Import a Car to Aruba (2026)
Duties, costs, and what you need to know, from a $30,000 sedan to a $70,000 SUV.
Aruba is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands with its own customs regime, tax structure, and import regulations. If you are relocating to Aruba, already living there, or considering importing a vehicle from the US or Europe, this is the complete breakdown of what it costs and how it works.
The process is different from Curaçao and Bonaire in several important ways. The duty structure is different, the taxes are different, and the documentation requirements have their own specifics. Do not assume what applies on one island applies on another.
The cost structure
Aruba applies import duty and a turnover tax (BBO/BAVP/BAZV) on all imported vehicles. The total tax burden depends on the CIF value of your vehicle, that is the purchase price plus insurance plus freight (shipping cost). Everything is calculated on this combined figure, not just the vehicle price.
Import duty
Aruba charges 22% import duty on the CIF value of standard passenger vehicles. Rates vary by vehicle type and fuel, with hybrids and pickups qualifying for lower rates. This is lower than Curaçao's 27%. For a $50,000 vehicle with $3,000 in shipping and insurance, the CIF value is $53,000 and the import duty is $11,660.
BBO / BAVP / BAZV
Aruba has a combined turnover tax system consisting of three components: BBO (tax on gross revenue), BAVP (additional levy), and BAZV (health surcharge). Together these total approximately 7% and are applied on top of the CIF value plus import duty.
On that same $53,000 CIF example: after adding the $11,660 import duty, the taxable base becomes $64,660. The BBO/BAVP/BAZV adds approximately $4,526. Your total tax burden is roughly $16,186 on a $50,000 vehicle.
Total cost compared
| Cost element | Aruba | Curaçao |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle price (US) | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| Shipping + insurance | $3,000 | $2,500 |
| Import duty | ~$11,660 | ~$14,175 |
| Turnover tax | ~$4,526 | ~$6,001 |
| Registration + plates | ~$500 | ~$400 |
| Total landed cost | ~$69,686 | ~$73,076 |
Aruba is generally cheaper to import to than Curaçao, with lower rates on both import duty (22% vs 27%) and turnover tax (7% vs 9%). On a $50,000 vehicle the difference is roughly $3,000–$4,000 in total. This makes importing particularly attractive for Aruba residents who might otherwise buy locally at inflated prices.
Required documents
To import a vehicle into Aruba you will need the following:
- Original title: clean title from the US, or registration document (kentekenbewijs) from Europe
- Bill of sale or purchase invoice: showing the price paid for the vehicle
- Bill of lading: issued by the shipping company confirming the vehicle is on the vessel
- Valid ID: Aruban cédula or valid residency document
- Customs declaration: filed through a licensed customs broker in Aruba
- Insurance: marine transit insurance covering the shipment, plus local motor vehicle insurance before registration
A licensed customs broker in Aruba will handle the clearance process. Broker fees typically range from AWG 500 to AWG 1,500 depending on the complexity of the import.
Shipping to Aruba
Most vehicle imports to Aruba come through the Port of Oranjestad or Barcadera. If shipping from the US, the main departure ports are Miami (Port Everglades), Fort Lauderdale, and Houston.
From the US: container shipping typically costs $2,500–$3,500 depending on the vehicle size and the carrier. Transit time is 1–2 weeks from South Florida. RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) is cheaper but less available to Aruba than container.
From Europe: shipping from Rotterdam or Antwerp runs €2,800–€4,000 with transit times of 3–5 weeks. European-spec vehicles are common on Aruba given the Dutch connection, and many residents import from the Netherlands.
Residency requirement
To import and register a vehicle in Aruba, you need a valid Aruban cédula (residency card). Tourists and temporary visitors cannot import vehicles for personal use. If you are relocating to Aruba, the vehicle import should be coordinated with your residency application timeline.
There are specific provisions for returning Arubans and new residents importing household goods including vehicles, which may qualify for reduced duty rates. Consult a local customs broker for your specific situation.
New vs used vehicles
Aruba does not have a strict age limit on imported vehicles, but older vehicles may face additional inspection requirements. Vehicles older than 8 years may be subject to more scrutiny regarding emissions and roadworthiness.
In practice, most imports are between 1 and 5 years old, the sweet spot where depreciation has reduced the purchase price (and therefore the duty) while the vehicle still has plenty of life left.
What it costs, all in
For a detailed comparison of duty rates across all three ABC islands, see our duty comparison guide. The differences are significant and can save you thousands depending on where you are importing to.
Use our import calculator to estimate the total landed cost for any vehicle price, including shipping, duty, and taxes. Enter a vehicle price and see what it costs, delivered.
Or browse our current inventory. Every vehicle shows one transparent, all-in delivered price. We source from US and European dealers and handle everything from purchase to your driveway.