Can I pick up a car myself from Germany or do I always have to use a transport company?
You can of course pick up the car yourself and drive it over with a temporary registration. However, keep in mind that with a temporary registration you can only take out a third-party liability insurance; that offers limited coverage. We recommend our all-risk insured transport (part of the car import service packages), because your car is then fully insured. Please note: most transport is only covered under CMR conditions — a compensation per kilogram that is far too low for most cars. Our additional all-risk coverage compensates the actual value up to the purchase sum, so that you are not underinsured.
Can you also deliver my car to another address, for example at my work or at a garage?
Yes. Our delivery service applies throughout the Netherlands at one fixed rate of € 200,- excl. VAT, regardless of distance. You can have the car delivered at home, but also to another desired address in the Netherlands, for example at your work, at your company or at a garage. The only exception are the Wadden Islands; these fall outside our nationwide delivery service.
We do not arrange delivery abroad. We import the car to the Netherlands and register it on Dutch license plates.
Of course you can also collect the car yourself from us in Zaandam as soon as it is on Dutch license plates and ready for delivery.
More information about our delivery service:
https://www.dasimport.nl/auto-importeren/aflevering-aan-huis
What are the costs of transporting a car from Germany to the Netherlands?
The costs of transporting a car from Germany to the Netherlands are included in our car import service packages. These packages offer a comprehensive service, including the transport of your vehicle. For more information about the costs and the details of our import packages, you can view our import packages at https://www.dasimport.nl/auto-importeren/auto-import-service-pakketten.
How long does it take to transport a car from Germany?
With the Standaard package it takes a maximum of 10 working days from the moment the car is ready for transport, until it is delivered to us in Zaandam. With the Versneld and Deluxe package this is 5 working days from the date "ready for transport".
Why does my German import car often not have a full alarm system?
In Germany, an alarm system is not standard equipment for many cars, and the Dutch SCM certification is not used there. Most German cars do come with a factory-fitted SCM/TNO-approved engine immobiliser and central door locking, but not with the tilt-angle detection alarm that is often required in the Netherlands. We even regularly import cars with new prices of well over 100,000 euro that do not have an alarm. Das Import can upgrade the existing engine immobiliser to a full SCM-certified alarm system.
How does a damage claim work if the car arrives damaged after transport?
You need not worry about this: we handle that claim entirely for you. We transport your car all-risk insured by trailer, and with a single exception (stone chips and hail damage) all transport damage is covered. An important difference from many carriers is that under standard transport conditions (AVCM/AVC/CMR) damage is only reimbursed to a limited extent; our coverage goes further.
To make a claim simple and watertight, we record the condition of your car at several moments: we photograph the vehicle all round at loading AND at unloading, and as soon as your car arrives at our branch in Zaandam we wash the car, photograph the exterior all round again and carry out an arrival check (15 points with Versneld, 30 points with Deluxe). This way any transport damage is identified immediately and substantiated with visual material.
If we identify damage, you do not have to do anything yourself: we report and settle the claim for you with our insurer, keep you informed by telephone and e-mail and ensure that the damage is repaired or reimbursed. You receive your car in the agreed condition.
Only stone chip and hail damage fall outside this coverage. If you wish to be fully protected against that as well, we offer enclosed transport as an alternative at an additional cost; your car then travels in a closed trailer and is also protected against stone chips and hail.
Even after delivery you can contact us with any questions. Would you like to know how this works in your situation? Feel free to contact one of our advisers.
What is the cost of the nationwide home delivery service?
As soon as your car has Dutch registration, we let you know that it is ready to be collected from us in Zaandam. If you do not have the time or opportunity for this, or if you live further away, we will arrange delivery to your home if desired. You do not need to arrange anything for this yourself: we schedule the delivery and ensure that the car arrives at your home ready to drive and registered. We offer this service for one fixed, low rate of €200,- excl. VAT for the whole of the Netherlands (with the exception of the Wadden Islands).
Which alarm system does my insurer require for an imported car?
That depends on the new value and the age of your car. Usually insurers require, with an all-risk (or third-party liability + limited casco) insurance, at least an alarm system with tilt angle detection (formerly known as SCM alarm class 3), typically from a new price of € 50.000 including BPM and VAT. For cars with a new price from approximately € 65.000 to € 80.000, an SCM vehicle tracking system is often also required (formerly class 4 or 5). For cheaper cars an immobiliser (formerly class 1) is sometimes sufficient.
If the car already has an alarm system, it does not automatically need to be replaced: in many cases we can have the existing system inspected and certified. Whether that is possible depends on the system and the requirements of your insurer, so we always assess this individually. Feel free to contact us, then we will look into it for your car. If new installation work is needed, we work with products from A-brands.
What does it cost to have my imported car delivered to my home?
The pick-up or delivery service costs one fixed, low rate of €200,- excl. VAT for the whole of the Netherlands, with the exception of the Wadden Islands. With our import service packages (Standaard, Versneld or Deluxe) we have your car delivered to your home by an experienced driver after registration on Dutch licence plates. Even if you only take the Registratiepakket, we can pick up or deliver the car to you at this same rate per trip (pick-up or drop-off). If the car contains insufficient fuel, this will be charged on in consultation.
What is the difference between SCM alarm class 4 and class 5?
Both consist of an alarm system plus an SCM-certified vehicle tracking system, but the difference lies in the connection. With class 4, the alarm and the tracking system are not linked: you must detect and report the theft yourself before the PAC control room starts tracing. With class 5, they are linked: as soon as the alarm goes off, the control room immediately receives a signal and tracing starts right away. If you later have both an alarm with tilt-angle detection (formerly class 3) and a vehicle tracking system installed, we can establish the link between them free of charge.
What is an SCM vehicle tracking system and how does it work?
An SCM vehicle tracking system (track & trace) keeps track of your car's position via GPS and is linked to a control room. The system remains on standby when the car is stationary and springs into action as soon as the car starts moving, so that your car can be traced anywhere. When it is installed correctly and out of sight, thieves are unaware of its presence. Insurers often require this for more expensive cars (new price from approx. 65,000 to 80,000 euro or higher). Das Import only has A-quality systems installed, also for customers who do not import through us.
Can my car be transported in a closed trailer?
Yes. If you have an exclusive or special import car and want it not to be exposed to weather conditions or stone chips, you can optionally and for an additional charge opt for closed transport in an enclosed trailer. The combination of closed and accelerated transport is also possible, whereby your car comes to the Netherlands within 5 working days and protected in an enclosed space. Ask us about the possibilities.
Why can standard transport take up to 10 working days?
Standard transport is a collective transport: this is only profitable if the most efficient possible route is driven, usually with six to eight cars per trailer. That is why with standard transport we aim for delivery within a maximum of 10 working days, counted from the moment the car is ready at the German seller until delivery in Zaandam. Our planning ensures that all cars are scheduled as smartly as possible, so in practice it can also be faster.
Can I have an alarm or accessories installed without purchasing an import package?
Yes. Also for customers who do not use our car import service, we can facilitate the installation of an SCM alarm system or accessories. Think of things such as multimedia and video screens, an audio upgrade, car kit, leather work, chip tuning, tyres and rims, a polishing treatment, car wrapping or a vehicle tracking system.
How does my car get from Germany to the Netherlands?
Depending on your wishes, the car is brought to the Netherlands by professional transport or you can pick it up yourself.
Do you transport cars with open or enclosed transport?
We offer both open and enclosed transport. Which transport is most suitable depends on the car and your wishes.
Who arranges the number plates and are they already fitted when I collect the car?
We arrange that for you. As soon as your car has arrived in Zaandam, we immediately start with the import, the BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax) declaration, the Registratie and the application for the number plates. You do not have to do anything for this yourself, nor visit a counter or shop.
As soon as the Dutch registration number is known, the plates are made and fitted onto the car. We use luxury number plates with raised letters. If you collect the car from us in Zaandam, it will be ready to drive and registered in your name. If you opt for our nationwide home delivery service, the car will likewise arrive with you ready to drive and registered.
Do you still have questions about the delivery? Feel free to contact one of our advisers.
What happens if I discover a scratch or damage on the car myself upon delivery?
During the purchasing process we enquire about the current and historical condition of the car and whether any damage is known. Whatever we are told, we report back to you before you make a purchase decision.
After that we record the condition of the car at several moments:
- When loading, the transporter takes at least 8 photos around the car and has the seller sign the waybill, on which noteworthy damage is noted.
- When unloading in Zaandam, at least 8 photos are again taken all around.
- Next we wash the car and photograph it in clean condition once more all around.
- With the Versneld and Deluxe package we additionally carry out a 15-point and 30-point check respectively.
If there is damage that is not in accordance with the agreement, this is usually noticed along this route. We then find out where it happened, seek recourse from the seller or the transporter and try to resolve it for you.
Should you unexpectedly still discover damage upon delivery, we ask you to report this to us immediately. We will then launch an investigation and consult with you about the handling.
Can you also arrange the transport of a car that is located in Belgium or another EU country?
For Belgium that is possible. In addition to Germany, we can also import cars from Belgium, and just as with a German car: depending on your wishes, the car is brought to the Netherlands by professional transport or you collect it yourself.
Is the car located in another EU country, for example Austria or Italy? Our services are tailored to the German and Belgian range, but in most cases we can also arrange the import and registration process there. What is possible for the transport we then assess on a case-by-case basis.
Do you have a specific car in mind? Get in touch, and an import adviser will discuss the possibilities with you. Please note: we import exclusively to the Netherlands.
How much fuel or battery charge is in the car when I collect it?
There is no fixed standard for this: how much fuel or charge is in the car varies per seller. In practice, the German seller usually ensures that the car is sufficiently fuelled or charged for the transport, but we cannot guarantee a full tank or a fully charged battery.
What we do do: 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 it is too low, we can top up the fuel or charge the car in consultation with you. We do not do this automatically, only if you wish; we then only pass on the cost price.
With electric and hybrid cars we also check whether the charging cables are present. If you are missing a cable or want to be sure of what is included, let us know in advance; we will then request this from the seller.
What documents and keys do I receive upon delivery?
This concerns what the car receives from the seller in Germany; we check that and hand it over to you upon delivery.
The car always comes with the German registration certificates: Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I (Fahrzeugschein) and Teil II (Fahrzeugbrief, the proof of ownership). In addition, this usually concerns:
- the COC document (Übereinstimmungsbescheinigung), which we need for the BPM (Dutch vehicle registration tax) substantiation
- the maintenance booklet (Scheckheft), unless this is kept digitally
- invoices and possibly a TÜV/HU report
We request these documents for you from the German seller and check them for completeness, so that the RDW inspection, the BPM declaration and the Registratie in the Netherlands run smoothly. Upon delivery we will, if desired, go through the most important functions of the car with you.
What else comes along in Germany, such as a second key, the instruction manual, charging cables or mats, differs per car and per seller. Would you like to know what is included with your car? We read out the advertisement for you and your import advisor will check with the seller.
Do I have to insure the car myself before I pick it up in Zaandam or have it delivered?
As long as your car is being handled by us and is located at our premises in Zaandam, it is additionally insured all-risk through us. You do not yet need to take out a car insurance yourself for this.
After the Registratie we receive the Dutch registration. As soon as this is known, we pass on the registration and the required details to you, so that you can insure the car in your own name from the delivery date.
Your own insurance must take effect before the car is actually handed over to you. This applies both when you pick up the car at our premises in Zaandam and when we deliver it to your home.
We also work with a fixed insurance intermediary who has experience with imported cars and can insure them based on the actual purchase value. If desired, we will put you in touch with them.
I'm picking up my car myself in Germany — which registration plate and documents do I need to drive it back?
To drive back yourself, you need a temporary German registration plate. There are two variants:
- Kurzzeitkennzeichen (5 days): we apply for this on your behalf, including third-party liability insurance with a green card that is valid throughout the entire EU.
- Ausfuhrkennzeichen (red border): you can only apply for this yourself on site in Germany, with your driving licence and all vehicle documents. We do not arrange this.
For the application of the 5-day plate we must receive, no later than 3 working days before the pick-up day: Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil 1 (front and back) and Teil 2, the COC, an MOT that covers at least the duration of the plate, a valid proof of identity (not a driving licence), your contact, invoice and delivery address, and the pick-up date.
Also remember Autobahn vignettes and environmental stickers. Please note: the third-party liability insurance does not cover damage to your own car. Terms and conditions: https://www.dasimport.nl/auto-importeren/tijdelijk-kenteken-duitsland
Can you also transport a car that no longer runs, or a lowered or classic car?
We focus exclusively on roadworthy cars. A car that cannot drive under its own power or that has damage, we do not take on: this applies both to the purchase handling and to the transport.
With classic cars there is the additional factor that our purchase handling and transport are only available to a limited extent for cars older than ten years and from private sellers. If this is the case with your car, then the remaining alternative is that you pick up the car yourself with a temporary registration plate and only purchase the Registratiepakket from us.
If it does concern a roadworthy car that you want to transport with extra protection, then in addition to open transport we also offer enclosed transport at an additional charge. Which option suits you is best discussed with one of our import advisors.
