Belgium launches digital customs platform

   Belgium launched its BE-GATE customs platform Thursday to simplify the import and export of goods.
   The portal was specially designed for e-commerce and was developed as an initiative of the Belgium Customs and Excise Department, which said the new platform already is supported by four e-commerce hubs: the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge and the airports of Brussels and Liege.
   “The free-of-charge customs portal BE-GATE is designed for processing large amounts of data and guarantees rapid clearance of customs applications. A high number of arrival notifications can be transmitted simultaneously via an official customs-approved form,” said an announcement from the Port of Antwerp.
   For shipments of less than or equal to 22 euros, the form also serves as declaration of release for consumption, the announcement said.
   “Retailers also automatically receive information on those shipments that have been selected for customs control. All other shipments are released immediately,” the announcement said. “In addition, the software solution provides a recommendation for the concrete determination of the customs value on the basis of defined criteria, if the customs value cannot be determined by an alternative method.”
   The port said, “BE-GATE can be used within the framework of customs regulations for free circulation, customs warehousing and outright export. The prerequisites are that the economic operator has a registered office in Belgium and a status as a customs agent. In addition, an intermediate warehouse or a location approved as a customs warehouse, the authorization for the use of the simplified declaration and a comprehensive guarantee are required.
   “Excise goods, goods subject to licenses and goods subject to special restrictions and control measures are excluded from the use of BE-GATE,” it said.
   For export, BE-GATE can be used for shipments with a value of up to 1,000 euros and a weight of less than 1,000 kilograms.