Distributing a product

Evolution of the sector

There is stiff competition within the Belgian market. This is due to the fact that Belgium is amazingly open to foreign trade. Added to a sophisticated system of distribution, it turns Belgium into a test market, where many foreign companies launch new products.
The main geographic zones of the country are Brussels, Antwerp and Liege.

Despite a noteworthy slowdown of the local economy at the end of the year 2009, retailing continued to demonstrate modest but still positive current value terms growth at a rate slightly higher than inflation. In store-based retailing, the number of outlets continues to decline due to a natural cannibalization of still dominant small independent shops located in towns by more profitable large stores – hence the ongoing increase in selling space. Large retail groups gain ground through expansion in the number of outlets, the assortment of products they carry, and also in their private label offerings.

Market shares

The distribution of foodstuff is characterized by a high level of concentration (a few chains with many selling points especially for Delhaize and less importantly for Colruyt), and by a strong development of the co-operation among the distributors.
The distribution of other consumer goods, on the contrary, is better carried out through specialized traditional retailers, so much that in recent years chains of branches, often auto-serviced, with diversified products have appeared on the market.
It is also characterized by the increasing part of the "non food" distribution in hypermarkets and, in a lesser way, of department stores (Inno).
The pride for Belgian distributors is the GB group which manages a union of distribution companies, grouped around four sectors: super and hypermarkets together with CARREFOUR, do-it-yourself, fast foods, specialized distribution.

Organizations in the retail sector

We can identify professional tradeshows on your sector.

Market access procedures

International Conventions

Member of World Trade Organisation
Member of OECD
Party to the Kyoto protocol
Party to the Washington convention on International trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora
Party to the Basel convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their disposal
Party to the Montreal protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer
Wassenaar arrangement on export controls for conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies
Party of the International coffee agreement 2001

Main International economic cooperation

Belgium is one of the founding members of the European Union, and has been one of the foremost proponents of regional economic integration.

Non tariff barriers

At the European level, agricultural products are protected within the Common Agricultural Policy and textile products from China, Belarus, North Korea, Montenegro, Kosovo and Uzbekistan are subject to particular formalities and import licenses or control procedures (export document, monitoring document).

Customs duties and taxes on imports

Operations carried out within the EEA are free of duty.
The Common Customs Tariff of the European Union applies to goods originating outside Europe. Generally the duty is relatively low, especially for industrial products (4.2% on average).

Consult the tariffs for EU origin. 

Customs classification

The Combined Nomenclature of the European Community (EC) integrates the HS nomenclature and supplements it with its own subheadings with an eight-digit code number and its own Legal Notes created for Community purposes.

Import procedures

Customs procedures include, apart from importing with payment of duties, the following tax exemption procedures: release for consumption, transit or temporary admission, customs warehousing, inward processing, processing under customs control.
More details on the website Invest Flanders

As part of the "SAFE" standards advocated by the World Customs Organization (WCO), the European Union has set up a new system of import controls, the "Import Control System" (ICS), which aims to secure the flow of goods at the time of their entry into the customs territory of the EU. This control system, part of the Community Program eCustomer, has been in effect since January 1, 2011. Since then, operators are required to pass an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) to the customs of the country of entry, prior to the introduction of goods into the customs territory of the European Union.

Importing samples

Samples are acceptable to Belgium and will be exempt from all Duty and VAT. A Certificate of Origin will not be required for import; only a standard Air Waybill or Bill of Lading and Commercial Invoice will be needed.

Imported samples of commercial value owned by individuals abroad also may be granted exemption from customs charges. Security is required in the amount of duty and tax chargeable, plus 10%. Samples may be allowed to stay in Belgium up to one year. Such samples are not permitted to be sold, put to normal use (except for demonstration purposes), or utilized in any manner for remuneration.

For further information

Custom and excise Administration
Paperless custom and excises procedure official web site
Buyusainfo
NCI Multiburo

We can indicate you which are the customs duties applied to your product.

We can indicate you which are the customs duties applied to your product.

Find out the local taxes that apply to your product.

Organizing goods transport

Main useful means of transport

The main ports are Antwerp, Gent, Ostend. Antwerp is by far the most important Belgian port and is ranked second in Europe.

Ports

Port of Antwerp
Port of Zeebruge
Port of Oostende

Airports

Brussels airport
Liège airport
Charleroi airport

Sea transport organizations

Federal public service mobility and transport

Air transport organizations

Federal public service mobility and transport

Road transport organizations

Ministry of Transport

Rail transport organizations

National railway company

Get a ballpark figure for transportation costs for your product in this country through a shipping estimate

Identifying a supplier

Type of production

The positive economic climate was particularly beneficial for the chemicals industry, wood and furniture, metalworking, electrical machinery and equipment, and the manufacture of transport equipment.

Business directories

Golden Pages
Belgacom White Pages
Go2.be
4B2B
Kompass

Manufacturers associations of the main industries

Automotive association in Belgium
Belgium aerospace industries association
Pharmacy Industry association in Belgium
Belgian Maintenance Association
Belgian Steel Federation
Food and Beverage industry association
Belgian fashion association (in French)

Trade Agencies and their representations abroad

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Brussels
French Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Belgium

Enterprises federation

Federation of enterprises in Belgium
Brussels enterprises commerce and industry
Walloon union of Belgium enterprises

Standards

National standards organizations

Belgium Institute of standardization

Integration in the international standards network

At the European level: the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute.
At the international level: the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Classification of standards

CE is the European certification mark.

Online consultation of standards

The ISO catalog

Certification organizations

The Belgium institute of standardization

Find out the standards and labelling requirements that apply to your products

Intellectual Property

National organizations

Office for intellectual property (OPRI)

Regional organizations

The European patent office and the Office for harmonization in the internal market

International membership

Member of the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)
Signatory to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Intellectual Property
Membership to the TRIPS agreement - Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)