Belgium Launches Online Customs Portal ‘BE-GATE’

Belgium has officially introduced its BE-GATE Customs portal across its four main ports: Antwerp, Brussels, Liege and Zeebrugge “to significantly simplify the import and export of goods,” according to the government.

The free platform, designed for processing large amounts of data, is expected to improve Customs clearance in the cross-border flow of goods, particularly e-commerce.

BE-GATE can be used for free circulation, Customs warehousing and export by an official Customs agent with a registered office in Belgium and an approved Customs warehouse. In March this year DHL became the first company to be BE-GATE certified.

Steven Polmans, director Cargo & Logistics for Brussels Airport commented: "With our ongoing expansion and new warehouses under construction, we are ready for the growing business of e- commerce. BE-GATE will help us to be an even more attractive entry point for e-commerce thanks to its facilitation and transparency."

Explaining the rationale behind BE-GATE, Werner Rens, head of the Marketing Department at Belgium Customs and Excise said: “As partners we invest in platforms and procedures to optimize this network. That way we can meet the e-commerce players’ expectations about integrated gateways.

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“Moreover, our sea and airports are centrally located in Europe. This optimal location and connectivity make Belgium a unique hotspot for omni channel logistics.”

Large last-mile e-commerce players including Cainiao Smart Logistics Network Limited or 4PX use Belgium as a gateway to Europe in addition to Decathlon, LEGO and Nespresso.

Luc Arnouts, director International Networks for the Port of Antwerp added: "Digitalisation is part of the DNA of Europe's second largest port. We expect BE-GATE to significantly simplify customs clearance and thus make Antwerp even more attractive as a location for e-commerce traffic."

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