Ship a motorcycle from the USA to the Netherlands
The Netherlands routes all US motorcycle shipments through one of the world’s great ports — Rotterdam, Europe’s largest seaport and a gateway to the entire continent. AA Motorcycle Shipping coordinates door-to-port delivery from anywhere in the United States, with weekly sailings from Newark, NJ and Long Beach, CA direct to Rotterdam. In business since 1983.
Or call 1-888-347-1391 — available 7 days a week
2 US departure ports — weekly sailings to the Netherlands
The Netherlands route operates from two US ports only — Newark, NJ on the East Coast and Long Beach, CA on the West Coast. Transit time to Rotterdam differs meaningfully between the two, so your departure port affects both scheduling and total door-to-port time. Riders located near other parts of the country are routed to whichever of these two ports best suits their location and timeline.
Newark, NJ
East Coast departures
Approximately 20–25 days ocean transit to Rotterdam. The faster route — Newark’s proximity to Rotterdam makes it the most time-efficient departure point for East Coast and Midwest riders.
Long Beach, CA
West Coast departures
Approximately 5–6 weeks ocean transit to Rotterdam. The natural departure point for West Coast riders — the longer transit reflects the greater distance across the Pacific and through the shipping corridor.
Note: loading at the US departure port typically takes 2–3 weeks before the vessel departs. Factor this into your total timeline when planning your shipment. Call us at 1-888-347-1391 if you need help choosing between the two ports for your situation.
One arrival port — Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Every Netherlands shipment arrives at a single destination: the Port of Rotterdam. There is no port selection needed — Rotterdam handles all US motorcycle imports into the Netherlands, whether your bike departed from Newark or Long Beach.
Port of Rotterdam
South Holland, Netherlands
Europe’s largest seaport and the second-largest globally after ports in East Asia. Located near the city of Rotterdam within the province of South Holland, the port is one of the most advanced and efficiently operated RoRo terminals in the world. Its central position in northwest Europe means riders arriving here have direct access to Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven, and beyond — as well as easy onward routes into Belgium and Germany. The recipient collects the motorcycle at the port after customs clearance and pays any applicable EU duties and VAT on-site.
Transit time — USA to the Netherlands
Transit time to Rotterdam depends on which US port your shipment departs from. The two routes have genuinely different timelines — plan accordingly based on your departure port and the date you need your motorcycle in the Netherlands.
From Newark, NJ → Rotterdam: approximately 20–25 days ocean transit. Newark is the faster of the two routes — the North Atlantic crossing from the US East Coast to Rotterdam is well-established and direct. East Coast and Midwest riders typically use Newark for the shortest possible door-to-port time.
From Long Beach, CA → Rotterdam: approximately 5–6 weeks ocean transit. West Coast shipments travel a longer routing to reach Rotterdam. Long Beach is the right departure point for riders in California, the Pacific Northwest, or the southwestern US. The transit is longer but the route is reliable and runs on a regular weekly schedule.
For both routes, loading at the US departure port typically takes 2–3 weeks before the vessel departs. This means your total door-to-port time — from US pickup to Rotterdam collection — will be longer than the ocean transit alone. We’ll confirm the current loading window and expected sailing date when you book. At the Port of Rotterdam, a customs clearance broker assigned by AA Motorcycle Shipping handles the import process. The recipient collects the motorcycle after clearance and pays any applicable EU duties and VAT on-site.
RoRo vs container shipping — which is right for your Netherlands shipment?
Rotterdam is one of the best-equipped ports in Europe for both RoRo and container traffic. The right method for your shipment depends on what you’re sending and the level of protection your motorcycle warrants.
RoRo — Roll-On/Roll-Off
Standard — used for most Netherlands shipments
Your motorcycle is ridden aboard the vessel and secured on the car deck for the transatlantic crossing to Rotterdam. RoRo is the most cost-effective and efficient method for the Netherlands route — set weekly departures from both Newark and Long Beach, fully enclosed within the ship’s hull throughout the voyage, and handled at one of the most streamlined RoRo terminals in Europe. The right choice for touring bikes, cruisers, Harleys, sport bikes, and adventure bikes heading to the Netherlands.
Container Shipping
Premium — collector, vintage & high-value bikes
For a rare vintage motorcycle, a one-of-a-kind custom build, or a high-value collector bike — container shipping provides a sealed steel enclosure for the entire journey from US pickup to Rotterdam arrival. Rotterdam is a world-class container port, fully equipped for this method. If your motorcycle has no market equivalent in the Netherlands and replacing it would be complicated or impossible, the added cost of a container is the right call.
From your US address to Newark or Long Beach
Every Netherlands shipment begins with an enclosed truck run from your US pickup location to either Newark or Long Beach. We coordinate the domestic leg as part of the full door-to-port service — you don’t need to arrange separate transport to the port.
Documents required to ship a motorcycle to the Netherlands
Documentation requirements for the Netherlands are straightforward. Have everything ready before booking to keep your shipment on schedule at the US departure port and on arrival at Rotterdam.
- Bill of sale
- Customs clearance broker — assigned by AA Motorcycle Shipping at booking (broker name and contact details provided on your Document Receipt after booking is confirmed)
Have questions about documentation before you book? Call us at 1-888-347-1391 and we’ll walk through exactly what’s needed for your shipment.
What to expect at Rotterdam customs
The Netherlands is a member of the European Union, which means motorcycle imports from the United States are subject to EU external customs regulations. The EU applies a common external tariff to non-EU goods entering any member state — including motorcycles arriving at Rotterdam from the US. In addition to customs duties, Dutch VAT is assessed on the imported value of the motorcycle at the time of clearance.
AA Motorcycle Shipping assigns a licensed customs clearance broker to your shipment at the time of booking. The broker’s name and contact details appear on your Document Receipt. This broker handles the entire import clearance process at the Port of Rotterdam on your behalf — whether your motorcycle arrived from Newark or Long Beach. The recipient collects the motorcycle after clearance and pays any applicable EU duties and Dutch VAT on-site at the port. Cash payment at the port is standard.
We do not publish estimated duty or VAT figures. EU external tariff rates and Dutch VAT assessments are subject to change and depend on the declared value of the motorcycle at the time of import. If the cost of duties and VAT is a material factor in your decision, we recommend consulting a Dutch customs specialist alongside your booking with us.
Shipping a motorcycle from the USA to the Netherlands — four steps
Request a quote
Submit your international quote request with your bike’s year, make, and model, your US pickup zip code, and the Netherlands as the destination. Knowing your location helps us confirm whether Newark or Long Beach is the right departure port — and gives you an accurate transit time estimate for your specific route. Or call 1-888-347-1391.
Pickup anywhere in the USA
We send an enclosed truck to your US address — home, dealership, storage, or wherever your bike is located. Your motorcycle is secured and transported to either Newark, NJ or Long Beach, CA depending on your location. East Coast and Midwest riders typically route through Newark for the shorter Atlantic crossing. West Coast riders depart from Long Beach.
Vessel departs for Rotterdam
After a loading window of approximately 2–3 weeks at the US departure port, your motorcycle is loaded aboard the next available RoRo or container sailing bound for Rotterdam. Ocean transit takes approximately 20–25 days from Newark or 5–6 weeks from Long Beach. All Netherlands shipments arrive at a single destination — the Port of Rotterdam.
Collection at the Port of Rotterdam
Your assigned customs broker clears the shipment on arrival at Rotterdam. You or your representative collects the motorcycle at the port, settles any applicable EU duties and Dutch VAT on-site, and you’re ready to ride — whether that means heading into Amsterdam, cutting south toward Limburg’s hill roads, or straight onto the Dutch motorway network.
Shipping motorcycles from the USA to the Netherlands since 1983
Rotterdam is one of the finest arrival ports in Europe for a motorcycle shipment. As the continent’s largest seaport, it operates with a level of logistics efficiency that few ports anywhere in the world can match — RoRo handling at Rotterdam is smooth, well-organized, and built for volume. When your motorcycle arrives here, it arrives at a port that processes wheeled vehicles every single day. That matters when you’re coordinating timing from the US side of the Atlantic.
The Netherlands sits at the geographic center of northwest Europe, which makes Rotterdam an exceptional base for riders who want to explore the continent after arrival. Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, and Eindhoven are all within easy reach. Riders heading south into Belgium or east into Germany can be on European motorways within an hour of leaving the port. For those planning a broader European tour, the Netherlands is one of the most convenient entry points on the continent.
Dutch riding culture is well-established. The Netherlands has some of Europe’s most scenic coastal rides — the Afsluitdijk causeway crossing the IJsselmeer, the Zeeland delta island routes, and the wooded Veluwe region in the center of the country. Limburg in the south is the Netherlands’ only genuinely hilly province, and it draws sport bike and adventure riders specifically for its elevation and winding roads — a contrast to the flat terrain most people associate with the country. Riders relocating to the Netherlands know that sourcing a US-spec Harley or a specific American-market model locally means paying a significant EU import premium. Shipping what you already own is the practical decision.
Dutch-Americans, expats, and international professionals rotating through the Netherlands make up a consistent share of shipments on this route. Whether you’re on a long-term assignment, returning home after years in the US, or simply relocating — the process is the same. One company coordinates the full journey from your US address to the Port of Rotterdam, and you collect your motorcycle ready to ride.
Every motorcycle type — shipped to the Netherlands
From touring bikes built for the Dutch coastal roads to sport bikes destined for Limburg’s hill routes — we ship every category of motorcycle to Rotterdam. Whatever you ride, we’ll get it there.
- Harley-Davidson (all models — common on the Netherlands route)
- Touring & long-distance bikes
- Cruisers
- Sport bikes & supersports
- Adventure & dual-sport bikes
- Vintage & classic motorcycles
- Custom builds
- Electric motorcycles
- Trikes & sidecars
Shipping an electric motorcycle or an oversized trike to the Netherlands? Call us before booking — certain configurations benefit from specific handling arrangements and we’ll make sure everything is set up correctly before pickup day.
How to pay for your Netherlands motorcycle shipment
- Zelle
- Venmo
- Bank of America deposit
- Wire transfer
- Cashier’s check
- Regular check
- Credit card
- Debit card
We also ship motorcycles to these European countries
The Netherlands is one of more than a dozen European destinations we serve. Continuing your ride into a neighboring country, or relocating elsewhere in Europe? We handle those routes too.
Belgium
View detailsFrance
View detailsGermany
View detailsGreece
View detailsItaly
View detailsNorway
View detailsSpain
View detailsSweden
View detailsSwitzerland
View detailsUnited Kingdom
View detailsGoogle reviews — AA Motorcycle Shipping
“My experience with AA Motorcycle Shipping was excellent. My Softail HD is spotless with no blemishes — it was picked up in Wisconsin and dropped off in California in the same condition. The staff and drivers were kind and professional. I would highly recommend them.”
Shipping a motorcycle from the USA to the Netherlands — common questions
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How much does it cost to ship a motorcycle from the USA to the Netherlands?
Cost depends on your US pickup location, your motorcycle’s year, make, and model, which US departure port your shipment routes through (Newark or Long Beach), and whether you choose RoRo or container shipping. East Coast shipments via Newark and West Coast shipments via Long Beach are priced differently due to the different domestic transport distances and ocean routing. Use our international quote form or call 1-888-347-1391 for a quote specific to your bike and location.
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How long does it take to ship a motorcycle from the USA to the Netherlands?
Transit time depends on your US departure port. From Newark, NJ, the ocean crossing to Rotterdam takes approximately 20–25 days. From Long Beach, CA, the transit is approximately 5–6 weeks. In both cases, loading at the US departure port takes an additional 2–3 weeks before the vessel departs. Factor the full loading-plus-transit window into your timeline when planning your shipment date.
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Why are there only 2 US departure ports for the Netherlands?
The Netherlands route — like most direct transatlantic sailings to Rotterdam — operates from Newark on the East Coast and Long Beach on the West Coast. These are the two US gateway ports with regular direct RoRo and container service to Rotterdam. Riders based near other parts of the country are routed to whichever of these two ports is most efficient for their location and timeline. We’ll confirm your departure port when you request a quote.
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Why does every Netherlands shipment arrive at Rotterdam?
Rotterdam is Europe’s largest seaport and one of the most capable RoRo terminals on the continent. All US motorcycle shipments to the Netherlands are routed through Rotterdam regardless of the US departure port. There is no port selection needed — Rotterdam handles the full import process for all Netherlands-bound shipments. Its central location in South Holland also puts it within easy reach of every major Dutch city and the surrounding European road network.
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What documents do I need to ship a motorcycle to the Netherlands?
You’ll need the bill of sale. AA Motorcycle Shipping assigns a licensed customs clearance broker at booking — their name and contact details appear on your Document Receipt after booking is confirmed. The broker handles the import clearance process at the Port of Rotterdam on your behalf. If you have questions about documentation before booking, call us at 1-888-347-1391.
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How do EU customs and duties work at Rotterdam?
The Netherlands is an EU member state, so EU external customs tariff rules apply to motorcycle imports from the United States. Dutch VAT is also assessed on the imported value of the motorcycle. Your assigned customs broker handles the clearance process at Rotterdam. The recipient collects the motorcycle after clearance and pays any applicable EU duties and VAT on-site at the port — cash payment is standard. We don’t publish estimated duty figures as EU rates and assessments are subject to change.
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What is door-to-port and how does it work for the Netherlands?
Door-to-port means we pick up your motorcycle at your US address and coordinate the full shipment through to delivery at the Port of Rotterdam. You don’t arrange separate transport to the departure port or manage individual legs of the journey — we handle the domestic truck run to Newark or Long Beach and the ocean crossing to Rotterdam as a single coordinated service. The shipment ends at the Port of Rotterdam; we do not provide onward delivery within the Netherlands itself.
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RoRo or container — which is better for shipping to the Netherlands?
RoRo is the right choice for the vast majority of Netherlands shipments. It’s cost-effective, runs on a weekly schedule from both Newark and Long Beach, and your motorcycle travels fully enclosed within the ship’s hull to Rotterdam. Container shipping is worth considering for rare vintage bikes, high-value custom builds, or collector machines where a sealed steel enclosure from US pickup to Rotterdam arrival provides meaningful added protection. Rotterdam handles both methods at a world-class level. Not sure which is right for your bike? Call us at 1-888-347-1391 before you book.
Ready to ship your motorcycle from the USA to the Netherlands?
Two US departure ports. One arrival port — the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest seaport. Weekly sailings from Newark and Long Beach. Tell us where you’re starting from and we’ll handle the rest.
Get an international shipping quote →Or call 1-888-347-1391 — available 7 days a week. Live chat also available.