We select classic American cars in the USA, handle transport and customs, and deliver the vehicle, cleared through customs in the European Union, directly to your dealership or address in the Netherlands. Local registration is the buyer's responsibility. In the Netherlands, a car 25 years old or older is exempt from BPM (Bus Rapid Transit). The mandatory step is RDW (Royal Dutch Road Transport) approval.<\/p>\n
This guide summarizes what you are responsible for when registering a car in the Netherlands and the indicative costs for 2026. These amounts should be confirmed with the authorities or a broker before each purchase.<\/p>\n
Customs duties.<\/strong> From July 1, 2026, cars manufactured in the USA, with proven origin, enter the EU with 0 % duty (Regulation (EU) 2026\/1455, in force until 12\/31\/2029). Classic cars 30 years old or more, in original condition and of a discontinued model, enter as collector's items (code 9705), also with 0 % duty. In both cases, nothing is payable in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n VAT.<\/strong> For a reseller with a valid VAT number (VIES), the sale is made without Portuguese VAT, and VAT is automatically charged in the Netherlands. For a private individual, the VAT from the Portuguese invoice or the margin scheme applies. The exact framework is specified in each quote.<\/p>\n A vehicle 25 years old or older must be declared, but pays \u20ac0 in BPM (Bonus for Vehicle Maintenance). Below 25 years, the BPM is calculated based on CO2 emissions and is reduced by depreciation (fixed table, valuation report or appraisal).<\/p>\n A non-EU car without European homologation needs individual approval from the RDW \u2014 approximately \u20ac1,128 for a passenger car, plus the registration fee. Vehicles first registered before 01\/01\/1998 can be inspected at a local station without going to Lelystad. Typical modifications: amber turn signals, speedometer in km\/h, exhaust.<\/p>\n Vehicles aged 40 or older are exempt from road tax (MRB). For cars manufactured before 1988 that are not yet 40 years old, there is a transitional regime: a quarter of the tax, a maximum of \u20ac158 in 2026, with no road circulation or parking allowed in December, January, and February.<\/p>\n MRB<\/strong> (motorrijtuigenbelasting): calculated by weight, fuel and province.<\/p>\nRegistration tax (BPM)<\/h2>\n
Approval: Individual RDW approval<\/h2>\n
Oldtimer regime<\/h2>\n
Annual tax<\/h2>\n
Indicative costs in the Netherlands (2026)<\/h2>\n