Car Shipping & Freight to Belgium
Antwerp is Europe's number-one RoRo vehicle hub — which means more sailings, lower rates, and faster handling than almost any port on the continent. Classics clear at 0% duty and just 6% VAT.
Belgium at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,150+
- Ocean transit
- 10–14 days (East Coast)
- Arrival ports
- Antwerp · Zeebrugge
- Import duty + VAT
- 10% + 21% VAT (cars)
- Classic cars 30+ yrs
- 0% duty + 6% VAT
No obligation · Response within 1 business hour
Shipping to Belgium: What You Need to Know
Antwerp moves more roll-on/roll-off vehicle traffic than any port in Europe, with Zeebrugge adding further deep-sea car capacity along the coast. For shippers, that density translates directly into money: more weekly sailings to choose from, the continent's most competitive RoRo rates, and terminals built to discharge and clear cars in volume. Antwerp also sits within a day's trucking of France, Germany, and the Netherlands, making it a favorite entry point for onward EU delivery.
Belgium is also one of the EU's friendliest classic-car jurisdictions: vehicles over 30 years import at 0% duty with just 6% VAT — the lowest classic rate in Western Europe — and cars 25 years and older qualify for the O-plate oldtimer registration with simplified inspection and low annual tax. Combined with cheap RoRo space, that makes Antwerp the price-performance leader for American classics entering the EU.
Key takeaway
Antwerp's RoRo density makes Belgium the cheapest reliable EU entry for running vehicles — from $1,150. Classics 30+ years pay 0% duty and 6% VAT, and 25+ year cars qualify for low-cost O-plate oldtimer registration.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Belgium
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | Antwerp | 10–14 days | Weekly |
| Baltimore, MD | Antwerp | 11–15 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Antwerp | 12–16 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Zeebrugge | 16–21 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
What It Costs to Ship to Belgium
Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | $1,150 – $1,850 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $2,300 – $3,300 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $3,100 – $4,500 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | $1,300 – $2,200 | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Try the cost calculator →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentBelgium Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars | 10% | 21% | On CIF value + duty |
| Classic cars (30+ yrs, original) | 0% | 6% | Lowest classic VAT in Western EU |
| Motorcycles (>250cc) | 6% | 21% | Smaller engines 8% |
| Boats & yachts | 1.7% | 21% | Type & length dependent |
| Heavy machinery | 0–4.5% | 21% | Category dependent |
Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.
Documents You'll Need
- Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Copy of passport or government ID
- U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
- Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
- Packing list for personal items, if any
Buying a 25+ year American classic?
Belgium's O-plate oldtimer regime covers vehicles 25 years and older: simplified roadworthiness inspection, a low flat annual road tax, and affordable insurance. At 30 years the import itself drops to 0% duty and 6% VAT. We structure the import for whichever status your car qualifies for.
What We Ship to Belgium
Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.
Cars, SUVs & Classics
Container or RoRo service into Belgium's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.
- Sedans, SUVs & pickups
- Classic & collector cars
- Motorcycles & ATVs
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for Belgium.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
Boats & Yachts
Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to Belgium.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Belgium
| Feature | Container | RoRo |
|---|---|---|
| Personal items allowed inside | ||
| Non-running vehicles accepted | ||
| Lowest cost for running cars | ||
| Weather-protected transit | ||
| Multiple vehicles per booking |
Popular U.S. → Belgium Routes
New York / New Jersey → Antwerp
10–14 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Baltimore, MD → Antwerp
11–15 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Antwerp
12–16 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Houston, TX → Zeebrugge
16–21 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Belgium Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
10–14 days (East Coast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Antwerp · Zeebrugge.
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.
Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.
Read the auction shipping guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to Belgium. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Typical transit time for car shipping to Belgium ranges from 3–8 weeks door-to-door. This includes inland transport to the U.S. port (3–7 days), vessel departure scheduling and loading (3–10 days), ocean transit (2–6 weeks depending on sailing route and port congestion), customs clearance at destination (2–7 days), and final inland delivery in Belgium (2–5 days). Exact timing depends on the port pair, sailing frequency, and whether you choose container, consolidated, or RoRo-style service where available. We provide route-specific timing when you request a quote so you know what to expect before shipping.
To export a vehicle to Belgium, you typically need the original title or proof of ownership, a bill of sale, a copy of your passport or government ID, a completed export declaration, and a detailed commercial invoice or packing list. Depending on regulations in Belgium, you may also need import approval, emissions or age-compliance documentation, and tax ID information for the receiver. Our documentation team reviews your situation in advance and confirms the exact paperwork required so your shipment clears both U.S. export control and customs in Belgium without unnecessary delays.
In many cases, you can place a reasonable amount of boxed personal items inside a containerized vehicle bound for Belgium, as long as everything is properly declared on the paperwork and allowed by local customs. However, loose household goods, undeclared high-value items, hazardous materials, and restricted products can create customs issues or fines. For RoRo or certain port rules, vehicles must be nearly empty. We advise you exactly what can and cannot travel in the vehicle for your route to Belgium and can recommend separate consolidation services if you have a larger household shipment.
Import duties, taxes, and port charges in Belgium depend on the type of vehicle or equipment, its age, engine size, customs value, and the receiver's status (individual, returning resident, or company). Some countries offer reduced duties for returning citizens or temporary imports; others apply luxury or environmental surcharges. We help you estimate landed costs by reviewing current rules for Belgium, preparing accurate customs documentation, and coordinating with our local clearing agents so you understand all government and port fees before your cargo ships.
Yes. For shipments to Belgium, we can usually provide complete door-to-door service that includes pickup anywhere in the U.S., export preparation and loading, ocean freight to the closest practical port, customs clearance, and inland delivery to your city or project site. In some regions of Belgium we may recommend door-to-port service with trusted local partners handling the final leg. During quoting we confirm exactly which delivery options are available for your specific address so you can choose the level of service that fits your budget and timeline.
Marine cargo insurance is strongly recommended for shipments to Belgium because standard carrier liability does not cover the full value of your vehicle or machinery. We arrange all-risk coverage that protects against total loss, damage, theft, and general average from the time the unit is picked up until it is delivered at destination. Insurance is normally calculated as a small percentage of the declared value and can be included directly in your shipping quote for Belgium, so you have one clear, all-inclusive cost.
Ready to Ship to Belgium?
Get a customized quote for your shipment to Belgium with detailed pricing and transit options.