Belgium, as a major European hub for foreign trade, is aiming to simplify the import and export of goods. Therefore the innovative BE-GATE customs platform was developed, and launched on 6th June. The portal was specially designed for the growth market of e-commerce and shall allow for a faster and more efficient customs handling in international goods traffic.
BE-GATE was developed as an initiative of the Belgium Customs and Excise Department. The new platform is supported by four e-commerce hubs: the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge and the airports of Brussels and Liege.
The free-of-charge customs portal BE-GATE is designed for processing large amounts of data and guarantees rapid clearance of customs applications. A high number of arrival notifications can be transmitted simultaneously via an official customs-approved form. For shipments of less than or equal to EUR 22, the form also serves as declaration of release for consumption. All other shipments need an additional declaration of the Belgian customs software PLDA (paperless customs & excise).
Retailers also automatically receive information on those shipments that have been selected for customs control. All other shipments are released immediately. In addition, the software solution provides a recommendation for the concrete determination of the customs value on the basis of defined criteria, if the customs value cannot be determined by an alternative method.
BE-GATE can be used within the framework of customs regulations for free circulation, customs warehousing and outright export. The prerequisites are that the economic operator has a registered office in Belgium and a status as a customs agent. In addition, an interim warehouse or a location approved as a customs warehouse, the authorisation for the use of the simplified declaration and a comprehensive guarantee are required. Excise goods, goods subject to licenses and goods subject to special restrictions and control measures are excluded from the use of BE-GATE. For export, BE-GATE can be used for shipments with a value of up to EUR 1,000 and a weight of less than 1,000 kilograms. Otherwise a PLDA declaration is required.
Belgien is a major gateway to the European consumer market. Big seaports such as Europe’s second biggest martiime port of Antwerp and the port of Zeebrugge, as well as the air freight hubs of Brussels and Liege connect Europe to the rest of the world. A wide network of roads, rivers, and railways links the Belgian sea- and airports to the hinterland. The major consumer markets can be reached within a maximum of 24 hours.
Luc Arnouts, Director of International Networks, Port of Antwerp: “We’re expecting BE-GATE to significantly simplify customs clearance and make the Antwerp location even more attractive for e-commerce traffic.” Joachim Coene, CEO, Port of Zeebrugge: “With the investment of the Lingang Group in the Maritime Logistic Zone in Zeebrugge, the Port of Zeebrugge will be able to play a demanding, outstanding role in e-commerce.”
Steven Verhasselt, VP Commercial, Liege Airport: “As TNT’s global air hub 20 years ago, Liège Airport’s pioneering role in cargo shipping began. Since then, many years of growth have made us the seventh largest cargo airport in Europe. We expect BE-GATE to further optimise the operations at Liège Airport.”
Steven Polmans, Director of Cargo & Logistics, Brussels Airport: “With our continued expansion and construction of new warehouses, we are prepared for the growing e-commerce business.BE-GATE will help us to become an even more attractive access point for e-commerce through its simplification and transparency.”
