How Cross-Border Shopping Impacts Delivery in Belgium

TL;DR: Belgium’s role in cross-border e-commerce is growing fast, but complex customs, language barriers, and multi-carrier handoffs still affect speed and reliability. AI-driven solutions, harmonised EU rules, and local smart delivery practices are helping to reduce friction and emissions. This article explores how EU-wide logistics, taxation, and infrastructure shape the B2B last-mile experience in Belgium.

Why is cross-border e-commerce growing into Belgium?

Belgium’s central location and open market make it a top destination for EU-wide B2B shipments.

With neighbouring countries like France, Germany, and the Netherlands contributing a significant share of imports, Belgium has seen sustained growth in cross-border e-commerce. B2B buyers in Belgium increasingly source products from suppliers across the EU, thanks to harmonised standards and better online access. Logistics hubs like Liège Airport and the Port of Antwerp provide key entry points. However, fast-growing demand also pressures customs, tech integration, and last-mile execution.

1. Over 70% of e-commerce imports come from Belgium’s direct neighbours.
2. Liège Airport handles over 1 million parcels/day from cross-border commerce.
3. Growth driven by EU B2B platforms offering VAT-exempt B2B bulk deals.
4. Key sectors: medical, automotive parts, industrial supplies.
5. Regional delivery hubs support fast 24–48h fulfilment.

How do customs, VAT, and post-Brexit rules affect deliveries?

EU VAT rules are streamlined, but customs from outside EU (e.g. UK) still slow deliveries.

For EU countries, Belgium benefits from the Intracommunity Supply Rule — B2B orders are VAT-exempt at sale and reported via VIES. But when products come from the UK or other non-EU origins, customs declaration delays and duties still apply. The Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) helps for B2C, but most B2B transactions still need EORI registration, invoice compliance, and local import VAT handling.

1. No customs delays for EU-origin goods (e.g. from Germany or Netherlands).
2. Post-Brexit: UK–BE shipments often delayed 2–5 days due to declarations.
3. B2B VAT reporting handled via monthly VIES filing for Belgian businesses.
4. Incorrect documentation still leads to parcel holds at Liège or Bierset hubs.
5. Medical and high-value goods are more strictly controlled.

What operational issues affect cross-border last-mile performance?

Language, returns, and poor tracking across carriers reduce delivery success rates.

Unlike domestic services, cross-border deliveries often suffer from split logistics chains. A parcel may begin with DHL Germany, switch to bpost for last-mile, and involve different systems and scan events. This creates confusion in tracking and more failed deliveries. Returns are costly, especially if return labels aren’t standardised across countries. Language and customer service friction — especially Dutch/French/German mix — also hinders business experience.

1. Different carriers (e.g. DHL → bpost) reduce delivery transparency.
2. Multilingual customer service gaps increase delivery failure handling time.
3. Returns from Belgium to NL/DE/FR often cost 30–60% more than delivery.
4. Tracking numbers often don’t carry over across systems cleanly.
5. Manual customs forms still required in many cases for high-value B2B items.

How do Liege Airport and Port of Antwerp support cross-border trade?

These two hubs are the backbone of Belgium’s cross-border parcel and freight flows.

Liège Airport is one of Europe’s fastest-growing e-commerce hubs, handling massive Amazon, Alibaba, and third-party B2B volumes. Its proximity to Germany and the Netherlands enables tight SLA compliance for next-day deliveries. Meanwhile, the Port of Antwerp manages containerised logistics from France, UK, and global markets — with multimodal rail, barge, and road links for onward distribution. These nodes reduce last-mile friction by positioning stock closer to the buyer.

1. Liège Airport processes 250k+ e-commerce parcels per day (mostly EU and China origin).
2. Port of Antwerp handles 25% of Belgium’s import-export e-commerce volumes.
3. Both are investing in green corridors and intermodal routing.
4. EV fleets and AI routing software speed urban last-mile after arrival.
5. Belgium’s customs at these hubs are increasingly digitised, but slowdowns still occur during peak periods.

How are Belgian consumer expectations shifting with cross-border delivery?

Business buyers want faster, more traceable, and greener fulfilment — even cross-border.

Even for B2B deliveries, expectations now mimic consumer standards: next-day shipping, proactive tracking, and green delivery options. Many platforms now highlight CO₂ impact per shipment or offer emission-free delivery at checkout. Fulfilling these demands across borders is complex, especially when Belgium’s strict last-mile delivery regulations apply. AI is starting to bridge this gap through dynamic mode-shifting (e.g. van to cargo bike). Local companies are also offering eco delivery as a selling point.

1. Green delivery is now required by law at checkout (since Sept 2024).
2. Missed delivery = lost sale for many Belgian SMEs — on-time rates critical.
3. Urban areas require special handling due to LEZs, parking, or delivery curfews.
4. Parcel lockers and smart routing reduce last-mile costs.
5. Local carriers outperform global ones on delivery satisfaction in Belgium.

What solutions are emerging to solve these cross-border challenges?

AI routing, standardised tracking, and integrated EU policies are reducing delivery friction.

Platforms are introducing harmonised tracking systems that unify carrier handoffs. The EU’s Digital Services Act supports this trend, alongside funding for green corridors and customs digitisation. Locally, Belgian firms like Record Express are optimising operations using AI-driven smart routing. Combined with city-level delivery hubs and EV vehicles, these tech improvements make it easier to deliver faster and cleaner across borders.

1. Unified tracking via API-based systems now adopted by bpost, PostNL, and others.
2. European Commission investing €220M in e-customs and green logistics R&D.
3. Multi-modal routing and microhubs reduce delivery time in dense zones.
4. Return optimisation platforms (like ZigZag) help businesses cut costs.
5. New legislation incentivises shared lockers and sustainable logistics chains.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Are customs fees charged on all cross-border B2B deliveries?
  A: Not within the EU, but yes from the UK or non-EU countries. You may also need to handle VAT locally.
• Q: Can I use the same carrier for both outbound and return logistics?
  A: Sometimes. For cross-border B2B, you may need separate partners for local vs return transport.
• Q: How long does delivery from France or Germany take?
  A: Typically 24–48 hours if using priority services and compliant documentation.
• Q: How is green delivery handled cross-border?
  A: Orders are often routed to local depots, then transferred to EV vans or bikes for the final leg in Belgium.

Sources

• 🇧🇪 Belgian Government & Customs: economie.fgov.be, mobilit.belgium.be, customs.fgov.be
• 🇪🇺 EU Institutions: ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs, europa.eu/digital-single-market
• 📊 Industry & Carrier Reports: bpostgroup.com, dhl.com, postnl.nl, eurocommerce.eu