Moving To Belgium


No Matter What You Need, We Got You Covered

Customs Regulations for 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
  • 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

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

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)

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

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

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

How International Sea & Air can help for moving to Belgium


To start, one of our trained moving specialists will provide a one-on-one consultation with you, thoroughly outlining your moving options based on certain criteria, such as:

  • Your moving timeline. When do you need to be in Belgium?
  • Your real estate plans. Will you be renting or buying?
  • Your family/household size. Will you be moving alone or with your family? For business or personal reasons?
  • Cubic feet estimate. How large is your shipment?

Moving to Belgium from the U.S.


Moving to Belgium from the United States takes plenty of time. You’ll need to plan and prepare numerous documents and your moving timeline before you head across the globe, and the last thing you want to worry about is the logistics of a complicated move -so hire qualified international movers to help you with the job!

International Sea & Air Shipping will make your transition to Belgium as seamless as possible by providing top-notch shipping services for all of your household goods, and much more.

Don’t let your overseas relocation become a worry -you should be focusing on your new life in Belgium. Give International Sea & Air Shipping a call today!

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.

Can’t wait to get started with your overseas relocation to Belgium? First, find out what you’ll need to clear Customs.

What Will Moving to Belgium Cost?


For an accurate estimate of your shipment size, you should schedule a home survey as early as possible for your move to Belgium. Our moving specialists will assess your belongings to give you the best estimate possible to expedite your relocation. The cost of relocating to Belgium will vary considerably based on the cubic footage of your belongings and your proposed destination arrival time.


Don’t forget to ask about our overseas packing and custom crating services too!

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