Belgium Import & Export Toolkit

Belgium hosts the EU's #2 port (Antwerp-Bruges) and is a global chemicals, pharma and diamonds hub. This hub covers LC cost in EUR/USD, EU tariff, 21% BTW/TVA and Belgian customs clearance.

Currency

EUR (Euro)

BTW / TVA (VAT)

21% standard, 12%, 6% and 0% reduced

Charged on CIF + duty. ET-14000 licence allows postponed VAT accounting for VAT-registered non-residents.

Duty regime

EU Common Customs Tariff with EU-wide FTAs. TARIC-BE.

Free calculators for Belgium trade

LC Cost Calculator →

All-in bank charges on a Letter of Credit.

Usance LC Interest →

Deferred payment cost with correct ACT/360 or ACT/365 basis.

Import Duty & Tax →

Duty, VAT/GST and landed cost per HS code.

Landed Cost by HS & Country →

Interactive duty + VAT/GST + Incoterm split for this destination.

CIF ↔ FOB Converter →

Convert between CIF, FOB and landed cost.

HS Code Lookup →

Search harmonised classification codes.

CBM & Container →

Volume, weight and container utilisation.

Incoterms 2020 Visualiser →

Cost, risk and document split across all 11 rules.

Multi-Currency Invoice →

FX spread and cross-currency invoice value.

Major ports & gateways

· Port of Antwerp-Bruges - EU's #2 container port and #1 chemical cluster
· Zeebrugge (auto & LNG)
· Ghent (steel)

Key trading partners· 7 linked toolkits

Top exports

· Chemicals & pharmaceuticals
· Cars & auto parts
· Diamonds (Antwerp)
· Refined petroleum
· Machinery
· Iron & steel
· Food products

Top imports

· Crude petroleum & natural gas
· Chemicals & pharmaceuticals
· Cars & auto parts
· Machinery
· Diamonds (rough)
· Iron & steel

Trade finance in Belgium

· EUR LC usance uses ACT/360.
· Belgian banks (KBC, BNP Paribas Fortis, Belfius, ING Belgium) offer top-tier LC capabilities into EU and Africa.
· Credendo (formerly ONDD) is Belgium's export credit agency.

Customs & duty in Belgium

· Belgium uses EU CN 8-digit. PLDA is the Belgian electronic clearance system.
· ET-14000 (VAT licence for non-residents) enables postponed VAT and cash-flow-neutral imports.
· Antwerp Diamond Bureau (AWDC) certifies Kimberley Process compliance for rough diamond trade.

Incoterms 2020 practice in Belgium

· CIF Antwerp / Zeebrugge is the standard import term. FCA / CIP for containers.

HS commodity guides for Belgium

Classification, duty and worked landed-cost examples for the commodity families most active on Belgium's trade lanes.

HS 84Industrial

HS Code for Industrial Machinery (Chapter 84) into Belgium →

HS 30Regulated

HS Code for Pharmaceuticals (Chapter 30) into Belgium →

HS 72Metals

HS Code for Iron & Steel (Chapter 72) into Belgium →

HS 2709Energy

HS Code for Crude Oil (HS 2709) into Belgium →

HS 2710Energy

HS Code for Petroleum Products (HS 2710) into Belgium →

HS 85Electronics

HS Code for Electronics (Chapter 85) into Belgium →

HS 61 & 62Consumer goods

HS Code for Textiles & Apparel (Chapters 61 and 62) into Belgium →

HS 31Agricultural

HS Code for Fertilizers (Chapter 31) into Belgium →

Belgium's key trading partners

India toolkit →

IGST on imports · 5% / 12% / 18% / 28%

United States toolkit →

No federal VAT / GST · 0% federal

United Kingdom toolkit →

VAT · 20% standard, 5% reduced, 0% zero-rated

Germany toolkit →

VAT (Umsatzsteuer / Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) · 19% standard, 7% reduced

Netherlands toolkit →

BTW (VAT) · 21% standard, 9% reduced

China toolkit →

Import VAT · 13% standard, 9% reduced, 6% services

Frequently asked questions

What is the ET-14000 VAT licence?

A Belgian VAT authorisation that lets non-resident importers apply postponed VAT (self-assessment on the periodic return) instead of paying VAT at the border. Widely used by international traders routing through Antwerp.