Belgium is the world's 12th largest exporter, with more than 450 billion euros of goods exported every year. Antwerp, the second-largest port in the European Union, handles a significant share of intercontinental trade. For Belgian exporting companies, certified translation of customs and commercial documents is an unavoidable requirement.
The most common export documents
Export operations involve a precise documentary chain, often subject to customs checks in destination countries. The documents most frequently requested for translation in Belgium are:
- Certificates of origin : issued by Belgian Chambers of Commerce (BECI, VBO, Agoria), certifying that goods are of Belgian or European origin. Essential for benefiting from preferential tariff rates under free-trade agreements (CETA, EUSFTA, EU-Mercosur)
- Commercial invoices : the declared customs value must match the commercial invoice. Some countries require a translation into their national language (Arabic for Gulf countries, Chinese for China, etc.)
- Packing lists : required by customs authorities to identify and verify the contents of packages and containers
- Phytosanitary and health certificates : mandatory for exporting foodstuffs, plants, and products of animal origin. Issued by the FASFC and translated into the importing country's language
- EUR.1 and EUR-MED certificates : preferential proofs of origin for EU trade agreements
- Transport documents : bills of lading, CMR, AWB; translation required for certain non-EU destinations
Antwerp and international trade
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges (MoAB) is the second-largest port in the European Union by container volume, behind Rotterdam. It handles more than 15 million TEU each year and serves as the gateway to world trade for a large part of north-western Europe. Companies established in the port zone or using Antwerp as a logistics hub have constant needs for translation of customs and transport documents.
The most frequent destinations for Belgian exporters are France, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom (post-Brexit with new customs formalities), the United States, and China. For these markets, TranslateBE offers certified translations within the timeframes imposed by logistics operations.
We work with customs agents, freight forwarders, and the export departments of Belgian manufacturing companies to provide accurate, fast translations that comply with the requirements of local customs authorities.
TranslateBE
Export document translation in Belgium
Translators specialised in international trade and customs. Free quote in under one hour, express delivery available.
Pricing for export document translation
Export documents are generally short (1 to 5 pages) but require great precision and fast delivery. Our rates for commercial and customs documents:
- Certificate of origin: from €60 per document
- Commercial invoice or packing list: from €50
- Phytosanitary or health certificate: from €80
- Bill of lading: from €70
- Complete export file pack: quoted as a whole with volume discounts
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does a certificate of origin need to be certified for export?
This depends on the destination country and the requirements of the local customs authority. For many non-EU countries, particularly Arab countries, China, and certain African nations, a certified (and sometimes apostilled) translation is required. Certificates of origin issued by Belgian Chambers of Commerce have official standing, but their translation must be carried out by a sworn translator to be recognised by foreign customs authorities.
What translation is required for Belgian customs?
Belgian customs (the General Administration of Customs and Excise, GACE) operates mainly in Dutch for the Antwerp region and in French for Hainaut and the Walloon region. Accompanying documents for imported or exported goods should ideally be available in the language of the relevant customs region. For foreign importers, a French or Dutch translation of commercial documentation facilitates checks and reduces clearance times.
What is the turnaround for urgent export documents?
For documents urgently needed for an imminent shipment, TranslateBE offers an express service with delivery in 4 to 8 hours for simple documents (certificates, invoices, packing lists) and in 24 hours for more complete files. Contact us directly by phone or via our urgent enquiry form for immediate handling. Delivery is by secure email or via our online client portal.
Urgent export documents in Belgium?
Translation of certificates of origin, commercial invoices, and customs documents in 4 to 24 hours. Immediate free quote.