SOURCE: WCO/General Administration of Customs and Excise
17.04.2020
Protective equipment
Export
Despite the fact that procurement has increased and additional production has been
encouraged, the current level of Union production and existing stocks of protective
equipment will not be sufficient to meet the demand within the Union. Therefore, the EU
has issued Regulation 2020/402 of 14 March to control the export of protective
equipment.
For the Belgian Customs Administration, that means:
o Selection system does not release the items of the annex of the
regulation for export. Goods can only be cleared for export after verifying
officers confirm that the shipment does not contain protective equipment
OR if a license is available.
o The necessary capacity is provided for the control of the measures
o There is ongoing concertation with major Belgian industrial stakeholders
on the operational side of the regulation
o The competent authority provides certification for traders that are not
targeted by the regulation (e.g. protective gear for automotive industry
that has no medical use).
Import
The Belgian Customs Administration issued temporary measures to allow relief of VAT
and Customs duties for donations of equipment for the protection of personnel.
The relief is based on articles 57 – 58 of regulation 1186/2009.
Disinfectants, sanitizers, etc.
Pharmacists shall be allowed, as an exception and for a limited time, to store and use
ethanol. We do require the beneficiaries of the exceptional rules to hold a register.
As a second measure, to increase the production of base substances for disinfectant
sprays and liquids, the Belgian Customs Administration temporarily broadens the
products that can be used for denaturation for this purpose. This enables pharmacists
and hospitals to use alcohols to produce disinfectants based on stocks of available
alcohols that would otherwise receive another destination (industrial use, destruction,
etc.)
Measures for customs officers
The minister of Internal Affairs and Safety has listed the Customs Administration as an
essential service for the vital functions of the Kingdom of Belgium.
This means the Customs Administration will continue its core function of protecting the
interests of the Union and facilitate trade.
1. Measures aiming to Facilitate the Cross-border Movement of Relief and
Essential Supplies
1.1. Belgian Customs maintains presence and service at all points of entry
1.2. For hospitals, Belgian Customs has a procedure to rapidly identify the goods upon
arrival and confirm whether they are allowed on the EU market by the competent
authorities. The hotline can be reached 24/7.
1.3. There is a single point of contact to report possible bottlenecks on logistics. There
are weekly high level calls with representatives of the Belgian economic sector.
2. Measures aiming at Supporting the Economy and Sustaining Supply Chain Continuity
2.1. For the Customs Transit procedure, more flexibility has been allowed, respecting
the constraints of the European Union Customs Code.
2.2. Supply chains are disrupted because of the lockdown measures in multiple
countries. This leads to the build-up of stocks.
Temporarily, holders of Customs authorizations (inward processing, bonded
warehouse, etc.) can request an extension. The locations must be located in Belgium
and can only be used for goods that have not received a final customs destination yet.
3. Measures aiming at Protecting Customs administrations’ Staff
3.1. The Administration took severe measures for protection, based on the social
distancing principle. Field officers have reduced staff numbers to allow less
interaction. Teams work in the same composition as much as possible
3.2. Legislation, central services, litigation and prosecution, and all other non-first line
officers work from home.
3.3. As a general rule, every document or certificate can temporarily be scanned and
delivered to customs. Digital autographs are also accepted. The only exception is
documents that need a physical copy in thirds countries (e.g. proof of origin). See also
point 4.1.
4. Measures aiming at Protecting Society
4.1. As a general rule, Belgian customs delivers every document, authorization or
certificate digitally. The only exception is documents that need a physical copy in
thirds countries (e.g. proof of origin). See also point 3.3.
4.2. Belgian customs, in cooperation with the Federal and local police, guard the
national borders to prevent unnecessary travel, as is forbidden by national decree.
The officers that enforce normally work on internal controls, so this task does not
reduce the capacity of Belgian customs at the EU-borders (airports, ports)
4.3. Belgian customs has a stopping function for the controls on the quality of personal
protective equipment. There is cooperation with the competent authorities.
SOURCE: WCO/General Administration of Customs and Excise
20.03.2020
Belgian Customs Administration Corona Measures – best practices
Protective equipment
Export
Despite the fact that procurement has increased and additional production has been
encouraged, the current level of Union production and existing stocks of protective
equipment will not be sufficient to meet the demand within the Union. Therefore, the EU has
issued Regulation 2020/402 of 14 March to control the export of protective equipment.
For the Belgian Customs Administration, that means:
o Selection system does not release the items of the annex of the regulation for
export. Goods can only be cleared for export after verifying officers confirm
that the shipment does not contain protective equipment OR if a licence is
available.
o The necessary capacity is provided for the control of the measures
o There is ongoing concertation with major Belgian industrial stakeholders on
the operational side of the regulation
o The competent authority provides certification for traders that are not targeted
by the regulation (e.g. protective gear for automotive industry that has no
medical use).
Import
The Belgian Customs Administration issued temporary measures to allow relief of VAT and
Customs duties for donations of equipment for the protection of personnel.
The relief is based on articles 57 – 58 of regulation 1186/2009.
Disinfectants, sanitizers, etc.
Pharmacists shall be allowed, as an exception and for a limited time, to store and use
ethanol. We do require the beneficiaries of the exceptional rules to hold a register.
As a second measure, to increase the production of base substances for disinfectant sprays
and liquids, the Belgian Customs Administration temporarily broadens the products that can
be used for denaturation for this purpose. This enables pharmacists and hospitals to use
alcohols to produce disinfectants based on stocks of available alcohols that would otherwise
receive another destination (industrial use, destruction, etc.)
Measures for customs officers
The minister of Internal Affairs and Safety has listed the Customs Administration as an
essential service for the vital functions of the Kingdom of Belgium.
This means the Customs Administration will continue its core function of protecting the
interests of the Union and facilitate trade.
With this in mind, the Administration took severe measures for protection, based on the
social distancing principle. Legislation, central services, litigation and prosecution, and all
other non-first line officers work from home. Field officers have reduced staff numbers to
allow less interaction.
Temporary and limited relaxation of the enforcement of driving and rest times for drivers
Belgium has notified a temporary and limited relaxation of the enforcement of driving and rest times for the drivers involved in the supply chain relating to essential goods and medicine. This relaxation is granted pursuant to Article 14(2) of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006.
Start date: 19.03.2020
End date: 31.03.2020