Attention: Belgian Parcel Law Also Applies to (Foreign) Transport Companies
Last year, a new law concerning the transport of parcels and packages came into effect in Belgium. Since such shipments are common in groupage and distribution, this law applies to most transport companies. We strongly advise both our Belgian and foreign transport partners to ensure they comply with the provisions of this law.
The Belgian ‘Parcel Law’, officially known as the Law of 17 December 2023, is intended to improve the working conditions of parcel delivery personnel. It applies to the “last-mile” distribution of postal parcels and similar items weighing up to 31.5 kg. The law does not only cover parcel couriers but also road transport operators and their drivers.
What does this mean for you as a transport partner?
Any company delivering or picking up such parcels in Belgium is required to comply with this law. This applies not only to Belgian carriers, but also to foreign ones. A company falls under the scope of this law if it delivers parcels up to 31.5 kg:
• from Belgium to a Belgian address;
• from Belgium to a foreign address;
• from abroad to a Belgian address.
Important: Even if your groupage shipment contains just a few such parcels, the law still applies to you!
We therefore recommend taking the necessary steps to comply, especially since a ‘presumption of employer liability’ has been in effect since 7 January 2024.
What do you need to do?
You must inform the Belgian authorities about your activities via the online platform BELparcel. This website – belparcel.be – is available in Dutch, French, German, and English.
On this platform, you are required to:
• Register (and pay a one-time fee)
• Report your activities every six months
• Keep time records for your parcel couriers and drivers
The BELparcel website also provides information about current obligations, as well as additional requirements that will come into force in 2025 and 2026.
Note: Some aspects of the law and its application remain unclear. These could impact your operational costs and delivery times.
How can you avoid this administrative burden?
To avoid falling under the scope of this complex law, we recommend asking your customers to consolidate shipments under 31.5 kg into larger orders that exceed this weight limit—either in quantity or over time.
Hoping for an Annulment by the Court of Appeal
The complexity of this law and its administrative burden are a serious concern for transport companies. That is why the Belgian transport federations filed a case with the Constitutional Court last year, seeking the annulment of the Parcel Law.
According to these federations, around 85% of their members – i.e., the transport companies – must comply with the obligations of the Parcel Law, even though it was originally intended to regulate the activities of dedicated parcel delivery firms. “The administrative burden is enormous, making the law practically unworkable,” they state. The Constitutional Court has yet to issue its ruling. We will keep you informed once a decision is made.
Hot off the press!
BEparcel has just announced that the obligation for parcel delivery companies and transporters to register the distribution times of their delivery personnel will be temporarily suspended from 1 April through 31 October 2025. The obligation remains in force until 31 March 2025 via the BELparcel platform, but violations will not be penalised. A definitive registration system was initially planned to be introduced on 1 April, but this has now been postponed until at least November 2025. Please note: all other obligations remain in effect.
