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.