Moving Companies To Belgium from India

1. How Can I Import My Household Goods To Belgium?
2. How Can I Import My Vehicle To Belgium?
3. What If I Need Help?

Moving to Belgium from India? Geographically, the two countries are a mere 4500 miles apart, but culturally, the two countries are very different. Dutch, French, and German are the predominant languages of Belgium, with Dutch being most common.

You probably have a lot of questions about what you can move to Belgium, and how. This guide is intended to provide you with the basic information you need to plan your move. If you would like to have help with your move, you can contact the professionals at A1 Auto Transport to get the support and assistance you need. But first, let’s look at what you need to know.

How can I import my household goods to Belgium?

Your household goods and personal effects can be imported to Belgium duty free within 12 months of your arrival in the country. There are requirements that must be met for your imports to be duty free. You must have owned and used the goods being imported for at least six months prior to your move, and you must move your goods into Belgium within 12 months of your arrival.

If you are moving your belongings yourself, you will need to contact the Belgian Consulate in your home country to get a certificate confirming your transfer. If you hire a company to move you, you will need to get a signed and stamped declaration from your employer in Belgium. Be prepared to show customs officials a Certificate of Residence to avoid having to pay substantial taxes. Without a Certificate of Residence, you may have to pay a 10% bond and 21% VAT, which can be refunded if you are able to provide the Certificate of Residence within six months.

Required Documents:

• Valid passport
• Residence permit or work permit
• Proof of your residency outside of the country of Belgium for a minimum of 12 months
• Bill of lading/air waybill
• Comprehensive valued inventory
• Detailed packing list
• Power of Attorney (this is intended to give the customs agent authority to arrange customs clearance)
• Certificate of Residence (obtained from officials in Belgium)
• Certificate of Residence Cancellation (obtained from your point of origin)
• Declaration of Customer

How can I import my vehicle to Belgium?

You are welcome to import your vehicle to Belgium, provided that you do so within six months of becoming a resident. There are a number of steps to the import process, so you may want to work with professionals. If you feel confident you can handle it on your own, read on for a quick explainer.

The first thing you must do is contact the local Douane, or customs officials. You will need to provide the Douane with some documentation, including your car registration, proof of your application for car insurance (this document is called an Aanvraag aan Verzekering), and finally, proof that you are a registered Belgian resident (Bewijs van Inschriving).

Presenting these documents to the local Douane will earn you the coveted ‘pink form’ that will help you avoid import charges for your vehicle. Well done, but not done yet. Now you will need to obtain two more documents.

Certificate of Conformity – You will need to visit the nearest dealer for your type of vehicle that you can find. The dealer will need to certify that your vehicle meets and conforms to standards. This process can take a lot of time. Be prepared for delays and make extra copies of all documents in case they get lost in the shuffle.

Certificate of Roadworthiness – You will also need to visit a local Belgian keuring center to receive a certificate of roadworthiness (locally known as a keuringsbewijs). This process is also rather time-consuming. You will likely need to wait in line for your certificate. Make sure to set aside sufficient time.

Once you have all these steps completed, your ‘pink form’ will be stamped, which you send in to receive your registration plate. You will receive one plate to mount on the back of your vehicle, and your garage can create a duplicate for the front.

What if I need help?

If you don’t want to have to handle it all on your own, we are here to support you. At A1 Auto Transport, we have a team of international shipping experts who have the skills and connections you need for a stress-free move. Contact us today for your free, no-obligation shipping quote.