Specialized Cargo Shipping Services to the Netherlands with Karapost: Fast, Safe, and Reliable

If you are planning to send cargo to the Netherlands, whether for personal or commercial purposes, you are probably concerned about issues such as shipping costs, delivery speed, choosing the right shipping method (air or sea), and how to properly package your goods to pass through Dutch customs. Shipping cargo to the Netherlands—whether via air freight or sea freight—requires knowledge of details such as the weight and dimensions of your cargo, the type of goods, necessary documents (like a bill of lading and certificate of origin), and even the current exchange rates, since these factors directly affect the cost and delivery time of your shipment. For more accurate information and to get a price quote, you can contact our specialists.

The cost of freight forwarding to the Netherlands

The cost of shipping cargo to the Netherlands depends on the following factors:

Actual weight or volume (effective volume): In air freight, volumetric weight is often more important. If the packaging is bulky, the cost is calculated based on volume.
Exact destination: Shipping to major cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or The Hague usually has better accessibility and lower domestic transport costs; more remote cities may have additional door-to-door delivery charges.
Shipping method: Sea freight is usually cheaper but takes more time; air freight is faster but more expensive.
Packaging, insurance, and customs clearance services: The more professional the packaging, the more comprehensive the insurance, and the more complete the clearance documents, the higher the costs.
Import taxes and duties: In this country, the value-added tax (VAT) is usually 21%, which is applied to the value of the goods along with shipping and insurance costs plus customs duties.

Time required to ship cargo to the Netherlands

Freight forwarding to the Netherlands by sea from non-European countries usually takes 3 to 6 weeks depending on the origin and destination ports.
Air freight for light cargo usually takes 5 to 10 business days.
Sending partial shipments and the customs clearance process may take a few days to a few weeks due to goods inspection, documentation, and health controls in the Netherlands.

Different methods of shipping cargo to the Netherlands

For shipping cargo to the Netherlands, there are two main transportation methods: air freight and sea freight. In air freight, cargo is usually transported via international airlines to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, which is the largest and busiest airport in the country and provides fast customs clearance and delivery facilities. In contrast, sea freight is more cost-effective for bulky and heavy cargo, and shipments are mainly sent to the Port of Rotterdam, which is the largest port in Europe and one of the most important cargo transit centers in the world. Choosing the appropriate method for freight forwarding to the Netherlands depends on the type of goods, volume, required time, and your budget; therefore, consulting with international shipping experts can help you select the best route and method.

Customs conditions for shipping cargo to the Netherlands

If you are entering the Netherlands from a non-EU country and have personal belongings or household consumer goods with you, it is usually possible to import them without paying customs duties, provided you meet the exemption conditions.
The usual conditions for exemption include: you are moving to the Netherlands permanently; you have lived outside the European Union for at least 12 months; the goods have been owned and used by you for a certain period; and the importation of the goods is done within a specific period (usually 12 months after residence).
Goods that are not exempt usually include luxury items, tobacco, vehicles, or goods that require specific standards or permits.
There are no restrictions on the import and export of shipments where both the sender and receiver are registered companies.

Required Documents for Shipping Cargo to the Netherlands

For secure shipping and fast customs clearance, the following documents are usually required:

Commercial invoice or goods valuation
Detailed packing list
Waybill
Proof of ownership for used goods (for exemption purposes)
Immigration or residence documents if you intend to use the exemption (such as rental contract, residence registration)

Shipping Cargo to the Netherlands for Iranian Traders

For those who intend to ship cargo to the Netherlands commercially, choosing suitable and high-yield goods is very important. This country, as one of the major commercial and logistics hubs in Europe, provides a good market for certain Iranian products. Based on the experience of export professionals, the following goods from Iran usually have good demand in the Netherlands and can be profitable for exporters:

Iranian pistachios and dried fruits: Pistachios, raisins, dates, and saffron are among Iran's high-quality agricultural products that always have many customers in European markets.
Carpets and handicrafts: Iranian hand-woven carpets and authentic artistic products are valuable and popular in this country.
Petrochemical and chemical products: Some petroleum derivatives, resins, and chemical raw materials are considered good export options due to the needs of industries in this region.
Medicinal herbs and herbal distillates: Organic and herbal products are very popular in European markets, and exporting medicinal herbs, rosewater, and traditional Iranian distillates can be a good opportunity to enter these markets.

Note: Before exporting any goods, be sure to check the compliance of your product with the standards and regulations of the European Union and thoroughly research the target market to gain the most profit from your trade.

✅ Special offer from Karapost for shipping to the Netherlands

Karapost company, by providing specialized services for shipping and posting to the Netherlands, offers the most suitable method based on your needs (personal, corporate, or student). Among the services:

Safe and standard packaging
Real-time shipment tracking
Customs consultation at the destination
Delivery to all cities in the Netherlands: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, The Hague, etc.