CargoLegislation & regulationsSafety & Security

Customs

For import and export goods, rapid transit through the port is crucial. In some cases, additional checks are needed. As the gateway to the European market, we as a port platform have a great responsibility for ensuring a reliable and safe port while minimising the impact on trade.

Gateway to the European customs union

The port of Antwerp acts as the European external border for the customs union for all EU Member States. This makes it possible to fulfil all your customs formalities and sanitary & phytosanitary controls in Antwerp. As such, goods can then move freely throughout the European Union without additional delays at internal borders.

 

Customs processes at the port of Antwerp are very rapid. It is possible to clear goods electronically even before the ship has been unloaded.

 

The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) closely monitors compliance with European legislation and carries out additional checks on certain imported goods and food or other perishables through its border control post (GCP). The Federal Food Agency does this to protect the health of people, animals, plants and also the environment.

Voor inklaring van goederen is een vlotte douane afhandeling nodig. Welke accijnzen of douanekosten moet je betalen? Heb je fiscale vertegenwoordiging nodig?

International & European hub - Bonded Warehouse

The port of Antwerp is a unique location to serve as an international and European hub. The possibility of placing goods under a specific regime allows for the temporary suspension of import duties and taxes. Procedures such as customs & excise, inward & outward processing and the extended gate concept provide clear optimisation of your cash flow. This makes the port a virtual free zone, without having to be a free port or a free trade zone.

One-stop-shop: customs agents & fiscal representatives

More than 200 specialised service providers have years of know-how and expertise in order to assist you as a customs agent and fiscal representative and ensure the smooth administrative handling of your imports and exports. Find your service provider at:

Forward Belgium
Douane en fiscale vertegenwoordiging in de haven van Antwerpen©Benjamin Brolet

Optimisation of VAT flow and fiscal representation

Companies importing goods into the EU via the port of Antwerp will enjoy very efficient Belgian legislation for reverse-charging VAT upon import. This means prefinancing VAT is no longer needed, which of course has a positive impact on cash flow.

 

Fiscal representatives & customs agents can also act for foreign (non-Belgian) businesses in order to handle all import formalities if these companies do not have a Belgian legal entity and a Belgian VAT number.

Product Sheet Fiscal Representation

28/7/2022
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