Importing a Car from the Netherlands to the UK
The Netherlands punches well above its weight as a source of UK imports. Dutch dealers are unusually geared up for export sales, the country is one of Europe's great campervan and motorhome hubs, and the ex-lease market is enormous — the Netherlands runs one of the highest company-lease fleets per head in Europe, which means a steady supply of well-maintained, full-history cars hitting the used market at three or four years old.
Since Brexit, bringing a car from Holland to the UK means customs formalities, a NOVA notification to HMRC, vehicle approval where required, and DVLA registration on a V55/5. This guide covers every step, with figures from official government sources (estimates labelled as such).
Why Import from the Netherlands?
- An export-dealer culture — Dutch BPM (a steep registration tax on new cars) means locals tend to keep cars longer and buy carefully, and it has bred a large trade of dealers who sell primarily to foreign buyers. Many list prices excluding BPM for export, speak excellent English, and will handle RDW export paperwork as standard
- Campervans and motorhomes — the Netherlands has a deep market in Volkswagen campers (California, Transporter conversions), Hymer, Knaus, Adria and self-converted vans, often at prices below UK equivalents
- Ex-lease fleet cars — huge volumes of 3-4 year old Volkswagens, Volvos, BMWs, Audis and Skodas come off Dutch lease fleets with full digital service history and motorway miles
- Electric vehicles — generous historic Dutch EV incentives created a big used EV pool (Tesla, Polestar, VW ID, Hyundai/Kia EVs), including grey-market cars that are hard to find used in the UK
- Easy logistics — direct ferries from Hook of Holland, Rotterdam and Amsterdam (IJmuiden) to England make collection genuinely practical in a weekend
- Zero customs duty on EU-origin cars — most cars sold in the Netherlands were built in the EU and qualify for 0% duty under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA)
Step 1: Buying in the Netherlands — Documents & RDW Export
Essential Dutch Documents
Kentekenbewijs (Registration Certificate)
The Dutch registration certificate, issued by the RDW (the Dutch vehicle authority). Modern versions are a credit-card-style kentekencard with a separate ownership code (tenaamstellingscode); older vehicles may still have multi-part paper certificates. It contains the VIN, technical data and registration history. DVLA will want this (or the export paperwork derived from it) as evidence of the previous foreign registration.
Uitvoerverklaring (RDW Export Declaration)
When a Dutch vehicle is exported, it must be deregistered for export with the RDW. A dealer with RDW export authorisation can do this on the spot; otherwise it's done at an RDW inspection station. You receive export documents confirming the vehicle has left the Dutch register — keep every sheet. Dealers selling to foreigners do this routinely; confirm before handover who is arranging it.
APK Report
The Dutch roadworthiness test (Algemene Periodieke Keuring). Not valid in the UK, but a recent APK pass — checkable free on the RDW website by number plate — is useful evidence of condition and genuine mileage (the RDW records odometer readings at every APK).
Invoice / Koopcontract (Bill of Sale)
A written invoice or purchase contract showing price, date, buyer and seller details, and the VIN. HMRC uses this to calculate VAT, so make sure the figure is clear and in writing. For dealer export sales, check how Dutch VAT (BTW, 21%) is treated — see Step 3.
Certificate of Conformity (CoC)
The manufacturer's certificate confirming EU type approval. Very helpful for DVLA registration — essential for cars under 10 years old. If the seller doesn't have it, the manufacturer can issue a duplicate (typically €100-250, estimate).
Important: check that the VIN on the kentekenbewijs matches the VIN plate on the vehicle exactly. A mismatch will stall UK registration completely.
Where to Find Cars (and Campervans) in the Netherlands
- Marktplaats.nl — the Dutch equivalent of eBay/Gumtree, strong for private sales and campervans
- AutoScout24.nl and Gaspedaal.nl — large dealer-focused marketplaces with English-friendly listings
- Specialist export dealers — many Dutch dealers advertise "export price" or "excl. BPM" listings and handle RDW deregistration, export plates and paperwork as part of the sale
- Campervan specialists — dedicated dealers for VW California/Transporter campers, Hymer, and van conversions, particularly around Amsterdam, Utrecht and the south
Tip: tell the seller from the outset that the vehicle is being exported to the UK. Export is routine in the Dutch trade, and a dealer will usually quote a price that reflects export treatment and sort the RDW paperwork for you.
Export Plates & Insurance
If you plan to drive the car to the ferry, ask about temporary export plates and short-term insurance arranged at deregistration. Rules and validity periods are set by the RDW — a dealer handling the export will normally organise this. Alternatively, put the vehicle on a trailer or transporter and skip plates entirely.
Step 2: Getting the Car to the UK
Transport Options & Costs (Estimates)
Ferry: Hook of Holland
Ferry: Overnight North
Drive via Calais
Once the Vehicle Is in Great Britain
Remember the golden rule: an unregistered imported vehicle can only be driven on GB roads to a pre-booked MOT or approval test. Driving it home from Harwich for the weekend, or using it "just until the paperwork clears", is illegal and risks seizure. Plan your onward transport — or your pre-booked test appointments — accordingly.
Step 3: Customs Duty & VAT
Tax Calculation
EU-Origin Vehicle (Most Dutch-Registered Cars)
Non-EU-Origin Vehicle
How VAT Is Calculated
VAT is charged at 20% on the landed cost (customs value):
Customs value = Purchase price + Transport costs + Insurance + Any duty payable
For a car bought for €18,000 with €400 of transport and 0% duty:
VAT = (€18,000 + €400) × 20% = €3,680 (paid in £ at HMRC's exchange rate)
Want to check the numbers for your own import? Use our free UK Import Duty & VAT Calculator to estimate your duty and VAT in seconds.
Dutch VAT (BTW) — Don't Pay Tax Twice
When buying from a Dutch dealer for export outside the EU, the sale can usually be zero-rated for Dutch BTW (21%) — the invoice should show the net price with the export treatment stated. You then pay UK VAT (20%) via the import process instead. Private sales attract no Dutch VAT, so only UK VAT applies. Ask the dealer to confirm the BTW treatment in writing before paying — some used cars are sold under the Dutch margin scheme, where the VAT position differs, and it affects your total cost.
Watch out for BPM refund talk: Dutch sellers sometimes mention reclaiming BPM (the Dutch registration tax) on export. That refund belongs to the Dutch registered keeper's side of the transaction — it's often already priced into the attractive export price you're quoted. It doesn't change what you owe HMRC.
Classic Vehicles (Over 30 Years Old)
Vehicles manufactured over 30 years ago, in original condition, may qualify for a reduced import VAT rate of 5% as collector's items, with no customs duty. HMRC applies conditions — check before relying on it.
Step 4: NOVA — Notify HMRC Within 14 Days
NOVA: 14-Day Deadline
You must tell HMRC about your imported vehicle within 14 days of it arriving in the UK using the Notification of Vehicle Arrivals (NOVA) service at gov.uk/nova-log-in. DVLA will not register or tax the vehicle until NOVA is complete.
What You'll Need
- Invoice or koopcontract (bill of sale)
- VIN / chassis number from an official document
- Kentekenbewijs / RDW export documents
- Government Gateway account
The Process
- Complete the NOVA declaration online
- HMRC calculates any VAT and duty owed
- Pay, then receive your NOVA reference
- Quote the reference on your DVLA application
For a full walkthrough of the process and its pitfalls, read our NOVA application guide.
Step 5: Vehicle Approval
Do You Need Vehicle Approval?
Vehicles first registered or manufactured more than 10 years ago are exempt from vehicle approval. You can go straight to DVLA registration once NOVA and MOT are sorted.
Almost every car bought in the Netherlands is left-hand drive. Under 10 years old, you need the Certificate of Conformity plus a GB Conversion IVA — a paperwork-only process (no physical inspection) costing around £100 through the Vehicle Certification Agency, covering headlights, speedometer and rear fog light evidence.
Vehicles without valid type approval — including many converted vans and self-built campers — need a physical Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) test at a DVSA centre. The car fee starts at £199; fees for vans, motorhomes and other categories differ, so check the current DVSA fee for your vehicle class.
Campervans & Motorhomes: A Special Case
Importing a Campervan from the Netherlands
The Netherlands is one of the best places in Europe to buy a camper — VW Californias and Transporter conversions, Hymer, Knaus and Adria motorhomes, and a lively market in professionally and privately converted vans. The import steps (RDW export, NOVA, VAT, MOT, V55/5) are exactly the same as for a car. The difference is approval:
These normally hold EU type approval as built. Over 10 years old, they're approval-exempt like cars. Under 10 years, expect the CoC route — plus GB Conversion IVA paperwork if left-hand drive. Confirm the type approval covers the vehicle as it stands today.
A panel van converted after first registration usually no longer matches its original type approval. Converted vehicles are more likely to need a full IVA inspection before DVLA will register them — and note that DVSA fees differ by vehicle category (car, van, motorhome), so budget for the correct fee. Ask DVSA/DVLA about your specific vehicle before committing to purchase.
Whether DVLA records the vehicle as "motor caravan" or "van" affects insurance and sometimes speed limits. DVLA applies criteria about the external appearance and permanent camping features — gather interior photos and the Dutch registration details showing how the RDW classified it (Dutch campers are often registered as "kampeerwagen").
Step 6: MOT, Headlights & Speedometer
If the vehicle is over 3 years old, it needs a valid UK MOT before DVLA will register it:
- The Dutch APK is not accepted as a substitute for a UK MOT
- You can legally drive the unregistered vehicle directly to a pre-booked MOT — one of the few permitted uses
- MOT cost: £54.85 (maximum fee set by DVSA; motorhomes up to 3,000kg pay the same class fee — heavier vehicles differ)
Because Dutch vehicles are left-hand drive, two modifications matter:
- Headlight beam pattern (required): LHD headlights dip to the right and dazzle oncoming UK traffic — an MOT failure. Fit RHD-pattern units or have the beam adjusted permanently; many modern LED units can be switched or recoded by a specialist. Budget £100-500 (estimate). Stick-on deflectors are fine for the drive home, not as a permanent fix.
- Speedometer in mph (required under 10 years): the speedo must be capable of displaying mph if the vehicle is under 10 years old at import. Most modern cars switch units in the settings menu; older dials may need a conversion overlay.
- Rear fog light (check): UK rules require a rear fog light on the offside (right) or centre. Some continental vehicles have it on the left only — an easy fix, but check before the MOT.
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Step 7: DVLA Registration (V55/5 Form)
V55/5 Registration Checklist
With NOVA confirmed, approval in place (if needed) and a fresh MOT (if needed), you register the vehicle with DVLA using the V55/5 form — the application for first vehicle tax and registration of a used motor vehicle. (A Dutch-registered vehicle is always "used" for DVLA purposes, even at delivery mileage.)
Documents to Send to DVLA
- Completed V55/5 form
- NOVA confirmation from HMRC
- Kentekenbewijs / RDW export documents
- Certificate of Conformity (CoC)
- GB Conversion IVA or IVA certificate (if applicable)
- Valid MOT certificate (if over 3 years old)
Also Required
- Proof of identity (passport or driving licence)
- Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement)
- £55 registration fee
- First year's Vehicle Excise Duty (VED)
- Insurance certificate or cover note
Key V55/5 Tips for Dutch Imports
- Date of first registration: use the original Dutch first-registration date from the kentekenbewijs, not the date you're registering in the UK — this determines the age-based exemptions above
- VIN: copy the 17-character VIN exactly as it appears on the kentekenbewijs and the vehicle's VIN plate
- Engine power: Dutch documents show power in kW — multiply by 1.341 for bhp where needed
- Body type: use DVLA's codes (e.g. HATCHBACK, ESTATE, MOTOR CARAVAN) — getting this wrong is a common rejection reason for campers
- Wrong form? The V55/5 is for used vehicles; genuinely never-registered vehicles use the V55/4. See our V55/4 vs V55/5 guide if you're unsure.
The V55/5 is a long, DVLA-jargon-heavy form, and errors mean the whole application bounces back by post. Our guided V55/5 service walks you through every box with VIN decoding, DVLA code lookups and validation for £14 — or read the complete V55/5 form guide if you'd rather tackle it manually.
Worked Example: €18,000 Ex-Lease Volkswagen Golf
Example: €18,000 Dutch Ex-Lease Golf (EU Origin, LHD, Under 10 Years Old)
Estimates based on an exchange rate of approximately €1 = £0.85. Actual costs depend on current rates, the vehicle, and transport choices. VED (road tax) and insurance are additional ongoing costs. For a converted campervan, substitute the GB Conversion IVA line for the applicable full IVA fee (£199+ depending on vehicle category) and allow for the test booking lead time.
The same sums apply to a camper: a VW California or quality Dutch van conversion around €18,000-25,000 often still undercuts UK asking prices for equivalent vans even after adding ~22-30% in import costs — but always run the numbers against the full IVA route if the van is a conversion.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Watch Out For These
The clock starts when the vehicle arrives in the UK. Late notification costs £5 per day and DVLA won't register the vehicle without NOVA confirmation.
If the vehicle isn't properly deregistered for export with the RDW, you'll have a gap in the paper trail that DVLA and HMRC both care about. Confirm before handover who is doing the uitvoerverklaring, and take copies of everything.
Dealer export sales can usually be zero-rated for Dutch VAT (21%). Get the BTW treatment confirmed on the invoice — paying 21% in the Netherlands and then 20% to HMRC is an expensive mistake.
It doesn't. Any imported vehicle over 3 years old needs a UK MOT (£54.85) before registration, whatever its APK status.
Factory-built campers usually carry EU type approval; a van converted after first registration often doesn't. Converted vehicles are more likely to need a full IVA inspection at DVSA rates for their category. Check the approval route before you buy, not after.
"Registered in the Netherlands" is not the same as "made in the EU". A Dutch-registered Toyota built in Japan or a Kia built in Korea may attract 10% customs duty under TCA rules of origin. The CoC or VIN reveals the country of manufacture.
LHD beam patterns fail the UK MOT. Convert or recode the headlights before your pre-booked test, and check the rear fog light is on the offside or centre.
The only permitted use of an unregistered import on GB roads is driving to a pre-booked MOT or approval test. Anything else is illegal and the vehicle can be seized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Dutch dealers so geared up for export? The Dutch BPM registration tax makes new cars expensive locally, so the trade has long sold used stock across borders. Many dealers advertise export prices, handle RDW deregistration on the spot, and are entirely comfortable with foreign buyers — which makes the buying leg of a Dutch import unusually painless.
Can I keep driving on Dutch plates while I sort the paperwork? No. Once the vehicle is in Great Britain, an unregistered import may only be driven to a pre-booked MOT or approval test. For everything else it must be registered, taxed, insured and on UK plates.
Is it worth importing a campervan from the Netherlands? Often, yes — the Dutch camper market is deep and prices for VW campers and quality conversions are frequently below UK levels. Just be rigorous about the approval route: a factory-built, EU type-approved camper is straightforward, while a converted van may need a full IVA, which adds cost and lead time.
What about electric vehicles from the Netherlands? EVs follow the same process. Many Dutch-market EVs (VW ID series, Polestar, EU-built Teslas) are EU-manufactured and qualify for 0% duty; US-built or Asian-built EVs may not — check the specific car. The Dutch EV pool is large thanks to historic incentives, making it a good hunting ground for used electric models.
Do I need to speak Dutch to buy a car in Holland? Realistically, no. English is near-universal in the Dutch motor trade, and major listing sites offer English interfaces. Contracts and invoices may be in Dutch — ask for an English version or a bilingual invoice so HMRC can read the price and details easily.
How does the Netherlands compare with Germany as a source? Germany has the bigger market and stronger performance-car depth; the Netherlands wins on export-friendly dealers, campervans, ex-lease stock and shorter ferry logistics. The UK-side process is identical. If you're weighing both, see our guide to importing a car from Germany.
Need Help With Your V55/5 Form?
Our guided V55/5 tool walks you through every box — with built-in VIN decoding, DVLA code lookups, and validation to prevent rejections. Designed specifically for imported vehicles, including Dutch cars and campervans.
This guide covers the standard process for importing a vehicle from the Netherlands to Great Britain as of July 2026. Regulations and fees change — always verify current requirements with DVLA, DVSA and HMRC, starting with gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk. Northern Ireland has different rules under the Windsor Framework. Consider professional advice for complex imports, conversions or high-value vehicles.