Relocating to Belgium from outside the EU: what EU customs rules say about your household goods

When your furniture crosses an EU external border, the question is not only how it travels, but on what terms it enters. EU law provides a relief from import duties for the personal property of people who move their normal residence into the EU. Here is what the regulation says, in plain English.

The legal basis

The rules are set out in Council Regulation (EC) No 1186/2009 setting up a Community system of reliefs from customs duty, in the chapter on personal property of natural persons transferring their normal place of residence from a third country. As a general rule, such personal property is admitted free of import duties, subject to the conditions below. Full text on EUR-Lex.

Four conditions to keep in mind

• Six months of ownership and use. The property must have been in your possession at your former residence for at least six months before you left the third country and, for non-consumable goods, used there during that time. It must be intended for the same use in your new home.
• Twelve months abroad. The relief applies to people whose normal residence was outside the EU customs territory for at least 12 continuous months.
• Twelve months to import. In principle, the property must be entered for free circulation within 12 months of establishing your normal residence in the EU. It may arrive in several consignments within that period.
• Twelve months without selling or lending. For 12 months after clearance, the goods may not be lent, given as security, hired out or transferred without prior notification to the competent authorities; doing so triggers import duties.

What is excluded

The regulation excludes alcoholic products, tobacco and tobacco products, commercial means of transport, and articles used in a trade or profession, with the exception of portable instruments of the applied or liberal arts.

Shipping before you arrive

Your belongings can also enter before you settle in. In that case, relief may be granted if you undertake to establish your normal residence in the EU within six months, and the undertaking must be backed by a security set by the competent authorities. The regulation also provides for cases where occupational commitments force you to leave the third country before settling in the EU.

The regulation sets the framework; the practical procedure is handled by the national customs authorities, which remain your reference for forms and supporting documents.

Plan the move around the dates

• Keep evidence of how long you have owned and used your belongings and of your residence abroad.
• Draw up a detailed inventory of what you are bringing: it is also the basis for estimating the volume of your move.
• Think about storage: if your goods arrive before your home is ready, they can wait in our secure storage warehouse in Zaventem.
• Register with your commune once you have moved in: see our article on registration deadlines in Brussels(for EU citizens).

National and international moves with EXP MOVING

EXP MOVING is a family-run removal company based in Zaventem since 1990, handling national and international transport, including loading and unloading, packing, dismantling and reassembly, and a furniture lift with operator. Transport insurance is included, with extra insurance available on request. Ask for your free quote.

Rules checked on 28 October 2026 in Regulation (EC) No 1186/2009 on EUR-Lex. This article is general information, not customs advice: the regulation and your national customs authorities remain the reference.