Shipping times and costs from United States of America to Netherlands

Shipping from
United States of America
Shipping to
Netherlands
Shipping times
1 - 3 Days by air
10 - 15 Days by sea

1 Bedroom flat

Shipping costs by air £4,290 - £4,742
Shipping costs by sea £2,252 - £2,490

3 Bedroom house

Shipping costs by air N/A
Shipping costs by sea £3,465 - £3,830

5 Bedroom house

Shipping costs by air N/A
Shipping costs by sea £5,198 - £5,746

The cost of shipping is all dependent upon how much you need to ship, and how far. Read up on all you need to know about international shipping to your chosen country.

Please note: the prices listed here are meant as an estimate only. The best way to get a comprehensive, tailored quote is to fill out our form and be matched with a supplier.

Shipping Container Costs to Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of the coolest countries in the world. Its cities are super laid-back, its countryside is multicoloured and everyone rides a bicycle. In fact, bicycles actually outnumber people over there. If you want a liveable lifestyle, the Dutch can give you that; their healthcare and education systems regularly take the top spot in global rankings. What’s more, the typical Dutch diet has proven to be one of the healthiest on Earth. For trendy urban living, look no further than the Netherlands’ mega-cosmopolitan capital city. Amsterdam is home to an iconic network of canals, the beautiful Vondelpark and a very liberal culture. For somewhere equally cool but a bit less busy, try cities like Rotterdam or Utrecht. Before you can start a new life in the Netherlands, there are a few practical things you should know about.

Different shipping options

If you’re thinking of moving permanently to the Netherlands then you’ve probably got a few belongings you’d like to bring with you. There are two key options when it comes to international shipping; air freight or sea freight. Which one you choose depends mostly on time and budget.  Air freight is fast but expensive. Most cargo planes won’t take longer than two or three days to reach the Netherlands from anywhere in the world. This is handy if you’re making a last-minute move, however you’ve really got to pay for the speedy service. Sea freight is the cheaper option, but it takes significantly longer. A container ship is naturally much slower than a cargo plane. If you are sticking to a budget, make sure you plan your international move several months in advance so that you can opt for sea freight. At MoveHub, we really recommend choosing sea freight.  Shipping via sea freight involves the use of either a 20ft container or a 40ft container, depending on the amount of stuff you’re bringing. If the total volume of your cargo is less than around 15 cubic metres, you’ll probably share the use of a container with other people. This process is known as Less Than Container Load (LCL). Most of our shipping suppliers provide a full door-to-door service, which is a little more expensive than a port-to-port service but it’s also much more convenient.

Major shipping routes

The biggest container port in the Netherlands (and Europe) is the Port of Rotterdam, located halfway down the country’s west coast. Rotterdam is extremely well connected with lots of major economic centres across the continent, so it’s a pretty big deal. Other significant ports include Amsterdam, Antwerp, the Zeeland Seaports and the Groningen Seaports. Wherever your cargo ends up, it will be in safe and experienced hands. After passing through customs, your container will go by train and/or truck to your new Dutch home.

Netherlands customs

Clearing customs is easier than it sounds, and your shipping company can help you through the whole process. It’s important that you prepare an inventory (i.e. a list) of everything that you’re bringing into the Netherlands, describing everything as specifically and accurately as possible. If the Dutch customs officials are dissatisfied with the inventory, they are allowed to open your container and physically inspect it. This adds time and can often incur extra fees, so a truthful and detailed inventory is best. See below for an indication of the items that are prohibited or restricted by Dutch customs. If you’re coming from within the EU, you can bring household goods into the Netherlands duty free. However, if you’re coming from outside the EU then you’ll have to pay taxes on your belongings. To avoid this, you need to meet certain conditions. You must have lived outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months, you must be moving to the Netherlands permanently, your household goods must have been used for at least six months and you must intend to use them in your new Dutch residence.

Shipping Container Options

20Ft Shipping Container

Dimensions:
33 Cubic Meters
5.9m x 2.35m x 2.39m (l x w x h)

Price: £3,465 - £3,830

Get a quote for a 20ft container
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  • Boxes
    16 x medium boxes
  • Kitchen
    1 x american fridge, 1 x small fridge, 3 x kitchen appliances
  • Bedrooms
    1 x wardrobe, 1 x double bed, 1 x single bed, 2 x lamps
  • Lounge
    1 x sofa, 4 x chairs, 1 x table, 1 x armchair, 1 x television
  • Various
    1 x motorbike, 4 x bicycles

Please note that this is an estimate and is intended for rough guidance only.

40Ft Shipping Container

Dimensions:
67 Cubic Meters
12.03m x 2.35m x 2.39m (l x w x h)

Price: £6,584 - £7,278

Get a quote for a 40ft container
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  • Boxes
    28 x medium boxes
  • Kitchen
    1 x american fridge, 1 x small fridge, 3 x kitchen appliances
  • Bedroom
    1 x wardrobe, 1 x double bed, 1 x single bed, 2 x lamps
  • Lounge
    1 x sofa, 4 x chairs, 1 x table, 1 x armchair, 1 x television
  • Various
    1 x car, 1 x motorbike, 4 x bicycles

Please note that this is an estimate and is intended for rough guidance only.

Car shipped by sea freight

Max Dimensions: 5.75m x 2.2m x 2.2m (l x w x h)

Base Price: £1,073 - £1,186

Quarantine & Taxes: £1,000 - £2,500

Price: £5,565 - £9,080

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Unusual Restricted Items

Drugs and Narcotics
It is not permitted to import and to export narcotics (drugs) such as hashish, cocaine and heroin.
Antiques
Antiques and items that might be of art and cultural significance are highly restricted.
Plants
Live plants, cuttings, wood and seeds are forbidden.
Flowers and Bulbs
Flowers and bulbs from non-EU countries are prohibited.
Products from Protected Species
Products from protected species listed under CITES
Any Weapons and Replicas
Weapons & Firearms.