Question 1

What does it cost to import an American car into the Netherlands?

Accepted Answer

Duty of 10% on vehicle value plus freight, VAT of 21% on the total including duty, shipping from the US, RDW inspection fees, and BPM. BPM depends on CO2 and, for cars without EU type approval, on the value the RDW assigns; for a large-engined petrol car it can be the biggest line. Electric cars are BPM-exempt.

Question 2

What does the RDW importkeuring check?

Accepted Answer

Roadworthiness and conformity: lighting, emissions class, identification. It does not check whether the car was previously written off, flooded or rolled back in the United States.

Question 3

Can I see the American history through the kentekencheck?

Accepted Answer

No. The kentekencheck shows Dutch registration data and the date of first admission. The American title, insurance and auction history exist only in US sources and are reached by VIN.

Question 4

Is a US "salvage title" the same as a Dutch total loss?

Accepted Answer

Roughly, but the thresholds differ: US insurers total a car at a lower share of its value than Dutch or German insurers do, so a US salvage car may be less damaged than the word suggests, or far more. The auction photos are how you tell.