Freight to Belgium

Why Belgium matters for Czech manufacturers

Much of what Czech companies import from Belgium does not come from one factory but from a dense port and chemical zone stretching between Antwerp, Ghent and Zeebrugge. If you buy raw materials for plastics, paints, adhesives or cleaning products, chances are some of them are loaded there.

Antwerp: chemicals and dangerous goods

The area around the port of Antwerp hosts one of Europe's largest chemical and petrochemical clusters. Plastic granulate, solvents, resins, additives and dyes leave from here for Czech plants – some as standard freight, some as dangerous goods under ADR.

For ADR loads we book carriers with equipped vehicles and certified drivers. Before collection we need from the shipper:

• the UN number, class and packing group of each substance, plus the safety data sheet;
• packaging type and count (drums, IBCs, bags on pallets) with net and gross weight;
• whether limited quantities apply or the load is fully regulated;
• site opening hours and gate rules such as driver registration or protective equipment.

Chemical sites run strict access procedures, so book pick-ups well ahead. Some tunnels and urban sections around Antwerp restrict certain dangerous-goods categories, which the carrier factors into the route. More on our ADR transport page.

Beyond Antwerp: Ghent, Zeebrugge and inland Belgium

• Ghent – steel coils and sheet, car production and its suppliers, fertilisers and agricultural commodities (see our Ghent page).
• Zeebrugge – a ro-ro port for cars and trailers with links to the UK and Scandinavia.
• West Flanders – frozen vegetables and fries, food products, floor coverings and carpets from the Kortrijk area.
• Brussels and Wallonia – pharmaceuticals and medical goods, glass, metalworking, and large logistics parks around Liège.
• Nationwide – chocolate, confectionery and beer, usually moved as pallet shipments with temperature control.

Route, toll and traffic

From Prague the main route runs along the D5 via Rozvadov/Waidhaus, Nuremberg, Frankfurt and Cologne, crossing into Belgium near Aachen and continuing via Liège to Antwerp or Brussels – roughly 900 km to Antwerp, a little more to Ghent. From northern Bohemia the D8 via Dresden and the Ruhr is common.

In Germany, trucks over 7.5 t are banned on Sundays and public holidays, with extra summer Saturday restrictions. Belgium has no general weekend ban, but vehicles over 3.5 t pay a distance-based toll in all three regions, and Antwerp, Ghent and Brussels operate low-emission zones. The ring roads around Antwerp and Brussels are congested at rush hour, so port pick-ups are best scheduled outside peak times. All charges are included in our price.

Transit times and paperwork

A full truck from Antwerp or Ghent usually reaches the Czech Republic within two working days of loading. Pallet groupage takes three to five working days; chilled food runs direct as a full or part load. ADR consignments travel just as fast, provided the documentation is complete on time.

Within the EU you need a CMR note, invoice or delivery note, ADR transport documents for dangerous goods and temperature records for food. Cargo from outside the EU arriving through Belgian ports must be customs-cleared. Eastbound, we ship Czech machinery, car parts, glass, paper and building materials to Belgium. Check your rate in the calculator.