Source: European Union/Re-open EU
25.01.2021
Covid-19 Update: New measures in Belgium
The new ministerial decree containing more stringent measures comes into force from January 27, 2021 00:00. All non-essential travel is now prohibited.
By "essential trip", it is meant that :
- any travel carried out for professional reasons, by a person having a main residence in Belgium or in the European Union.
- any travel carried out by transport staff, by a person having their main residence outside the European Union (including the United Kingdom).
Sworn statement:
In order to regulate essential travel, a justification is sought by the federal government, which requires a declaration of honor. Find this form online via this link
The sworn declaration is compulsory regardless of the duration of the trip abroad. People traveling abroad regularly, such as border workers or truck drivers, however, only need to complete the Declaration of Honor once for a clearly defined activity.
Passenger Locator Form:
The rules concerning the Passenger Locator Form (https://travel.info-coronavirus.be/en/public-health-passenger-locator-form) remain unchanged. The overview of the rules is also shown below.
Transport personnel remain exempt from quarantine and COVID testing when carrying out professional activities abroad.
Drivers having their main residence in Belgium and making a business trip
a) For a business trip of less than 48 hours
- must be in possession of the duly completed declaration of honor
- must not complete the Passenger Locator Form & the Business Travel Abroad form,
- are exempt from quarantine and COVID testing
b) For a business trip of more than 48 hours
- must be in possession of the duly completed declaration of honor
- must complete the Passenger Locator Form (https://travel.info-coronavirus.be/public-health-passenger-locator-form) & the Business Travel Abroad form (https://bta.belgium.be/fr). .
- are exempt from quarantine and Covid testing
Drivers with a main residence outside Belgium and who come to Belgium for a business trip
a) Drivers coming to Belgium for less than 48 hours
- must be in possession of the duly completed declaration of honor
- do not have to complete the Passenger Locator Form & the Business Travel Abroad form
- should not quarantine
b) Drivers coming to Belgium for more than 48 hours
- must be in possession of the duly completed declaration of honor
- must complete the Passenger Locator Form (https://travel.info-coronavirus.be/public-health-passenger-locator-form) & the Business Travel Abroad form (https://bta.belgium.be/fr).
- are exempt from quarantine and Covid testing.
Source: FEBETRA
22.01.2021
From an EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country, may I enter this country without being subject to extraordinary restrictions?
PARTIALLY
Note: Belgium adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Belgium are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map.
Restrictions for people coming (or returning) to Belgium from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country depend on whether they are returning from a red, orange, or green zone.
Any person coming (or returning) to Belgium for at least 48 hours, after a stay of at least 48 hours in a red zone, must be placed in quarantine. The quarantine can only be terminated with a negative PCR test performed on the seventh day of quarantine.
Travelers (from the age of 12) who are not resident in Belgium, must provide a negative PCR test before their travel if they come from a red zone. This test is also mandatory for passengers connecting via Belgium to a Schengen destination (including Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland). The negative test must have been carried out less than 72 hours before departure for Belgium.
Residents of Belgium returning from a red zone after a stay of more than 48 hours must undergo a mandatory test on day 1 and day 7 of quarantine.
There are exceptions in a few strictly limited cases. For more information, please check https://www.info-coronavirus.be
For any questions regarding the Passenger Locator Form, the COVID-19 test, and the quarantine obligation in Belgium, travellers should check the website https://www.info-coronavirus.be or contact the FPS Public Health.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
All persons coming or returning to Belgium, or travelling through Belgium, must fill out a Passenger Locator Form in advance. A self-assessment tool is integrated into the Passenger Locator Form.
There is an exception when the person is travelling by other means than plane or boat and staying less than 48 hours abroad or less than 48 hours in Belgium. This is a very strict exception that can be subject to control.
Contact Point for Belgium
If you have any questions regarding the Passenger Locator Form, the COVID-19 test, and the obligation of quarantine in Belgium, please check the website https://www.info-coronavirus.be and, if needed, contact the FPS Public Health on 0800 14 689 or send an e-mail to info.coronavirus@health.fgov.be
What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
Travel from third countries remains prohibited with few exceptions. Essential travel to Belgium is allowed, while respecting restrictions (see question on quarantine).
People coming from the countries on the list published on the Foreign Affairs website may travel to Belgium.
TRANSIT
All persons returning to Belgium and all persons travelling through Belgium by boat or by plane and who are staying at least 48 hours must fill out a Passenger Locator Form.
All persons travelling through Belgium by carother means of transport and who are staying at least 48h in Belgium must fill out a Passenger Locator Form.
General measures
Working from home is compulsory where possible.
There is a national curfew from midnight to 5.00. Local authorities have the flexibility and authority to adapt and restrict travel restrictions and non-essential activities in accordance with the epidemiological situation in their area. People going to work, coming home from work, or moving for assistance to a vulnerable person, are exempted.
Health cover for temporary stays
Use of facemasks
From the age of 12, face masks (of any fabric) are mandatory in public transport (including at stops and stations), in shops and shopping malls, cinemas, theatres, concert and conference venues, auditoria, places of worship, museums, libraries, justice buildings, markets, flea markets and funfairs, public buildings for the parts accessible to the public, in catering establishments, in shopping streets, for close-contact professions and their customers.
Wearing a mask remains strongly recommended in all other public places, and is mandatory when it is not possible to maintain a physical distancing of 1.5 metres.
Local authorities may also take more restrictive measures. It is mandatory to wear a facemask in all outdoor and indoor public spaces in Brussels.
Physical Distancing
Physical distancing of at least 1.5 meters is required, except for people living under the same roof, children under the age of 12, and for care takers. Each person can have close contact (less than 1.5 metres) with one person outside his/her household per one month. Per household, you can receive maximum one close contact at home. Single-households can have two close contacts per one month, but not at the same time.
Find out more:
diplomatie.belgium.be
www.info-coronavirus.be
14.12.2020
From an EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country, may I enter this country without being subject to extraordinary restrictions?
Travelling from EU Member States + Schengen Associated countries is allowed.
Before entering Belgium, check the latest information on travel advice (with particular reference to the different zones corresponding to the local COVID-19 situation) at diplomatie.belgium.be.
The self-assessment test in the Passenger Locator Form (see below) indicates if you must go in quarantine for 7 days, plus 7 more days of hightened vigilance and if you must be tested.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
All persons returning to Belgium or travelling through Belgium, and who are staying at least 48 hours, must fill out a Passenger Locator Form. A self-assessment test is integrated in the Passenger Locator Form. In case of a positive self-assessment, quarantine and test are no longer necessary.
Contact Point for Belgium
If you have any questions regarding the Passenger Locator Form, the COVID-19 test and the obligation of quarantine in Belgium, please contact the FPS Public Health on 0800 14 689 or send an e-mail to info.coronavirus@health.fgov.be
What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?
All persons returning to Belgium and all persons travelling through Belgium and who are staying at least 48 hours must fill out a Passenger Locator Form.
Travel from third countries remains prohibited with few exceptions. Essential travel to Belgium is allowed, while respecting restrictions (see question on quarantine).
For more information you can visit:
Info coronavirus
diplomatie.belgium.be
Transit
Find out more:
diplomatie.belgium.be
www.info-coronavirus.be
Documents you need to travel in Europe
04.11.2020
Due to the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, travellers returning from a red zone will no longer be under the obligation to be tested, until November 15, except in the case of obvious symptoms. However, depending on their answers to the self-assessment questionnaire attached to the Passenger Locator Form, they may be required to comply with a quarantine extended to 10 days.
Source: https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en
28.10.2020
Entry Restrictions
Travelling from EU Member States + Schengen Associated countries is, in general, allowed.
Before entering Belgium, check the latest information on travel advice (with particular reference to the different zones corresponding to the local COVID-19 situation) at diplomatie.belgium.be.
A mandatory PCR test and 7 days quarantine are required upon arrival or return from zones considered most affected (high risk), while these measures are recommended when arriving from zones less affected. For the zones considered high risk, travel may not be possible or not authorised.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
All persons returning to Belgium or travelling through Belgium, and who are staying at least 48 hours, must fill out a Passenger Locator Form.
Contact Point for Belgium
If you have any questions regarding the Passenger Locator Form, the COVID-19 test and the quarantine obligation in Belgium, please contact the FPS Public Health on 0800 14 689 or send an e-mail to info.coronavirus@health.fgov.be
Transit
All persons returning to Belgium and all persons travelling through Belgium and who are staying at least 48 hours must fill out a Passenger Locator Form.
Travel to and from “third countries”
Travel to and from “third countries” remains prohibited with few exceptions. Essential travel to and from Belgium is allowed, while respecting restrictions (see question on quarantine).
List applicable as of October 28, 2020
- Australia
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Rwanda
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Thailand
- Uruguay
For more information you can visit:
Info coronavirus
diplomatie.belgium.be
Find out more:
diplomatie.belgium.be
www.info-coronavirus.be
30.09.2020
Travel to and from “third countries” remains prohibited with few exceptions. Essential travel to and from Belgium is allowed, while respecting restrictions (see question on quarantine).
For more information you can visit:
Info coronavirus
diplomatie.belgium.be
14.09.2020
Residents of countries from outside the EU and Schengen area or from a high risk area (“red zone”) as defined by the Belgian authorities at diplomatie.belgium.be may not enter the Belgian territory, except in specific cases.
A mandatory PCR test and quarantine of 14 days are required upon arrival or return of Belgian nationals or residents in Belgium from outside the EU and Schengen area or from a high risk area ("red zone") located within the EU or Schengen area, as defined by the Belgian authorities at diplomatie.belgium.be (while they are recommended for "orange zones").
From 1/8/20, all persons returning to Belgium or travelling through Belgium, and who are staying at least 48 hours, must fill out a Passenger Locator Form.
Local authorities have the flexibility and authority to adapt travel restrictions and non-essential activities in accordance with the epidemiological situation in their area.
Before continuing your reading, please note:
- The advice below only concerns non-essential travel such as tourism.
- It is forbidden to travel to countries not mentioned below, except for essential travel.
- This overview is based on currently available information obtained through CELEVAL and FPS Public Health. When necessary, this information will be updated daily at 16h. No rights can be derived from this overview
Extract from https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en
From Belgium Travel is possible:
Austria: province of Carinthia
France: Department of Creuze
Italy: Regions of Piemonte, Aosta Valley, Abruzzo, Molise, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicily and Marche
Liechtenstein
Poland: Regions of West Pomeranian, Lubusz, Lower Silesian, Opole, Kuyavian-Pomeranian, Warmian-Masurian, Lódz, Swietokrzyskie, Lublin, Podlaskie, Greater Poland, Silesia, Mazovia, and the region of Warsaw
Portugal : Region of the Center
Sweden: Regions of Stockholm and Upper Norrland
Switzerland : Cantons of Basel-Landschaft, Glarus, Schaffhausen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Sankt-Gallen, Graubünden, Thurgau, Lucerne, Uri, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Ticino.
Travel is possible under conditions:
Cyprus (mandatory test)
Estonia (quarantine)
Germany (mandatory test or quarantine < Brussels-Capital Region)
Greece (mandatory test)
Iceland (mandatory test or quarantine)
Ireland (quarantine)
Italy (mandatory test only for Sardinia)
Latvia (quarantine)
Lithuania (mandatory test and quarantine)
Netherlands (quarantine < city of Antwerp and Brussels-Capital Region)
Norway (quarantine)
Portugal (mandatory test only for the Azores and Madeira)
Slovakia (quarantine)
Slovenia (quarantine)
United Kingdom (quarantine)
Increased vigilance for:
Austria: provinces of Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Vorarlberg, Salzburg, Burgenland, Styria and Tyrol
Bulgaria
Czech Republic: Regions of Northwest, Central Moravia and Moravia-Silesia
Croatia: Zagreb (city and province); provinces of Bjelovar-Bilogora, Osijek-Baranja, Vukovar-Srijem, Karlovac, Sisak-Moslavina, Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Istria, Varaždin, Međimurje, Koprivnica-Križevci and Krapina-Zagorje.
France: Departments of Aisne, Allier, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Ardèche, Ardennes, Ariège, Aube, Aude, Bas-Rhin, Calvados, Cantal, Charente, Charente-Maritime, Cher, Corrèze, Côtes-d’Armor, Deux-Sèvres, Dordogne, Doubs, Drôme, Eure, Eure-et-Loir, Finistère, Haut-Rhin, Hautes-Alpes, Haute-Loire, Haute-Marne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Haute-Saône, Haute-Savoie, Haute-Vienne, Indre, Jura, Landes, Loir-et-Cher, Loire-Atlantique, Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, Lozère, Manche, Marne, Mayenne, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Morbihan, Moselle, Nièvre, Oise, Orne, Saint Martin, Savoie, Somme, Saône-et-Loire, Tarn, Territoire de Belfort, Vendée, Vosges, Yonne
Germany: Regions of Upper Bavaria, Lower Bavaria, Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Middle Franconia, Swabia, Freiburg, Upper Palatinate, Upper Franconia, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Braunschweig, Hanover, Weser-Ems.
Greece
Ireland: Eastern and Midland; Southern Ireland
Italy: Regions of Veneto, Liguria, Lombardy, Campania, Sardinia, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Puglia, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Umbria, Lazio and the Autonomous Provinces of Bolzano and Trento.
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands: provinces of Groningen, North-Brabant, Utrecht, Limburg, Gelderland and Flevoland
Norway: Regions of Oslo and Viken; Western Norway
Poland: provinces of Lesser Poland, Subcarpathia, Pomerania
Portugal: Lisbon metropolitan area, Northern Portugal, Algarve, Alentejo
San Marino
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain: islands of Tenerife, El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma
Sweden: Middle East Sweden, Småland and islands, South Sweden, West Sweden, Middle North Sweden and Middle Norrland
Switzerland: cantons of Valais, Jura, Aargau, Bern, Geneva, Solothurn, Neuchâtel, Basel-Stadt, Zürich, Schwyz and Zug
United Kingdom: North East England, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, Wales, Yorkshire and Humber, West Central Scotland, Southern Scotland, Northern Ireland
Vatican
Travel is not possible or not authorised:
Andorra
Austria: province of Vienna
Croatia : Provinces of Split-Dalmatia, Brod-Posavina, Dubrovnik-Neretva, Požega-Slavonia, Virovitica-Podravina, Lika-Senj, Zadar and Šibenik-Knin
Czech Republic: regions of Prague, Central Bohemia, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast
Denmark
Finland
France: Ville de Paris ; Departments Ain, Alpes-Maritimes, Aveyron, Bouches-du-Rhône, Corse-du-Sud, Côte-d’Or, Essonne, Gard, Gers, Guadeloupe, French Guyana, Gironde, Haute-Corse, Haute-Garonne, Hauts-de-Seine, Hérault, d’Ille-et-Vilaine, d’Indre-et-Loire, Isère, Loire, Loiret, Maine-et-Loire, Martinique, de Mayotte, Nord, Pas-de-Calais, Puy-de-Dôme, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Pyrénées-Orientales, Réunion, Rhône, Sarthe, de Seine-et-Marne, Seine-Maritime, Seine-Saint-Denis, de Tarn-et-Garonne, Val-d’Oise, Val-de-Marne, Var, Vaucluse, Vienne, Yvelines
Hungary
Monaco
Netherlands: provinces of South-Holland, North-Holland
Romania
Spain except the islands of Tenerife El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma
Switzerland: cantons of Fribourg and Vaud
United Kingdom: North West England
Returning from abroad:
From August, 1st, all persons returning to Belgium and all persons travelling through Belgium and who are staying at least 48 hours must fill out an identification form (Passenger Locator Form). You can find this form here (link is external).
Mandatory quarantine (*) and test on return from:
All countries outside the EU and Schengen
Andorra
Austria: province of Vienna (from 18/09 at 16.00)
Croatia : provinces of Split-Dalmatia, Brod-Posavina, Zadar and Sibenik-Knin, Dubrovnik-Neretva and Požega-Slavonia.
From 18/09 at 16.00, the following regions will be red zones: provinces of Virovitica-Podravina, Lika-Senj
Czech Republic: Prague region
From 18/09 at 16.00, the following regions will be red zones: Central Bohemia, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast
France: Ville de Paris ; Departments of Ain, Alpes-Maritimes, Bouches-du-Rhône, Corse-du-Sud, Côte-d’Or, Essonne, Gard, Guadeloupe, Guyane française, Gironde, Haute-Corse, Haute-Garonne, Hauts-de-Seine, Hérault, Loiret, Martinique, Réunion, Rhône, Seine-et-Marne, Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-d’Oise, Val-de-Marne, Var, Vaucluse and Yvelines.
From 18/09 at 16.00, the following regions will be red zones: Departments of Aveyron, Gers, Ille-et-Vilaine, Indre-et-Loire, Isère, Loire, Maine-et-Loire, Nord, Pas-de-Calais, Puy-de-Dôme, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Pyrénées-Orientales, Sarthe, Seine-Maritime, Tarn-et-Garonne, Vienne.
Hungary: Budapest (from 18/09 at 16.00)
Monaco
Netherlands: Provinces of South-Holland and North-Holland (from 18/09 at 16.00)
Romania
Spain except the islands of Tenerife, El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma
Switzerland: canton of Freiburg
From 18/09 at 16.00, the following regions will be red zones: canton of Vaud
United Kingdom: North West England (from 18/09 at 16.00)
Quarantine (*) and test are recommended on return from:
Austria: provinces of Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Vienna, Vorarlberg, Salzburg, Burgenland, Styria and Tyrol
Bulgaria
Croatia: Zagreb (city and province); provinces of Bjelovar-Bilogora, Virovitica-Podravina, Osijek-Baranja, Vukovar-Srijem, Karlovac, Sisak-Moslavina, Lika-Senj, Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Istria, Varaždin, Međimurje, Koprivnica-Križevci, Krapina-Zagorje
Czech Republic: Regions of Central Bohemia, Southwest, Northwest, Northeast, Southeast; Central Moravia and Moravia-Silesia
Denmark
France: Departments of Aisne, Allier, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Ardèche, des Ardennes, Ariège, Aube, Aude, Aveyron, Bas-Rhin, Calvados, Cantal, Charente, Charente-Maritime, Cher, Corrèze, Côtes-d’Armor, Deux-Sèvres, Dordogne, Doubs, Drôme, Eure, Eure-et-Loir, Finistère, Gers, Haut-Rhin, Hautes-Alpes, Haute-Loire, Haute-Marne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Haute-Saône, Haute-Savoie, Haute-Vienne, Ille-et-Vilaine, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, Isère, Jura, Landes, Loir-et-Cher, Loire, Loire-Atlantique, Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, Lozère, Maine-et-Loire, Manche, Marne, Mayenne, Mayotte, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Morbihan, Moselle, Nièvre, Nord, Oise, Orne, Pas-de-Calais, Puy-de-Dôme, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Pyrénées-Orientales, Saint Martin, Savoie, Seine-Maritime, Somme, Saône-et-Loire, Sarthe, Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne, Territoire de Belfort, Vendée, Vienne, Vosges, and Yonne
Germany: Regions of Upper Bavaria, Lower Bavaria, Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Middle Franconia, Swabia, Freiburg, Upper Palatinate, Upper Franconia, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Braunschweig, Hanover, Weser-Ems.
Greece
Hungary
Ireland: Eastern and Midland; Southern Ireland
Italy: Regions of Veneto, Liguria, Lombardy, Campania, Sardinia, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Puglia, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Umbria, Lazio; Autonomous Provinces of Bolzano and Trento.
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands: provinces of South-Holland, North-Holland, Groningen, North-Brabant, Utrecht, Limburg, Gelderland and Flevoland
Norway: Regions of Oslo and Viken; Western NorwayPoland: provinces of Lesser Poland, Subcarpathia, Pomerania.
Portugal: Lisbon metropolitan area, Northern Portugal, Algarve, Alentejo
San Marino
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain: islands of Tenerife, El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma
Sweden: Middle East Sweden, Småland and islands, South Sweden, West Sweden, Middle North Sweden and Middle Norrland
Switzerland: cantons of Vaud, Valais, Jura, Aargau, Bern, Geneva, Solothurn, Neuchâtel, Basel-Stadt, Zürich Schwyz and Zug
United Kingdom: North East England, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, Wales, North West England, Yorkshire and Humber, West Central Scotland, Southern Scotland and Northern Ireland
Vatican
No mandatory quarantine or medical visit necessary
The other zones in the EU, Schengen and the United Kingdom
10.08.2020
Travelling to and from EU countries is, in general, allowed.
Travelling to and from Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein, as well as the United Kingdom, is in general allowed.
Travellers to or from Belgium should check the latest information on travel advice available at diplomatie.belgium.be (updated daily at 16h)
Travel to and from “third countries” remains prohibited with few exceptions. Essential travel to and from Belgium is allowed, while respecting restrictions (see question on quarantine).
Rules and Exceptions
Before entering or leaving Belgium, please check the latest information on travel advice (with particular reference to "red zones" and "orange zones") at diplomatie.belgium.be.
A mandatory PCR test and quarantine of 14 days are required upon arrival or return from "red zones" (while they are recommended for "orange zones"). For "red zones", travel may not be possible or not authorised.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
From 1/8/20, all persons returning to Belgium and all persons travelling through Belgium and who are staying at least 48 hours must fill out a Passenger Locator Form.
Specific measures for Belgian residents exiting or returning to Belgium
Check the travel advice by country
Check the latest information on travel advice (with particular reference to "red zones" and "orange zones") at diplomatie.belgium.be.
Links to national sources
diplomatie.belgium.be
www.info-coronavirus.be
Documents you need to travel in Europe
Source: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/BEL
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