Vans and trucks from the Netherlands to Italy: export and registration

Vans and trucks go through the same application to the Motorizzazione Civile and the PRA as a car; we found no separate procedure. For a resident of Italy the deadline of art. 93-bis applies as well: registration within three months of acquiring residenza. The order of the steps (VAT check, technical document, application through an STA, Documento Unico) is set out on importing a car to Italy.

The MIT instructions of December 2025 exempt vans, trucks and trailers from the visita e prova (inspection before registration) if they have a European type approval issued without derogations, were originally supplied with a CoC, have not been modified, and their periodic test is still valid or has expired.

An inspection at the Motorizzazione is required for:

• vehicles with only a national approval from before European type approval became compulsory;
• a chassis with a body ('allestimento') without European approval of the completed vehicle;
• vehicles that only partly meet the European approval, damaged vehicles and vehicles built for driving on the left.

So: with a CoC of a European type approval without derogations, an inspection is in principle not needed; otherwise a visita e prova follows. Ask the STA or the Motorizzazione beforehand.

Vans up to 3.5 tonnes follow the Italian 4+2 rule: the first revisione after 4 years, then every 2 years. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes keep the annual revisione. Speed limits above 3.5 tonnes: up to 12 tonnes 80 km/h outside built-up areas and 100 km/h on the motorway; above 12 tonnes 70 and 80 km/h.

The annual road tax (bollo auto) is set per region. In Lombardy, for example, the amount for commercial vehicles also depends on payload and total weight. We do not give amounts.

Italian dealers and other VAT-registered buyers report the purchase to the data centre (CED) of the Motorizzazione within 15 days (censimento). If the Dutch seller is VAT-registered, the seller's VAT number goes into that report.

A company vehicle from a foreign employer, used in Italy by a resident for more than 30 days in a calendar year, must be entered in the REVE (Registro dei veicoli esteri).

After deregistration the vehicle may be driven on Dutch roads for 14 days, and never after the APK (the Dutch roadworthiness test) has expired. Abroad the rules for a Dutch export registration vary by country, and we found no official source on the route that mentions it for this journey, so check every country beforehand. Switzerland is not in the EU: a vehicle that is not for own use, for example one intended for sale, must be declared at the Swiss border. Whether that applies to an export vehicle in transit is not clear, so ask the Swiss customs (BAZG) or drive via Austria. More on Dutch export plates.

Transport on a trailer or car transporter is the alternative: the vehicle then usually needs no driving insurance, but the export document is still required. If the Italian buyer cannot come to the Netherlands, the RDW allows a contact person in the Netherlands to arrange the export.

• Export document with the export certificate (kentekenbewijs deel II) in the name of the buyer.
• Insurance and APK: for the drive on Dutch roads a van or truck needs both. We arrange the export insurance with Green Card through our insurance partner.
• Two white export plates.
• Business buyer: company name, address and VAT number.
• Price: on request for trucks and heavy vans, always confirmed beforehand.

No EX-A customs declaration is needed, because Italy is in the EU. A used delivery van can also qualify for a refund of BPM, the Dutch registration tax: see BPM refund on export. Motorhomes are covered on motorhome and caravan export.