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- Car Shipping Belgium
- Ship Your Car To Or From Belgium
- Typical Shipping Prices – How Much Does It Cost?
- Cost & Time Examples For Shipping A Car To Belgium
- Popular Shipping Destinations
- Other Types Of Vehicles We Transport To Belgium
- Importing From Outside The European Union
- Required Documents For Shipping A Vehicle To Belgium
- Registration
- Shipping Of Heavy Equipment & Oversized Cargo To Belgium
- International Transport Options For Oversized Cargo And Heavy Equipment
- Other Services
- Related Information
Car Shipping Belgium
Ship Your Car To Or From Belgium
Typical Shipping Prices – How Much Does It Cost?
- It costs between $1,300 and $3,200 to transport a car to Belgium from the U.S. (prices based on standard sized vehicles).
- Most vehicle shipments to Belgium are either done in container or by RORO (roll on, roll off) on a transport ship and costs can vary based on season and availability.
Cost & Time Examples For Shipping a Car to Belgium
| To/From | Ground | Ocean | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles to (California port) to Antwerp | $350 | $3,000 | 5+30 days |
| Boston, MA to (New York port) to Antwerp | $400 | $2,100 | 5+12 days |
| Las Vegas, NV to (California port) to Antwerp | $450 | $3,000 | 5+30 days |
| Phoenix, AZ to (California port) to Antwerp | $550 | $3,000 | 6+30 days |
| Seattle, WA to (California port) to Antwerp | $550 | $3,000 | 6+30 days |
| Detroit, MI to (New York port) to Antwerp | $575 | $2,100 | 6+12 days |
| Chicago, IL to (New York port) to Antwerp | $675 | $2,100 | 6+12 days |
| Denver, CO to (California port) to Antwerp | $775 | $3,000 | 7+30 days |
| Memphis, TN to (New York port) to Antwerp | $800 | $2,100 | 6+12 days |
| Miami, FL to (New York port) to Antwerp | $925 | $2,100 | 7+12 days |
*Prices and times are estimated. They can vary depending on the season and the type of vehicle.
*Save the ground transport cost by delivering the vehicle to the nearest port.
*Allow an additional 10 days to process the documents.
*Prices are for 1 car in a dedicated 20ft container. This is the safest and most reliable way to transport a vehicle internationally. Other items may be included in the container to help save you money when moving.
*Using the RoRo (roll on, roll off) method is less expensive and shipments can be completed in fewer days. Contact us now for a free RoRo quote.
Having joined the European Union Belgium is now bound by the same trade rules as the other member states. That being said, importing a vehicle into Belgium from one of these other EU nations is easier and cheaper than importing from outside the EU. There are a few factors to keep in mind before bringing an automobile into Belgium from any country.
Popular Shipping Destinations
Other Types Of Vehicles We Transport To Belgium
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Importing from Outside the European Union
Unfortunately, when importing a car from countries that fall outside the purview of the European Union, you will often find it to be a lengthier process. For that reason, many people choose not to do so. However, if you do choose to import your vehicle, there are some things you need to know.
First off, if you import your vehicle for personal reasons or as part of a household item, then you may find that you are exempt from certain customs duties and the VAT. However, these exemptions are only valid under the following conditions:
- The owner must have lived outside of the EU for at least twelve consecutive months preceding the importation of the vehicle
- The car must have been purchased outside the EU and have been driven for at least six months prior to arrival in Belgium
- The owner must have already paid the VAT or equivalent prior to the car’s entrance into Belgium
- The owner must keep the vehicle for at least twelve months following import.
Note: All of these conditions must be met in order to have the possibility of exemption from duties and taxes.
Required Documents For Shipping A Vehicle To Belgium
In order to clear customs with your vehicle, you must have the following documents upon arrival:
- Letter requesting exemption from duties and taxes.
- The bill of sale for the vehicle.
- The title for the vehicle.
- Receipt or proof of payment for the VAT or its equivalent.
- Receipt of insurance for six months prior to import.
- Proof of residency outside the EU for at least twelve months prior to import.
- Shipping document for personal items.
Note: If the vehicle does not meet the requirements for import duty exemption, the owner will be liable for any duties and VATs in accordance with the market value of the car.
Registration
Once your car is imported/exported into Belgium, it will need to be officially registered with the Belgian authorities. This can be a lengthy process, but it is necessary to complete it within six months of the importation of your vehicle. It must be completed after you have received customs clearance. For more information, please visit AngloInfo.com.
Process of registering a vehicle in Belgium.
Shipping Of Heavy Equipment & Oversized Cargo To Belgium
It takes experience, access to durable shipping equipment and haulers, and careful planning to successfully ship heavy equipment or oversized cargo overseas to another nation. That’s why A1 Auto Transport is here to help. We will handle your cargo’s transport from the U.S. to Belgium so it’s guaranteed to get delivered safely.
At A1, we’re able to ship basically any type of heavy equipment. In our history with the industry, some of this cargo includes but isn’t limited to, farm equipment, mining equipment, cranes, RVs, backhoes, pavers, construction equipment, excavators, industrial machinery, large vehicles, and more. Of course due to weight and size, oversized cargo and heavy equipment shipping services tend to cost slightly more than standard auto transport services. Generally, any piece of equipment or vehicle that is of substantial weight or that cannot fit into a 40ft shipping container is considered to meet these standards.
We do offer insurance coverage to each of our shipping customers for their transport. However, with heavy equipment and overseas transports, it’s wise to have the full value of your equipment or cargo covered. For those that wish for full coverage, we offer additional insurance protection.
International Transport Options for Oversized Cargo and Heavy Equipment
The international transport methods available to you will depend on the type of cargo you’re planning to ship to Belgium. Nevertheless, we have four overseas transport methods available overall. In most cases, these shipping methods are accompanied by ground transport services. Our transport specialists will help you make any decisions and will carefully plan the safest and most efficient way to ship your cargo. Here are the four transport methods we offer to our customers:
- Flat Rack Transport- your cargo is secured to a large metal rack before being placed on the ship for its delivery to Belgium.
- Container Shipping- the safest transport method and also the most expensive. Your cargo is placed within a 40ft shipping container so that is protected from potential outside hazards as it makes its way to the delivery address.
- Roll On/Roll Off Shipping- RoRo shipping is the most affordable since it’s a simple open air service that requires your large vehicle or heavy equipment to be operable so that it can roll on and off of the ship using a ramp.
- Lift On/Lift Off Shipping- this shipping method is also referred to as LoLo shipping. It is highly recommended to those with broken down equipment and large vehicles. A crane is used to lift inoperable vehicles and crated equipment onto the ship carefully. THe cargo is removed from the ship in the same manner.
Other Services
Related Information
- How much will it cost me to ship a car to Belgium?
- What You need to about shipping a car to Belgium from the USA?
- Import vehicle into USA from Belgium
- Belgium container shipping
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common shipping ports include both seaports and inland ports. There are eight main ports that are scattered among the country:
- The Port of Antwerp – Antwerp is located on the Scheldt River and is considered Europe’s second-largest port after Rotterdam. This port is Belgium’s primary gateway into Europe and is situated approximately 80 kilometers southeast of the North Sea.
- The Port of Ghent – The port of Ghent is located in Ghent, East Flanders, in the Flemish Region and is Belgium’s third busiest seaport. The first port in Ghent was on the Scheldt Canal but was shifted to the Leie River.
- The Port of Zeebrugge – Located in the city of Bruges, the port of Zeebrugge is where the city’s rich past intertwines with its link to the sea. The port handles approximately 50+ million tons of cargo annually.
- The Port of Ostend – The port of Ostend is located in the province of West Flanders, in the Flemish Region. The port is a flexible seaport that is located in Europe’s busiest maritime area and serves all forms of maritime traffic.
- The Port of Brussels – The port of Brussels is the second-largest inland port in the country. It is strategically located in the heart of Europe. It promotes water transportation, job creation, global warming mitigation, and better urban distribution.
- The Port of Liege – The port of Liege is the third largest inland port in Europe. It is located in the Province of Liege in Wallonia at the Meuse river.
- The Port of Genk – The port of Genk is an inland port and container terminal that provides a full range of facilities, including a tri-modal platform (water, rail, and road) and capable of handling and transporting containers, traditional freight, and bulk.
- The Port of Namur – The port of Namur is situated in the south of Belgium, situated on the Rivers Meuse and Sambre, and is a comparatively tiny port.
If a car is being imported into Belgium from within the European Union, the owner will be required to provide the following to customs:
- A residency permit showing a permanent address in Belgium
- Proof of purchase for the vehicle to be imported
- Previous registration document
If these conditions are met, there will be no import tax levied.
If a car is being imported into Belgium from outside the European Union, the owner is required to undergo a lengthier process that requires the following:
- The owner of the car must have lived outside of the European Union for at least the twelve months prior to import
- The car must have been bought outside of the European Union and driven by the owner for at least six months before arriving in Belgium
- The owner must have already paid the VAT equivalent in another country
- The vehicle must be kept for personal use for at least twelve months following the import of it
Due to the heightened requirements for importing from outside the European Union, many people do not import their vehicles into Belgium.
Foreign vehicles that are being permanently imported have to be registered in the country. In some cases, there may even need to be physical changes to the vehicle need to be made to satisfy authorities. Anyone staying for more than a year needs to undergo registration procedures. From the time you are a Belgium citizen, you have six months to register the car.
The main registration office “Direction des Immatriculations des Véhicules/Dienst voor Inschrijving van de Voertuigen (DIV)” is located in Brussels, with regional offices scattered throughout the country. The following must be presented to the DIV to obtain registration and plates in Belgium:
- Proof of residency
- A certificate of conformity for the vehicle – often supplied by the manufacturer or local agent
- The invoice/proof of purchase for the vehicle
- The vehicle’s original registration certificate
- Evidence of insurance coverage, provided by a Belgium insurer
- Customs clearance forms, provided by Customs
- A vehicle-roadworthiness certificate – completed at a local test center
- The registration application form
- The required fees – this includes a one-off introductory tax and an annual road tax, dependent on the vehicle’s engine size
- Fiscal tax stamps – available from Post Offices
In Belgium, it is the car (not the driver) that is insured. Proof of insurance must be carried in the vehicle at all times, and not having proof of valid insurance can result in a fine. Car insurance can be expensive and is subject to VAT. Premiums are dependent on factors such as the age, make, and model of the car, the power of the car; the age of the driver; and the driving history of the driver of the vehicle.
Belgium has three types of insurance available:
- Third-Party Liability Insurance: Provides coverage against damages to a third party
- Part Comprehensive: Provides coverage for a third party as well as fire damage
- Fully Comprehensive: Provides coverage for virtually anything
The minimum coverage required is Third-Party Liability Insurance to cover damages that may occur to a third party or their property.
The short answer to this question is “yes, you should use an auto transport company to ship your car to Belgium.” We aren’t just saying this because we are an auto transport company. In fact, we believe in complete transparency – but when trying to ship a car to Belgium, it is best if you call on experts in international shipping.
Why should you? That’s the question, right? Well, here are some reasons that we think calling on the experts to handle your car shipment is necessary:
- Less planning or worrying
- Saves time
- Protects your vehicle during shipping
- Saves money
- Lower insurance costs
- Door-to-Door shipping opportunity
- Reliability and professionalism
- Attractive rates and discounts
As an international car shipping company, we offer transport services for multiple types of vehicles and oversized equipment. Some of the most common vehicle types include:
| Classic Cars | Luxury Cars | Antique Cars |
| SUVs & ATVs | Motorcycles | Sport Bikes |
| Electric and Alternative Vehicles | Dealership Inventory | RVs, Motor Homes, and Fifth Wheels |
| POVs for the Military | Oversized Vehicles | Yachts |
| Heavy Equipment | Boats | Watercraft |
There are a few methods of shipment that are preferable for shipping vehicles of various types to Belgium. We have four overseas methods that we use for transport. These include flat rack, RoRo, LoLo, and container shipping.
- Flat Rack: On a flat rack, your cargo is secured to a large metal rack before being placed on a ship that is on course for Belgium.
- Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo): RoRo is the most affordable method of shipping that requires the vehicle or large equipment to drive onto the ship using the ramp, and it is taken off the ship in the same manner
- Lift-On/Lift-Off (LoLo): This is the shipping method that is used for inoperable vehicles. These are lifted using a crane for loading and unloading the vehicles onto the ship.
- Container Shipping: the safest transport method is also the most expensive method. Cargo is placed in a 40 ft shipping container so that it is protected on all sides
There are many different reasons why your car shipment could be delayed. Understandably, this could cause frustration, but the more you understand, the less likely you are to become overwhelmed by the delays. The most common delays include:
- Pandemic-Related Delays
- The COVID-19 pandemic caused a lot of delays, and some of them are still creating problems today. When pandemic cases are on the rise, it can create even more delays.
- Extraordinary Events and External Factors
- External factors like weather, piracy, fire, wars, and other extraordinary events are described as “force majeure” – these can have a severe impact on ocean freight. For example, the blockage of the Suez Canal in March 2021, which made shipping cargo without delay difficult
- Schedule Changes and Traffic Challenges
- If inland shipping is involved in a shipment, traffic challenges and schedule changes can create problems. These can occur especially in peak seasons, making it difficult to ensure that shipments arrive on time as they should.
- Customs Issues
- When shipping cargo internationally, especially vehicles, there can be issues with the importation process. When this happens, your vehicle may end up stuck at customs or require you to put it in storage temporarily. When customs hold up cargo, it can take days to weeks to rectify, depending on what customs needs to release the vehicle.
- Lack of Clarity in Direction for Shipment
- Every shipment comes with a set of directions that ensure it requires where it needs to go safely and timely. When there is a lack of clarity in those directions, it can create miscommunications and delays
- Lack of Technology
- Not every port has the technological advances as others do. When this occurs, it can create delays in processing – some ports have digital platforms, track and trace, and simple reporting procedures, while others don’t
- Port Congestion/Strikes
- Ports are dependent upon the workers who load and unload the ships. When these workers are unhappy or do not like the regulations and conditions, they may go on strike. Strikes can delay shipments for weeks and months, depending on when conditions are rectified, and the workers return to work. Sometimes, when strikes occur, these ships are rerouted. These rerouted ships can create congestion at other ports, further delaying shipments.
- Cargo Damage During Transport
- Sometimes when shipping cargo, there is damage to the cargo or even the ship. Damages are rare, but they do happen. When this happens, the ship’s crew and the transport company must go through proper procedures before delivery can occur. In some instances, it may even require the cargo to return to the point of origin.
A BoL is a legal document that is issued by a carrier to a shipper detailing the type, quantity, and destination of the cargo in question. When you ship your car, you will have a BoL with the shipping company, and it will begin with the pickup of your vehicle.
At pickup, the vehicle is inspected by you and the driver of the ground transport (or the shipping representative at the transport hub). Any imperfections like scratches or dents are noted on the BoL and signed off on by both parties. After transport, the same inspection is completed and signed off on. If there is any new damage, it needs to be notated by both parties and presented to insurance.
The most common information found on the BoL:
- Consignor
- Consignee
- Address of both parties
- Shipment date
- Quantity
- Exact weight
- Monetary value
- Freight classification
Other information that the shipping company may add includes if there is any hazardous classification, type of packaging used, and any specific instructions for delivery.
Here is where a definitive answer is hard to supply. Depending on the port of origin and the port of destination for your car, and if ground transport is required, the time and pricing will vary. If you are shipping from the east coast of the US to Belgium, it will be cheaper than shipping from the west coast.
The number of days will also be less shipping from the east coast versus the west coast. You can also expect the shipping process to be much cheaper and take less time if shipping within the European Union. The importation of a car from the United States is going to take much longer than within the European Union.
On average, you can expect a shipment of around $3,500 and up to 40 or more days to receive your car in Belgium. Some areas may require less time and money, whereas others may require more.
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