Ship Crate From the USA to XXX
Introduction: Shipping Crate from the USA to the Netherlands
Shipping a Crate from the USA to the Netherlands: Business Equipment and Inherited Property
A wooden or aluminium shipping crate is the right choice when your shipment needs more protection than a box or pallet can provide. The typical reasons: the item is heavy, fragile, high-value, oversized, or completely irreplaceable. For all of those situations, a custom-built crate with internal bracing and foam padding is the standard — and the Netherlands, as Europe’s primary logistics gateway, is one of the most efficient destinations for transatlantic crate freight in the world.
The Port of Rotterdam processes more cargo than any other European port, handling 13.8 million TEU in 2024. The Port Customs authority there operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is consistently rated as one of the world’s most efficient customs authorities. Schiphol Airport handles 1.5 million tonnes of air freight annually. For US businesses and individuals shipping crates to the Netherlands, this infrastructure means that well-documented crate shipments typically clear Dutch customs faster than equivalent shipments to most other EU destinations.
This page covers two main purposes for crate shipments from the USA to the Netherlands: commercial business equipment shipments to Dutch companies and organisations, and inherited personal property — furniture, antiques, family heirlooms — being imported by Dutch residents or new residents after the death of a US relative.
For smaller shipments that don’t require crate protection, see our box page or luggage page. For pallet shipments, see our pallet page.
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Who Ships Crates from the USA to the Netherlands?
Who Ships Crates from the USA to the Netherlands?
US Companies Exporting Technology, Industrial, and Medical Equipment
The Netherlands is home to ASML — the world’s sole manufacturer of EUV (extreme ultraviolet) lithography machines, which are essential for producing advanced semiconductors. ASML’s supply chain draws US companies, research institutions, and technology partners who regularly ship precision equipment, components, and research hardware to the Netherlands. US medical device and life sciences companies ship demonstration units, surgical equipment, and diagnostic instruments to Dutch healthcare providers. Industrial equipment exporters shipping to Dutch manufacturing, chemical, and logistics sector companies regularly use crate shipping for protection.
Families Importing Inherited Property from Deceased US Relatives
When an American relative passes away and leaves personal property — furniture, household items, antiques, artwork, books, silverware — to a Dutch resident or to someone relocating to the Netherlands, that inherited property needs to be shipped from the USA to the Netherlands. Inherited items are often both valuable and irreplaceable, making crate protection the right choice. Dutch customs also has a specific inheritance (nalatenschap) exemption for this category, explained below.
Dutch Antique Collectors and Art Market Participants
The Netherlands has a sophisticated antique and art market centred in Amsterdam. Auction houses, galleries, and private collectors regularly receive crated antiques and artworks from the USA. Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, and the Dutch art market institution Veilinghuis de Zwaan all participate in the international art trade, and US-Dutch art transactions requiring crate shipping are common.
Businesses Relocating Equipment from US Facilities to Dutch Operations
US companies that are consolidating or expanding operations in the Netherlands — moving laboratory equipment, manufacturing tools, technology hardware, or specialist instruments — use crate shipping for the transatlantic move.
Shipping Cost & Transit Time for Shipping crate from the USA to Netherlands
Our prices are highly competitive — that’s why so many customers choose Expediship for shipping crate from the USA to Netherlands. We offer affordable rates with reliable, professional service, guiding you step by step through the entire shipping process for crate shipment
Delivery to Netherlands typically takes around 5 business days, not including customs clearance time, which may vary depending on Dutch government processing.
Below are estimated starting prices for shipping Crate from the USA to Netherlands. Final cost depends on box size, pickup address, and delivery city.
| Weight Range | Starting Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| 150–200 lbs | From $4/lbs |
| 201–300 lbs | From $3.8/lbs |
| 301–400 lbs | From $3.5/lbs |
| 401–500 lbs | From $3.0/lbs |
| 501–600 lbs | From $2.8/lbs |
| 601–700 lbs | From $2.5/lbs |
| 701–800 lbs | From $1.5/lbs |
| 801+ lbs | From $1.2 — for larger shipments, please contact customer service for an exact quote. |
Note: Prices are estimated starting rates for air freight shipments. Expediship offers door-to-door service with full tracking and customs guidance.
Dutch Customs Rules for Business Equipment in a Crate: BTW, Duties, and Article 23
Dutch Customs Rules for Business Equipment in a Crate: BTW, Duties, and Article 23
Netherlands Douane applies EU customs law to all business goods imported from the USA. Business equipment and machinery shipped in crates are subject to EU customs duty (at the applicable TARIC code rate — typically 0% to 6.5% for most manufactured goods) and Dutch BTW of 21% on the CIF value.
Dutch BTW on high-value crate shipments: the Article 23 advantage
On a high-value crate shipment — say, a piece of medical equipment valued at $200,000 — Dutch BTW of 21% represents a $42,000 payment due before the goods are released from Douane. For most EU countries, this must be paid upfront at the border. The Netherlands offers a different option for Dutch-registered businesses: the Article 23 BTW deferment licence.
Article 23 of the Dutch Wet op de omzetbelasting allows Dutch-registered organisations with a KVK (Chamber of Commerce) registration to defer BTW on imports — paying it in their regular BTW return cycle (typically monthly or quarterly) rather than at the border. For companies receiving frequent or high-value crate shipments from the USA, this eliminates the cash flow burden of pre-funding large BTW amounts at customs clearance. Full information on Article 23 is at belastingdienst.nl .
EORI number requirement
The Dutch importing company must have a valid EU EORI number before the import declaration is filed. Dutch EORI numbers are formed from the company’s KVK number preceded by “NL.” Companies that import regularly through the Netherlands typically already hold their EORI. If your Dutch business partner or recipient does not yet have an EORI, they should register before your crate ships.
Temporary import for business demonstrations
If business equipment is being temporarily imported for a demonstration, testing, or short-term business use and will return to the USA, the Netherlands offers the temporary admission procedure (tijdelijke invoer) under EU customs law. An ATA Carnet is also accepted for professional equipment temporarily used in the Netherlands for business purposes.
Importing Inherited Property to the Netherlands: The Nalatenschap Exemption
Importing Inherited Property to the Netherlands: The Nalatenschap Exemption
When a person inherits personal property — furniture, household items, antiques, artwork, jewellery — from a deceased relative in the USA and ships those items to the Netherlands, Dutch customs (Douane) provides a specific duty-free and BTW-free concession for genuinely inherited goods.
The conditions for the nalatenschap (inheritance) exemption
The goods must be acquired by erfopvolging (hereditary succession) — they were owned by the deceased and have passed to the importer through inheritance, not through purchase or gift.
The importer must provide official documentation from a competent authority in the country where the deceased resided — in this case, the USA — confirming that the goods are acquired by hereditary succession. This typically means a certified notarial document from a US notary or estate attorney, confirming the inheritance and the nature of the goods.
The application for the exemption is made to the local Dutch customs office (douanekantoor) responsible for the area where the goods will arrive. Douane will assess the documentation and, if satisfied, grant duty-free and BTW-free entry.
What qualifies under the nalatenschap exemption?
Personal household goods — furniture, clothing, books, kitchenware, personal effects owned by the deceased. Artworks, antiques, and collectibles owned by the deceased, provided they do not fall under any specific Dutch or EU cultural property restrictions. Personal vehicles owned by the deceased (specific rules and RDW inspection requirements apply for vehicles — contact ExpediShip for vehicle import details).
What does not qualify?
New goods purchased by the estate specifically for import. Commercial stock or inventory. Alcohol and tobacco. Firearms.
Preparing the documentation for a nalatenschap crate shipment
Contact a US notary or estate attorney to prepare a certified notarial document (with apostille for Dutch use) confirming the inheritance. Prepare a detailed inventory of all items in the crate, with descriptions and estimated values. Contact ExpediShip before shipping — our Dutch clearance partners will advise on the specific Douane documentation requirements for your crate and will coordinate the customs application on your behalf. Douane’s inheritance exemption guidance is at douane.nl/en.
Insurance Options for Shipping Boxes, Pallets, Crates, or Luggage from the USA to Netherlands
Every shipment automatically includes $100 of cargo insurance free of charge — if anything is lost or damaged, you are covered up to $100 at no extra cost. Need more protection? Add full coverage for just 3% of the declared value when requesting your quote. For eligibility rules, non-insurable items, and how claims work, see our Shipping Insurance Guide.
International Shipping Prohibitions and Restrictions
Ship from USA to Netherlands — Know What You Cannot Ship
Certain items cannot be received, stored, shipped, imported, or exported due to government regulations, safety concerns, or international trade laws. Transactions involving these commodities are strictly prohibited, regardless of the shipment’s origin or destination.
Note: These items are completely forbidden to be exported or imported between countries.
Shipping Process
Ship Pallet from USA to Netherlands
Frequently Asked Questions When Shipping Crate from USA to Netherlands
A pallet is an open platform for stacking multiple boxes. A crate is a fully enclosed container providing structural protection on all six sides. Crates are for items that are fragile, high-value, oversized, or require individual enclosure. If your goods can be safely stacked in boxes on a pallet, a pallet shipment is sufficient. If your goods need enclosed protection and custom internal bracing, a crate is the correct solution.
The nalatenschap exemption allows inherited goods to be imported into the Netherlands duty-free and BTW-free, provided the goods were acquired by hereditary succession from a deceased relative and the importer can provide a certified notarial document from a US notary confirming the inheritance. Contact ExpediShip before shipping to discuss the documentation requirements. Douane’s guidance on inheritance goods is at douane.nl/en.
Via air freight through Schiphol, crate shipments typically arrive in 4 to 5 business days. Rotterdam Douane operates 24/7 and standard clearance at both Rotterdam and Schiphol typically takes 1 to 3 business days for well-documented commercial crate shipments. For inherited goods requiring the nalatenschap application, allow additional time for Douane to process the documentation — typically a few additional working days.