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Outside the EU - Belgium

Updated 10/2012

Legal requirements

In Belgium, the regions are responsible for matters concerning exports (Law of 8 August 1980 on institutional reform).

  • Special law on institutional reform français

Exporting Goods

The export of goods is subject to the laws of both the country of export and the country of import.

  • Exporting tips français

The following agencies provide information to companies located in their respective areas:

  • Walloon Export and Foreign Investment Agency français
  • Flanders investment and trade Nederlands
  • Brussels Export français

Importing Goods

The following customs procedures are in effect for imports into Belgium:

  • Import procedures and payment of duties
  • Tax exemption procedures
  • Customs and Excise Administration - Federal Public Service Finance français
  • AWEX - Walloon Region français
  • Customs Laws - Flemish Region français
  • Import-Export - Brussels-Capital Region français

Export Subsidies

Financial subsidies serve as incentives to exports and primarily take the form of interest-free loans for sourcing and setting up new markets outside the European Union. The three Belgian regions have each developed specific instruments.

For the Walloon Region information on most export subsidies and incentives is available from consultants at the Walloon Export and Foreign Investment Agency (AWEX). This organisation has developed a module ‘Export step by step’ that lists all the incentives according to a classification corresponding to the successive steps in the export procedure.

  • Walloon Export and Foreign Investment Agency français

For the Brussels-Capital Region, information on most export subsidies and incentives is available at Brussels Export.

  • Brussels Export français

For the Flemish Region, information on most export subsidies and incentives is available from the consultants at Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT).

  • Flanders investment and trade Nederlands

Belgium also provides procedures for exemption from tax.

  • Taxation - Walloon Region français
  • Tax relief - Flemish Region français
  • Tax relief - Brussels-Capital Region français
 

Administrative procedures

The Paperless Customs and Excise (PLDA) system is an online system for e-filing export and import declarations.

  • Paperless Customs and Excise français Online government service

After completing the customs forms, a commodity code must be entered on the customs declaration.

  • Customs and Excise Administration - Federal Public Service Finance français

You must also request binding tariff information (BTI) from the customs service.

  • Binding tariff information français

Resources

Eur-Export is an initiative financed by the EU to inform you on foreign trade through the use of a self-teaching programme.

  • Eur-Export français

Check also the legislation on this topic in:

  • References

    Legal texts

    • Company Code, 7 May 1999 français
    • Special Law of 8 August 1980 on institutional reform français

    Key documents

    • Business handbook français

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Enterprise Europe Network - Contact points

The Enterprise Europe Network provides businesses with information and advice through its local contact points. 

Choose your nearest contact point for personalized help and advice:

Further help

The Walloon Export Agency (AWEX) has developed an information series to help entrepreneurs in setting up export-import ventures.

  • Walloon Export and Foreign Investment Agency français

The Flanders investment and trade (FIT) provides personalised advice and assistance on current regulations.

  • Flanders Investment and Trade Nederlands

Brussels Export provides assistance and advice to companies in Brussels.

  • Brussels Export français