Moving from Amsterdam to New York (2026): Costs, Visas & Complete Guide
Moving from Amsterdam to New York links two of the world’s most international cities, but the two halves of the move are very unequal in difficulty. Shipping your household across the Atlantic is a well-established, relatively quick process. Securing the right to live and work in the United States is not — and it is where Dutch movers most often come unstuck. This guide covers the whole picture: the shipping route, US customs, the real cost drivers, life in New York, and the immigration status you must have before you leave.
Key takeaways
- Sort your immigration status first. The US has no general work or residence route for EU citizens. You need a specific visa or green card before you relocate — the hardest part of an Amsterdam–New York move.
- Sea freight is standard for household goods. Containers leave via Rotterdam and cross to the Port of New York and New Jersey in roughly two to four weeks of ocean transit — shorter than moves from Australia or Asia.
- Used household goods are generally duty-free. CBP waives duty on personal effects you have owned and used, declared on CBP Form 3299 with a detailed packing list.
- New York is expensive and broker-driven. Very high rents, broker’s fees of up to 15% of annual rent, and large upfront deposits are the norm.
- Pets: new CDC dog rules apply. Since 1 August 2024 every dog needs an ISO microchip, a CDC Dog Import Form and must be at least six months old. Cats have no CDC requirement.
1. The route: Amsterdam to New York
Your belongings will travel by sea or air. Sea freight is the default for a full household. Goods are collected in Amsterdam and consolidated at a Dutch deep-sea port — most transatlantic cargo leaves through the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest — then shipped to the Port of New York and New Jersey, the principal East Coast gateway. Ocean transit runs about two to four weeks. The Atlantic crossing is meaningfully shorter than the long hauls from Sydney or Singapore, one of the practical advantages of a Europe–US East Coast move.
You can ship a full container load (FCL) — a 20ft or 40ft container for a whole home — or less-than-container load (LCL), sharing a container with other consignments. LCL suits a flat’s worth of goods and costs less, but adds consolidation and deconsolidation time. After landing, the container clears CBP and is drayed to a warehouse for release and final delivery.
Air freight from Amsterdam Schiphol reaches the New York area in hours, with door-to-door moves typically completing in one to two weeks including clearance. Air is far dearer per kilo, so most movers air-freight a small consignment of essentials — clothes, work gear, immediate necessities — while the bulk goes by sea.
2. Costs: the general drivers
An international move is priced on variables, not a flat rate. For an Amsterdam–New York relocation the main drivers are:
- Volume and weight. The biggest factor by far. A studio shipped LCL costs a fraction of a family home in a 40ft container.
- Sea versus air. Air can be several times the sea cost for the same volume, so reserve it for a small urgent shipment.
- Access at both ends. Amsterdam’s narrow canal houses and steep staircases, plus long carries or walk-ups in New York, add labour and time.
- Packing and insurance. Professional packing protects fragile items and eases customs; marine transit insurance is priced on declared value and strongly advised.
- Destination charges. US port handling, customs processing, drayage and final delivery are billed separately from ocean freight.
- Storage. If your New York home is not ready, storage at either end adds monthly cost.
Because these swing widely, an accurate figure needs a proper home survey — ideally by video. Treat quotes offered without one with caution.
3. US customs: CBP Form 3299
The reassuring part of moving a whole home is that used personal and household effects are generally admitted duty-free when you relocate to the United States. You claim this on CBP Form 3299, the Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles, backed by a detailed, itemised packing list valuing the contents.
Points to get right:
- Goods should be owned and used by you — personal effects, not items bought new for resale. Items owned and used for at least a year are the clearest duty-free case.
- The form and packing list must be in English and submitted before clearance.
- Alcohol, firearms, certain foods, plants and other restricted or prohibited goods are handled separately and are best left out of a household shipment; they can trigger duties, permits or seizure.
- The shipment enters as unaccompanied baggage, arriving separately from you — exactly what Form 3299 is for.
A professional mover completes Form 3299 and the inventory with you, the surest way to avoid a customs hold. Always check the latest requirements on cbp.gov, as guidance is updated periodically.
4. Living in New York
New York’s character changes block by block across five boroughs, and your choice of neighbourhood shapes both budget and lifestyle.
Manhattan is the priciest and most iconic. The Upper East Side (UES) and Upper West Side (UWS) are calmer and family-friendly beside Central Park; Chelsea is central and walkable; the Lower East Side (LES) is younger and busier. Brooklyn is the go-to for many Europeans wanting more space: Williamsburg for design and nightlife, Park Slope for families and tree-lined streets, DUMBO for converted warehouses and river views. Queens gives better value with quick Manhattan access — Astoria is diverse and food-led, Long Island City (LIC) is a modern high-rise district one stop from Midtown. Across the Hudson, Jersey City and Hoboken in New Jersey offer PATH-train commutes and often more space per dollar.
The rental process will feel unfamiliar to a Dutch renter. Rents are among the world’s highest, and most flats come through brokers charging a fee — commonly up to 15% of the annual rent, paid by the tenant. Landlords usually want the first month, a security deposit and proof of income around 40 times the monthly rent, or a guarantor. Everyday costs — groceries, transport, dining, healthcare — are high, so budget generously for the settling-in months.
5. Visa, immigration status and the essentials
Resolve this before anything else. US immigration is restrictive and offers no general route for EU citizens to move and look for work. You must hold a valid status before relocating. Common routes:
- H-1B — employer-sponsored specialty-occupation visa, subject to an annual cap and a lottery.
- L-1 — intracompany transfer for managers, executives or specialised staff within the same employer.
- O-1 — for individuals with extraordinary ability; no cap or lottery, but a high evidentiary bar.
- E-2 — treaty investor visa. The Netherlands is an E-2 treaty country under the long-standing Dutch–American Friendship Treaty, so a substantial investment in a US business is a route for some Dutch nationals.
- J-1 — exchange-visitor programmes (research, training, au pair and similar).
- Green card / family — permanent residence through employment or a qualifying family relationship.
Consult a US immigration attorney early; the visa timeline typically dictates the whole move.
Social Security Number (SSN): most work-visa holders apply after arrival (some during the visa process). It is needed for payroll, banking and credit.
Health insurance: the US has no public health system for new arrivals. Cover comes from an employer or the marketplace (healthcare.gov / the New York State of Health exchange). Never travel without cover; US medical costs are very high.
Driving licence and DMV: New York State residents apply through the New York DMV (dmv.ny.gov). Many New Yorkers do not drive, but if you will, a Dutch licence can be used short-term while you establish residency, after which a New York licence is required.
Pets: since 1 August 2024 the CDC requires every dog entering the US to have an ISO-compatible microchip, a completed CDC Dog Import Form (receipt valid six months, multiple entries), to appear healthy, and to be at least six months old. The Netherlands is classified dog-rabies-free/low-risk, so dogs travelling directly from the Netherlands do not need a foreign rabies certificate — but the microchip, form, age and health requirements still apply. USDA rules may also apply. Cats have no CDC requirement, though airline and USDA conditions still apply. Confirm on cdc.gov before booking travel.
6. Timeline
A realistic Amsterdam–New York timeline, working back from the move date:
- Months 6–12 before: Start the visa process. This is the gating item; nothing else should proceed until your status is on track.
- Months 2–3 before: Book your mover, complete a home survey, and confirm sea or air freight. Begin sorting what to ship, sell or store.
- Month 1 before: Prepare CBP Form 3299 and the inventory, arrange pet documentation (microchip and CDC form), and settle Dutch-end admin (utilities, municipality registration, tenancy notice).
- Move week: Packing and collection; goods depart by sea (2–4 weeks transit) or air (days).
- After arrival: Clear customs, take delivery, apply for your SSN, arrange health insurance, and handle DMV/driving matters once settled.
How Flyto handles your move
Flyto Relocation operates its own hubs across Europe and works with vetted agents worldwide, so an Amsterdam–New York move is coordinated end to end from a single point of contact. We survey your home, advise on the sea-versus-air split, prepare your CBP Form 3299 and inventory, manage the Atlantic crossing and US customs clearance, and arrange final delivery in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens or across the river in New Jersey. We also help align the logistics with your visa timeline and pet requirements so nothing falls out of sync.
Get a personalised Amsterdam–New York moving plan and quote from Flyto’s advisor →
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from Amsterdam to New York take?
Sea freight typically involves two to four weeks of ocean transit, plus packing, port handling and US customs clearance at each end. Door-to-door air freight is usually one to two weeks.
Will I pay customs duty on my belongings?
Used personal and household effects are generally duty-free when you are relocating, declared on CBP Form 3299 with an itemised packing list. New goods, alcohol and restricted items are treated separately.
Do I need a visa before I move?
Yes. The US has no general route to move and find work. You must hold a valid status — such as H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-2 or a green card — before you relocate.
Can I bring my dog from the Netherlands?
Yes, if it has an ISO microchip, a completed CDC Dog Import Form, appears healthy and is at least six months old. As the Netherlands is rabies-free/low-risk, no foreign rabies certificate is required, but confirm current rules on cdc.gov.
How does renting in New York work?
Most flats go through brokers who charge a fee — commonly up to 15% of annual rent — and landlords expect a deposit, first month’s rent and proof of income around 40x the monthly rent, or a guarantor.
Do I need US health insurance?
Yes. There is no public health system for new arrivals. Cover comes from an employer or the marketplace exchange, and medical costs without insurance are very high.
Related moves
- Moving from Paris to New York
- Moving from Madrid to New York
- Moving from Berlin to New York
- Moving from London to New York
- Moving to Philadelphia from Abroad
- Moving to San Diego from Abroad
Sources
- US Customs and Border Protection — CBP Form 3299 and moving household goods: cbp.gov
- US Department of State — visa categories: travel.state.gov
- US Citizenship and Immigration Services — work visas and green cards: uscis.gov
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — bringing a dog into the US (rules effective 1 August 2024): cdc.gov
- New York State DMV — driving licences: dmv.ny.gov
- Government of the Netherlands — emigration guidance: government.nl
Hiring an international mover? See our full International removals to the USA service — Flyto’s own European hubs, vetted local partners and one English-speaking coordinator, door to door.