Moving To Belgium

Located in Western Europe Belgium is globally known for being the headquarters of the European Union and NATO. This country has a rich historical and cultural heritage and offers a high quality of life. Dotted with Renaissance architecture and towns upholding mediaeval artistry, Belgium is a beautiful country. It is also well known for the rich quality of its cuisines, especially chocolate, waffles, and beer!

This Western European country attracts hundreds of visitors and tourists every year for being home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Grand Place in Brussels and the Canals of Bruges. Belgium is also famous for its chocolate, beer, and waffles, which are popular among visitors. Additionally, the country has a vibrant arts scene and a diverse range of festivals and events throughout the year.

When you are moving to Belgium from the USA it is going to be an exciting transition for sure. However, to make this transition smoother consider making a detailed plan for the move and post move settling down in the country.

How International Sea & Air can help for moving to Belgium

An international relocation needs careful planning to ensure you can stay on top of the challenges. Hiring an international mover who has extensive experience to handle your move to Belgium from the USA will be a great choice to ease the hassle of an international relocation.

We have years of experience in handling international relocations at International Sea & Air Shipping. We have a professional team of international moving experts who can make the entire process of moving to Belgium from the USA hassle-free for you. Our organization provides end-to-end specialized moving services for all types of relocations.

Our team will carefully pack your household goods, choose the right container and freight services for your relocation to Belgium from the USA. They will further advise you on the time it will take to transfer your belongings. There is another advantage of hiring our services. At International Sea & Air Shipping you will get our top-class moving services at an affordable rate.

About Belgium

The Western European country of Belgium is a founding member of the conglomeration known as the European Union (EU) and houses the EU’s headquarters, as well as those of other international organizations such as NATO.

Formerly part of the Netherlands (before gaining independence during the Belgian Revolution) Belgium was a battle area for many European countries, earning it the name “Battlefield of Europe.”

From a more modern standpoint, Belgium is known for having the most congested traffic in Europe.

With a nation of over 11 million people, Belgium natives are mostly comprised of a Dutch-speaking Flemish population (59% of inhabitants) and the French-speaking Walloon and Brussels inhabitants (41% of Belgians). Unfortunately, despite attempts at reform, tension still exists between the groups due to a language barrier and economic differences. Regardless of these tensions, Belgium has a strong global economy overall.

Customs Regulations for Belgium

Documents Required to Move to Belgium

• Passport (copy)
• Non-valued packing list signed by customer (original)
• Copy of town hall registration (from Belgian commune of residence)
• Letter of employment (copy)
• And/or any other documents proving Customer has not lived in Belgium 12 months prior to arrival

Customs Regulations

• All goods are to be listed separately on the inventory
• Alcoholic beverages (a detailed and valued list is required)
• Diplomatic goods
• Diplomatic attestation and form 136F, supplied by the embassy/consulate
• Wedding presents
• Marriage certificate
• Inventory must include value of goods and be listed as “wedding gifts”
• Inherited goods
• Attestation from a notary or certified copy of declaration of succession
• Death certificate (certified)
• Certificate from town hall of place of residence of heir
• Inventory

Prohibited Items

In Belgium, some articles may not be imported whatsoever. These items include, but may not be limited to:

• Drugs and other narcotics
• Meat, milk and any items from non-EU countries
• Limited amounts from Andorra, Croatia, the Færøer Islands, Greenland, Iceland (maximum 10 kg allowed)
• Small amounts of specific products from other countries allowed
• Protected species and products made from these species
• For example: ivory, tortoise shell, coral, reptile skin and wood from Amazonian forests

Restricted/Dutiable Items

Some articles may have restricted quantities or require special authorization/ payments of duties and taxes to clear customs in Belgium. These items include, but are not limited to:

• Firearms (special permit required)
• Plants (special health certificate needed for shipments from overseas)
• Powdered milk for babies, children’s food and special medical food (including pet food)
• May be allowed if it does not need to be refrigerated prior to opening, it is a brand food that is packaged and the packaging has its original seal (unless in use at the time)
• Must not exceed 10 kg if originating from Croatia, Færøer Islands, Greenland and Iceland
• Must not exceed 2 kg if originating from other countries
• Fish (only allowed if disemboweled not weighing more than 20kg)
• Coats, fur and leather shoes made from protected animals (will require special authorization)

Motor Vehicle Regulations

Customers moving to Belgium who wish to import a vehicle (car or motorcycle) may do so if they have the following documents:

• Title of registration
• Proof of insurance
• Purchase invoice
• List of technical details

Pets and Animal Regulations

When importing a pet to Belgium, the following requirements apply:

• Pets need to have an ISO pet microchip inserted
• Must be vaccinated against rabies
• No sooner than 21 days prior to entry and not more than the expiration date of the vaccine
• Pets vaccinated before being fitted for microchip must be vaccinated again
• Blood Titer Test for one month after rabies vaccinations required for all pets coming from a country with a high incidence of rabies
• Will not require quarantine if entering country 90 days after blood test is performed
• A bi-lingual Annex II for Belgium (if traveling from the United States or Canada)
• A health certificate (for all unaccompanied pets traveling as manifest cargo)
• Must be issued within 10 days of travel

Duty and Tax Rate Percentage

Used household goods and personal effects may be imported duty free as long as they have been in Customer’s possession and used abroad for a minimum of 6-months.

The following items are free to import when traveling from outside the EU:

• Alcohol and alcoholic beverages (if Customer is over 17-years-old)
  • 1 litre of alcohol that does not exceed 22% alcohol by volume (ABV) or undenatured ethyl alcohol not exceeding 80% ABV
  • Combination of the two if ABV is not more than 100%
  • 2 litres of alcohol that does not exceed 22% ABV
  • 4 litres of still wine
  • 16 litres of beer
• Tobacco products
  • When traveling by air or sea (if Customer is over 17-years-old)
    • 200 cigarettes or
    • 100 cigarillos or
    • 50 cigars or
    • 250 g of smoking tobacco
  • When traveling by land (if Customer is over 17-years-old)
    • 40 cigarettes or
    • 20 cigarillos or
    • 10 cigars or
    • 50 grams of smoking tobacco
• Medication (for personal use only)
• Personal use items of non-commercial nature
  • Worth up to 430 EUR when traveling by air or sea
  • Worth up to 300 EUR when traveling by land
  • Worth up to 150 EUR for travelers under 15-years-old
• Currency declarable for everyone traveling outside the EU when the amount exceeds 10 EUR (or its equivalent in another currency)

NOTE – Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, International sea & air shipping cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.

Call our International Moving Specialists @ 1 (866) 315-4170

Tips for a successful move to Belgium from the USA, things you need to consider:

Moving to Belgium from the USA can be a complex process. However, the key to handling any complex situation is to make a proper plan of action. The same thing applies to your move to Belgium from the USA. Here are some key things that you can consider: obtaining a visa or residence permit, finding accommodation, navigating the job market, and adapting to the culture and language. It’s important to research and plan carefully to ensure a smooth transition.

You can also focus on the advantages that come with moving to Belgium from the USA. This European country has a strong economy and offers a good scope of jobs. A high standard of living is what you can look forward to when you relocate to Belgium. The country also has diverse cultural heritages which will never let you go out of options for recreational activities when you live in this country.

All about Belgian visas and residency permits

If you take a look at the different types of visas available to enter and live in Belgium for a long time, you will observe that most of the visas are offered for people who want to work in Belgium and stay in this European country.

However, as a US citizen moving to Belgium for work purposes, you will also need to have a proper work authorization document from your Belgian employer. Generally, work permit and residency permits are combined to offer a single permit, also known as the Green Card. Now, take a look at the different visa and residency permit options available to Americans when they want to move to Belgium from the USA –

• Highly Qualified Worker or Director
• EU Blue Card
• Professional Card
• Belgium Business Residence Program
• Student Residence Card
• Family visa
• Internship Permit
• Permanent Residency
• Belgian Citizenship
• Residency permit in Belgium

Once you enter the country along with your visa you will need to obtain a temporary residency permit. This temporary residency permit can turn into a permanent one after your uninterrupted stay in Belgium for 5 years. Note that Belgium allows dual citizenship.

You will get all the details on visa and residency permit norms, application processes and fees on the Government website.

How to move your belongings to Belgium?

The good news when you are moving to Belgium from the USA is that you can actually pack and ship your belongings and household goods to Belgium. If you have owned your belongings for more than 6 months then these can be imported to Belgium duty-free. For shipping your household goods and other stuff to Belgium you will need to have the following documents –

• A valid passport
• An inventory
• A packing list in both English and French
• A residence permit or work permit

However, before packing and shipping go through the list of items that cannot be shipped into Belgium.

Top reasons to move to Belgium from the USA

There are a lot of perks to moving to Belgium from the USA. Here is a list of some of the top reasons –

• Cultural diversity and international atmosphere
• High standard of living and quality of life
• Excellent education system and universities
• Strong economy and job opportunities
• Access to European markets and transportation networks
• Rich history and cultural heritage
• Multilingual society and language skills
• Diverse cuisine and food culture
• Friendly and welcoming locals
• Affordable cost of living compared to the USA

Best places to live and settle down in Belgium

Belgium offers a diverse range of living destinations, from bustling cities to charming towns and picturesque villages. Some of the best places to live in Belgium include:

• Brussels
• Antwerp
• Ghent
• Bruges

These places are known for their vibrant cultures, excellent quality of life, and access to world-class amenities.

Some other popular locations include the coastal towns of Ostend and Knokke, offering a relaxed seaside lifestyle. Ultimately, the best place to live in Belgium depends on personal preferences and priorities. Overall, Belgium offers vibrant cultural ambience and welcoming people.

Loved the hand holding from beginning to end!

My small shipment of things from Brussels to NY was valuable to only me. I had selected a few of my Aunt’s (and some from my grandparents) effects when I flew to Belgium unexpectedly to say my goodbyes. Everyone from Sea and Air never failed to get back to me with timely and accurate information all along the way.

A special thanks to Ron and Avi who went way beyond the job by driving at night in rush hour traffic to get these cherished pieces to my home (110 miles away each way). I spent the weekend unpacking and picking places in our home as cherished reminders. Thank you! Thank you!

– Lynne W