20/01/2026
๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฎ ๐๐ฒ๐ต๐ถ๐ฐ๐น๐ฒ
When importing a vehicle to the Netherlands there are 3 main organisations involved:
โ๏ธ The Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer โ RDW (Netherlands Vehicle Authority) is responsible for the registration of vehicles in the Dutch system, issuing vehicle registration numbers, and issuing certificates of vehicle roadworthiness.
โ๏ธ The Belastingdienst (Tax and Customs Administration).
โ๏ธ Douane (Customs) who are both responsible for the paperwork to do with importation, including exemption from import duties, and collecting road tax.
๐๐ค๐ง๐๐๐๐ฃ-๐ง๐๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐จ ๐ข๐๐ฎ ๐๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ฃ ๐๐ฃ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ง๐ก๐๐ฃ๐๐จ ๐๐ค๐ง ๐ช๐ฅ ๐ฉ๐ค 3 ๐ข๐ค๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐จ ๐๐ง๐ค๐ข ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ ๐ค๐ ๐๐ง๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ก. After this time, the car needs to be registered with the authorities in the Netherlands, and usually requires a Dutch number plate.
When registering a car or motorcycle from outside the Netherlands in the Dutch vehicle registration system a Belasting van Personenautoโs en Motorrijtuigen โ BPM (motor vehicle tax) declaration must be filed. Before a BPM declaration can be filed, the passenger car, van or motorcycle must be identified or inspected at an RDW inspection station.
In a number of situations, applicants can be granted an exemption. In that case BPM does not have to be paid. The summary set out on the Belastingdienst website details the main exemptions, with information about how to apply for them.
For detailed information about importing a vehicle and to start the process go to Importing a Vehicle from a EU country or Importing a vehicle from a non-EU country on the RDW website.
Importing a Vehicle from a EU country ๐ https://www.rdw.nl/en/import-export-transit/importing-a-car-from-a-eu-or-efta-country
Importing a vehicle from a non-EU country ๐ https://www.rdw.nl/en/import-export-transit/importing-a-vehicle-from-a-country-outside-the-eu-or-efta
