The Netherlands runs its household-goods process through Douane Nederland, and the main page makes the division of work plain: you supply the documents, and the moving company files. O'Brien's Moving & Storage arranges overseas moves through Bekins and partner international carriers, which fits the Dutch structure, since a carrier network is how the declaration gets filed. The details below come from douane.nl.
An exemption you request
Douane.nl says that in general you may import your moving goods or personal belongings into the Netherlands without paying tax, but you must request an exemption for it. The goods are not exempt automatically. Exceptions include excise goods and goods under an import ban, and a car or motorcycle is generally part of the moving goods, though motor vehicle tax can apply.
Who files the declaration
The declaration cannot be made by you. A moving or transport company arranges it for you through the Douane declaration system, and it submits after receiving your documents. The company may start before every paper is in hand, but you must send the missing items as soon as possible.
That is a reason to choose the shipping partner before the paperwork stage, and to give them a clean set of documents.
Documents to hand over
- A signed inventory list of all the personal goods you are bringing or having shipped.
- Preferably, proof of registration with a Dutch municipality, which shows your settlement date.
- If not yet registered: proof of deregistration from your country of departure and one proof of settling in the Netherlands, such as an employment contract, a work permit or a rental or purchase contract.
- For study goods, proof of enrollment; for marriage goods, proof of marriage or the official steps to marry.
Different routes on the same page
Douane.nl has separate pages for students, for goods brought for a marriage abroad and for inherited goods. An inheritance needs a notary statement showing the origin, the date of death and the date you definitively obtained the goods. Pick the route that matches your reason for moving before the inventory is written.
Writing the inventory with O'Brien's
A signed inventory is the first document the Dutch process asks for. Before packing, O'Brien's prepares an itemized inventory and condition report, and the written estimate is itemized and in writing. Both come from a free in-home estimate that also includes 10 free heavy-duty boxes. Call 775-359-6683, or read how overseas moves work.