Netherlands.
📍 Related Netherlands pages
📞 Get your Netherlands quote

Start your Netherlands enquiry

Send your UK collection address, Dutch delivery city, vehicle details and preferred date. We match you with one FIDI-certified partner for car shipping to the Netherlands. Free. No obligation.

Get a Netherlands Quote

Free matching. One FIDI-certified partner. DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD, operating since November 2010.

International Removals Companies: Netherlands

We connect car shipping to the Netherlands and vehicle import Netherlands enquiries with one vetted FIDI-certified partner. DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD, company 07425576, ICO ZB022743. Norman House, Saint Saviours Estate, Abbey Street, London, SE1 3DH. Working Member of AGM Group since 2010.

Prices, transit times, insurance and customs paperwork are confirmed by your partner mover before booking.