Do you also import to Belgium?
Good day, we can only import vehicles from Germany to the Netherlands.
Frequently asked questions about special imports
Campers, vans, oldtimers/youngtimers, electric cars and imports from other countries.
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Questions and answers
Do you also import to Belgium?
Can I import a car from Belgium (or another EU country)?
Do you also import to Portugal?
Do you also import to France?
Can I import a camper (Wohnmobil)?
Do I pay BPM on an imported electric car?
Is importing an electric car from Germany advantageous?
Can I import a car for business as a freelancer (ZZP'er)?
Do you also handle the import of a damaged car?
How do plug-in hybrids work fiscally and in terms of BPM?
Do you also import from other EU countries?
I would like to import a car that has not yet been admitted to the EU?
Do you also offer support for importing vehicles that are older than 10 years?
How is the battery health (State-of-Health) checked?
What is a youngtimer and how does the youngtimer scheme work?
Can Das Import import classic cars and is less BPM due?
Can I import a van or grey number plate vehicle?
Can Das Import also import motorcycles, campers or caravans?
Is there a surcharge for importing a commercial vehicle or van?
This car appears to come from America — is that a problem?
How can I tell that a car comes from America?
Can you also import a car from England, or from Switzerland or Norway?
Can I import a car from Germany that is offered by a private seller?
I am moving to the Netherlands and want to bring my own car — do I then have to pay BPM?
In Germany I see many cars that are ex-lease, ex-rental or ex-taxi. Can you import such a car too?
Can I import a car with an LPG or CNG installation or a modified car from Germany?
Can you import a car for me without registration documents, or a damaged vehicle for parts?
The car is in Germany but has never been registered — it was, however, delivered new with a CoC. Can you import it?
The German EV I want to buy was purchased with an Umweltbonus. Do I run the risk that this subsidy will be reclaimed if the car goes to the Netherlands?
How do the BPM and road tax work out if I import a camper van from Germany?
Can I import a car from Belgium (or another EU country)?
Yes, that is certainly possible. When importing within the EU you do not pay import duties, but usually you do pay BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax). The required documents differ per country, which sometimes makes the whole process a bit more involved.
Das Import handles the entire process for you, including from Belgium, so that you do not have to worry about the correct paperwork or the handling. Would you like to know what we can do for your situation? Feel free to request a no-obligation quote or contact one of our advisors.
Do you also import to Portugal?
Good day, we can only import vehicles from Germany to the Netherlands.
Do you also import to France?
Good day, we can only import vehicles from Germany to the Netherlands.
Can I import a camper (Wohnmobil)?
Yes, we also arrange the import of campers (Wohnmobil). With campers two things are decisive:
- The vehicle must be officially registered abroad as a camper (for example "Wohnmobil"). If it is registered as a passenger car (M1) or another vehicle category, a different import process may apply.
- The vehicle must comply with the applicable equipment requirements for a camper as determined by the Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax Authority). Only then can the camper-BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax) scheme be applied.
If one or both conditions are not met, this may lead to a different BPM calculation, additional RDW (Dutch vehicle authority) inspections, extra costs and a longer processing time. We therefore always advise having the foreign registration papers and the vehicle's equipment checked first before we make any definitive statements about the BPM, the registratie (registration) and the planning. Please note: an initial BPM indication and import advice are based on the information provided by you or the seller; the final assessment is only possible after we have received and checked the foreign registration papers — we can request these for you before purchase.
Would you like to know whether your camper qualifies? Feel free to request a no-obligation quote or contact one of our advisers.
Do I pay BPM on an imported electric car?
Yes, since 1 January 2025 you also pay BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax) on an electric car in the form of the fixed base amount: € 667 in 2025 and € 687 in 2026. Please note that the BPM declaration is always mandatory, even when you owe little or no BPM.
Das Import handles this declaration entirely for you, so you can be sure that everything is submitted correctly and on time. Would you like to know what this means for your situation? Our advisors will gladly prepare a no-obligation quote for you.
Is importing an electric car from Germany advantageous?
Importing an electric car from Germany is often advantageous: the supply is large and the prices are sharp. However, it is important to properly weigh the fixed base amount BPM, the bijtelling (addition to income for private use of a company car) for business use and the difference between a VAT and margin car. Also, some German EVs were purchased with a subsidy, which can have consequences.
Das Import checks these points for you and calculates the actual benefit, so you know exactly where you stand in advance. Feel free to request a no-obligation quote or let one of our advisors inform you.
Can I import a car for business as a freelancer (ZZP'er)?
Yes, as a ZZP'er (self-employed person) you can import a car for business, provided you have a VAT number and use the car for business purposes. You then benefit from the same advantages as other entrepreneurs, such as being able to reclaim the VAT on a net purchase.
Do you also handle the import of a damaged car?
No, we do not import damaged cars.
How do plug-in hybrids work fiscally and in terms of BPM?
A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) has CO2 emissions and therefore falls under the regular CO2-BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax) rate; since 2025 there is no longer a separate PHEV rate. For business use, fossil private use will fall under the pseudo-final levy from 2027 onwards, which may have consequences for your tax situation.
At Das Import we can, if desired, fully calculate the BPM and the tax consequences for your specific model, so that you know exactly where you stand in advance. This way you don't have to dive into the regulations yourself and you avoid unexpected costs.
Feel free to request a no-obligation quote.
Do you also import from other EU countries?
We can register cars from any European country in the Netherlands with our Registratie package, provided the vehicle has European papers. However, our car import service packages are only available for vehicles from Germany and Belgium.
I would like to import a car that has not yet been admitted to the EU?
Unfortunately, we cannot register cars from outside the EU zone and without an EU registration.
Do you also offer support for importing vehicles that are older than 10 years?
Yes, for vehicles older than 10 years we offer at least the Registratiepakket (registration package) for importing and, depending on where the car is for sale, also our car import service packages.
How is the battery health (State-of-Health) checked?
For an electric car to be imported, we can inquire about the battery health, so you gain insight into the actual condition of the battery and the remaining range. This way you know exactly where you stand in advance.
Would you like to know more about the possibilities for your import? Our advisors will gladly prepare a no-obligation quote for you.
What is a youngtimer and how does the youngtimer scheme work?
A youngtimer is a car roughly 15 to 30 years old. For the business driver this scheme is interesting because the bijtelling (Dutch addition to taxable income for private use) is calculated over the current market value instead of the list price, at a rate of 35%. With a low current market value this can turn out to be fiscally attractive, although it is wise to take the pseudo-final levy on fossil fuel from 2027 into account.
Das Import will, if desired, calculate for you whether a youngtimer is advantageous in your situation, so that you make a well-considered choice without having to figure out the tax details yourself. Would you like to know what this means for you? Feel free to request a no-obligation quote or contact one of our advisers.
Can Das Import import classic cars and is less BPM due?
Yes, Das Import can import classic cars for you, but not in all cases in combination with purchase handling and transport. With a used classic, thanks to normal depreciation, often no BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax) is due anymore, but this differs per car. We calculate this for you per car, so that you know in advance where you stand, and where possible we also arrange the purchase and transport.
Feel free to request a no-obligation quote, then one of our advisers will calculate the situation for your specific car and we will look at the possibilities.
Can I import a van or grey number plate vehicle?
Yes, we also arrange the import of vans with a grey number plate. Since 1-1-2025 the BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax) for vans is calculated based on CO2 emissions; emission-free vans are exempt from BPM. For older vans transitional rules apply. Das Import assesses for you which rate works out most favourably in your situation, so that you can be sure you are not paying too much.
Feel free to request a no-obligation quote, then we will look at the possibilities for your van.
Can Das Import also import motorcycles, campers or caravans?
Das Import specialises in importing passenger cars and vans from Germany; we take the entire process off your hands, from purchase and transport to RDW (Netherlands Vehicle Authority) registration and BPM declaration.
- Passenger cars: yes, this is our core activity.
- Vans and commercial vehicles: yes, depending on the dimensions and whether the vehicle fits on our transport trailer.
- Campers (Wohnmobil): yes, provided the vehicle is officially registered as a camper abroad.
- Classic cars and youngtimers: yes, although a combination with purchase handling and transport is not always possible.
- Motorcycles: no, we do not import those.
- Damaged cars: no.
Not sure whether your vehicle qualifies? Feel free to contact us and we will look into the possibilities for you.
Is there a surcharge for importing a commercial vehicle or van?
Yes. For commercial vehicles there is a surcharge for storage and transport. With the full import service packages this surcharge is €250,- excl. VAT; with the Registratiepakket (collect it yourself) this is €75,- excl. VAT for storage. Whether we can import a commercial vehicle depends on the size and whether it fits on our transport truck.
This car appears to come from America — is that a problem?
We can import an American car if it already has an EU registration, but we advise against it. Cars that were originally built for the American market bring extra risks with them:
- The actual CO2 emissions are often higher than what is stated in the advertisement. The BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax) therefore turns out higher than you would expect based on that advertisement.
- A portion of these cars has a damage history or has been declared a total loss in the United States and subsequently cosmetically repaired. This cannot be seen from the outside.
- The mileage cannot be reliably traced: a European maintenance and inspection history is missing for the first years.
- There is no European factory warranty, not even if the car is still young.
Do you have your eye on a car that you suspect comes from America? Then send us the link to the advertisement and have it assessed by an import advisor before you sign anything.
How can I tell that a car comes from America?
Sometimes it is simply stated in the advertisement ('US-Import', 'US-Modell'). There are also other signs: orange side reflectors at the front and rear, an odometer in miles, a version or engine specification that was never delivered here, or a seller who specialises in imported cars.
That does not provide certainty, and it is not always mentioned. In doubt? Send us the link to the advertisement, and we will have it assessed by an import advisor before you proceed.
Can you also import a car from England, or from Switzerland or Norway?
Our car import service packages (Standaard, Versneld and Deluxe) are exclusively available for vehicles from Germany and, under certain conditions, Belgium. With our Registratiepakket we can register vehicles from any European country, provided the vehicle has European papers. Since Brexit, the United Kingdom falls outside the EU, as do Switzerland and Norway. Unfortunately, we cannot register vehicles from outside the EU zone and without an EU registration.
When importing from outside the EU, please bear in mind in any case that a customs declaration is required and that you pay import duties (as a rule 10% for passenger cars) and 21% VAT, in addition to any BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax). If a European type approval is missing, the RDW (Dutch vehicle authority) requires an individual approval.
Are you in doubt whether your car's papers are sufficient? Send us the details or the listing link, and our advisers will assess without obligation what is possible in your situation.
Can I import a car from Germany that is offered by a private seller?
That is possible, but with limited services. We do not offer our more extensive import packages including purchase handling and transport for cars from private sellers ('Privatanbieter'). We can, however, import such a car with the Basis or Registratiepakket: in most cases you then buy the car yourself directly from the German seller and drive it to the Netherlands with a temporary registration, after which we take care of the Dutch registration.
We particularly advise you to look at offerings from an official brand dealer. That generally gives the most certainty about history, mileage and warranty, and you run less risk of hidden defects. With a private sale you buy at your own expense and risk.
If you submit the car to us without obligation, an import adviser will look at the options available in your situation.
I am moving to the Netherlands and want to bring my own car — do I then have to pay BPM?
If you move to the Netherlands and bring your own car, you may be able to make use of the removal goods scheme. This is a genuine exemption: you must apply for it yourself at the Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax Administration); it does not take effect automatically.
The main conditions are:
- You owned and used the car for at least six months before the move.
- You lived abroad for at least twelve consecutive months.
- You do not sell, rent out or lend the car during the first year after the exemption.
The scheme applies both when moving from another EU country and from outside the EU. Please note: when importing from outside the EU, customs formalities also apply.
We are happy to assess your situation and handle the entire process, so that the application proceeds correctly. Please feel free to contact one of our import advisers.
In Germany I see many cars that are ex-lease, ex-rental or ex-taxi. Can you import such a car too?
Yes, we can also import cars with a business past for you. In principle it does not matter which make or model it is; we import passenger cars and vans that are for sale in Germany, preferably at an official brand dealer or verified seller.
The listing does not always state how the car was previously used. We read the listing for you and your import adviser puts the open points to the selling party. Think of the previous use, the number of previous owners, the maintenance history, any accident history and the exact mileage. This way you know where you stand before you decide.
If you want extra certainty, we can have an independent purchase inspection carried out before the car comes to the Netherlands.
Send us the link or the listing number with your name, email address and telephone number, and we will start a no-obligation request.
Can I import a car with an LPG or CNG installation or a modified car from Germany?
In most cases yes, but additional requirements apply to these vehicles at the RDW (Dutch vehicle authority). A gas installation must be assessed during the inspection and is recorded in the vehicle register; if the correct documentation or approval is missing, an additional or individual approval may be required. The same applies to modifications for drivers or passengers with a disability, such as hand controls or a wheelchair facility: these must be demonstrably approved.
Because this differs per vehicle, our advisers check this in advance. Send over the listing or the vehicle details, and we will read them for you and map out what is needed and what the process entails. You can always request a quote without obligation.
Can you import a car for me without registration documents, or a damaged vehicle for parts?
No. We only act as an intermediary for roadworthy cars. A vehicle purchased as a parts donor, a scrap car or a damaged vehicle does not fall under this, not even if you have it repaired yourself.
Documentation is also a requirement. To register a car in the Netherlands, the RDW (Dutch vehicle authority) requires the complete German registration documents (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and Teil II). If Teil II is missing, the German seller must first arrange complete documents; if he cannot do so, we are unable to take on the process.
Are you looking for a comparable car that is roadworthy and fully documented? Our import advisers would be glad to help you look for an alternative.
The car is in Germany but has never been registered — it was, however, delivered new with a CoC. Can you import it?
What is decisive is not whether the car has ever been registered, but whether it is approved in Europe. That is shown by the Certificate of Conformity (CoC): it states that the vehicle meets the EU requirements, plus the CO2 emissions that we use for the BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax) declaration.
If the car has a valid CoC, it has European type approval. The fact that it has never been registered is then not a problem: in that case an identification at the RDW (Dutch vehicle authority) is sufficient.
Something else is a car that comes from outside the EU and does not have European type approval. For such a car a CoC can usually not be obtained, and we cannot register it for you.
Send us the link to the advertisement, and we will let you know without obligation what is needed for this car.
The German EV I want to buy was purchased with an Umweltbonus. Do I run the risk that this subsidy will be reclaimed if the car goes to the Netherlands?
With the German Umweltbonus there is a minimum period during which the car must remain registered in Germany. If the car is resold or exported within that period, the subsidy can be reclaimed from the original recipient. That recipient is the German owner, not you as the Dutch buyer — but in practice you do notice it: the seller then does not want to cooperate with export, only delivers after a certain date, or records arrangements about this in the purchase contract.
We read out the advertisement for you and put this question to the seller in advance, so that you are not left with a car that may not yet be exported. In most cases you buy directly from the German seller yourself; your import adviser assesses per car what is at play and how that is recorded in the contract.
How do the BPM and road tax work out if I import a camper van from Germany?
For the BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax), since 2025 there is no exemption for camper vans, but a separate category: the 'special passenger car', with its own rate of 37.7% of the net list price (fixed reduction for petrol, surcharge for diesel). For a used camper van, a further reduction applies on top of that due to depreciation.
This scheme can only be applied if two conditions are met:
- the camper van is officially registered in Germany as a "Wohnmobil" or "Campervan" (field 5), as vehicle category M1 (field J) and with a permissible mass up to and including 3,500 kg (field F1);
- the fit-out meets the camper van requirements of the Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax Authority).
If the camper van does not meet these requirements, a different BPM calculation follows and possibly a reclassification at the RDW (Dutch vehicle authority).
For the motorrijtuigenbelasting (Dutch road tax), the Belastingdienst has a reduced camper van rate, with its own conditions and a separate application. Have your camper van assessed in advance by one of our import advisers.