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Import duties are taxes you must pay when you import cars or vehicles from countries outside the European Union (EU). Are you importing from an EU member state? Then you do not pay import duties.

The import duties for regular passenger cars are usually 10%, for motorcycles 6%. For vehicles designed for cargo transport, the import duties are 22%. Import duties are calculated on the purchase value of the car plus the transport costs.

You pay the import duties at the time of customs declaration upon the vehicle's arrival in the Customs Union. Shipping with SCL Rotterdam? We handle the entire declaration with the Dutch customs, and you will receive a clear overview of the import duties payable. You pay the import duties to SCL Rotterdam, and we pay them for you to the customs. Easy, right?

Note, for some Chinese vehicles, additional import duties apply on top of the standard rates. 

Would you like more information about the import duties for your car? Read more on our page about import duties and VAT, or directly calculate the costs for your car!

When you buy a new car in the Netherlands, the dealer charges a standard 21% VAT. When you import a car yourself, you often have to pay VAT upon import. Are you importing from an EU member state? Then you only pay VAT upon import when you are importing a new vehicle (note, the Tax Authority may classify your car as a new vehicle even if it has been used. Always contact an import expert in advance to avoid surprises!). Are you importing from a non-EU country? Then you have to consider VAT. The VAT for a regular passenger car in the Netherlands is 21%. For classic cars, a lower rate applies.

Read more here about importing classic or regular cars, or directly calculate the costs for importing your car!

When you decide to import a car, you need to consider several factors:

• Transport: There may be transport costs to get the vehicle to your driveway!
• Import Taxes: When you import a car from abroad, you may need to pay import duties and/or VAT in some cases.
• Registration Costs: Before you can drive the car on the road, it must be registered with a valid license plate.

Do you want more information about importing a car? Read more on our page about car importing, or directly calculate the costs for your car!