Personal Effects Customs Clearance Belgium
Documents Required
- Passport
A colour copy of the consignee's passport details page is required by Belgian Customs.
- Statement
Belgian Customs will require a statement from the consignee confirming all goods have been owned for 6 months or more to allow the shipment to be cleared duty free.
General Personal Effects Customs Information
Personal effects are typically defined as used items which have been in the sender's possession for 6 months or more. If your shipment is checked by customs and is found to contain brand new or commercial items, you shipment may not be assessed as personal effects. Keep this in mind if you are sending Christmas gifts or other new items. Please check with customs so you are aware of potential customs duties, follow any advice given and attach all necessary documentation.
In order to demonstrate that your shipment consists of personal effects, you will be required to complete a brief non-generic packing list online, entries to be made in the format: "5 x Cotton Dresses, 2 x Jeans, 3 x Pair of Gloves", and so on, rather than as "10 x Used Clothing".
As customs processes and allowances vary by country, we advise all customers take 5 minutes to check how their personal circumstances and what they are sending will be assessed under the prevailing customs regulations of the destination.
More information is available on our customs information page.
Customs Clearance Time
Most shipments on this route will not be stopped by customs, however, when a bag is stopped by customs for any reason (missing documentation, impromptu inspection, prohibited contents, commercial contents or further information required) Send My Bag records how long customs hold it for. Our historical statistics for this route indicate that if the customs authority stops your bag they will on average take 2 working days to process it and release it back to us for delivery.
Shipping Gifts to Belgium
Belgium allows gifts up to a maximum value of €45 to enter the country without duties and taxes being applied. If the value exceeds the €45 threshold, duties and taxes will be applied to the entire shipment's value and not just the portion that exceeded the gift limit.
Personal Effects Customs Clearance Belgium
Documents Required
- Passport
A colour copy of the consignee's passport details page is required by Belgian Customs.
- Statement
Belgian Customs will require a statement from the consignee confirming all goods have been owned for 6 months or more to allow the shipment to be cleared duty free.
General Personal Effects Customs Information
Personal effects are typically defined as used items which have been in the sender's possession for 6 months or more. If your shipment is checked by customs and is found to contain brand new or commercial items, you shipment may not be assessed as personal effects. Keep this in mind if you are sending Christmas gifts or other new items. Please check with customs so you are aware of potential customs duties, follow any advice given and attach all necessary documentation.
In order to demonstrate that your shipment consists of personal effects, you will be required to complete a brief non-generic packing list online, entries to be made in the format: "5 x Cotton Dresses, 2 x Jeans, 3 x Pair of Gloves", and so on, rather than as "10 x Used Clothing".
As customs processes and allowances vary by country, we advise all customers take 5 minutes to check how their personal circumstances and what they are sending will be assessed under the prevailing customs regulations of the destination.
More information is available on our customs information page.
Customs Clearance Time
Most shipments on this route will not be stopped by customs, however, when a bag is stopped by customs for any reason (missing documentation, impromptu inspection, prohibited contents, commercial contents or further information required) Send My Bag records how long customs hold it for. Our historical statistics for this route indicate that if the customs authority stops your bag they will on average take 2 working days to process it and release it back to us for delivery.
Shipping Gifts to Belgium
Belgium allows gifts up to a maximum value of €45 to enter the country without duties and taxes being applied. If the value exceeds the €45 threshold, duties and taxes will be applied to the entire shipment's value and not just the portion that exceeded the gift limit.
A maximum of 1 lithium battery is permitted per shipment (excludes to / from Australia) when it is contained within a working personal electronic device such as a mobile phone. Review our battery policy.
- Aerosols or any other pressurised containers;
- Liquids, Pastes and Gels of any type (including nail varnish and perfume);
- Toner Cartridges;
- Loose Batteries & Power Banks;
- No more than ONE device containing a lithium battery in line with our battery policy OR when shipping to / from Australia or China, NO device containing any kind of battery;
- Tracking devices such as AirTags;
- Animals and Animal products;
- Firearms and firearm parts, ammunition, weapons (including imitations of same);
- Explosives, incendiary materials and devices including but not limited to fireworks, matches, flares, solid fuels;
- Flowers and plant products;
- Human remains or ashes;
- Medical samples;
- Items that require a temperature controlled environment;
- Pornography;
- Prescription drugs and pharmaceutical products;
- Tobacco and vaping products regardless of nicotine content;
- Religious Artefacts
- Foodstuffs, perishable, animal origin and controlled food articles and beverages including, but not limited to: Fruit & vegetables, dairy products (including dried products containing dairy such as milk chocolate and protein powder), meat, fish, nuts, seeds, wine, beer, spirits and champagne; or
- Packages that are wet, leaking or emit an odour of any kind;
- Valuables and high value items including but not limited to antiques, paintings, jewellery, precious stones and electrical equipment (low value electrical equipment is permitted but sent at the owner's risk);
- Cash or other forms of tradeable currency;
- Credit cards;
- Passports or other confidential personal documentation;
- Irreplaceable items;
- Other Dangerous / hazardous goods;
- Counterfeit goods;
- Items from sanctioned countries;
- Other illegal or restricted goods.
More information is available under section 11 of our terms of service.
Additional prohibited items for Belgium
- E-cigarettes and liquids;
- Non-perishable foods from India;
- Single use plastics including cutlery, plates, straws, cotton bud sticks, and food containers and cups made of polystyrene.
Items excluded from cover
The following items will be accepted but are sent at your risk and are not included under complimentary cover:
- Electrical Items, including but not limited to; Tablets, Mobile Phones, Computers, Hi-Fis, TVs.
- Glass & Porcelain.
- Any other non standard excess baggage items.
If you choose to send any of the above please ensure you package the item appropriately, for example a TV inside a suitcase is not appropriate.
A maximum of 1 lithium battery is permitted per shipment (excludes to / from Australia) when it is contained within a working personal electronic device such as a mobile phone. Review our battery policy.
- Aerosols or any other pressurised containers;
- Liquids, Pastes and Gels of any type (including nail varnish and perfume);
- Toner Cartridges;
- Loose Batteries & Power Banks;
- No more than ONE device containing a lithium battery in line with our battery policy OR when shipping to / from Australia or China, NO device containing any kind of battery;
- Tracking devices such as AirTags;
- Animals and Animal products;
- Firearms and firearm parts, ammunition, weapons (including imitations of same);
- Explosives, incendiary materials and devices including but not limited to fireworks, matches, flares, solid fuels;
- Flowers and plant products;
- Human remains or ashes;
- Medical samples;
- Items that require a temperature controlled environment;
- Pornography;
- Prescription drugs and pharmaceutical products;
- Tobacco and vaping products regardless of nicotine content;
- Religious Artefacts
- Foodstuffs, perishable, animal origin and controlled food articles and beverages including, but not limited to: Fruit & vegetables, dairy products (including dried products containing dairy such as milk chocolate and protein powder), meat, fish, nuts, seeds, wine, beer, spirits and champagne; or
- Packages that are wet, leaking or emit an odour of any kind;
- Valuables and high value items including but not limited to antiques, paintings, jewellery, precious stones and electrical equipment (low value electrical equipment is permitted but sent at the owner's risk);
- Cash or other forms of tradeable currency;
- Credit cards;
- Passports or other confidential personal documentation;
- Irreplaceable items;
- Other Dangerous / hazardous goods;
- Counterfeit goods;
- Items from sanctioned countries;
- Other illegal or restricted goods.
More information is available under section 11 of our terms of service.
Additional prohibited items for Belgium
- E-cigarettes and liquids;
- Non-perishable foods from India;
- Single use plastics including cutlery, plates, straws, cotton bud sticks, and food containers and cups made of polystyrene.
Items excluded from cover
The following items will be accepted but are sent at your risk and are not included under complimentary cover:
- Electrical Items, including but not limited to; Tablets, Mobile Phones, Computers, Hi-Fis, TVs.
- Glass & Porcelain.
- Any other non standard excess baggage items.
If you choose to send any of the above please ensure you package the item appropriately, for example a TV inside a suitcase is not appropriate.
On EU standard services (not express) and all UK and US domestic services you may send:
- Shower gel.
- Toothpaste.
- Other non flammable and non alcohol based liquids, pastes & gels for use on holiday.
Nail varnish, perfume and aerosols are not permitted. If these items are included in your luggage it may be returned to you.
Whilst non alcohol based liquids are permitted, damage caused by leakage is not covered by complimentary cover and therefore only small amounts should be sent. If an x-ray shows liquids of any type security may stop your bag for inspection.
A maximum of 1 lithium battery is permitted per shipment (excludes to / from Australia) when it is contained within a working personal electronic device such as a mobile phone. Review our battery policy. The following items are prohibited at all times:
- Aerosols or any other pressurised containers;
- Alcohol based or Flammable Liquids, Pastes and Gels of any type including, but not limited to, nail varnish and perfume;
- Toner Cartridges;
- Loose Batteries & Power Banks;
- No more than ONE device containing a lithium battery in line with our battery policy OR when shipping to / from Australia or China, NO device containing any kind of battery;
- Tracking devices such as AirTags;
- Animals and Animal products;
- Firearms and firearm parts, ammunition, weapons (including imitations of same);
- Explosives, incendiary materials and devices including but not limited to fireworks, matches, flares, solid fuels;
- Flowers and plant products;
- Human remains or ashes;
- Medical samples;
- Items that require a temperature controlled environment;
- Pornography;
- Prescription drugs and pharmaceutical products;
- Tobacco and vaping products regardless of nicotine content;
- Religious Artefacts
- Foodstuffs, perishable, animal origin and controlled food articles and beverages including, but not limited to: Fruit & vegetables, dairy products (including dried products containing dairy such as milk chocolate and protein powder), meat, fish, nuts, seeds, wine, beer, spirits and champagne; or
- Packages that are wet, leaking or emit an odour of any kind;
- Valuables and high value items including but not limited to antiques, paintings, jewellery, precious stones and electrical equipment (low value electrical equipment is permitted but sent at the owner's risk);
- Cash or other forms of tradeable currency;
- Credit cards;
- Passports or other confidential personal documentation;
- Irreplaceable items;
- Other Dangerous / hazardous goods;
- Counterfeit goods;
- Items from sanctioned countries;
- Other illegal or restricted goods.
More information is available under section 11 of our terms of service.
Additional prohibited items for Belgium
- E-cigarettes and liquids;
- Non-perishable foods from India;
- Single use plastics including cutlery, plates, straws, cotton bud sticks, and food containers and cups made of polystyrene.
Items Excluded From Cover
The following items will be accepted but are sent at your risk and are not included under complimentary cover:
- Electrical Items, including but not limited to; Tablets, Mobile Phones, Computers, Hi-Fis, TVs.
- Glass & Porcelain.
- Any other non standard excess baggage items.
If you choose to send any of the above please ensure you package the item appropriately, for example a TV inside a suitcase is not appropriate.
On EU standard services (not express) and all UK and US domestic services you may send:
- Shower gel.
- Toothpaste.
- Other non flammable and non alcohol based liquids, pastes & gels for use on holiday.
Nail varnish, perfume and aerosols are not permitted. If these items are included in your luggage it may be returned to you.
Whilst non alcohol based liquids are permitted, damage caused by leakage is not covered by complimentary cover and therefore only small amounts should be sent. If an x-ray shows liquids of any type security may stop your bag for inspection.
A maximum of 1 lithium battery is permitted per shipment (excludes to / from Australia) when it is contained within a working personal electronic device such as a mobile phone. Review our battery policy. The following items are prohibited at all times:
- Aerosols or any other pressurised containers;
- Alcohol based or Flammable Liquids, Pastes and Gels of any type including, but not limited to, nail varnish and perfume;
- Toner Cartridges;
- Loose Batteries & Power Banks;
- No more than ONE device containing a lithium battery in line with our battery policy OR when shipping to / from Australia or China, NO device containing any kind of battery;
- Tracking devices such as AirTags;
- Animals and Animal products;
- Firearms and firearm parts, ammunition, weapons (including imitations of same);
- Explosives, incendiary materials and devices including but not limited to fireworks, matches, flares, solid fuels;
- Flowers and plant products;
- Human remains or ashes;
- Medical samples;
- Items that require a temperature controlled environment;
- Pornography;
- Prescription drugs and pharmaceutical products;
- Tobacco and vaping products regardless of nicotine content;
- Religious Artefacts
- Foodstuffs, perishable, animal origin and controlled food articles and beverages including, but not limited to: Fruit & vegetables, dairy products (including dried products containing dairy such as milk chocolate and protein powder), meat, fish, nuts, seeds, wine, beer, spirits and champagne; or
- Packages that are wet, leaking or emit an odour of any kind;
- Valuables and high value items including but not limited to antiques, paintings, jewellery, precious stones and electrical equipment (low value electrical equipment is permitted but sent at the owner's risk);
- Cash or other forms of tradeable currency;
- Credit cards;
- Passports or other confidential personal documentation;
- Irreplaceable items;
- Other Dangerous / hazardous goods;
- Counterfeit goods;
- Items from sanctioned countries;
- Other illegal or restricted goods.
More information is available under section 11 of our terms of service.
Additional prohibited items for Belgium
- E-cigarettes and liquids;
- Non-perishable foods from India;
- Single use plastics including cutlery, plates, straws, cotton bud sticks, and food containers and cups made of polystyrene.
Items Excluded From Cover
The following items will be accepted but are sent at your risk and are not included under complimentary cover:
- Electrical Items, including but not limited to; Tablets, Mobile Phones, Computers, Hi-Fis, TVs.
- Glass & Porcelain.
- Any other non standard excess baggage items.
If you choose to send any of the above please ensure you package the item appropriately, for example a TV inside a suitcase is not appropriate.
Why Ship to Belgium?
If you’re hoping to take part in some of the outdoor activities on offer in Belgium, you may require more baggage than is allowed by a typical airline. Weight limitations and baggage allowance may make it difficult for you to pack your favourite, but heavy, pair of hiking boots and equipment alongside your usual luggage. Or, you may have outsized equipment, such as kayaks, oars or hiking sticks that you wouldn’t be able to carry with you on the plane. If these things are a necessity for the enjoyment of your trip, then you simply can’t be without them. Send My Bag can ship your problem luggage directly to your door, with everything being taken care of for you.
Perhaps you’re planning a longer trip, moving away to the fascinating country of Belgium or you may simply want to avoid the queues and hassle of baggage drop off and pick up at the airport, as well as the possibility of excess luggage fees. In these cases, Send My Bag will be perfect for you, with a simple and easy to use service which takes your luggage from door to door.
Many students choose to spend time in Belgium during their third year abroad, whether studying on the Erasmus+ scheme or working as a language assistant teaching English in a Belgian school. In this case, students need to send several bags to Belgium in order to set up home there. This allows them to have many more of their things with them than if they only brought what they could check into the plane's hold (at considerable cost).
Send Luggage to Belgium
You can send your luggage and boxes to Belgium with Send My Bag. If you are taking a short break in Belgium, if you are working or studying there for a year, or if you are moving there permanently, you can save yourself a lot of stress by sending your luggage with Send My Bag. This means you can bring lots of your favourite things with you to make you feel at home in Belgium. With your luggage taken care of, you can focus on discovering your new surroundings. To learn more about sending luggage to Belgium, visit our ‘How it works’ page, or our ‘FAQs’.
Removals to Belgium
If you have decided to move to Belgium permanently, you will have to consider international removals to Belgium in order to shift all of your possessions. Before you give anything to the movers, however, ensure that all your items are carefully packaged so that they arrive in one piece. Use suitable packaging for your items and tape everything up well.
Student Shipping to Belgium
If you are spending a third year abroad in Belgium, whether studying or working there, you will have plenty that you need to bring with you, such as your course textbooks and many other everyday items, like fiction books, clothes and DVDs. You might decide to take your whole degree course in Belgium, which has several top universities to choose from, such as the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, the University of Ghent and the Université Catholique de Louvain. Read more about student shipping on our student removals page and find out how to receive your student discount.
Sending a Parcel to Belgium
Sending a parcel to Belgium with Send My Bag is simple. If you left some items at home when you moved to Belgium, you can ask a friend or family member to put them in a box and send them on to you. Send My Bag can send parcels internationally to Belgium for you. Just make sure you choose a sturdy box when sending a parcel to Belgium and tape it up well so nothing gets damaged in transit. Find out more about sending a parcel and learn what you can send with Send My Bag and how to package your items.
Ways of Shipping to Belgium
If you are going to Belgium for an activity break, or if you are moving to Belgium to live or to study, you should make yourself aware of the various options available for shipping to Belgium. Some options will be more suitable for you than others. You can choose between several different options for international shipping to Belgium.
Send Golf Clubs to Belgium
Despite being a small country, Belgium has many great golf courses, such as Royal Zoute, Limburg and Royal Belgium. If you want to sample some of these courses, you can do so using your own clubs. You can avoid oversized baggage fees from your airlines by sending your golf clubs to Belgium with Send My Bag. This will make travel to Belgium much easier since you won’t have to wait around at bag drop or luggage carousels, or have to drag large golf bags with you onto public transport. See further information on how to send golf clubs with Send My Bag, including how best to package your golf clubs.
Send your Bike to Belgium
Cycling is very popular in Belgium, particularly in the Flemish region, due to the generally flat landscape. If you want to enjoy a cycling holiday in Belgium, you can send your bicycle with Send My Bag and enjoy cycling through Belgium's flat and gentle countryside. Sending your bike to Belgium is much easier than checking it into the hold of your plane. You will avoid oversized baggage fees and won't have to carry the bike to and from the airport. Your bike will need to be taken apart and properly packaged before being sent to Belgium. Check out our information on bike shipping to learn more.
About Belgium
Belgium is one of the most fascinating countries in Western Europe, although frequently described as misunderstood. There are three official languages spoken in Belgium: French, German and Dutch, with an intense rivalry between the Flemish north and French south. Like most of Europe, Belgium uses the Euro as its currency. It enjoys a moderate climate with cool summers and mild winters, influenced by its location on the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
The major cities in Belgium - Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent - are known for being of great historical interest. They also offer up some fantastic culinary delights such as the ever-famed Moules Frites - mussels with skinny chips. The country is perfect for a weekend break, or a longer trip to enjoy the various sights it has to offer.
Known especially for its history during the war, there are a huge number of battle grounds, museums and grave sites to visit in Belgium. If you’re not so intrigued by Belgium’s history, you at least have to sample one of Belgium’s top draws - its famous beer, of which there are more than 700 varieties to choose from. Or if you want to do something more active, Belgium’s Ardennes offer a huge range of outdoor activities to take part in, from simple hikes amongst its hills and valleys, to kayaking on its winding rivers, and not forgetting, of course, the many cycling routes through Belgium’s flat landscapes.
Please explore this page further to find out about Send My Bag’s shipping service to Belgium.
Air Freight to Germany
If you need to send something like a table or armchair to Belgium you could try air freight. This usually takes one to two days, which tends to be faster than sea freight shipping, but typically more expensive. The amount you will have to pay when shipping by air freight is determined by the weight and size of your shipment. You will probably also have to pay for the services of a customs agent to handle customs clearance for you. Another cost is getting your items to and from the airport. The price could, therefore, quickly mount up. If you send internationally by air freight to Belgium your items will likely arrive at Brussels Airport.
Sea Freight and Container Shipping to Germany
You could opt for sea freight or container shipping to transport your possessions to Belgium. Since sea freight can take a number of weeks, it is a good option if you don’t need to receive your items immediately. Again, sea freight is normally used when shipping large bulky items, such as a snooker table or armchair, which are loaded onto cargo ships in containers. This option can be less expensive than air freight, but you will still need to pay for the services of a customs agent and will need to arrange how to get your items to and from the ports. This means the cost could be more than expected. When using container shipping to Belgium, your items will most likely arrive by ship at one of the major sea ports, such as the Port of Antwerp, the Port of Ghent or the Port of Bruges-Zeebrugge.
Shipping Goods to Germany
You must make yourself aware of current customs rules when shipping goods to Belgium. Make sure you know about any duty that you need to pay and what items are allowed to be shipped to Belgium, which items are restricted, and which are entirely prohibited. Take a look at the prohibited items and customs sections on this page for more information.