Freight shipping from Thaïland to Belgium-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 may differ drastically depending 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

A Reefer container is used to transport goods that must be kept at a particular temperature to maintain 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 marine freight between Belgium and Thailand cost?

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. Transport from Thailand to Belgium will normally cost between $6,343 and $7,716, and between $7,716 and $13,107 for a 40-foot container.
Your eligibility for a discounted cost will also increase if you combine your things into a Less Than Container Load (LCL) cargo, which is less expensive than a full container.

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 a complete container or a groupage between Belgium and Thailand?

You can pick between LCL (Less than Container Load) and FCL (Full Container Load) for shipping between Thailand and Belgium depending on the quantity and kind of goods you wish to export.

• Less than Container Load (LCL)

Less than Container Load (LCL) is a shipping method called less than container load (LCL) combines smaller items into one container for transit.

• Full Container load (FCL)

A Full Container Load (FCL) Each item is transported in a separate container in a full container load (FCL) shipment. FCL is the most expensive option, while it has the advantage of a straight route and requires less handling of the cargo.

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

The size, weight, location, season, number of flights, and other factors all affect how much it will cost to carry anything from Thailand to Belgium via air freight.
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. Express air freight does, however, frequently cost more than conventional 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 customs value of a product is the amount used by the customs authorities to calculate the proper duties and taxes to apply to imported goods. 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?

Levies known as customs duties and taxes are imposed by customs administrations on imported commodities in order to protect domestic industries, regulate the import of certain goods, and create money 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.

Tariff classification

Tariff classification based on commodity flow 

Import duties: In accordance with the customs tariff code, import duties are levies assessed by the importing nation's customs authority on imported products.

Export tariff: An export tariff is a charge imposed by the exporting nation's customs on exported goods when the nation's products are shipped out of the country; the exporter is responsible for paying the tax.

Transit Fee: A transit fee is often referred to as a pass-through fee. It speaks about the duties a nation imposes on imported commodities that pass through its customs domain.

Today, the majority of nations in the globe have policies that encourage exports while restricting imports, resulting in lower export tariffs, higher import duties, and a lack of transit tariffs in the majority of cases. Nowadays, the majority of nations merely impose a few permits, stamps, registration fees, and statistics fees on the entry of foreign goods into their borders.

Tariff classification based on tariff purpose

Fiscal Tariffs: Fiscal tariffs, often referred to as revenue tariffs, are levied with the main objective of boosting a nation's revenue.

The importance of fiscal tariffs in tax collection has reportedly reduced as the economy has grown and other taxation sources have increased, and the share of tariff revenue in total tax revenue has generally tended to diminish.

Protective Tariff: A protective tariff is one that is imposed primarily to safeguard the economic and agricultural advancement of the nation. Protection tariffs are more expensive than fiscal tariffs and rise in relation to how processed the product is. Typically, they are capped at the importer's taxable price for a good over the domestic price for a comparable good. However, if the protective tariff goes too much above this threshold, it will instead have an impact on the covered enterprise's ability to compete.

A government may apply a punitive or retaliatory tariff on goods imported from another nation if that nation engages in unfair trade practices or violates international accords.

Tariff classification based on tariff treatment 

Ordinary tariffs: Ordinary tariffs, also known as general tariffs, are non-preferential tariffs on goods originating from countries with which the country has no friendly agreements, such as trade or economic reciprocity. Such tariff rates are generally set by the importing country autonomously and are used over a long period of time at higher rates as long as conditions at home and abroad do not change.

Preferential tariffs: Preferential tariffs are special treatment granted to imports from a certain country at a rate lower than the standard tariff rate. When conducting business, you should check this one; perhaps some of the products can benefit from this type of tariff.

What are Preferential tariffs?

In order to develop friendly trade exchanges and strengthen economic cooperation between the signatory countries, it is typically applied between nations that have signed international agreements or treaties, such as friendship agreements and trade agreements. Please get in touch with us if you want to conduct business and import goods from Thailand; we'll help you with that: online form

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?

The HS code (Harmonized System) is a classification scheme for goods used in international trade. It streamlines the gathering of statistical data and the customs clearance procedure by classifying commodities according to their nature and intended use. There are more than 5,000 unique products in the HS system.

Each of which is assigned a unique eight-digit number to classify it.

 

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

The Harmonized System (HS) code is used to categorize products in international trade and to calculate customs fees. To compute customs duties using an HS code, you must be aware of the duty rates that are applicable to that code.

 

Does DocShipper charge customs duties?

Docshipper provides a complete solution, including customs clearing services for all types of freight, from supplier procurement to delivery of your things to your door.

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.
• In order to determine whether products are eligible for a preferential rate of tariff under international trade agreements, they must have a certificate of Origin, which attests to the geographic origins of the commodity.
  
• Sanitary and phytosanitary certificates: These records confirm that imported goods adhere to the sanitary and phytosanitary regulations in effect in the country of importation.

What products are prohibited in international freight between Thailand and Belgium?

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.