Car registration in Netherlands: RDW inspection for imports
Car registration in the Netherlands for imported used cars: RDW identification check, documents, BPM declaration, 2026 RDW fees and typical timing.
· 8 min read
Car registration in the Netherlands for an imported used car follows a fixed order: an RDW identification inspection, entry of the car in the Dutch register, the BPM declaration and payment, then the registration card and plates. In 2026 the RDW identification costs €58.50 and the registration certificate €50. With complete papers, the car is on Dutch plates in one to two weeks.
Car registration in the Netherlands: why the order matters
Every day an import waits for its kenteken is a day it cannot be sold, so dealers plan the RDW and BPM steps before the car arrives. The Netherlands is worth the effort: according to listings tracked by MyCarDealer in October 2026, Dutch asking prices were well above German ones for many 2019–2021 cars.
| Model (2019–2021) | Netherlands | Germany |
|---|---|---|
| VW Golf | €21,450 (173 listings) | €16,900 (1,107) |
| BMW 3 Series | €26,900 (302) | €22,000 (498) |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | €26,450 (191) | €21,500 (578) |
| BMW X3 | €33,000 (188) | €27,700 (173) |
Most of that gap is BPM, the Dutch registration tax, which you pay on registration. The margin is what is left after rest-BPM, transport and preparation. How the tax itself is calculated is covered in BPM Netherlands on imported used cars; this article covers the registration process around it.
Step 1: The RDW identification inspection
The identification inspection (identificatieonderzoek) confirms that the car is what its foreign documents say it is. RDW checks the VIN and other identifiers, compares the car with the documents and records its data. The inspection itself takes roughly 25 to 55 minutes.
You need an appointment at an RDW inspection station, booked online with eHerkenning for businesses (DigiD for private persons). A car without Dutch registration may not be driven on public roads after the inspection; RDW can issue a free one-day plate (eendagskenteken) for the journey to the station.
Damaged cars are a separate case. A car with damage needs an additional damage inspection, which costs more and takes longer, so get the repair done and documented first.
Registration without visiting a station
Companies with the RDW recognition "inschrijven met onderzoek" can register imports without taking them to an inspection station. They submit the application online with photos taken in RDW's Fotohulp app, and RDW may still call the car in for inspection. This route is limited to cars that:
- have an EU type approval,
- come with the complete original registration certificate from an EU/EEA country,
- were previously registered in another EU/EEA state, and
- have no current or past damage.
For dealers importing regularly, the recognition removes the bottleneck of station appointments.
For car dealers
Know your margin before you buy
MyCarDealer compares any car from an auction or listing with the market in your country and shows the net margin after VAT, transport and costs – and the maximum bid.
Request accessStep 2: Documents for registering an import
To register an imported car in the Netherlands you need the complete original foreign registration certificate and valid ID; a certificate of conformity is strongly recommended.
| Document | Why |
|---|---|
| Complete original foreign registration certificate (all parts, e.g. German Teil I and Teil II) | Identification and proof the car was registered in the EU |
| Valid ID of the applicant | Identification |
| Certificate of conformity (CoC) | Not compulsory, but its CO2 value is used for BPM |
| Proof of a valid foreign roadworthiness test | Lets the test validity be carried over |
A missing or incomplete registration certificate is the most common reason an import stalls. If you have no CoC, order one before transport; our certificate of conformity guide explains the options.
Step 3: BPM declaration and payment
The BPM declaration comes after the RDW inspection and before the plate number is released. Once RDW has entered the car, the Tax and Customs Administration receives the data, which can take up to five working days, and you can then file the declaration. If BPM is due, the registration number is released only after payment.
For a used import you pay rest-BPM: the BPM of the car when new, reduced for depreciation. There are three ways to establish depreciation, and you may choose the most favourable:
- Fixed depreciation table (forfaitaire tabel). Based only on age. The online declaration works only with this method.
- Trade price list (koerslijst). Based on the latest Dutch edition of a recognised price list; declared on paper.
- Valuation report (taxatierapport). Allowed only for damage beyond normal wear or for cars not in a price list; declared on paper.
Starting percentages of the fixed table, according to the Tax and Customs Administration:
| Age since first registration | Depreciation |
|---|---|
| 1 month | 12% |
| 3 months | 20% |
| 9 months | 33% |
| 1.5 years | 42% |
| 2.5 years | 51% |
| 3.5 years | 57% |
| 4.5 years | 62% |
| 5.5 years | 67% |
| 7.5 years | 75% |
| 9.5 years and older | 81% |
Each band also adds a monthly increment, and cars aged 17 years and 10 months or more pay no BPM. A valuation report must be dated no more than one month before RDW completes the inspection, and since 17 July 2026 the tax office has applied extra checks to declarations based on valuation reports, including calling cars in for inspection. Treat a valuation report as a method for genuinely damaged or unusual cars, not as a discount tool.
Step 4: Registration card and plates
When RDW and the tax office have both approved the car, the registration card (kentekencard) arrives within five working days, and the letter with the full transfer code follows two working days later. With the card you order plates from an RDW-approved plate maker. Insure the car before it goes on the road.
RDW fees in 2026
The RDW charges for an import are modest compared with BPM. According to the RDW, from 1 January 2026:
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Identification inspection, car up to 3,500 kg | €58.50 |
| Identification inspection, above 3,500 kg | €120.00 |
| Registration certificate | €50.00 |
| Registration in the owner's name at RDW | €13.10 |
| Registration in the owner's name via a recognised company | €7.85 |
| Recycling contribution (cars and vans up to 3,500 kg) | €22.50 |
| Follow-up inspection, if needed | €42.00 |
Plates and insurance come on top.
How long Dutch registration of an import usually takes
With an appointment booked in advance and complete papers, a realistic timeline is:
- Day 0: car arrives; inspection at the RDW station or via recognised company.
- Days 1–5: RDW data reaches the tax office.
- Day 5–6: BPM declared and paid; registration number released.
- Days 7–11: registration card delivered; plates fitted.
The usual delays are appointment availability at busy stations, missing document parts, damage that triggers a damage inspection, and paper BPM declarations based on a price list or valuation report.
Mileage history after import
RDW now adds foreign odometer readings to the Dutch register. Belgian Car-Pass readings are included for cars imported since 13 January 2025, and German readings since 3 February 2026. If the German readings rise consistently, the register's judgement stays neutral because of the import; if they do not add up, the reading is flagged as illogical, which a Dutch buyer will see.
RDW itself warns that a share of German imports have been clocked, so check the history before you buy, not after the car is flagged. Our car mileage check for imports explains how.
Pricing a car for the Dutch market
The decisive numbers are the Dutch market price and the rest-BPM, and both move with age. MyCarDealer calculates the market price of a car from comparable Dutch listings and shows the margin after VAT, transport and other costs, so you can see whether a German car still works after BPM. One car can be valued for free.
Frequently asked questions
What happens at the RDW identification inspection?
RDW checks that the car matches its foreign documents, including the VIN and other identifiers, and records its data in the Dutch register. It takes about 25 to 55 minutes. Damaged cars need an additional damage inspection.
Which documents are needed to register an imported car in the Netherlands?
The complete original foreign registration certificate and valid ID. A certificate of conformity is not compulsory but its CO2 value is used for BPM, and proof of a valid foreign roadworthiness test lets its validity carry over.
In what order do BPM and registration happen?
First the RDW inspection, then the BPM declaration once the tax office has the RDW data, which can take up to five working days. The registration number is released only after any BPM due has been paid.
How long does Dutch registration of an import usually take?
About one to two weeks with complete papers: the inspection, up to five working days for the data to reach the tax office, the BPM payment, and up to five working days for the registration card.
How much are RDW fees for an imported car in 2026?
The identification inspection costs €58.50 for a car up to 3,500 kg, the registration certificate €50, registration in the owner's name €13.10 at RDW, and the recycling contribution €22.50. BPM, plates and insurance are extra.