CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Used Household Goods and personal effects can be imported into The Netherlands duty free under the following circumstances:
- The Customer has lived outside The Netherlands and/or the European Union for at least 12 months.
- The Customer is transferring their principal residence to the Netherlands.
- The goods have been owned by customer and used overseas for at least six-months prior to import.
- The goods are not sold, pledged or lent for at least 12-months after import.
- A special permit is required if the goods are being re-imported into The Netherlands within one year of export.
- If Customer is not staying in The Netherlands for a minimum of 12 months, a bond will have to be posted for duties and taxes.
- The goods should be imported into the Netherlands or another country of the European Union within 12 months of taking up residence in the country.
- All fumigated containers arriving in the port of Rotterdam or Antwerp with an excessive concentration of gas will be removed from the logistic transport chain.
- Delays may take several months before the container is released.
- High costs may be incurred due to any delays.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
Preparation and submission of documents should be made as early as possible. The following documents are required for Customs Clearance in the Netherlands:
- A signed inventory
Listing all of the personal goods that you want to take to the Netherlands. This will be arranged by the Moving Company.
- Clear, scanned copy of the picture page of Customers' passport.
- "Afschrift uit de basisregistratie personen"
Copy of proof of registration in the municipal database records in The Netherlands. This document also contains the BSN number. This document can only be obtained after the arrival of the Customer in the Netherlands.
- Copy of the tenancy/rental agreement or purchase contract of the residence in The Netherlands.
This document can only be obtained after the arrival of the Customer in the Netherlands.
- Copy of the employment contract with the previous employer in the country of departure, in English.
The purpose of this document is to prove that the Customer has lived outside the EU for a period of longer than 1 year.
- Copy of your employment contract in The Netherlands.
- Application Form.
The Moving Company will provide this document.
- Power of Attorney
The Moving Company will provide this document.
*Please note that despite all papers have been surrendered, customs or the Moving Company still might ask for any additional papers to support your application.
The exemption does not apply to the following goods: products containing alcohol, tobacco and tobacco products, commercial vehicles, non-portable materials for professional use.
MOTOR VEHICLES
Motor Vehicles can be imported duty free into The Netherlands provided the vehicle has been owned and used overseas for at least 6-months and has been included in the original application for exemption (see Documents required). The vehicle must not be sold or loaned for at least 12-months after import. The following is required:
- Keys must be available
- Original Registration Card and/or Title to the vehicle
- Copy of Purchase Invoice
PETS
Pets may be imported into the Netherlands. Customer will require a Health Certificate and Certificate of Rabies Vaccination.
DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS
The following are either restricted from import or will attract duty and taxes:
- New items (less than six months old)
- Alcohol and tobacco products
- Foodstuff
- Weapons and ammunition are subject to special license and registration documents issued by the Police
PROHIBITED ITEMS
The following are prohibited from import into The Netherlands and must not be included in the shipment:
- Drugs and narcotics
- Explosives
- Meat products
- Goods and/or products protected by Threatened Animal and Plant Life (BUDEP)
For any specific information, please visit the government website
here.