Q: My parcel arrived in Belgium. How long will my parcel remain at customs?

This depends on where your parcel was sent.My parcel comes from inside the European UnionCustoms is authorised to check all shipments from inside the European Union. That usually involves suspect shipments from EU member states and shipments with excisable goods inside the European Community. Your parcel doesn't usually experience extra delays.My parcel comes from outside the European UnionThese parcels undergo an import procedure by default. The handling period depends on the following two factors:whether your parcel has enough information, such as the value and nature of the goods. (If that is not the case, you will receive a letter a few days later. In that case, the handling period is extended until you send the additional information). The customs clearance service of bpost checks whether VAT, customs fees or other duties have to be paid on your parcel. whether customs or other official authorities have to check your parcel. That is the case for medicine, plants and food, weapons, suspected counterfeit goods, etc. You can follow the status of your parcel online with Track &amp; Trace and the My bpost app.

Question 1

My parcel arrived in Belgium. How long will my parcel remain at customs?

Accepted Answer

This depends on where your parcel was sent.

My parcel comes from inside the European Union

Customs is authorised to check all shipments from inside the European Union. That usually involves suspect shipments from EU member states and shipments with excisable goods inside the European Community. Your parcel doesn't usually experience extra delays.

My parcel comes from outside the European Union

These parcels undergo an import procedure by default. The handling period depends on the following two factors:

whether your parcel has enough information, such as the value and nature of the goods. (If that is not the case, you will receive a letter a few days later. In that case, the handling period is extended until you send the additional information). The customs clearance service of bpost checks whether VAT, customs fees or other duties have to be paid on your parcel.
whether customs or other official authorities have to check your parcel. That is the case for medicine, plants and food, weapons, suspected counterfeit goods, etc. You can follow the status of your parcel online with Track & Trace and the My bpost app.

Question 2

Why hasn't my international shipment been delivered?

Accepted Answer

If your shipment has the status On the way to Belgium, it has not arrived in Belgium yet. The delivery periods of a foreign shipment to Belgium vary from country to country. You can find out how long it takes on average for your parcel to arrive in Belgium via Track &amp; Trace.&nbsp;This period is based on previous shipments coming from this country.&nbsp;My parcel comes from inside the European Unionhere is no default import procedure. If it wants to, customs can check shipments from inside the European Union.My parcel comes from outside the European Union (+United Kingdom)In this case an import procedure for your parcel will start upon its arrival in Belgium. The duration of this procedure depends on the following:Whether or not you already paid VAT on your shipment via the online shopThe value of your shipmentIf you did not pay any VAT in advance or your shipment is worth more than €150, the bpost customs clearance service&nbsp;must first determine the import costs. To do this, the value of the contents of your shipment must be known (based on the invoice). If this is not provided, bpost will ask you to upload the invoice of your purchase online.You have 14 days to pay the import costs (VAT, import duties or any other customs fees and formalities). The sooner you do this, the sooner your shipment will be released.Most shipments are cleared within a week. In this phase, your goods are declared to Belgian customs. Customs has the right to check the content of your shipment. Please allow an additional 3 to 7 days for delivery in case of extra inspections. This period depends on any additional inspections by government agencies (e.g. for plants or food). If your shipment is not cleared, you will be notified (e.g. a permit is missing or the contents of your shipment are subject to import restrictions).The import procedure is completed once customs has released your shipment. Your shipment is then handed over to bpost, and you will receive it a few days later.

Question 3

Do I have to pay import costs on gifts from outside the EU?

Accepted Answer

On gifts from family or friends from outside the EU, customs charges import costs if the shipment does not meet all the requirements of a gift. If you believe that your shipment does meet these conditions, you can dispute these costs and apply for an exemption. You can do this after you have received a letter or request for payment. I have received a letter to provide the proof of value Ask the sender to send you an email confirming:

the contents of the shipment
the value (in €) of the shipment
that your shipment is a gift

You can then upload this email as proof via the online form. To do so, follow the instructions in the letter. I have received an invitation to pay the import costs Ask the sender to send you an email confirming:

the contents of the shipment
the value (in €) of the shipment
that your shipment is a gift

Then, enter your barcode and postal code via Track & Trace or via the My bpost app. There you will find a link to an online form to dispute your import costs. Upload the sender's email to this online form as proof.

Please note: Customs carries out checks on the value of shipments. A fine may be imposed in the event of an erroneous declaration. Upload the sender's email to this form as proof.

Question 4

I have already paid VAT through the webshop. Now I have to pay again. How is that possible?

Accepted Answer

In exceptional cases, you may have to pay VAT and import costs a second time on your shipment. This is because the IOSS webshop on which you ordered or the local postal company of the sender did not (correctly) register this information.An IOSS shop is required to forward its IOSS number digitally. Customs uses this number to read out the necessary information about your shipment automatically. If this number is not transmitted or valid, the bpost customs clearance service&nbsp;is obliged to charge the recipient for VAT and customs formalities. (It is not enough to note the IOSS number on the package or to communicate it afterwards.)If you are charged import costs and VAT a second time, then:You can refuse the shipment in the My bpost app or Track &amp; Trace and request a full refund from the sender.You can pay the import costs and reclaim the VAT from the sender who wrongfully charged it. To do this, contact the sender and present your proof of payment from the My bpost app or Track &amp; Trace.

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