Fast track your exports with the Customs Attachés Contact Days!

Did you know that:

Customs duties are lower due to agreements between the EU, Vietnam and Singapore? There are strict regulations regarding samples sent to India? Brazil requires an analysis by an accredited lab to import beers? Advanced rulings help in classification of goods in China? A new halal regulation is in force in Indonesia? There are specific labelling requirements for exports to India?

You did not? No problem! You do not need to be a customs expert yourself, because the 5 Belgian customs attachés can help you with your technical questions and provide information about import, export or transit in the country where they are based. Make an appointment with them on 16 and 17 October!

To the online event

Have you already experienced problems with blocked shipments or samples, or do you want to avoid such problems? The export story rarely begins at the border, not only commercially but also in terms of administration: registrations, market access, quality standards… Preparation is therefore essential!

On 16 and 17 October, during the Customs Contact Days, you can discuss your questions and plans with the customs attaché in an online personal meeting and find out which solutions are available to get your goods to their destination as smoothly and quickly as possible and to know in advance which documents for export or import are needed.

After the successful contact days of previous years, this year the Belgian Chambers of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs & Excise are organising another online edition with the international network of customs attachés based in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia.

“In the future, we might get in touch with other attachés from other countries, depending on the development of our business activities.”

“This event is a must-have. It is always useful to know what challenges there are in the supply chain at customs level.”

“Our questions were prepared, we received immediate feedback and information afterwards.”

“Well organised, everything went smoothly, a colleague from our French department could even join in. The timing was also perfect.”

“Continue to organise this event ! It’s a great initiative between the public administration, chambers of commerce and businesses”.

“Please keep us informed of such events in the future”.

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BrazilChinaIndiaIndonesiaMalaysiaSingaporeThailandVietnam
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Brazil in a nutshell

Brazil is a very bureaucratic country and therefore challenging for business. Possible obstacles include the language (Portuguese), the complex tax system with a distinction between taxes payable at federal and state level upon importation, and the permits required upon importation that must be applied for in good time.

The Mercosur customs union (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay) is a market of 260 million consumers that will open up when the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement comes into force. This provides for a gradual reduction of import duties in the Mercosur countries and simplified customs procedures. And thus many opportunities for Belgian companies.

Did you know that:

  • If you want to export Belgian beer to Brazil, this beer must be analysed by a lab accredited by BELAC, the Belgian accreditation body?
  • A prior application must be made to the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture for the importation of fertiliser samples into Brazil?

China in a nutshell

China is not only a hub for international trade and industrial production, but it has also become an important consumer market and it is also home to the world’s largest ports while being a leader in cross border e-commerce.

Trade relations with China can take many forms and are constantly evolving. From China as a country to purchase finished products and to produce components that fit into a global value chain to China as a fully-fledged consumer market, opportunities abound. As a result, there are, of course, many different procedures in terms of logistics, customs or bureaucracy in general. In short, it is a country where one should not go on an adventure unprepared.

Did you know that:

  • There are also tools such as advanced rulings that provide greater certainty in case of doubt about the classification of goods in China?
  • There are national subdivisions for goods codes for import into China?

India in a nutshell

India has become the largest populated country of the world and is one of the fastest growing economies. This has created a middle-class that is very interested in Western products.

Even though India made a giant leap forward in the Ease of Doing Business Index, the reality at ports and the handling of all formalities and procedures, make customs clearance complex and unpredictable. The smallest error can create issues with customs or other competent authorities. This is where the customs attaché can assist you. Besides providing you in advance with necessary technical information, he can also rely on an extensive professional network, if problems should occur.

Did you know that:

  • there are strict regulations about sending samples to India?
  • there are specific rules in India for certain food ingredients and additives?
  • you must be able to present a quality certificate for various products before exporting to India?
  • there are specific labelling requirements for export to India?

Indonesia in a nutshell

Indonesia, Vietnam and Singapore are the main emerging countries of Southeast Asia and are important trading partners for Belgium but Indonesia in particular is sometimes difficult to access and has its own characteristics. Indonesia is a very large market with 270 million consumers but it is also a protectionist market. Import/export rules are complex and change frequently. A free trade agreement with Indonesia is imminent. This may make trade smoother, but good information and guidance in the complex customs and rules of origin is necessary.

The customs attaché is ready to advise and guide you through all the complex customs rules so that you can reap all the benefits and avoid delays or blocked shipments.

Did you know that:

  • There are new Halal regulations in force in Indonesia and to which products do they apply?
  • Certain goods require registration and import licence for import into Indonesia?
  • The Indonesian Batam, close to Singapore, is one big Free Trade Zone where no customs duties have to be paid when importing into Batam and that there are other such zones in Indonesia?
  • Indonesia has a customs declaration requirement for software and other digital goods sent electronically to Indonesia (HS code 99.0 – provisionally with zero customs duty).

Malaysia in a nutshell

Malaysia’s economy is growing steadily. The country is expected to become a high-income country between 2024 and 2028. Doing business there is very easy, and on the customs front, general import and export rules and regulations continue to be simplified. At the same time, however, complex goods-specific rules still remain, especially regarding import duties and customs clearance in Malaysia. Malaysian import duties and taxes for goods with significant local production are often higher than those for other products.

If your company has questions or problems, the customs attaché can support and guide you in finding your way through all import-related topics.

Did you know that:

  • Malaysia is a member of the Asean Customs Transit System (ACTS, similar to the European NCTS) which allows goods to be transported very easily to other countries in Southeast Asia
  • Textiles as samples are allowed as import but with a restriction of max 3 pieces per product?
  • The customs duties must be paid with a bank transfer before the goods can be presented for import?
  • No customs duty has to be paid on about 75% of all imports into Malaysia?
  • Malaysia has 13 Industrial Free Zones and 12 Commercial Free Zones in which no customs taxes have to be paid?
  • Malaysia is a member of 7 bilateral and 7 regional Free Trade Agreements?
  • Malaysia has a system in which prior binding information can be requested on classification of goods or value
  • In Malaysia food labels explicitly have to mention (in capital letters and in bold) the presence of beef, pork or alcohol?

Singapore in a nutshell

Singapore is one of Southeast Asia’s major emerging countries and is an important trading partner for Belgium. It is a fairly easy market where most products originating in the EU were imported duty-free. Since 2019, Singapore has additionally had a free trade agreement with the European Union which also abolished many of the remaining duties, except those applicable to some goods.

Very important in this free trade agreement is the origin and HS code of goods. The customs attaché is ready to advise and guide you in these complex customs and origin rules so that you can reap all the benefits and avoid delays or blocked shipments.

Did you know:

  • Singapore is a member of the Asean Customs Transit System (ACTS, similar to the European NCTS) which allows goods to be transported very easily to other countries in Southeast Asia.
  • Exporters and importers can benefit from the European Union’s free trade agreement with Singapore in terms of import duties, reduction of non-tariff barriers, origin and application for registered status?
  • How much is the VAT to be paid on import into Singapore and that some products are also subject to excise duty?
  • Importing all kinds of products, such as fireworks, chewing tobacco, pornography and chewing gum, is not allowed?

Thailand in a nutshell

Over the past four decades, Thailand has made remarkable progress in economic development, moving from a low-income to an upper-middle-income country in less than a generation, and foreign imports are booming. But with Thailand, the EU has yet to conclude a trade agreement, and the import/export rules and required licences are complex and often subject to change, requiring prior knowledge and research of the market.

The customs attaché is ready to advise and guide you through all the complex customs rules so that you can reap all the benefits and avoid delays or blocked shipments.

Did you know that:

  • Thailand is a member of the Asean Customs Transit System (ACTS, similar to the European NCTS) which allows goods to be transported very easily to other countries in Southeast Asia.
  • Your product may have to comply with various rules? Consider rules for your specific product, packaging and labelling. As long as your product does not comply with the rules, you will not be allowed to market it in the Thai market.
  • For temporary import of samples, exhibition material or photo, video or film material you can use an ATA carnet to simplify customs formalities provided the conditions are met?
  • You can register the brand name of your products with customs for IPR protection?
  • In Thailand, customs is increasingly focusing on “post-clearance” controls with a focus on customs valuation, transfer pricing and the use of customs and trade privileges? Is your customs valuation at import fully calculated correctly?

Vietnam in a nutshell

Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia’s major emerging countries and is an important trading partner for Belgium, but still with its own requirements or characteristics for some products. The import/export rules and required licences are complex and can change frequently. Since 2020, Vietnam has had a free trade agreement with the European Union which abolished import taxes on very many products provided they are of EU origin.

Very important in this free trade agreement is the origin and HS code of goods. The customs attaché is ready to advise and guide you in this and other complex customs and origin rules so that you can reap all the benefits and avoid delays or blocked shipments.

Did you know that:

  • Vietnam is a member of the Asean Customs Transit System (ACTS, similar to the European NCTS) which allows goods to be transported very easily to other countries in Southeast Asia.
  • Exporters and importers can benefit from the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EUVFTA) in terms of import duties and reduction of non-tariff barriers?
  • The origin of your goods can be stated on the invoice through the REX system and how to qualify for it?
  • That within the EUVFTA the remaining customs duties are being systematically reduced and at what point can your products be imported duty-free?

Join us on Conversation Starter!

Would you like to meet one or more customs attachés during these contact days? Register on the Conversation Starter platform – it will take you five minutes – and book your appointments! During a short conversation, you can find out what the customs attachés can do for you.

When: 16-17 October

Where: conversationstarter.net

Free event

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