Shipping To Belgium | International Freight Shippers

2022-11-04

Shipping to Belgium from China

Belgium, also known as the "Kingdom of Belgium", is a highly developed country located on the west coast of Europe, mainly dominated by foreign trade as the economy.As an international freight shippers, JIKEship is confident that we have the resources to help you with your shipping to Belgium, as well as the answers to all your shipping related questions about Belgium in this guide.

Belgian Customs Clearance Guide

As an international freight shippers, I want to offer you the best way to transport your goods for this journey.

You must try to import from China shipping to Belgium.

Then, this article will make your journey unhindered.

Part 1.Customs system in Belgian

  • Regulatory system

Belgian foreign trade is the responsibility of the Ministry of Economy of the three regional governments.

There is no foreign exchange control system in Belgium and foreign exchange can be freely imported and exported without declaration.

All import and export trade in Belgium is regulated in accordance with EU regulations, and import and export supervision and customs collection of goods are the responsibility of Belgium.

The Federal Food Chain Safety Agency is primarily responsible for the quarantine of animal and plant imports. When goods enter their country of origin, port quarantine officials are required to check the origin and issue an EU-approved health and quarantine certificate. Marine plants must be sampled at the port for two days upon entry and tested negative before being allowed to be imported.

  • Tax policy on imported goods from Belgium

Goods imported from EU member states are exempt from customs duties, while goods imported from non-EU countries are subject to import duties and taxes, and the tariff rates are implemented in accordance with the EU harmonized rates.

The Belgian tariff rate is basically between 0% and 17%. Exemptions from customs duties will exist for certain goods, while additional duties (anti-dumping duties, etc.) may be levied on certain goods.

Imported goods (f.o.b.) from Belgium with a value not exceeding 150 Euros and exempt from customs duties. Imported goods (FOB) with a value not exceeding 22 Euros and exempt from VAT.

The Belgian standard VAT rate is 21%, and certain goods enjoy a preferential VAT rate of 12% or 6%. VAT = VAT rate× (CIF price + import duties)

Some goods are subject to excise duty on production and import, the European Union imposes excise duty on mineral oil, alcohol, alcoholic liquids and tobacco products, and Belgium imposes a domestic excise tax on coffee and non-alcoholic beverages.

Inbound goods must be inspected, tested and charged the corresponding customs fees at the time of customs clearance

  • How long does it take to clear customs in Belgium

Normally, fast customs clearance takes only one day. Now when the goods have not yet arrived at the destination, they will first pre-clear customs, if it is smooth, there is no special customs clearance, and When it arrives locally, it will be released directly without any formalities. If there is no prior pre-clearance, the exact time of clearance depends on the speed of cooperation of the consignee. Some 1-2 days, some 4-7 days. This is uncertain.

Part 2.Sea Freight From China shipping to Belgium

Belgium's coastline is 66.5 kilometers long. Coastal Belgium has numerous ports, including the ports of Antwerp, Zeebrugge, Bruges, Brussels, Ghent, Heimersheim, Liege, Nieuwpoort, Ostend, etc. The largest is Antwerp, through which 70% of Belgium's maritime trade is done.

The most important of these are the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge, the latter being one of the basic ports on the European route and likewise the main port of call on the Belgian route.

  • Precautions for shipping

a) Less Container Load (LCL)

This type of shipment is considered when the importer imports few goods.

Your goods are shipped with other packages destined for the same destination until the container is filled.

The cost of shipping will be shared by everyone whose goods are in the container, and the cost depends on the volume occupied by each person's cargo.

This is the cheapest way, although it takes longer to reach the destination.

The long time is as a result of consolidation of all small quantities to ensure the container is full.

As well, it also takes time to clear individual package in the container.

b) Full Container Load (FCL)

Here the container is full of commodities belonging to one individual and all the tracking is done as a single entity.

For FCL, the container/reservation number can be used for tracking as soon as the container leaves.

This shipment is charged at a flat rate.

It is the opposite of the consolidation method, which charges for the individual packages within the container.

The 3 containers commonly used are 20ft, 40ft and 40ft high cube containers.

All of these have a maximum weight value, which must be 28 tons.

Compared to LCL, full container shipping is very safe.

  • The difference between the cost of LCL and FCL

Container cost composition: sea freight Port miscellaneous fees Warehousing fees Loading costs Some goods also have direct loading fees, reinforcement and other costs

There are generally three types of fees for consolidation, ocean freight, local fees, and warehouse fees.

The LOCAL fee is paid to the agent by the consignee of the destination port, and the fee of each port is different, and the fee charged by each agent is also different, So you need to confirm with the freight forwarder in advance.

Because of whole container transportation, shipping companies have less unnecessary procedures, so some shipping associations have freight discounts for them. Compared with LCL cargo, shipping associations will charge certain container freight terminal service fee.

Part 3.Air Freight From China shipping to Belgium

Air freight is by far one of the fastest ways to transport goods around the world, much faster than sea freight.

Here There are many reliable airlines to support your transportation from China to Belgium.

Brussels Airlines

China Airlines

Hainan Airlines

Air China Cargo

SF Airlines

YTO Cargo Airlin

The flight time range from China to Belgium is between 10 and 12 hours, for which you can get a little idea of the time frame for air transport.

However be aware that the whole process normally takes around 3-5 working days.

Not only is it fast, air freight is also the safest way to transport cargo, with little risk of damage or theft.

Brussels Airport is the main airport for cargo, and since 2019 Sichuan Airlines operates three weekly cargo flights from China to Brussels.

  • Important Belgian Airports

We have collected a summary of some important Belgian airports for your reference. These will help you to transport from China to Belgium more smoothly.

Brussels International Airport

An international airport in Zaventem, Belgium, it is also a hub port for SN Brussels Airlines, Virgin Express and DHL. The airport is just 12 kilometers from the center of Brussels, known as the "capital of Europe", and offers flights to hundreds of destinations around the world.

The air travel time from Shenzhen, China to Brussels, Belgium is about 7 days. Transit through other airports is required.

Liege International Airport

A civil airport located northwest of the city of Liege in eastern Belgium, operated and managed by The Airport JSC Liège, which provides aviation services to the city of Liège. As an international business centre, Liege Airport not only plays an important economic role in the Liège metropolitan area, but also serves as an aerial gateway for the City of Liege to showcase its vitality, innovation, values and traditional culture. Today, Liege Airport is mainly used for cargo aviation business, it is the largest cargo airport in Belgium and the eighth largest cargo airport in Europe, carrying 66% of Europe's air cargo traffic.

Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai and other places in China can transport goods to Liege by transshipment. Among them, the air transport time from Shenzhen to Liege is about 5 days, and the flights are every day.

Ostend International Airport

Ostend-Bruges International Airport offers regular domestic and international passenger and cargo traffic, including seasonal scheduled charter flights, provided by Tunisian Airlines, Freebird Airlines, Downwind Airlines and Jet Airways, to about 20 destinations including Alicante, Barcelona, Mallorca, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Malaga, Antalya, Greek Crete, Monastir, Rhodes and Kos. The airport is also an important cargo hub in Belgium, with routes to North America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

There are flights from Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai and other places to reach the airport. As an example, Guangzhou requires a transit through Frankfurt/Amsterdam airport with daily flights for about 7 days.

Antwerp International Airport

Located in antwerp, the second most populous city in Belgium, about 4 km from the city's city centre, it is a small international airport in antwerp. The airport is operated and managed by the Ministry of Mobility and Public Works of the Flemish Government of Belgium. Antwerp International Airport operates mainly international routes to Ireland's CityJet. In addition, the airport offers a small number of international charter flights.

There are flights from Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Hong Kong and other places, and the air travel time from Hong Kong to the airport is about 4 days. Transfers are required at other airports.

  • How do I calculate the cost of Air Freight Cargo Shipping?

We'll help you simplify the process for you! Your loading quantity is divided into two different but related "weights": gross weight and volume weight. Gross weight is the physical weight. Therefore, if the material of your shipment is heavy, the actual gross weight will be charged at that time. If you have light materials, you will likely be charged by volume.

Part 4.Rail freight service from China shipping to Belgium

In the frequent trade between China and Europe, the traditional international logistics and transportation methods are more dependent on sea and air transportation, and the transportation time and transportation cost have always been difficult to coordinate and solve the real problems. In order to create a longer-term future for China-Europe development, China-Euro Express, as a pioneer of international logistics and logistic projects on the Silk Road "One Belt, One Road", has been working on the following projects, has become a veritable most competitive and comprehensive and cost-effective mode of transportation once it is opened. By comparing with the traditional transportation in Europe, all aspects are in a comparative compromise position, the transportation time is one third of the sea transportation, and the cost is only one quarter of the air transportation!

Part 5.Cost of Shipping from China to Belgium

  • Cost of Shipping via Ocean

When it comes to shipping to Belgium, relatively cheap is the impression most people have.

Sea freight is cheaper than other forms of shipping and also allows you to ship bulk cargo.

However, when we refer to costs, as an importer, you need to understand what parts of these costs are incurred.

Certain costs are bound to change as a result of certain changes in your shipping process.

As an importer, minimizing import costs is something that every importer should do, after all, it is the most basic of disciplines.

One way to do this is to reduce shipping costs.

But what are some ways to do this?

① Compare different shipping companies and buy different offers.

Get different offers from various different shipping companies, from the comparison allows you to let you know the best company.

With them cost and understand the services they offer.

Using the different comparisons before you can even negotiate the most satisfactory shipping rates.

② Keep the packing materials within reasonable and standard limits.

Since your shipping costs are calculated based on the weight of the goods received, if you do not want to add additional costs.

This is achieved by using unnecessary packages.

Use the packing material specifications provided by the airline in small quantities.

③ Freight charges included in the cost of goods

If your business aims to sell profitably, please do not add extra burden of shipping costs.

Instead, pass it on to the buyer.

This will make your shipping costs cheaper and more convenient.

④ Avoid parts shipping.

One of the reasons you will find high transportation costs is damage to the goods you are shipping.

You can avoid this from happening by arranging one-way transportation using cargoes.

This will reduce your shipping costs.

-Cost of Shipping via Ocean

The price of transportation from China to Belgium mostly depends on the type of product or high value items to be transported on factors such as:

Type of product: Different products have different transport requirements. For example, valuable or perishable goods may need to be given specialist packaging and/or security.

Size and weight: the price fluctuation, for both of which is ironically run.

Yes, the larger the package, the higher the price. One small reminder, the smaller the item, the more affordable it is to use air freight.

For example, items under 100 kg, you use air freight, according to the weight of the calculation will be much cheaper, in addition, you can also achieve a more time and money-saving effect through courier.

Whether it's shipping to Belgium or shipping to the rest of the world. Air freight is always more expensive than sea freight.

Part 6. Express service from China shipping to Belgium

DHL, FedEx, TNT and EMS will deliver to Belgium within 3-7 days

If the price is higher, the shipping cost will be charged according to the initial weight and 0.5kg of additional weight. If the timeliness requirement is not high, you can also choose to send a dedicated line.

Express delivery to Belgium takes 3-4 working days and the price varies according to the weight of the bill.

Flying to Belgium takes 4-5 working days with a minimum loading weight of 45kg.

DHLUPS FedEx TNT is the leader in international express delivery, followed by EMS SF. Each type of express has its own advantages and disadvantages. If you want to use the cheapest express, 1. you need to know what are the advantages of these expresses. 2. we need to know what the product is and the customer's requirements for the timeliness of the goods.

First let's understand the advantages of these EXPRESS.

DHL; the main advantage is that the aging is relatively stable for small goods under 21 kg.

UPS; the main advantage is that for large goods over 100 kg. the UPS price is more suitable for large goods.

FedEx; the main advantage lies in the 21-99 kg section. In this weight part, FedEx has a comparative advantage in price, and the timeliness is not too bad.

TNT; the main advantage is that large shipments over 100 kg will be cheaper than UPS, but there is no problem in timeliness. Usually, the timeliness is about one week.

Restricted and contraband in Belgium

Here is a list of restricted goods you need to know when importing from China to Belgium.

● Animals and animal products

● Drugs and medicines

● Jewelry and precious objects

● Pharmaceutical products

● Plants and parts of plants.

● Kangaroo skins

● Crocodile skins

● Emu oil

● Fish oil

● Bunker oil

● Coal

● Petroleum-based products

● Tobacco and tobacco products

● Any alcohol drink including beer and spirits all volumes.

On the other hand, some of the goods you cannot import to Belgium include the following:

● Cottonseed

● Foodstuffs containing saccharine

● Lottery tickets

● Mushrooms and microbes, cultures of

● Playing cards

● Religious relics and objects, such as rosaries

● Tobacco

● Any weapon including a firearm.

Part 7.FAQ with shipping from China to Belgium

FAQ
Q: How long does it take to ship my cargo from China to Belgium?
A:Even though most companies do not give you an exact date for the arrival of your cargo, they do provide an approximate date.In most cases these dates are reliable.But yet again it depends on the method of shipment and the frequency of the shipping company to your destination.
Q:My supplier has no right to export. Can you help me export the goods?
A: Yes, we can. We can buy the export license, do the customs declarationand ship the goods out to you.
China freight forwarder
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