Do I have to pay BPM when importing a van from Germany?
That depends on the date of first admission and on who you are. Please note: what matters is the date on which the van was first registered abroad, not the moment of import. With a date up to and including 31 December 2024, the amount may come out at zero euros: as an entrepreneur via the entrepreneur scheme, as a private individual once the van is older than five years. With a date from 1 January 2025 onwards, the entrepreneur scheme lapses and in principle you pay BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax) according to the ordinary rules — a van with no CO? emissions still remains at zero even then. Filing a declaration is generally mandatory, even at € 0; under the entrepreneur scheme this is not required. We look into what applies to you for each vehicle.
What has changed regarding the BPM for vans since 1 January 2025?
Two things at once: the BPM exemption for entrepreneurs was abolished for vans with a date of first admission from 1 January 2025 onwards, and the current rate has since been calculated on the CO? emissions instead of on the net catalogue price. Please note: for a used van with a date of first admission up to and including 31 December 2024, you may still choose the old rate on the net catalogue price if that is more favourable. The old basis has therefore not disappeared, it is simply no longer the starting point.
What does the Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax Authority) consider a "van"?
A car set up for the transport of goods that meets the fitting-out requirements: a loading space of prescribed minimum dimensions, a fixed wall between the cabin and the loading space, no seats in the loading space and restrictions on side windows. If it does not meet those requirements, it is fiscally a passenger car.
When does my van count as "used"?
The deciding factor is whether the vehicle has been used little or not at all. From 3,000 kilometres onwards the Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax Authority) in any case classifies a van as used; below that threshold it is not automatically new. The difference matters: only with a used van do you receive depreciation on the BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax) and may you choose the most favourable rate.
Why import a commercial vehicle from Germany?
The German supply is many times larger and asking prices are structurally lower. Our range includes over 13,000 commercial vehicles available for import, mainly from Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Renault and Opel. The prices shown are the drive-away price on a Dutch registration, including BPM and the Standaard import package. Because commercial vehicles are almost always purchased for business use, we show that price excluding VAT.
Can I also have a van imported that is not in your range?
Yes, in most cases. Send us the link and we will calculate what that van costs in the Netherlands and, if desired, arrange the entire process. There is one proviso: the seller must be willing to cooperate with a sale to the Netherlands and provide the necessary paperwork. With official brand dealers that is rarely a problem, with private sellers it often is.
What does importing via Das Import cost?
For the commercial vehicles in our range the Standaard import package is already included in the price shown. If you opt for more service, the packages are: Standaard € 1.699,99, Versneld € 1.899,99 and Deluxe € 2.399,99 (incl. VAT), with a surcharge of € 250 excl. VAT for a van or panel van. If you collect the van yourself, there is the Registratie package at € 699,99 with a surcharge of € 75 excl. VAT.
How long does it take?
On average three to five weeks from purchase to Dutch registration. With the Standaard package we aim to deliver in Zaandam within a maximum of 10 working days from the moment the van is ready; with Versneld transport a maximum of 5. After that we usually register it within one working day, and the RDW (Dutch vehicle authority) and the Belastingdienst together need on average five to nine working days for the registration certificate. Please note that the turnaround time depends mainly on when the seller has the van ready — sometimes a service or a repair still needs to be carried out before it can leave.
How is the BPM of a van calculated?
On the CO? emissions, with a fixed amount per gram per kilometre: € 74,41 in 2025 and € 76,57 in 2026. A van with 130 gr/km therefore comes out in 2026 at 130 × € 76,57 = € 9.954 gross BPM; for a used van the depreciation is deducted from that. No rate brackets and no diesel surcharge.
Why is the BPM of an older van € 0?
This is the route for those who do not make use of the entrepreneur scheme. With a date of first admission up to and including 31 December 2024, the same lump-sum depreciation table applies as for passenger cars, with one deviation: after five years the depreciation percentage is 100% and nothing remains of the BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax). With a date from 1 January 2025 onwards the ordinary table continues. According to our own calculation of that lump-sum table, it only reaches 0% after about 214 months — almost eighteen years. The provision on which the five-year rule rests expires on 1 January 2030.
What are the conditions for the entrepreneur scheme?
Four conditions, all of which must apply: the van has a date of first admission of 31 December 2024 or earlier; you are an entrepreneur under Article 7 of the Wet op de omzetbelasting 1968 (Dutch Turnover Tax Act 1968); you use the van for more than 10% of your annual kilometres for business purposes; and up to and including 31 December 2024 the van met the equipment requirements for the BPM. That last condition is assessed on the basis of the vehicle documents and the RDW (Dutch vehicle authority) registration. We request the German documents before purchase, so that you are not faced with any surprises.
What if I sell within five years or cease my business, while I was using the entrepreneur scheme?
The exemption is conditional for five years. You must still declare residual BPM and pay it within one month if you sell the van to a private individual within five years, convert it into a passenger car, cease your business, or fall below 10% business use. Selling to another entrepreneur is usually possible, via the transfer scheme. After five years that conditionality expires.
What does an electric van cost in BPM?
Nothing. At 0 grams of CO? per kilometre you pay no BPM, in any model year and regardless of whether you are an entrepreneur. Filing a declaration is generally part of it, though.
What if the CO? emissions are not known?
Then the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax authority) sets them at 330 grams per kilometre, regardless of the fuel — in 2026 amounting to € 25.268 gross BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax). Nobody wants that. If the CO? value is not stated in the advertisement, we request it from the seller; usually it simply follows from the European type-approval or the CvO/COC, which we request as standard.
May I also choose the old rate on the list price?
This choice only applies if you pay BPM — if you have an exemption as an entrepreneur, there is nothing to choose. If you do pay, then for a used van with a date of first admission up to and including 31 December 2024 you may choose between the CO? rate and the historical rate: 37,7% of the net list price, minus € 1.283 for petrol or plus € 273 for diesel. We calculate both variants and use the most favourable one.
What is the difference with the BPM of a passenger car?
The passenger car is taxed via CO? brackets with a diesel surcharge; the van with a single fixed amount per gram, without brackets and without surcharge. Specifically for a diesel with 150 gr/km, rate 2025: as a passenger car € 9.483 + 9 × € 284 + 80 × € 109,87 = € 20.828,60 gross, as a van 150 × € 74,41 = € 11.161,50.
Does the BPM rate for vans still change?
Yes, annually: € 74,41 in 2025, € 76,57 in 2026. For a used van you may choose the most favourable rate between the date of first admission and the date of approval by the RDW (Dutch vehicle authority), so an increase does not apply retroactively to your disadvantage.
Can the BPM turn out lower than the table indicates?
Yes. You may substantiate the depreciation with the fixed table, a koerslijst (valuation price list) or an appraisal report, and you choose the most favourable one — but that choice is final. An appraisal report is only allowed in the case of more than normal wear damage or if the car does not appear in a koerslijst. With high mileage a koerslijst often turns out lower.
Do I get BPM back on export?
Only if BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax) was actually paid. If the BPM on import was € 0, there is nothing to reclaim. The refund depends on the residual value at the time of export and has a lower limit.
Can you handle the BPM declaration?
Yes, that is included in all import packages. If you fall under the entrepreneurs' arrangement, there is often nothing to declare — in that case we mainly check whether you meet the conditions and record that. In all other cases we map out the options, calculate the original new price and, from that, a substantiated residual BPM, and we file the declaration.
How reliable is the BPM you show?
We calculate with the official rates and the flat-rate table of the Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax Administration), and the result is as good as the information the seller provides. If the CO? comes from the car's papers, then the amount is solid; if it is estimated, then it is indicative and we say so. The definitive BPM is determined by the Belastingdienst at the declaration.
Will a 2025 van also ever become BPM-free?
Eventually yes, but it takes much longer. The full depreciation after five years only applies with a date of first admission up to and including 31 December 2024. For newer vans, the ordinary depreciation table continues to apply. According to our own calculation of that table, it only reaches 0% after approximately 214 months — almost eighteen years. Five years versus eighteen: that is the difference that one date makes.
Should I buy now or can I wait?
Buying now is almost always more favourable for an entrepreneur, and that comes down to one thing: the reference date does not shift along. Today you can buy a van from 2024 at a dealer and pay zero euros BPM. If you buy a van in a year's time that is then equally old, that will be a van from 2025 — and for that you will indeed pay. The same vehicle, the same age, a different amount.
How do I know whether a German van is Euro 6?
That is stated in the Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I under the emission class, and usually also in the advertisement as "Euro 6", "EU6d-TEMP" or "EU6d". We check this before purchase. Under the current rules, Euro 6 commercial vehicles have access to the zero-emission zones up to and including 31 December 2027, Euro 5 up to and including 31 December 2026, Euro 4 and lower do not.
I also need to enter the city centre after 2027. What then?
Then a Euro 6 diesel is an interim solution. The government intends to extend the term by one year, but that is not yet in the law — so do not count on it. If you want long-term certainty, then electric is the logical choice; it also pays no BPM and currently has the broadest access.
Do these BPM advantages for a commercial vehicle also apply to private individuals, or only to entrepreneurs?
Partly. The full depreciation after five years and the zero rate at 0 grams of CO? apply to everyone. The entrepreneurs' scheme — zero euros regardless of age — is reserved for entrepreneurs for VAT purposes, as is the reduced road tax rate.
Do I pay less road tax for a commercial vehicle?
As an entrepreneur, yes. Conditions: you are an entrepreneur for VAT purposes, the commercial vehicle is registered in your name, and you use it for more than 10% of the annual kilometres for business. The Tax Authorities automatically apply the low rate if you are registered as a VAT entrepreneur.
Is it true that the road tax is temporarily lower?
Yes, half of the normal rate between 1 July 2026 and 1 January 2027. That takes effect from the first three-month period that begins on or after 1 July 2026, so in practice it can continue into 2027.
Does an electric commercial vehicle also pay road tax?
Yes. Whereas emission-free passenger cars still have a discount on the road tax in 2026, that discount does not apply to emission-free commercial vehicles: they pay the full rate. So do not count on an advantage in the road tax with an electric van.
Why is my calculation in the road tax calculation tool no longer correct?
Since 1 July 2026, the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax authority) calculates using the "massa rijklaar" (kerb weight ready to drive) instead of "massa ledig voertuig" (unladen vehicle mass). That is 100 kilos more, so you select a different weight class in the calculation tool — the amount itself does not change.
What if my van no longer meets the fit-out requirements?
In that case the business rate lapses and you pay the passenger car rate. You must report this yourself. It can also have consequences for the BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax) if you fall under the business scheme.
Do I already pay road tax while the van is still in Germany?
No, that runs from the moment the Dutch registration is in your name.
Does my German van automatically get a grey registration (commercial vehicle registration)?
No. The RDW (Dutch vehicle authority) assesses whether the car meets the Dutch fit-out requirements. If not, it is registered as a passenger car and the passenger car rate applies — with a heavy diesel a difference of thousands of euros. We carry out the assessment based on the advertisement and the vehicle documents; we can request these from the seller if you make use of one of our import packages. If you are in doubt about a version, submit it to us before you buy.
Which requirements apply to the cargo space?
With a large van there must be a continuous block of cargo space of at least 200 cm long and 20 cm wide, over which 130 cm of height is available. Measurement is taken with the driver's seat in the rearmost position. For a van with a raised roof, a double cabin or an open loading bed, separate dimensions apply.
Is a side window allowed in the cargo area?
For a large delivery van, yes. For smaller vans, at most one on the right side and none on the left. Additional windows must be replaced by opaque, dimensionally stable single-piece panels, welded or glued in place. Placement in the existing window rubbers is not permitted, and pop rivets, screws, clamps, and bolts with nuts are not allowed either.
Can a van with a double cab qualify for a grey licence plate (commercial vehicle registration)?
Yes, but the requirements are strict and this is the category where things most often go wrong. There may be only one extra row of seats, with a fixed wall directly behind the rear bench across the full width and height. The cargo area must be at least 150 cm long and at least two thirds of the original cargo length, at least 130 cm high over a width of 20 cm, and at least 40% of the cargo area length must lie in front of the centre of the rear axle. If the cab is lower than 130 cm, the cargo area must be twice the cab length. At most one side window on the right.
Can I have a passenger van converted into a delivery van?
Technically it is possible, but the attachment must be permanent — welding or gluing, as set out in the Besluit inrichtingseisen bpm en mrb. The conversion must be completed before the RDW (Netherlands Vehicle Authority) assessment, and if the type approval lapses due to the modification, an individual approval is required. Do the maths: the costs plus the risk often do not outweigh a van that is already suitable.
Can you assess in advance whether a van will qualify for a grey licence plate?
Yes. During the purchase handling we take over contact with the seller and check the documents and vehicle data, including what determines whether the van is registered here as a delivery van.
Can I enter zero-emission zones with an imported diesel van?
Under the current rules, a commercial vehicle with at least emission class 6 has access up to and including 31 December 2027, and with emission class 5 up to and including 31 December 2026. Emission class 4 or lower: no access. The cabinet intends to extend the Euro 6 term by one year, but this is not yet law.
In which cities do zero-emission zones apply?
The number is growing and the start dates shift regularly, also per municipality. Therefore always consult the current overview on opwegnaarzes.nl. We advise checking which cities you visit before purchase.
What is the fine for wrongly entering a zero-emission zone?
In 2026 € 130 for a van and € 320 for a truck, plus administrative costs. The check is done automatically by licence plate.
Can I obtain an exemption to enter a zero-emission zone with a non-admitted van?
Yes, for example in the case of grid congestion or business-economic circumstances. You apply yourself at the RDW (Dutch vehicle authority); there you will also find which types of exemption exist and what is possible in your situation. If you already have an exemption from a municipality, check whether it also applies in the zones you visit. Please note: only the RDW site is official, there are fake sites that ask for fees.
Which vans are exempt from the access restriction for zero-emission zones?
Vehicles of 40 years or older and wheelchair-accessible vehicles, up to and including 31 December 2029. Municipalities will then decide whether this is extended.
I never enter a zero-emission zone. Does the emission class of my van still matter then?
Not for access, but it does for the residual value. A Euro 6 van can be sold to a much larger group of buyers in a few years' time than a Euro 5.
Do I have to pay VAT on an imported van?
As a private individual you pay VAT on a van that was first put into use less than 6 months ago or that has driven no more than 6,000 kilometres. Beyond that, it depends on whether you buy a VAT car or a margin car. Please note that a German seller often requests a deposit ("Kaution") in the amount of the VAT for a business supply. You get this back once it has been demonstrated that the vehicle has been registered to the correct business entity.
What is the difference between a VAT car and a margin car?
With a VAT car, the VAT is stated separately on the invoice and you can reclaim it as an entrepreneur; with a margin car you cannot. For an entrepreneur, a VAT car is therefore often considerably cheaper net. Our offer states for each car what it is. If this is unknown, we will check it for you with the seller.
I am buying commercially from a German car dealer. How does the VAT work?
The German seller supplies at 0%, you declare the acquisition in your own VAT return and deduct it again in the same return. For this the seller needs your VAT identification number. In practice he often also asks for a deposit ("Kaution") equal to the VAT amount, which you get back as soon as the commercial registration in the Netherlands has been demonstrated. For a new or nearly new means of transport the same special arrangement applies as for private individuals, see 'Do I have to pay VAT on an imported van?'.
How much bijtelling (private-use addition to taxable income) do I pay for a company van?
That is more nuanced than a single percentage. In 2026, a full 18% applies only to hydrogen and solar-cell cars; for other zero-emission cars 18% up to € 30.000 list value and 22% on the excess, for a period of 60 months. For a date of first admission before 1 January 2017, 25% applies, and for cars older than 16 years 35% of the market value.
How do I avoid bijtelling?
With a 'Verklaring uitsluitend zakelijk gebruik bestelauto' (declaration of exclusively business use of a van). You then do not have to keep a trip registration. The counter-obligation is strict: zero private kilometres. The declaration does not work retroactively and cannot be used if you have already driven more than 500 private kilometres that year. You submit it digitally via Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk.
Do I still have to pay bijtelling if several employees use the same van?
In that case the final levy for continuously alternating use of vans applies: € 451 per van per year in 2026, instead of bijtelling per employee. That amount is indexed annually, so check it for the year in which you apply it.
Can I get investment deduction?
The small-scale investment deduction applies in principle to a van. For MIA and Vamil, the Environmental List (Milieulijst) of the investment year is decisive: the 2026 list includes the hydrogen van (45% MIA), the fully electric van no longer. The SEBA purchase subsidy closed at the end of 2024. Because these schemes change almost every year, it is best to have this checked by your accountant for the year in which you invest.
Can I finance or lease an imported van?
For the commercial vehicles in our range, we show a standard indication for financial lease; in addition we offer occasion lease, operational lease and private finance.
How does the registration with the RDW work?
The RDW (Dutch vehicle authority) identifies the vehicle, assesses the documents and enters the data into the vehicle registration register. Two things to know: driving before registration is only allowed with a one-day licence plate, and the RDW only issues the vehicle registration certificate after the BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax) has been paid.
How does the RDW registration work if Das Import arranges it for me?
You do not have to go to an inspection station. We make use of the accelerated application procedure at the RDW and the RDW inspects on-site at our location in Zaandam. This allows us to submit every working day without waiting time, whereas a private appointment is on average scheduled four to eight weeks in advance.
Which documents do I need?
For the RDW: the complete original foreign vehicle registration certificate (Teil I and Teil II) and a valid form of identification. The CvO/COC is not mandatory for the RDW, but we need it for the BPM substantiation — with a van this is extra important, because it states the CO? emissions.
Does the van have to have passed the APK inspection?
Yes, a commercial vehicle must have a valid APK (Dutch periodic vehicle inspection). If there is a valid foreign inspection — in Germany the TÜV — the RDW can usually take it over, so that you do not have to have it inspected again straight away. On arrival we check whether the German inspection documents are present and valid.
When must the van be insured?
From the moment it is registered in your name, third-party liability insurance is mandatory. The insurer must be able to register this in the insurance register of the RDW.
Who submits the BPM declaration?
The person who registers the vehicle — it does not matter who becomes the vehicle registration holder. This also applies if the amount is € 0. The exception is the entrepreneurs' scheme: if you meet the conditions, you do not have to file a declaration.
How does the van get to the Netherlands?
With all-risk transport by trailer to our location in Zaandam, at one fixed price for the whole of Germany. It is a consolidated transport; we aim to deliver within a maximum of 10 working days. So your van is not driven here. With Versneld transport this is a maximum of 5 working days.
Can I collect the van myself?
Yes. In that case you take the Registratie package (€ 699,99) and, if desired, a temporary German licence plate (Kurzzeitkennzeichen) for € 302,50 plus delivery costs, with third-party liability insurance and green card — no all-risk. Bear in mind a short period of validity that starts on the day it is created in Germany.
Can I also buy from a private seller?
Our purchase processing and transport are not available for private sellers ("Privatanbieter") and limited for non-brand dealers and cars older than ten years. The alternative is to collect it yourself with a temporary licence plate and take only the Registratie package from us. With commercial vehicles this comes up more often than with passenger cars, because relatively many older vans are offered.
Do you negotiate the price?
Optional, as part of the purchase processing. We charge 15% of the discount we achieve for you — if it yields nothing, you pay nothing.
What do the packages cost?
Standaard € 1.699,99, Versneld € 1.899,99 and Deluxe € 2.399,99, incl. VAT, with a surcharge of € 250 excl. VAT for a van or delivery vehicle. Each package includes purchase handling, all-risk transport by trailer and the importing and registering in the Netherlands. Versneld adds faster transport, a 15-point check and aftercare; Deluxe adds on top of that a 30-point check, detailing and luxury delivery.
Are the prices for the commercial vehicles in your range inclusive of BPM and import package?
Yes. The price you see for a commercial vehicle is the drive-away price on a Dutch licence plate, including BPM and the Standaard import package. Because commercial vehicles are almost always bought for business, we show that price excluding VAT. If you choose Versneld or Deluxe, the difference is added on top of that.
Is my van insured during transport and storage?
Yes. Standard car transport falls under AVC/CMR conditions, whereby the compensation per kilo almost always leads to underinsurance. That is why we offer coverage through an external insurer up to the total purchase sum, also while the van is at our premises. Stone chips and hail damage during open transport are excluded.
What does the 15-point check involve for a commercial vehicle?
Among other things the mileage against the German purchase contract, fuel or charge level, keys, tyre tread, spare wheel, warning triangle, warranty documents, validity of the German TÜV and dashboard warnings. We also change the language setting to Dutch. This is not a purchase inspection.
Do I receive aftercare?
With Versneld and Deluxe you do: if you need support in the communication with the seller or a brand dealer, for example regarding warranty, we will help with that without obligation.
Do I get a warranty on an imported delivery van?
Usually yes. Most German dealers provide a warranty on the vans they sell, and that warranty simply applies in the Netherlands. If there is still a factory warranty, it is as a rule valid throughout Europe and continues upon import, so that you can go to a Dutch brand dealer. What exactly applies differs per vehicle and per seller — we find that out for you and inform you about it before you buy.
What kind of sellers do your commercial vehicles come from?
From official brand dealers and verified sellers. That provides extra certainty about maintenance, history and mileage — especially important with commercial vehicles, as they have often been driven hard and for business purposes.
Can I trade in my current commercial van?
Yes, that is possible. You can also trade in a commercial van with us.
What should I pay attention to with a van registered as "LKW"?
In Germany, light commercial vans are also registered as LKW. That says nothing about the Dutch classification: here the equipment requirements and the weight determine whether it is a commercial van or a truck.
Is an electric van fiscally attractive?
On the BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax) certainly: 0 grams of CO? means € 0, whereas a diesel van has been paying since 2025. On the other hand, the quarter rate in the motorrijtuigenbelasting (Dutch road tax) has lapsed as of 2026 and the purchase subsidies have ended.
What is smarter: electric or a diesel from before 2025?
On the BPM they usually do not differ much if you are an entrepreneur: a van from before 2025 can end up at zero euros via the entrepreneurs' scheme, and an electric van costs zero euros because there is no CO? emission. The difference lies elsewhere. The diesel is cheaper to purchase and the supply is much larger, but under the current rules may still enter the zero-emission zones up to and including 31 December 2027. The electric van currently has the widest access, but requires a higher investment and charging facilities. If you drive a lot in the city and want to look further ahead, then electric is more logical; if you mainly drive outside the zones, then the diesel is more sharply priced.
What should I pay attention to with a used electric van?
Look at the battery health, the range at full load capacity and the warranty on the battery pack — ask the seller whether there is documentation of this. We ourselves do not offer a battery test or SoH report, but upon arrival we do check the charge level and the presence of the charging cables.
What do I pay in road tax for a van if I am not an entrepreneur?
In that case you pay the ordinary, higher rate. The reduced van rate is reserved for entrepreneurs for turnover tax purposes; if the van is registered in the name of a private individual, the Tax Authorities charge the rate comparable to that of a passenger car.
The amount depends on:
- the unladen weight of the car
- the fuel: for diesel a fuel surcharge is added
- the province in which you live, because of the provincial surcharges
- the particulate matter emissions: older diesels without a soot filter receive an additional particulate matter surcharge
The difference from the entrepreneur's rate is considerable, so factor this into your purchase decision. On the Tax Authorities' website you can calculate the exact amount; our import advisors can go through your situation with you in advance if you wish.
I want to import an older diesel van from Germany — will I then pay extra road tax because of particulate matter?
Probably yes. In the motorrijtuigenbelasting (Dutch road tax) there is a particulate matter surcharge of 15% extra MRB for diesel vehicles with particulate matter emissions of more than 5 milligrams per kilometre. This mainly affects older diesels without a (factory) soot filter; newer vans that are clean enough fall outside it.
Please note: this is separate from the diesel surcharge in the BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax). That is a one-off levy on import, whereas you pay the particulate matter surcharge every quarter for as long as the van is registered in your name. The MRB, incidentally, only starts running once the Dutch registration plate is in your name, not while the van is still in Germany.
For each vehicle we find out what data is known about the emissions and what that means for your monthly costs. Please feel free to request a no-obligation quote.
Can I have a van or commercial vehicle from Germany technically inspected in advance, and how do you check the mileage and maintenance?
Yes, for extra certainty we can have an independent purchase inspection carried out in Germany before the car comes to the Netherlands. This includes looking at the bodywork, interior, engine and transmission, wheels and brakes, electrical components and the validity of the inspection and the service booklet. Such an inspection is only possible in combination with one of our import packages; your import advisor will state the rate applicable at that time. This is separate from the 15-point check on delivery.
Germany does not have a central mileage registration such as the NAP. We therefore verify the odometer reading on the basis of the service booklet, invoices, TÜV reports and, for certain brand-dealer cars, the digital service history linked to the VIN. Especially with a hard-driven commercial vehicle, we preferably look at cars from an official brand dealer.
We make no statements in advance about a specific car. Submit a no-obligation request, and an import advisor will look up the history and status for you.
What does a body or fixed installation — refrigeration unit, crane, tail lift or box body — mean for importing a commercial vehicle?
A body does not rule out a grey number plate, but measurements are taken in the condition in which the vehicle arrives at the RDW (Dutch vehicle authority). A refrigeration unit, fixed racking or an installation package take up cargo space, and that very cargo space must still meet the prescribed dimensions. Separate dimensions apply to an open loading bed or box body. If the vehicle does not comply, it is fiscally a passenger car and the BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax) is calculated accordingly.
In addition, pay attention to the approval: if the body was fitted after the type approval and that approval lapses as a result, an individual approval is required. If the maximum permissible mass exceeds 3,500 kg, it is a truck and BPM does not apply.
Send us the vehicle you have in mind; we will read the advertisement for you and an import advisor will assess the body before purchase.
What is the difference between a low-emission zone and a zero-emission zone for my delivery van?
These are two different schemes that exist alongside each other.
A low-emission zone looks at the vehicle's emission class: below a certain Euro standard you are not allowed in, above it you are. This applies in a number of cities to older diesels, and there are separate low-emission zones for freight traffic. Which Euro standard is minimally required and for which vehicle category differs per municipality.
A zero-emission zone does not look at the Euro standard but at the emissions themselves: in time, only emission-free traffic will be allowed there. A Euro 6 van can therefore enter a low-emission zone and still be barred from a zero-emission zone.
So before purchase, check which cities you will enter and which of the two applies there; consult the current overview from the relevant municipality for this. If you wish, we will look up the emission class of a German delivery van for you.
How is my commercial vehicle delivered in the Netherlands?
As soon as your commercial vehicle has a Dutch number plate, we will let you know that it is ready to be collected at our branch in Zaandam. If you do not have time for that or live further away, we will arrange delivery at your home or business address for one fixed rate of EUR 200,- excl. VAT, throughout the Netherlands with the exception of the Wadden Islands. You do not have to arrange anything yourself for this.
Before delivery, the van has been washed, thoroughly inspected and fitted with Dutch number plates. During the arrival check, we record with photos whether the vehicle has been delivered in accordance with the agreements with the seller, including the mileage, the number of keys and accessories.
Should you nevertheless find transport damage, you report this to us; we handle the claim with our insurer for you. We remain your point of contact even after delivery.
What changes if the van I want to import from Germany weighs more than 3.500 kg?
Above 3.500 kg maximum permissible mass, it is no longer a delivery van in the Netherlands, but a truck. That changes a number of things:
- BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax): trucks do not fall under the BPM, so the delivery van rules and rates from our other answers do not apply.
- Motorrijtuigenbelasting (Dutch road tax): a different regime, based on among other things weight, number of axles and suspension.
- Driving licence: from 3.500 kg you need C1, above 7.500 kg driving licence C.
- Tachograph: mandatory in commercial goods transport above 3.500 kg.
- APK (Dutch periodic vehicle inspection): trucks are inspected annually.
For heavy vehicles, a levy may moreover apply for the use of motorways. The fact that a German registration certificate states "LKW" says nothing about this: the Dutch construction requirements and the weight determine the classification. If you are considering such a vehicle, then put it to an import adviser in advance.
When do I have to pay the German seller and what assurance do I have that my money ends up in the right place?
With a commercial vehicle this proceeds the same as with a passenger car. In most cases you buy directly from the German seller yourself and you also pay for the car directly to him; only with financial lease does Das Import purchase the car itself and deliver it on to you.
You first sign a purchase agreement in which the parties, make and model, the VIN, the actual mileage, the Erstzulassung and the warranty are recorded. As soon as the car is ready for transport, we forward you the payment instructions from the seller. Payment is made in euros, so without currency conversion.
In addition, after signing there follows a payment link for the services of Das Import and any BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax). Your import adviser will explain in advance which payment is intended for what.
How is a car deregistered for export in Germany, and what if the seller does not hand over the Teil II?
Upon export, the German registration is terminated at the Zulassungsstelle: the car is deregistered (Abmeldung) or an export licence plate (Ausfuhrkennzeichen) is issued for it, so that you can legally drive it to the Netherlands. We can arrange such a temporary licence plate for you within our Registratiepakket if you collect the car yourself; see https://www.dasimport.nl/auto-importeren/tijdelijk-kenteken-duitsland.
Crucial is the Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II (Fahrzeugbrief), the proof of ownership. Without Teil II you cannot have the car registered in the Netherlands. If the car is still registered to a bank or leasing company, then Teil II is often still there; that must first be released.
We request the documents in advance and check whether everything is complete. Submit a request, and an import adviser will look into it with you.
How does the import of a commercial vehicle proceed step by step?
The process follows fixed steps:
1. You submit a no-obligation request. We read out the advertisement for you and an import advisor calculates the total import costs.
2. Purchase. In most cases you buy directly from the German seller yourself; your import advisor guides you in this and checks the purchase contract and the foreign registration papers.
3. Transport to the Netherlands.
4. RDW (Dutch vehicle authority) inspection and identification of the car.
5. BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax) declaration. The RDW forwards the data to the Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax Authorities).
6. Kentekenregistratie (registration of the license plate) and registration in your name, after approval and paid BPM.
7. Delivery of your commercial vehicle.
If desired, we handle the entire process and the accompanying documents, including the CoC document if available. Throughout the entire process you receive updates, so you know where your car is located.
Would you like to know what we can do for you? Feel free to request a no-obligation quote.
How do I demonstrate that I use the van for more than 10% business purposes?
You do that with your own administration. The Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax Authorities) does not prescribe a fixed form, but you must be able to make the business share of your annual kilometres plausible. In practice this works best with a complete kilometre administration: start and end mileage per year, date, trips and destinations. Substantiate this with documents you already have anyway, such as invoices, work orders, calendars, fuel and charging receipts and maintenance bills.
Keep this with your business administration. For that administration the tax retention obligation of seven years applies, so also long after the van has been registered.
Please note: this is separate from the 'Declaration of exclusively business use of a van' for the bijtelling (private-use addition). That declaration replaces your trip registration for the payroll tax, but not your substantiation for the BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax).
Our import advisors are happy to go through your situation with you in advance.
How do I arrange the insurance of my imported van for the business?
During transport and storage with us the van is already covered: we have it transported with all-risk insurance, with coverage up to the purchase amount (stone chips and hail during open transport excluded).
The Dutch insurance you arrange yourself with your own insurer or insurance advisor. From the moment the van is registered in the name of your company, third-party liability insurance is mandatory; your insurer registers that in the insurance register of the RDW (Dutch vehicle authority). Your insurer needs the Dutch license plate for that, so register the van as soon as the registration in your name is complete.
Whether, in addition to third-party liability, you also take out comprehensive coverage is up to you. How your no-claim years count for the business and whether fixed installations and tools are co-insured depends on your insurer and policy. Ask about this in advance, so that the coverage is ready on the day of registration in your name.
