What is checked during the 15-point arrival check?
Upon the arrival of your car, we carry out an extensive 15-point check, so that you can be sure that everything is correct before the car comes to you. Among other things, we check:
- mileage compared to the purchase contract
- fuel or charge level including charging cables
- number of keys and presence of mats
- exterior damage (the car is washed and photographed all around)
- language settings
- tyre tread and repair kit or spare wheel
- warning triangle
- warranty documents
- any dashboard warnings
This check is included in the Versneld package. Would you like to know which package best suits your situation? Our advisors are happy to draw up a no-obligation quote for you.
What is the Deluxe import package?
The Deluxe import package is for those who want maximum certainty and the most complete service. You choose this package if you not only want the process arranged quickly and properly, but also attach extra value to control, finishing and experience.
On top of the Versneld package, we carry out a 30-point arrival check (so including the 15-point check + 15 additional checkpoints). This gives you the most extensive arrival inspection we offer.
Finally, we deliver your car with a professional detailing and a luxury delivery. This way your car is not only imported quickly, but also delivered in absolute showroom condition and with a premium delivery moment. The Deluxe import package costs €2.399,99 incl. VAT.
Will the language of my car be changed to Dutch?
Yes, as part of the points check upon arrival we change the language setting of your car from German to Dutch. This check is carried out with the Versneld pakket (15-point check) and the Deluxe pakket (30-point check).
What is a pre-purchase inspection?
A pre-purchase inspection is an inspection in Germany of the car, carried out by an independent inspection agency, to provide maximum certainty about the condition of the vehicle before you definitively purchase it. For an additional charge of €200,- excl. VAT we can arrange this inspection for you. Please note: this service is only available in combination with our car import service packages.
Who carries out the pre-purchase inspection in Germany?
We have the independent technical pre-purchase inspection carried out by one of our inspection partners in Germany — including DEKRA, TÜV and GTÜ. Which party it will be is determined by the location of the seller.
We charge € 200,- (excl. VAT) for this and offer this service exclusively in combination with one of our import service packages (Standaard, Versneld or Deluxe). After the inspection you receive an objective report on the current condition of the car, so that you can also buy with peace of mind from a distance. For cars offered privately ('Privatanbieter') we cannot offer this inspection.
What services does Das Import provide?
Das Import is specialised in importing cars from Germany. We guide the entire process, from finding the perfect car to arranging the complete Dutch registration.
What is the difference between the import packages?
With the Registratiepakket you arrange the purchase and transport in Germany yourself; in the Netherlands we take care of the importation and registration up to a Dutch registration. With our car import service packages we take the entire process off your hands from A to Z, including purchase handling and all-risk insured transport. Standaard is the complete basis; Versneld adds faster transport and a 15-point arrival check; Deluxe offers on top of that a 30-point check, a professional polish and a luxury delivery. Full overview: https://www.dasimport.nl/auto-importeren/auto-import-service-pakketten.
Is it wise to take out a pre-purchase inspection?
Yes, we certainly recommend a pre-purchase inspection for cars purchased from non-authorised dealers or for cars older than 5 years. This provides extra certainty about the condition of the car before you proceed to purchase.
Which additional points are included in the 30-point check?
On top of the 15 check points, Das Import carries out the following additional checks for you in the extended 30-point check:
- Engine oil and coolant/windscreen washer fluid
- Windscreen wipers and lighting
- Battery and tyre pressure
- Interior damage and windows
- Seat heating, air conditioning and navigation SD card
- Reading out the fault memory
This extended check is part of our Deluxe package, so that you can drive your car with peace of mind. Would you like to know what the Deluxe package can mean for you? Feel free to request a no-obligation quote or contact one of our advisers.
What exactly does the Registratie Pakket include?
The Registratie Pakket (registration package) is ideal for anyone who wants to arrange the purchase and transport of the car themselves, but wants the administrative handling to be taken care of professionally. For €699,99 including VAT, we take care of the import of the car, the RDW registration fees, the BPM declaration, luxury registration plates, a basic hand wash, the storage costs and an all-risk insurance for the driving risk. You deliver the car to us at our location, after which we set the import process in motion. As soon as the registration numbers are known, we schedule an appointment with you to deliver the car to you.
What is the Standaard import package?
With our Standaard Package, we take everything off your hands – from purchase to license plate. For € 1.699,99 incl. VAT, our import advisors arrange the entire process: we contact the seller in Germany, check the history and details of the car and draw up a clear quotation, including the calculation of the residual BPM. After your approval, we guide the purchase agreement and the payment. Subsequently, we arrange the all-risk insured transport by trailer to our branch in Zaandam (aiming for a maximum of ten working days) and immediately start the Registratie with the RDW and the Belastingdienst. This way you are completely unburdened and you can count on a careful and transparent import process.
What is the Versneld import package?
The Versneld import package offers a completely unburdened import process. This includes contact with the seller in Germany, inspection of the car, a clear quotation including residual BPM, and guidance with the purchase agreement and payment. On top of that, you benefit from accelerated all-risk insured transport by trailer to Zaandam (maximum of five working days) and an extensive 15-point arrival check upon delivery. After that, we immediately start the Registratie with the RDW and Belastingdienst. This way your car is delivered faster, checked with extra care and fully arranged. The Versneld import package costs €1.899,99 incl. VAT.
Does Das Import wash and polish my imported car?
Yes. Upon arrival, your car receives a standard basic hand wash (by hand, to prevent car-wash scratches), so that the condition can be properly checked and documented. In the Deluxe package, a professional polishing session with buffing and interior cleaning also follows, plus a coating that protects the paintwork for 3 to 5 months.
Can I use the full car import service for a car from a private seller?
No. The car import service packages (Standaard, Versneld and Deluxe) are not offered for cars that are sold privately ('Privatanbieters'); the service is also limited for non-brand dealers and cars older than 10 years. We can, however, import such cars with the Basis or registratiepakket, whereby you drive the car to the Netherlands yourself with a temporary license plate.
What exactly do the import packages of Das Import cost?
The package prices are: Standaard 1.699,99 euro, Versneld (most chosen) 1.899,99 euro and Deluxe 2.399,99 euro (all including VAT). If you arrange the purchase and transport yourself, there is the Registratiepakket for 699,99 euro. If you want to pick up the car yourself with temporary German plates, the Tijdelijk kenteken (temporary registration) costs 302,50 euro (excluding delivery costs). For commercial vehicles (van/delivery) a surcharge of 250 euro excl. VAT applies (with the Registratiepakket 75 euro excl. VAT). These packages include all import costs; the BPM and the purchase of the car in Germany are additional.
can I also customise the import package?
No, we deliver exclusively our fixed import packages. Each package is carefully put together to make the import process run as efficiently as possible.
What is the advantage of choosing a full package instead of only the registration package?
With a full package you are taken care of from A to Z: we arrange the entire import process for you, including contact with the selling party, negotiation, transport and all administrative matters. Your car is also better insured than if you were to drive it back yourself. In addition, when you factor in all the additional costs (such as fuel, a temporary licence plate and travel time), a full package often turns out to be more cost-efficient than only the Registratiepakket (registration package). So it not only offers you convenience, but often also a financial advantage.
How do I know whether the chosen import package is the right choice for my specific situation?
We always advise you about our import packages and help you determine which one best suits your situation.
What is the difference between the arrival check and a purchase inspection?
These two checks take place at different moments and each serve their own purpose:
- **Purchase inspection:** before the purchase in Germany, in which we assess the technical condition of the car so that you can decide with peace of mind.
- **Arrival check (15- or 30-point):** after arrival in the Netherlands, in which we check whether the car has been delivered as agreed.
Das Import takes care of both checks for you, so that you do not have to worry about the condition or the delivery. The arrival check is a standard part of the Versneld and Deluxe packages.
Would you like to know which check best suits your situation? Our advisors are happy to think along with you without obligation.
Why is Das Import faster at the RDW?
Das Import takes care of the entire RDW handling for you, which means the process runs considerably faster. As an RDW-approved company we are allowed to register vehicles ourselves. As a result, for many imported cars we are not dependent on the scheduling of a regular RDW inspection station. This considerably shortens the lead time. In most cases we can arrange the RDW registration within one working day after the car arrives in Zaandam.
Would you like to know what we can do for your car? Request a no-obligation quote or contact one of our advisers.
What is the 15- or 30-point check upon arrival of my car?
This is an inspection that Das Import carries out upon arrival at the location in Zaandam to verify whether the car has been delivered in accordance with the agreements made with the seller. The Versneld package includes a 15-point check; the Deluxe package a 30-point check (the 15 points plus 15 additional inspection points, such as tyre pressure, fault memory and navigation). Please note: this is emphatically not a pre-purchase inspection.
Does Das Import itself drive my car on the road?
No, hardly ever. The transport from Germany is done by trailer and the RDW inspects at our own location in Zaandam, so your car is normally not driven to an RDW station. Only for short movements on our own premises — for example from the trailer to the storage area — a few metres are driven, for which an all-risk insurance applies.
In very exceptional cases the RDW calls up a car for a spot check. It then has to go to the RDW inspection station in Amsterdam. This almost never happens, and if it does we first ask for your permission, after which we arrange it entirely for you at no extra cost. Fortunately the inspection station is close to our office.
Where is my car while I wait for the registration?
Your car is stored in a heavily secured car showroom in Zaandam, featuring among other things armoured overhead doors, anti-ram bollards, camera surveillance with a monitoring centre, an alarm system with a monitoring centre and a security gate. The RDW and the Belastingdienst combined need on average approximately five to nine working days to create the registration certificate.
Which import service packages does Das Import offer and what is the difference?
Das Import offers three complete packages — Standaard, Versneld and Deluxe — plus a separate Registratiepakket for when you collect the car yourself.
All three car import service packages have the Registratiepakket as their basis: the RDW registratie at our own location, the BPM declaration, the luxury licence plates, the registration in your name, the storage and a basic hand wash. On top of that, each complete package adds the purchase handling and the all-risk transport by trailer from Germany.
The Standaard package is that basic peace of mind. Versneld adds expedited transport (a maximum of 5 instead of 10 working days), a 15-point check on arrival and aftercare following delivery. Deluxe adds on top of that a professional detailing with paint treatment and coating and a luxury delivery, and expands the check to a 30-point check instead of a 15-point check — fifteen additional check points on arrival. With the Registratiepakket you arrange the purchase and transport yourself and we only handle the registratie in the Netherlands.
What is examined during the pre-purchase inspection in Germany?
The car is checked on six main components: bodywork (damage, repair marks, corrosion, colour difference in the paint, windows), interior (odours, signs of use, upholstery, controls), engine/gearbox/exhaust (oil loss, cooling system, plus a test drive for atypical noises), wheels and brake system (tread depth of at least 3 mm, rims, brake pads and discs, brake fluid), electrical components (windows, roof, air conditioning, seat heating) and the mandatory vehicle inspections and the maintenance (validity of inspection, service booklet).
What does Das Import's professional detailing (car polishing) involve?
Our extensive detailing service consists of hand washing and chamois drying, single-layer polishing, cleaning the wheels, cleaning the windows inside and out, cleaning the interior, blacking the tyres and waxing the entire car. This restores the paintwork's shine and protects it against dirt; the interior is first blown out and then meticulously vacuumed and cleaned. The treatment can be extended with a Waxoyl paint sealant or an ozone treatment. Our car detailing company is based in Zaandam and also works for customers who do not import through us.
How much does expedited transport cost if I have the Standaard package?
With the Versneld and Deluxe package, expedited transport is included as standard. If you have the Standaard package, you can optionally add expedited transport for an additional charge of €175,- excl. VAT. Your car is then given priority in the transport schedule, which shortens the lead time from a maximum of 10 to a maximum of 5 working days, counted from the moment the car is ready at the seller.
Will my car be refuelled or charged on arrival if necessary?
Yes, if necessary. On arrival at our location we record the fuel level or, in the case of an electric car, the charge level of the battery. If this is too low, we will refuel or charge your car with your permission, only passing on the cost price. With electric and hybrid cars we also check whether the charging cables are present.
Can I have accessories installed during the import process without delay?
Yes. Most accessories that we install for customers of our car import service are fitted immediately after the car has been registered with the RDW and Customs, while the car stands idle for a number of days awaiting the vehicle registration document. As a result, the installation of many common accessories, such as an alarm, tyres and rims or window tinting, generally does not cause any delay to the delivery of your car.
Is Das Import an RDW-recognised car company?
Yes. Das Automotive Services B.V. (trading under the name Das Import) is an RDW-recognised car company. Companies with an RDW recognition work according to certain quality standards of the RDW and may, among other things, register vehicles, issue indemnification certificates (vrijwaringsbewijzen), have licence plates made and import cars faster and more easily via the RDW.
What does the luxury delivery in the Deluxe pakket entail?
For the most premium experience we arrange a luxury delivery with the Deluxe pakket, with extra attention to the moment. We place a large bow on the car as a surprise element, make a social media-worthy photo or reveal video if desired, and you also receive a bottle of champagne.
Compared to the Versneld pakket, with Deluxe you additionally receive a professional cleaning with paint treatment and coating, and a 30-point check instead of a 15-point check — fifteen extra check points upon arrival.
Can you also arrange only the BPM declaration?
Yes. You can also make use of individual services, such as solely the BPM declaration.
When do you recommend a pre-purchase inspection?
A pre-purchase inspection is especially worthwhile when you want extra certainty about the technical condition of the car or when you have doubts about the history or maintenance condition.
Will I receive a report of the pre-purchase inspection?
Yes. Afterwards you will receive an independent inspection report with the findings.
Do you also read out the car's fault memory?
During our 30-point check we also read out the fault memory and check any error messages.
Do you check electric cars differently from fuel-powered cars?
Yes. For electric and hybrid cars we check, among other things, the battery's charge level and the presence of the charging cables.
What happens if you discover damage or defects?
When we identify defects, we record these carefully. If necessary, we can hold the selling party accountable for them.
Why can't I choose a Registratie package when you buy the car?
If we buy the car, transport and purchase processing are part of that. In that case you choose from Standaard, Versneld or Deluxe. There are three reasons for this:
- We buy the car and deliver it on to you. The purchase processing and transport are part of that same service and cannot be separated from it.
- We do not pay for a car that someone else collects. With financing, the car is the collateral; in that case it must be established where the car is and how it gets here.
- Our own transport has all-risk insurance. If you drive the car yourself on a temporary registration, there is only third-party (WA) insurance and therefore no cover for damage to the car itself. We cannot take that risk on a car that is still ours at that point.
The Registratie (registration) package does remain available in the cases where you buy the car yourself: you then arrange the purchase and transport yourself and we take care of the import and the registration in the Netherlands.
What exactly does the package with a temporary German registration entail and when do I choose it?
With this package we arrange the German export plates for the trip to the Netherlands. You receive a temporary registration (Kurzzeitkennzeichen, 5 days) including third-party liability insurance with green card. The registration plates, the registration certificate and the green card are delivered by courier from Germany to the address you choose.
The costs are € 302,50 including VAT, made up of the registration itself, the third-party liability insurance with green card and the handling of the application. In addition there are delivery costs: € 45,00 excl. VAT in the Netherlands or € 35,00 excl. VAT at the seller in Germany.
You choose this if you collect the car yourself and drive it to the Netherlands. If you use one of our car import service packages, we transport the car on a trailer and a temporary registration is not needed — the car is then fully comprehensively insured en route. The temporary registration is an addition to our Registratie package, not a replacement: the RDW (Dutch vehicle authority) entry, BPM declaration and Dutch registration plates run through that package.
Please note: the third-party liability insurance only covers legal liability, not comprehensive cover. You can find the conditions at https://www.dasimport.nl/auto-importeren/tijdelijk-kenteken-duitsland
How long does the import take per package, from purchase to Dutch registration?
On average an import takes three to five weeks from purchase to Dutch registration. The difference per package lies mainly in the transport:
- Standaard: we aim for delivery in Zaandam within a maximum of 10 working days, counted from the moment the car is ready at the German seller. You can optionally add expedited transport for € 175,- excl. VAT; the term then becomes a maximum of 5 working days.
- Versneld and Deluxe: expedited transport is included, so a maximum of 5 working days.
After arrival we usually enter the car within one working day. RDW and the Tax Authorities then together need on average five to nine working days for the registration certificate. Please note: these are averages. The RDW and the Tax Authorities are government bodies; we have no control over their processing and lead times and delays can unfortunately occur.
The biggest variable is when the seller has the car ready; sometimes maintenance or a repair still has to be done.
How and where will my car ultimately be handed over to me?
As soon as your car has Dutch registration and all formalities have been completed, we will contact you for a delivery appointment. You then have two options:
- Collect it yourself from us in Zaandam. That is free of charge.
- Delivery to a location of your choice, for example at your home. This costs one fixed rate of EUR 200,- excl. VAT for the whole of the Netherlands, with the exception of the Wadden Islands, so regardless of the distance.
With home delivery an experienced driver brings the car to you driving over the road; the car arrives ready to drive and registered. You do not have to arrange anything yourself for this. If the car contains insufficient fuel, this will be charged on in consultation.
Are the import packages different if I buy the car for business use?
The packages themselves are the same for entrepreneurs and private individuals: you choose from Registratie, Standaard, Versneld or Deluxe. The difference lies mainly in the VAT and in how the price is displayed. For commercial vehicles we show the drive-ready price excluding VAT, because these are almost always bought for business use.
Whether you can reclaim the VAT depends on the car. With a VAT car the VAT is stated separately on the invoice, with a margin car it is not. In our offer it states per car what it is; if that is unknown, we ask the seller for you.
We arrange financing or lease as an additional service. With financial lease Das Import buys the car itself in Germany; in most other cases you buy directly from the German seller yourself. Your import advisor will discuss what suits your situation.
Which costs are not included in the package price?
The package price covers our services and the fixed registration costs, not the car itself and not the tax that has to be paid to the government. Outside the package price fall in any case:
- The purchase price of the car. In most cases you pay this directly to the German seller yourself.
- The BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax) amount itself. We handle the declaration and the payment; the BPM is usually on the same invoice as the import costs, but the tax itself is not included in the package price.
- A surcharge of € 250,00 excluding VAT for a van or delivery vehicle.
- Extension of the all-risk coverage of € 75,00 excluding VAT for a purchase amount above € 40.000.
- € 350,00 excluding VAT for a financing or lease process.
RDW (Dutch vehicle authority) fees, recycling, registration and licence plates are included in the package. Request a no-obligation quote, and an import adviser will list all costs for your situation.
What exactly is covered during transport and storage, and what am I liable for myself?
Your car falls under an additional all-risk coverage via an external insurer. That coverage runs from the transport up to and including the period during which your car is stored in our secured premises in Zaandam; you do not have to arrange anything for this yourself.
What the coverage entails:
- Damage is reimbursed up to the total purchase amount of the car, by default up to € 40.000. If the purchase amount is higher, an additional premium of € 75 excl. VAT applies.
- With open transport, only stone chip and hail damage are excluded. If you choose enclosed transport, that exclusion no longer applies.
- Should damage nevertheless occur, we report and handle the claim for you; you do not have to do anything yourself.
This coverage is necessary because a car without a Dutch licence plate often falls outside standard garage policies as a 'client object'. One of our advisers will be happy to inform you about your own excess.
Can I also have a motorcycle, camper, classic car or damaged car imported, or do the packages only apply to passenger cars?
Our import packages are built around passenger cars. For a van or delivery car the service remains the same, but a surcharge applies: € 250 excl. VAT for the import packages (storage and transport) and € 75 excl. VAT for the Registratie package, because in that case it only concerns storage.
If it concerns another vehicle, such as a motorcycle, camper, classic car, a car with modifications or a damaged vehicle, then transport, storage and the registration at the RDW may proceed differently than with a regular passenger car. We cannot name one fixed price for this in advance.
Send us the advertisement or the vehicle details; we will read out the advertisement for you and an import adviser will let you know what is possible in your case and what it costs.
How does warranty, APK and aftercare work on an imported car after delivery?
Warranty: if the car still has manufacturer's warranty, this is usually valid throughout Europe and you can go to a brand dealer in the Netherlands for warranty matters. Additional warranties from German brand dealers are also valid in the Netherlands in many cases. Before purchase we enquire which warranty applies to the specific car and what the conditions and validity in the Netherlands are. If there is no or insufficient warranty available, additional warranty can be arranged for many cars.
APK (Dutch periodic vehicle inspection): if the car has a valid German TÜV/Hauptuntersuchung, this can often be taken over upon import and registered as a Dutch APK. You then do not have to have the car inspected again solely for the APK. Whether the foreign inspection can be taken over and how long the APK is subsequently valid depends on the validity and registration of the German inspection. If a takeover is not possible, a Dutch APK can be carried out.
Aftercare: we remain happy to be involved after delivery as well. If you have questions about the car, documents or warranty, or if a problem unexpectedly arises, you can turn to us. Where necessary we help with the contact with the German seller, brand dealer or warranty party and think along about a suitable solution.
