Moving To The Netherlands

Make a hassle-free move to The Netherlands from the USA

The Netherlands is located in between Germany and Belgium in the western part of Europe. There is a saying about this country that the Dutch says, “God made the Earth, but the Dutch made Holland”. This is because the Dutch people continuously made a series of dams, dikes and canals to protect the land from the ravages of the North Sea. The Netherlands today is a global destination for visitors and well known for its tulip industry and mesmerising natural beauty. The country offers a high quality of life and moving to the Netherlands from the USA can prove to be a good decision for the expats.

How International Sea & Air can help for moving to Netherlands

Any relocation be it a domestic or an international one can be a lot to process. When you are undertaking an international relocation the scale just got bigger for all the steps involved in it. Starting from obtaining proper documentation to packing your household goods, choosing the container and freight service to actually land in a new land and settling there – there are quite a long list of dos and don’ts that you need to know to get things done in an organized manner.

While it may sound overwhelming, all these steps can be handled in a professional way to minimize the hassle and offer you a smooth international relocation to the Netherlands from the USA. Hiring a good international mover can take away a lot of tension from your international move. And we, at International Sea & Air Shipping are proud to call ourselves an international moving company of great repute. We have a team of specialized relocation professionals who can help with your relocation to The Netherlands from the USA without any hassles.

Starting right from offering you free quotes for moving household goods to moving your car and your family, our experienced team is well versed with each and every step of an international move. Whether it is to advise you on the visa processes or giving you proper guidance on selecting the container, freight etc – we have experts to assist you at every step. So, let our professional handle your dream international move to the Netherlands from the USA and make a hassle-free move.

Customs Regulations for Netherlands

Passport (copy)
Three copies of Valued Inventory List (legible) complete with signature of shipper
- Detailed list of all cartons
- Avoid “Packed by Owner” (PBO)
Proof of registration of commune where Customer intends to live (copy)
- Can be obtained at town hall (called “vestiging uit het buitenland”)
Copy of lease or deed of future residence
Full contact information and delivery address of Customer
Declaration from employer stating place of employment and duration of aforementioned employment
Application form for exemption of duties and taxes (must be in Dutch)
Any additional Customs statements

Customer must be present at Customs Clearance
Used household goods and personal effects are duty-free provided:
- The Customer has lived outside the Netherlands for at least 12 months
- Customer is transferring their principal residence to the Netherlands
- The goods have been used for at least 12 months prior to import
- The goods are not for sale/rent at least 12 months after importation
  - Six months if former residence lived in EU or goods are coming from a country in the European Union
Re-importation of used household goods within one year requires special documents for duty-free import
If Customer is not staying in the Netherlands for a minimum of 12 months, bonds will have to be posted for duties and taxes

In the Netherlands, some articles may not be imported whatsoever. These items include, but may not be limited to:

Alcohol and tobacco products
Drugs and narcotics
Counterfeit products (unless intended for personal use)
Explosives
Pornography and subversive materials
CB radios
Endangered animal or plant species and products derived from them
- Specifically orchids, monkeys, snakes, coral, shells, rain sticks made from cactus, ivory artifacts, tortoiseshell combs, giant clams, traditional Chinese medicine and plasters

Some articles may have restricted quantities or require special authorization/ payments of duties and taxes to clear customs in the Netherlands. These items include, but are not limited to:

New items (less than six months old)
Food (meat, fish and dairy products) require a health certificate
Plants and parts of plants (phytosanitary certificate required)
Weapons and ammunition (with permit issued by Dutch authorities)
Computers (subject to import regulations)

Customers moving to the Netherlands who wish to import a vehicle (car or motorcycle) may do so if:

The customer has a valid registration from country of residence
- If you the customer does not live in the Netherlands, this vehicle can be used for a maximum of six months without being taxed
If the customer lives in the European Union (EU), he or she must file a private motor vehicle and motorcycle tax (BPM) declaration
If the customer lives outside the EU, a Customs declaration must be made and a BPM return must be filed

When importing a pet to the Netherlands, the following requirements apply to all dogs, cats and ferrets within and outside the European Union (EU):

Animals must have a EU passport (the Dutch version can be obtained from a licensed vet)
Animals must be vaccinated against rabies which should be noted in the EU passport
Pets should come with a Health Certificate from a licensed veterinarian which includes health information and vaccination records
All animals must be have an identification chip under their skin
Pets that are also protected species should have both an EU passport and a CITES document

The following goods purchased within the EU are free of import provided they are for personal use only:

Tobacco products – 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos (maximum 3 grams each), 200 cigars, 1 kilogram of smoking tobacco
Alcoholic beverages – 10 litres of spirits over 22%, 20 litres of alcoholic beverages less than 22%, 90 litres of wine (no more than 60 litres of sparkling wine), 110 litres of beer

Personal goods free of import from non-European nations are as follows:

Tobacco products (for Customers 17 years and older) – 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos (maximum 3 grams each), 50 cigars or 250 grams of smoking tobacco or a proportional mix of these products
Alcoholic beverages (for Customers 17 years and older) – 1 litre of spirits of 22% volume or non-denatured ethyl alcohol with more than 80% volume, or 2 litres of spirits or aperitifs made of wine or similar beverages less than 22% volume, or sparkling wines or liqueur wines, or a proportional mix of these products, and in addition 4 litres of still wine and 16 litres of beer
Medications for personal use
Other goods totaling up to EUR 430

NOTE – Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, International sea & air shipping cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.

Call our International Moving Specialists @ 1 (866) 315-4170

About the Netherlands

Located in Western Europe and maintaining land on three islands in the Caribbean, the Netherlands is a densely populated country whose name literally translates to “Low Country” since only 50 percent of land in the Netherlands is more than one meter above sea level.

Despite a heavy population density of 497 people per km² (behind only Bangladesh, South Korea and Taiwan) the Netherlands still thrives as an exporter in food and agriculture – second only to the United States – and has the largest port in Europe in the city of Rotterdam.

Considered a very socially liberal country, the Netherlands has legalized abortion, prostitution and voluntary euthanasia (assisted suicide). It was also the first country in the world to make same-sex marriage legal in 2001 and was one of the first to have an elected parliament.

In addition to having the 15th highest market-based economy, the Netherlands also boasted the 10th highest per capita income in the world in 2011 and was ranked the 4th happiest country in 2013.

How to move to The Netherlands from the USA?

When you are moving to The Netherlands from the USA if you stay there for less than 90 days no visa is needed. However, if you wish to move to this Dutch country, stay for longer than 3 months then there are proper documentations that you need to obtain.

Here are some processes through which you can move to The Netherlands and settle down there.

Through work permit

The easiest way to relocate to The Netherlands from the USA is to move there for work purposes. There are certain steps that you need to follow in order to work and live in The Netherlands. Let us list these steps for you for easy reference –

Find suitable work in The Netherlands

It may help you to know that the Dutch government gives priority to job holders in finance, engineering and data analysis while issuing work permits.

Get a work permit

If you are a skilled migrant professional and you have successfully secured a job in The Netherlands then this work permit will be issued by your Dutch employer.

Gather the necessary documents to apply for a residency permit

Now this is the next step after you obtain the work permit. The documents you will need to keep ready are available on the government website.

Applying for a temporary residency permit

The temporary residency permit is generally issued to individuals who have entered the country for work, education or for family reunification. This permit is valid for 5 years and then it can be renewed.

Registration at the Dutch Municipality

Now here is another important step that you must take. Getting the BSN number. This number is mandatory for one to work in The Netherlands and to open a bank account. This number will be given when you register at a Dutch municipality after obtaining the residency permit.

When you are a non-EU/EEA citizen and moving to The Netherlands from the USA there are two other types of visas that you can apply for.

Student visa
Family reunification visa

Now, you may come across the term DAFT visa, a lot, when you are planning to relocate to The Netherlands from the USA. This is a very important piece of information that you must know.

So, what is a DAFT visa?

The DAFT visa is nothing but the abbreviation of The Dutch American Friendship Treaty. This is another great option to obtain a residence permit in The Netherlands for the Americans. A DAFT visa is nothing but an investment visa. If you have a certain amount to invest in the Dutch economy and are planning to move to The Netherlands from the USA then this visa will be issued. The investment amount needs to be at least $4,800.

Once a DAFT visa is issued and you are holding a temporary residency permit, after living for 5 years in The Netherlands with the DAFT visa then one can apply for the permanent residency permit. Another point to remember about this visa is that it is generally issued to entrepreneurs and businessmen who will then move to The Netherlands for a career.

Some of the top reasons for moving to The Netherlands from the USA?

Amazing natural beauty

The Netherlands boasts of some of the amazing natural beauties with the tulip plantations, windmills and more.

Work opportunity

In The Netherlands there is good scope for skilled migrant workers. You can even work part-time.

Good healthcare system

The Netherlands have highly skilled doctors providing top-notch healthcare services.

Work-life balance

When you move to The Netherlands from the USA you will be pleasantly surprised to get one month paid vacation in the job. Many jobs even offer work from home opportunities.

Social security

Relocation to The Netherlands from the USA is beneficial for another reason – this Dutch country has very low crime rates providing good social security and high quality of life.

We would recommend International Sea & Air Shipping for excellent service.

“International Sea & Air Shipping handled all the the arrangements from door to door. They had local company pick up and pack the furniture, build the crate pack the piano. The company they used in the Netherlands did very professional job. We would recommend International Sea & Air Shipping for excellent service.”

– R Lewis

You can also check out for some of the neighboring countries of Netherlands –