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Can I transfer my car's foreign inspection certificate if I import my car?

If you are importing a car from abroad, and it still has a valid foreign inspection certificate, you may be able to transfer it. You can then use it until it expires. This depends on where the inspection was carried out, however.

Where was your car inspected?

You can transfer the certificate (and keep the original expiration date) if the car was inspected in a European Union (EU) country, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland. 

You can arrange the transfer with the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW) when you import your car. Bring the original foreign inspection report with you.  An annotation on the foreign registration certificate or an inspection sticker affixed to the foreign registration plate is also acceptable.

See the step-by-step plan for importing a car

You cannot transfer the certificate if your car was inspected outside a European Union (EU) country,  Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland. This is because the inspection will not meet European requirements.

The Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW) or a garage near where you live must carry out a Dutch vehicle inspection (APK). See the step-by-step plan for importing a car to find out how and when to do this.

See the step-by-step plan for importing a car

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