Container Shipping to Netherlands — Get Instant Quotes
Why Choose iContainers for Shipping to the Netherlands?
- Europe’s busiest gateway. The Port of Rotterdam lifted 13.8 million TEU in 2024 and a further 3.3 million TEU in Q1 2025 (+2.2 % YoY), ensuring daily main-line calls and plentiful equipment. (http://seatrade-maritime.com, porttechnology.org)
- Seamless rail reach. More than 400 scheduled container trains link Rotterdam with Germany, Belgium, France, Italy and beyond every week, cutting inland transit to < 48 h. (portofrotterdam.com)
- Air-cargo back-up. Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport handled 1.5 million t of freight in 2024 (+8.2 %), offering 3- to 5-day door-to-door options for urgent loads. (aircargonews.net)
- Paperwork, simplified. Our platform auto-files the EU’s ICS2 Entry Summary Declaration and applies the Dutch 21 % VAT up front, so customs never stalls. (taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu, avalara.com)
Our Container Shipping Services to the Netherlands
Full Container Load (FCL)
Industrial multinationals and retailers land sealed 20′, 40′, 40′HC and reefer boxes at Rotterdam (NLRTM) or Amsterdam (NLAMS)—ideal for chemicals, machinery, auto parts and refrigerated foods.
Less-than-Container Load (LCL)
SMEs and e-commerce sellers move < 15 m³ via weekly LCL consolidations that devan in bonded depots at Rotterdam’s Maasvlakte, saving 40–60 % over paying for unused FCL space.
Popular mode: FCL dominates bulk and project cargo; LCL is booming for Amazon-EU and Shopify restocks.
Major ports / airports served: Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Moerdijk; urgent freight via Schiphol (AMS).
Typical cargo: Petro-chemicals, electronics, machinery, cut flowers, dairy products.
Transit-time guide:
- Shanghai → Rotterdam ≈ 30–38 days port-to-port.
- New York → Rotterdam ≈ 10–15 days on the North-Atlantic loop.
Country-specific opportunities & challenges:
- Inland barge & rail slash CO₂ and trucking costs but may face low-water Rhine surcharges in late summer.
- ICS2 safety filings must be lodged 24 h before loading—our system handles this automatically.
Alternative option: Air freight via AMS trims door-to-door to 3–5 days for high-value electronics, pharma and just-in-time spares.
Container shipping rates to Netherlands
How much does it cost to ship a container to Netherlands?
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Container to the Netherlands?
- East Asia → Rotterdam: 30–38 days
- U.S. East Coast → Rotterdam: 10–15 days
- North-Europe feeders: 1–3 days from Hamburg, Antwerp or Felixstowe
- Air freight: 3–5 days door-to-door via AMS
Popular Routes and Ports for Shipping to the Netherlands
Asia–North Europe services (Maersk AE5/AE7, MSC Griffin) call Rotterdam weekly; trans-Atlantic rotations link New York, Savannah and Charleston; short-sea feeders move cargo from the U.K. and Scandinavia. Daily barges and trains distribute boxes to the Rhine-Ruhr, Paris Basin and Alpine region in ≤ 48 h. (portofrotterdam.com)
Steps to Book Your Container Shipment with iContainers
Quote — enter origin, destination and cargo specs for an instant rate.
Upload docs — commercial invoice, packing list, HS codes (ICS2 auto-filed).
Book & pay securely online.
Track vessel, rail and customs milestones in real time.
Clear — pay EU duty (0–5 %) + 21 % VAT—DIY or via our broker.
Deliver by barge, rail or truck to warehouse, FTZ or Amazon EU fulfilment center.
What Can You Ship in a Container to the Netherlands?
Chemicals
Machinery
Electronics
Cut flowers
Dairy & cheese
Auto parts
Restricted / Prohibited:
Counterfeit brands, dual-use goods without licence, hazardous waste lacking Basel permits.
Main ports in Netherlands
FAQs About Shipping Containers to Netherlands
Most goods clear at 0–5 % customs duty plus 21 % VAT on the CIF value. (avalara.com)
Not mandatory, but strongly recommended—add door-to-door cover at checkout.
Yes—below 15 m³ you avoid paying for unused FCL space, typically saving 40–60 %.
Secure space 6–8 weeks ahead of November imports to avoid roll-overs and rate hikes.