Car import - Dutch and German license plates

As soon as your newly imported vehicle has been cleared by Customs it has to be registered for licence plates to be able to hit the road.

Technical adjustments needed for European regulations

An imported car from the U.S. or other non-European countries often doesn't conform to European technical and safety vehicle regulations. To obtain a European Approval for the car, certain adjustments or customizations have to be made. Most of the time only small technical changes to the vehicles lighting have to be made. SCL Rotterdam has a modern and especially equipped workshop to handle vehicle customizations to European standards. With our custom developed but professional methods we can perform the adaptations quickly and very cost efficient.

Professional technical customizations at affordable rates, performed in our own garage by experienced mechanics.

Dutch or German license plates

As soon as your car imported from the USA, Canada or other countries outside Europe has been adapted to EU vehicle regulations it is time to get an official technical approval from the Dutch or German Traffic Office. The inspector will verify if the import vehicle conforms to safety regulations and local vehicle legislation. SCL Rotterdam can assist you with both NL or DE license plates, depending on your vehicle's final country of destination. In most cases, a German KFZ registration will serve perfectly as a European Type Approval. This will save much time and money when registering your car in other European countries.

SCL Rotterdam only works with official Dutch and German institutes to get your vehicle approved.

BPM-calculation and filing (NL registrations only)

In The Netherlands BPM must be paid (special vehicle tax for cars and motorcycles) for all vehicles that get Dutch license plates for the first time, including imported cars. Dutch Customs calculates the payable amount when the car is being inspected by the RDW (Dutch Department for Motor Vehicles). Before you can obtain license plates for your vehicle the BPM has to be paid first. SCL Rotterdam can make a detailed BPM-calculation for your vehicle. Because we use the same methods as Dutch Customs does, our pre-calculation is as accurate as possible. Your benefit: no unpleasant financial surprises and a clear insight in the costs envolved.

In some special cases no BPM is due. This is for example the case with vehicles older than 20 years and highly environmental friendly vehicles. BPM filing has to be performed in all cases, even if no BPM has to be paid. Exemptions from BPM are also possible when importing a classic car and if you are moving to The Netherlands with your car.

SCL will help you to achieve the lowest possible BPM vehicle tax by using multiple officialy approved calculations methods.

Additional services

SCL's service portfolio includes additional services besides shipping your car and registering it for license plates. While your car is undergoing its registration process we can take care of the following services:

Installation of certified car alarm systems

Insurance companies often require a certified alarm system being installed to reduce the chance of theft. SCL Rotterdam can take care of this while your car is in the process of being registered for license plates. Your car remains in our own warehouse while the certified technician installs your alarm. After delivery of the car you will receive the official certificate which has been registered directly on your new license.

Installation of accessories

In SCL's in-house garage our mechanics can provide you with the installation of a variety of car accessories and parts. Possibilities include:

Adding a (removable) tow bar
Adding a tonneaucover to your pickup truck
Installation of in-car entertainments systems
Installation of rear view parking camera

Thanks to our connections with American parts suppliers we can offer competitive rates, and installations can already be performed while you are waiting for your license registration!

Cleaning, restyling and polishing

Your imported car has travelled quite a journey and will not look like it just came from the showroom, or even as you have seen it on the seller's pictures. Would you like to enjoy your car immediately in a good and shining conditions? From a simple wash to full interior cleaning and restyling; you decide how your new import vehicle will be delivered.

Delivery road transport throughout Europe

No time or possibility to come and pick up your car at our warehouse in Schiedam? No problem at all, we can assist with delivering your car at your front door anywhere throughout Europe. Thanks to our good connections with reliable and professional transport companies your car will be delivered quickly at affordable rates.