Country Guide

Shipping Luggage to the Netherlands from South Africa

Shipping luggage and personal effects from South Africa to the Netherlands: duty-free relief, registration, detailed inventory and documents.

WhatsApp 068 058 2700

Call Johannesburg 011 972 1111

Relief for removal goods

Used personal effects are duty-free if you have lived outside the EU for at least 12 months, are moving your main residence to the Netherlands, and have owned and used the goods for at least 12 months. They must not be sold or lent for 12 months.

Documents

Passport and visa, proof of registration and residence in your new city, a rental or purchase contract, the exemption application and a detailed inventory in English or Dutch. An EORI number may be needed.

Inventory

State the contents of every box. 'Packed by owner' or 'misc' is not acceptable. Electronics should show make, model and serial number.

Restricted

Medicines need a prescription, and meat products, cacti and orchids are prohibited.

Checklist

Documents for Netherlands

South African citizens: a copy of your ID (customs wants the ID, not the passport)

Foreign nationals: a copy of your passport

If you ship for someone else, a copy of their ID or passport as well

A signed clearing instruction for customs, which we send you to sign

A valued inventory list of what is in each piece (complete it online)

Full addresses in South Africa and at the destination on the inventory

Contact details at the destination: telephone, mobile and email

Describe what is in every bag or box: many countries reject inventories that just say 'misc' or 'packed by owner'

Your visa or residence permit, and any customs relief form Netherlands requires

Two Options

Door to Airport or Door to Door

Door to airport (CFR): recommended

Includes collection, customs clearance in South Africa, airline handling in South Africa and transport to the destination airport. You clear it and collect it at the destination.
Excludes destination clearance, depot or terminal charges at the destination, storage and examination fees if stopped, and AMS filing for sea freight to the USA.

Door to door (DAP)

Available to some countries only, and much more expensive. Includes collection, delivery to your door abroad, customs clearance in South Africa and at the destination, airline handling and all transport fees.
Excludes storage and examination fees if customs stops the shipment, and AMS filing for sea freight to the USA.

Our tip: save by clearing it yourself

Door to airport is by far the cheaper option. You pay the airline handling fee at the destination, process customs yourself with your passport and the inventory, and collect your baggage at the airport. Ask us for both prices and we will tell you what the destination's customs office will ask for.

Customs rules change. We confirm the current requirements for Netherlands when we quote.

Questions

Shipping Luggage to the Netherlands: Questions

Tap a question to open the answer. For anything else, WhatsApp us.

Can I import new items duty-free?

Generally not; new items under six months old can be taxed.

Do I need to register first?

Yes. Registration with your municipality is usually needed for the exemption.

How long does it take?

Air takes days; sea takes several weeks, usually into Rotterdam.

Collection

We Collect Across South Africa

More Destinations

Other Country Guides

Sending Luggage to the Netherlands?

WhatsApp 068 058 2700 with the number of pieces and your destination city.