Shipping or Road Transport

When the purchase of your new classic car is complete, it’s time for transportation. SCL Rotterdam does it for you! We arrange everything from A to Z and take care of the entire process.

Safely Shipping Your Classic Car from Outside Europe to the Netherlands? Here’s How We Do It!

When we say we take care of everything, we really mean it. We pick up your car from the seller and, if desired, deliver it road-ready in the Netherlands. Here's how we do it. Importing a classic car from abroad has never been easier!

1. Pick-Up: We pick up the car from the seller and transport it by road to the warehouse in the most logistically convenient port. Do you want to deliver the car yourself, or does the seller handle this? No problem at all!
2. Shipping: Upon arrival at the warehouse, the car is inspected for damage, and an inspection report is prepared. The car is then neatly and safely loaded into the container, which is delivered to the port and loaded onto the ship that transports the car in the container to Rotterdam.
3. Unloading: Once in the port of Rotterdam, we pick up your car in the container and unload it in our own warehouse in Schiedam.
4. Customs Clearance: We clear the car through customs under the classic car scheme and inform you about the VAT due. Within just a few working days, you will receive a message from one of our staff that the car is ready for pick-up, unless we have agreed to register the car for you:
5. Inspection: We assess whether your car complies with all Dutch laws and regulations and make any necessary adjustments or repairs.
6. Registration: We register your car with the RDW and immediately apply for a Dutch license plate.
7. Declaration: Additionally, we file a BPM declaration with the Tax Authorities. This is mandatory, even if no BPM is due.

After this, your classic car is completely ready to hit the Dutch roads. The only thing you need to arrange yourself is car insurance, which you can easily do online once you know your new license plate. We will keep you informed throughout the process.

Transport Packages

When shipping your classic car to the Netherlands, you can choose from various transport packages. These affect how the car is loaded and the speed at which we can ship. We basically offer four options:

Economy Class 

Economy Class is the most budget-friendly transport method. In this case, we ship your car based on consolidation, which means your car is shipped in one container along with other vehicles. We wait until the container is full before setting sail.

Business Class 

Choosing Business Class? Then we transport your car with a maximum of two other vehicles in a container. We guarantee that your car stands directly and firmly on the floor without a vehicle above it. This makes it the ideal option for fragile cars, cars with a lowered body, or convertibles with a soft top.

Special Class 

The most premium transport method is Special Class. In this case, you get an exclusive container for your car, so your car can go on the first available transport. And if sea freight is not fast enough, air freight is also an option.

Roll on, roll off 

With Roll on, Roll off, we drive the vehicle directly onto the ship. This transport method is perfect for vehicles taller than 2.40 meters that do not fit in a container, such as campers, trucks, and motorhomes. Note: Roll on, Roll off is not available from every port.

Not sure what the best option is for shipping your classic car to the Netherlands? No problem. Based on our experience, we will be happy to advise you. With clear advice, we help you make the right choice.

Transport Insurance and General Average 

We work with the most reliable parties in the world. But the sea can sometimes be ruthless, and disasters regularly make the news. You probably remember the container ship that lost no less than 400 containers in the Wadden Sea during a storm in 2019. It’s good to know that loss or damage to your car in such a case is often not covered. 

Therefore, we recommend taking out additional transport insurance. If you choose to ship your car via SCL Rotterdam, we can also assist you with that. Through our insurance agent, you can take out two types of transport insurance for your classic car.

• All-Risk Insurance All-Risk insurance covers all damages to your car during transport, from scratches and dents to a car being completely totaled. In all conceivable scenarios, including fire and theft.
• Total Loss Insurance Total Loss insurance only covers the damage if a damage expert declares the vehicle a total loss. For example, when the container falls overboard or the vehicle is completely burned out. Smaller transport damages, such as scratches, are not covered.

General Average

General Average: a principle as old as shipping itself. If extra costs need to be incurred to save the ship's cargo in an emergency, these are distributed among all shippers based on the value of the cargo. This principle is also known in shipping as ‘General Average.’ 

As a customer of SCL Rotterdam, you are automatically a shipper. This also means that you are liable for your share of the costs incurred in a ‘General Average’ situation. If you have transport insurance, the insurer will cover these costs.

Request a Free Quote for Shipping Your Car 

Curious about the costs of shipping your classic car to the Netherlands? Request a free, no-obligation quote to know exactly what to expect. Prefer to receive more information first? We are available every working day from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Call +31 (0)10 427 7723 or email sales@sclrotterdam.com. We are happy to assist you.

Specialist in Shipping Vehicles to Europe

SCL Rotterdam has extensive experience in transporting all types of vehicles to Europe. From various makes and models of cars to different countries. We use our expertise to optimally serve you as a customer and are only satisfied when you are. Therefore, we provide customized solutions and personal service when shipping classic cars.

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