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- Always with personalized service tailored to your needs
- All-in-One Solution: Logistics and Automotive Services
- Over 15 years of experience
Buying a car abroad
Buying a car abroad? SCL is here to assist you! We perform purchase inspections on location, arrange transport and take care of the complete implementation. From clearing customs to the inspection and registration in the Netherlands. So you have nothing to worry about. Whether you want to buy a car in the EU or abroad. Discover the possibilities and make your request without obligation!
Purchase inspection
Buying a car abroad that you have never been able to see in real life is quite exciting. We at SCL Rotterdam can imagine that and that is why we offer on-site purchase inspections in some countries. A local agent will assess the condition of the car and you will receive an extensive inspection report with his findings. This way you know exactly where you stand and you have reliable information to base your purchase on. How nice!
Buying a car inside or outside the EU: totally unburdened
But we do a lot more to unburden you when buying a car abroad. Because after the actual purchase, the car still has to come to the Netherlands. With our experience we can arrange that for you in no time. We pick up the car from the seller and deliver it ready to drive in the Netherlands. How do we do that? Below we show you step by step.
- Pick up: We pick up the car from the seller abroad and transport it by road transport to the most logistically convenient port of departure.
- Shipping: There the car goes into container and on board the ship that makes the crossing to Rotterdam.
- Unloading: Arriving in the Netherlands, we unload the car and check the condition of the vehicle after transportation.
- Clearing: We clear the car through customs and hand over all documentation to ensure a smooth process.
- Inspection: We assess whether your car meets Dutch laws and regulations and can immediately make the necessary adjustments in our workshop.
- Registration: After this, we have your car inspected by the RDW and immediately apply for a Dutch license plate.
- Declaration: We also file a declaration with the tax authorities. This is because when buying a car abroad, you have to pay bpm.
- Cleaning: Finally, we thoroughly clean your car both inside and out. We mount the license plates and are ready for the transfer.
The only thing you have to do before you can hit the road is to get car insurance. Nowadays you can do that very easily online, after receiving your Dutch license plate. We will keep you updated on this as it happens.
Additional costs for a car from abroad
Buying a car abroad logically involves a number of costs. Consider the cost of the purchase inspection and the type of transportation you choose: in a sea container, by air freight or by road transport. In addition, the country of origin and the condition of the car affect the total cost. But there are also additional costs to consider. Such as:
- VAT
- Import duties
- BPM
- Possible modifications
- European type approval
Request a free quote! Then we will map out all the costs for you
Here's what to look out for when buying a car abroad
Do you have your eye on an American muscle car, a stylish Japanese sports car, or something in between? If so, there are a number of things you should pay close attention to. We list the most important ones for you below.
- The vehicle documents: At the time of purchase, check carefully that all documents are present. Think of the inspection report, the maintenance history, the original registration certificate and possibly the European Certificate of Conformity (COC).
- The condition: The condition of the car is also important to assess. Other countries have different climates and cars can suffer greatly from that. Therefore, check extra carefully for rust, rubber parts and fuel filters, among other things.
- The steering wheel: In some countries, cars have the steering wheel on the right instead of the left. Think carefully about this, because it is less comfortable to drive in the Netherlands and the car may be worth less because there is little local demand for it.
Get in touch
Do you still have questions about buying a car abroad? Would you like to know more about our services? Or are you curious about our different packages and transport insurance? We are available every working day from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call us at +31 (0)10 427 7720, or email info@sclrotterdam.com. Then we will be happy to help you. With a passion and a smile.
Are you a car professional wholesaler and want to purchase vehicles abroad on a business basis? We can help you with that too!
Specialist in transporting cars
Whether you want to import or export a car. SCL Rotterdam is the expert in car transport. We have extensive experience in shipping all kinds of vehicles. Both within the EU and outside the EU. In various countries, such as America and the United Arab Emirates. All the knowledge and skills we have gained in the past 20 years, we use to give you the best possible service.
Buying a car
Partners we work with
Popular countries for car import
Buying a car outside the EU is a bit more complicated, but can be well worth the effort. Here are some popular countries and what to look out for:
America
The US is a paradise for car enthusiasts. From classic muscle cars to modern sports cars, you can find it all here.
- Transportation costs: Allow for higher transportation costs due to the need for overseas transport, such as by container or by Ro-Ro, as well as import duties and VAT.
Canada
Many vehicles from Canada are similar to those from the US, but there are some regulatory differences.
- Weather conditions: Canadian cars are often exposed to harsh weather conditions, so pay close attention to rust and wear.
Japan
Japan is known for its reliable and well-maintained vehicles.
- Auctions: Japanese cars are often sold through auctions. Make sure you can read and interpret the auction sheets.
- Right-hand drive:: Keep in mind that many cars from Japan are right-hand drive, but certainly not all! In Japan, a left-hand-drive car (i.e., a European car) was valued higher for many years because a European car was usually considered expensive and qualitative. Wealthy Japanese therefore liked to show up in a left-hand-drive car, which is why these originally European cars were frequently shipped to Japan and now often come back to Europe.
General advice when purchasing outside the EU
- Import duties and VAT: Inform yourself about the import duties and VAT you have to pay when importing a vehicle outside the EU.
- Technical Inspection: Always have the vehicle technically inspected before completing the purchase. For example, have a purchase inspection performed.
- Transportation: Use a reliable transportation company experienced in international car transports.: Use a reliable transportation company experienced in international car transports.
How SCL Rotterdam can help you
SCL Rotterdam has extensive experience in transporting and importing all kinds of vehicles. Of various types and brands of cars. But also from different countries. We use our expertise to give you the best possible service and we are only satisfied when you are. Therefore, when shipping cars, we provide customization and personal service.