Moving from the US to the Netherlands: customs, papers and what you can't pack

Bringing your things in duty-free

You lived outside the EU for 12 months in a row, and owned and used each thing for at least 6. Import within 12 months of moving in. No lending, leasing or selling for 12 months. You can't file it yourself — your removal company files the declaration.

The papers customs wants

• A signed inventory of everything
• Your municipal registration showing when you settled — or proof you deregistered abroad plus a job contract, work permit, or lease

Inspection and clearance

Your removal company handles the declaration. Inspection isn't described.

Don't pack these

• Alcohol — duty is charged
• Unsealed tobacco is seized
• Weapons, drugs, protected species, animal products, counterfeits
• Professional equipment, except portable tools
• Cash or gold of €10,000 or more must be declared

Bringing a car

Its own declaration through the removal company, with registration and ownership papers. The car-tax (BPM) exemption comes after.

Bringing a dog or cat

A 15-digit ISO microchip, put in on or before the rabies shot. Wait 21 days after a first rabies vaccine. No rabies blood test is needed coming from the US. Your vet fills in the EU health certificate (the new form in use since 1 October 2026), USDA endorses it — $101 per certificate, any number of pets — and the pet must arrive within 10 days. Five pets or fewer, traveling within 5 days of you.

No tapeworm treatment needed. Go to the customs "goods to declare" desk on arrival — no advance notice.

A dog staying four months or more must be registered by a vet within 14 days of arriving.

Duty and tax on everything else

Customs duty depends on what the item is — look it up by item in the EU tariff (TARIC). Import VAT is charged on top of duty.

VAT is 21%.