Freight shipping from Belgium to Thailand -Tariffs – Transit times – Duties and taxes

WHAT IS THE MOST SUITABLE METHOD OF TRANSPORT?

The means of transportation for merchandise between Thailand and Belgium may change depending on the kind of merchandise to be transported, the urgency of the trip, and the sender's budget.

Between Thailand and Belgium, there are generally three main types of transportation: sea freight, air freight, and land freight.

Advantages of sea freight and air freight from Thailand to Belgium

Advantages of sea freight

• Suitable for large or heavy items due to its high carrying capacity
• transportation costs are low compared to other means of transportation
• Transport of refrigerated containers for sensitive merchandise.
• A vast network of ports serving the final destinations

 

Advantages of air freight

• quicker deliveries
• improved security for fragile or precious items
• Possibility of shipping items that are urgent or in tiny
•  quantities

 

 

Advantages of road freight

• less harmful to the environment when driving a low-emission vehicle.
• Improved control over the transport process can lower the risk of damage or loss by allowing for more direct supervision of the transported products.

Transit time between Thailand ports and Belgium ports

It takes about 4 to 6 weeks to go by water from Thailand to Belgium. Depending on the distance between ports, potential layovers, and embarkation and disembarkation timings, this may change. It is crucial to remember that these transit times might vary greatly based on the flow of traffic and potential obstructions. So, it is advised that you speak with the shipping companies to obtain the most recent transit times for your particular cargo.

Types of containers used in freight between Thailand and Belgium

The most popular containers used for shipping between Thailand and Belgium are 20' and 40' containers.

• Dry containers: the most popular and are made to transport many types of cargo.
• Refrigerator containers: used to store temperature-sensitive items.
• Open-top containers: used when the cargo is too high to fit within a conventional container
• flat top containers: used When the cargo is too huge to fit into a standard container
• High cube containers: These containers may hold more cargo because they are taller than regular containers. They are used for large freight like furniture and machines and have a 20- or 40-foot capacity.

Special transports by sea between Thailand and Belgium

Reefer container

Reefer container is one that is used to convey items that need to be kept at a specific temperature to preserve their quality and freshness. A cooling and air-conditioning system that controls the temperature within these containers is available.

Roro/OOG

Heavy industrial equipment, aircraft components, new and used automobiles, ships, forestry trucks, agricultural machinery, and other items are transported via RORO/OOG. When compared to containerized shipments, they save time and money.

Bulk

A bulk container is one that is used to transport bulk products like pellets, grains, minerals, chemicals, fertilizers, etc. Due to the need for them to house a substantial quantity of bulk items, these containers are often larger than ordinary containers. Moreover, they feature stronger walls to withstand corrosion and wear and tear brought on large bulk materials.

How much does the sea freight cost between Thailand and Belgium?

The price of sea freight varies from Thailand to Belgium based on the kind of container used, the products being transported, and the final destination. A 20-foot container will typically cost between $6,343 and $7,716, and a 40-foot container would cost between $7,716 and $13,107 to transport from Thailand to Belgium. Consolidating your items into a Less Than Container Load (LCL) shipment, which is less expensive than a full container, will also qualify you for a discounted rate.

Tariff surcharges

Freight between Thailand and Belgium may be subject to a number of tariff fees. Here are a few instances of typical tariff surcharges:

• Disembarkation Surcharge: This surcharge is imposed to help defray the expense of unloading containers at a certain port.
• Overcapacity surcharge: This surcharge is imposed when shipping lines must reserve more cargo space because demand for transportation exceeds availability.
• Costs associated with port and vessel security are covered by the security surcharge.
• Fuel Surcharge: This fee is included to account for the expenses brought on by the growing cost of fuel.
• Currency Surcharge: This fee is included to account for the risk of changing exchange rates.

Should I ship by groupage or full container between Thailand and Belgium?

Depending on the volume and kind of goods you want to export, you can choose between LCL (Less than Container Load) and FCL (Full Container Load) for shipping between Thailand and Belgium.

• Less than Container Load (LCL)

Less than Container Load (LCL) is a shipping method that combines smaller items into one container for transportation. Little shipments can be transported more affordably using LCL because clients do not have to pay for the entire container.

• Full Container load (FCL)

A Full Container Load (FCL) shipment is one in which each item is transported in a separate container. The most expensive alternative is FCL, although it benefits from a direct route and requires less handling of the cargo.

How much does it cost to transport cargo by air from Thailand to Belgium?

Air freight costs from Thailand to Belgium depend on a number of variables, including the size and weight of the items, the location of shipping and delivery, the time of year, the number of flights, etc. As a result, it is challenging to estimate a price without knowing more specifics about your shipping.

Prior to COVID-19, the cost of international air freight typically ranged from $2.50 to $5.00 per kilogram, depending on the type of item and available space. Nonetheless, express air freight often costs more than regular air freight.

Tariff surcharges

Freight between Thailand and Belgium may be subject to a number of tariff fees. Here are a few instances of typical surcharges:

• Disembarkation Surcharge: This surcharge is imposed to help defray the expense of unloading containers at a certain port.
• Overcapacity surcharge: This surcharge is imposed when shipping lines must reserve more cargo space because demand for transportation exceeds availability.
• Costs associated with port and vessel security are covered by the security surcharge.
• Fuel Surcharge: This fee is included to account for the expenses brought on by the growing cost of fuel.
• Currency Surcharge: This fee is included to account for the risk of changing exchange rates.

 

Door-to-door delivery between Thailand and Belgium

Given that it handles all parts of transportation, from picking up the items from the shipper to making the final delivery to the recipient, door-to-door delivery is advantageous for freight shipments.

Customs clearance in Belgium for goods imported from Thailand

For customs clearance, the importer or his representative must submit a customs declaration for the imported goods, pay the appropriate duties and taxes, and provide the necessary documentation, such as commercial invoices, inspection certificates, and sanitary and phytosanitary certificates, as part of the cargo clearance process between Thailand and Belgium. Before permitting the products to enter Belgium, the Belgian customs authorities may also check them for compliance with Belgian laws. It is crucial to keep in mind that these procedures could change based on the products being imported, thus it is advised to get in touch with our experts for thorough information on the particular regulatory needs for your products.

Customs valuation

The value of products calculated by the customs authorities to determine the appropriate tariffs and taxes on imported items is known as the customs value. The worth of the transaction between the buyer and seller is typically determined using one of the procedures outlined in international trade agreements (World Trade Organization Agreement) as the transaction method (transaction value). The normal value and the revaluation value are other approaches. It is crucial to remember that if customs officials feel the claimed value is inaccurate or insufficient, they may utilize alternative ways to calculate the amount for duty. To minimize fines and delays in the customs clearance process, it is crucial to verify that the claimed customs value is accurate.

What are the customs duties and taxes?

Customs administrations charge levies known as customs duties and taxes on imported items in order to safeguard domestic industries, control the import of particular goods, and generate revenue for the state. Rates of tax and duty depend on the product and the nation of origin. It is advised that you speak with the customs officials for complete details on the tariffs that apply to your items. For Thailand, the rates for customs charges and goods taxes range from 0% to 30% and 0% to 7%, respectively. Also, there are particular levies on particular goods.

How to calculate customs duties and taxes

It is frequently required to have certain information, such as the worth of the items, their weight, the rate of customs duty, and the appropriate tax rates, in order to compute customs charges and taxes on imported goods.

• The formula used to determine customs duties is the following:

Value of the merchandise x the duty rate = the customs duty.

• The formula used to determine taxes is:

the value of the merchandise x tax rate = Taxes 

How to find the HS code?

A system of classification for products used in international trade is the HS code (Harmonized System). It organizes goods into categories based on their nature and intended use, making the collection of statistical data and the customs clearance process easier. The HS system contains more than 5,000 different products, each of which is categorized using a distinct eight-digit number.

There are various ways to discover a product's HS code:

• Use an online search engine: You can use an internet search engine to look up a product's HS code by providing a keyword or description.
• Consult the nomenclatures for customs: The official lists of HS codes for each commodity are the customs nomenclatures. These listings, which are available for download or online viewing, are typically updated frequently.
• Consult the professionals for advice: You can get assistance from a customs expert or an expert in international trade to identify the correct HS code if you are unsure of how to classify goods.

It is crucial to remember that product classification might change based on the laws and trade agreements in force, thus it is crucial to constantly verify with customs authorities to make sure the HS code being used is accurate.

Calculating customs duties with the HS Code

In international trade, products are categorized using the Harmonized System (HS) code, which is also used to determine customs charges. You must be aware of the duty rates that apply to that code in order to calculate customs duties using an HS code. These rates are typically made public on the websites of the customs authorities or in each nation's customs nomenclature.

Does DocShipper charge customs duties?

From supplier sourcing to delivery of your items to your door, Docshipper offers a comprehensive solution, including customs clearing services for all kinds of freight. To make the customs clearance process easier, we have agents all around the world.

Customs procedures and contact

Customs procedures include the requirements for documentation, declaration, payment of taxes and duties, verification of compliance with rules and laws, and dispute resolution. These include the administrative steps to declare and submit items for examination by Customs officials. Customs contacts include importers, exporters, transportation and logistics agencies, customs brokers, company representatives, and customs lawyers. They are responsible for talking with and collaborating with customs officials on customs procedures. To guarantee that items are cleared through customs efficiently, it is crucial to have contacts in the department.

Required documents

Depending on the products, the nations of origin and destination, and the laws in force, different documents are needed for customs operations. Nonetheless, the following types of documents are frequently used for customs procedures:

• Commercial Invoice: This document lists the products together with their cost, weight, and country of origin. It is employed to determine the item's customs value and to compute customs duties and taxes.
• Bill of lading:  this document is issued by the carrier. It lists the commodities being transported, their value, weight, and origin. It is employed to determine the item's customs value and to compute customs duties and taxes.
• Import license: An import license is a document that the customs authorities provide to permit the importation of particular items. It is necessary for some commodities that must adhere to strict restrictions, such as luxury or risky goods.
• Certificate of Origin: This record confirms the geographic provenance of commodities and is used to ascertain if products qualify for a preferential rate of duty under international trade agreements.
• Sanitary and phytosanitary certificates: These records confirm that imported goods adhere to the sanitary and phytosanitary regulations in effect in the country of importation.

Other logistics services

The Thailand-Belgium freight industry is expanding and presents several prospects for businesses across all industries. Strong economic and trade ties between the two nations are supported by current trade agreements.

Our professionals can help you by ensuring the optimum time and quality/price ratio, despite the fact that the various freight modes that can be used to transport goods between Thailand and Belgium and the processes needed to begin them appear complicated and demanding. You can always request a free quotation for your freight procedure.