RRG Country: Belgium

Australia Belgium Canada Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hong Kong Hungary Ireland Italy Japan Netherlands New Zealand Norway Poland Portugal Singapore South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Türkiye United Kingdom USA website@icomia.org

  • Belgium – Taxation

    VAT 21% on all goods since 1 January 1996, including pleasure craft. First Registration tax payable on new boats above 7.5m LOA when putting them in use. At each re-sale this registration tax or B.I.V. is due again and decreases by 10% per annum (with a minimum tax of 62.50EUR). When selling a used boat from a dealer to an individual, VAT is applicable.

  • Belgium – Health & Safety/Exposure Levels

    Styrene Exposure Levels – 50 ppm inside continuously in force and 100 ppm temporarily (15 min.)

  • Belgium – Operating Limits

    Pleasure craft from less than 6m LOA not allowed to leave coastal harbours at wind velocities above 4 BFT (wind from the sea) and 5 BFT (wind from the land).

  • Belgium – Construction Standards and Certification

    All EU states and Norway apply Directive 1994/25/EC, as modified by 2033/44 directive. Boats outside of the directive’s scope (amateur built) need to be certified by a Belgian expert.

  • Belgium – Registration

    National regulations for all boats in force. Inland Waterways: Registration (Immatriculation Card) must be fixed on the craft. Coastal Waters: For the sea you need a “Vlaggenbrief” / “lettre de pavillon”

  • Belgium – Environment

    All EU states and Norway apply EU Directive 2003/44/EC from 1 January 2005 which imposes new limits for exhaust and sound emissions limits. This limits will be further reduced in the coming years.

  • Belgium – Product Liability

    All EU states apply Directive 1999/44/EC: Two-year warranty for the complete craft (incl. equipments and engine). One-year warranty for second-hand boats.

  • Belgium – Drivers Licences

    Inland Waterways: Any craft > 15m and faster than 20km/h requires a license. Coastal Waters: No license is required for the sea.

  • Belgium – Safety Equipment

    The list of the mandatory safety equipment is available on the website www.mobilit.fgov.be. From 1st January 2009, all motor boats with length > 7m navigating in Belgian inland waterways (either Belgian or visiting craft) have to be equipped with 2 VHF radios (fixed or portable).