With the UK no longer part of the EU, shopping in London has new implications for Belgian travellers. As the spring break sees an influx of people crossing the Channel, Belgium’s customs service is reminding shoppers of the stricter regulations now in place.
Stricter Post-Brexit Rules
Travellers bringing goods worth more than €300 into Belgium must declare them. The threshold is slightly higher at €430 for those arriving by boat or plane. Customs officials are reinforcing awareness of these limits, particularly for Eurostar passengers arriving at Brussels Midi station.
“Shoppers will, of course, quickly reach that amount and must therefore declare their purchases upon their arrival in Brussels,” said customs administrator general Kristian Vanderwaeren at a press event at the Eurostar terminal.
Declaration Process and Compliance Challenges
Similar to airport customs procedures at Zaventem, passengers at Brussels Midi must choose between “nothing to declare” and “goods to declare” lanes. However, compliance remains low. On a recent Eurostar arrival, no passengers opted to declare goods.
“That is almost always the case,” Vanderwaeren noted. “We are organising this action to remind people that the regulations for shopping in London are not the same as for Paris. Four years after Brexit, a reminder is still necessary.”
Failure to declare goods can result in fines in addition to the standard taxes and duties, which are based on the total value, including VAT already paid in the UK.
Enforcement and Future Measures
Despite warnings, the risk of detection remains low. In 2023, Belgian customs checked nearly 9,000 passengers at Brussels Midi, recording just 135 violations, including undeclared goods, cash, and drugs. Detection dogs are used to assist with enforcement, particularly for undeclared money exceeding €10,000. While Thursday’s checks resulted in no major confiscations, some passengers had to surrender flowers and food purchased in the UK due to import restrictions.
All 400 Eurostar passengers cleared customs within 15 minutes, but officials are exploring the possibility of installing scanners at the station to improve enforcement capabilities.
Upcoming Travel Requirement: ETA for the UK
Customs officials also took the opportunity to highlight an upcoming travel requirement. From 2 April, travellers to the UK will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Applications for the ETA are already open, and Belgian travellers should ensure they comply with this new requirement before planning their trips.