General Information

With a central position in Europe and well-developed infrastructure (the Port of Antwerp is the 2nd largest in Europe), Belgium, although a country that is small in size, is an important country for French businesses, which export to and invest in the country’s three regions on a significant scale.

The proximity of Belgium to France makes this a good country for testing your offers, particularly for first-time exporters. Nevertheless, it is important not to approach the Belgian market as if it were simply an extension of the French market. Belgium is a demanding market with different commercial behaviours than those practised in France. Selling in Belgium still means you are exporting to a foreign market and it is necessary to adapt your strategy, products, and labelling, etc. This particularly applies to Flanders, where the market potential is often greater than the other regions and where your business approach must be differentiated from that adopted for Wallonia.

In 2023, France was Belgium’s 3rd-largest supplier.

The area around Brussels, considered as “neutral ground” by both the Flemish and Walloons, offers the easiest option for setting up a branch. There, for example, accounting can be carried out in French, which would not be possible in Flanders.

Furthermore, it must be noted that Belgium has implemented certain favourable tax incentives for businesses such as deductions linked to R&D activities and on income linked to patents.

Means of Payment & Banking Specificities
 

The down payment on order, which has developed with the crisis, is possible.

SWIFT and SEPA transfers are the most common payment methods. With the SEPA SDD payments can also be made via direct debit.

Cheques are hardly used at all and the fees imposed on them are often deterrents. The promissory note is not used. However, it is possible to use the endorsed bill of exchange in international transactions.
 

It is also possible to secure transactions by using a L/C, bank guarantees or credit insurance.