UK Shopping Guide for Belgium: What to Buy and How to Ship
UK Shopping Guide for Belgium: What to Buy and How to Ship
TL;DR: Send2Hub gives Belgian shoppers a free UK address to buy from British retailers that don't ship to Belgium. Since Brexit, standard EU customs rules apply, including 21% Belgian VAT and the new €3 flat duty per product category from 1 July 2026. Free consolidation typically cuts shipping costs by 40 to 60 percent.
Belgium's central location and strong trade links with Britain mean demand for UK brands has always been high, especially across Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges. The challenge is simple: many British retailers either don't ship to Belgium at all, or charge international rates that make small orders impractical. This guide explains how to forward parcels from the UK to Belgium, and what's actually worth ordering. For a full breakdown of Belgian VAT and customs rules, see our Belgium shipping page.
Why Belgian Shoppers Buy from British Retailers
A free Send2Hub forwarding address at our automated warehouse in Stoke-on-Trent solves the access problem entirely. You shop British high street retailers exactly as if you lived there, and we forward everything to your Belgian address with full customs support. Incoming parcels are photographed, weighed and measured automatically the same day they arrive.
Sterling pricing on heritage brands is often more competitive than what reaches Belgian shelves through distributors, and full ranges are typically only available buying directly from the source site.
UK Retailers That Don't Ship to Belgium
Several major British brands offer no Belgian delivery at all, making a forwarding address essential. Boots doesn't offer EU shipping, and Boots No7 is one of the most forwarded beauty lines as a result. Primark, Dunelm and Marks and Spencer Food are UK-only delivery too. Without a forwarding address, none of these retailers are reachable from Belgium.
What's Worth Buying from Britain
Heritage and Outdoor Clothing
Barbour, Hunter, Clarks and Hackett London remain top choices. John Lewis, Barbour.com and Clarks.co.uk all deliver reliably to your forwarding address.
Fashion
Next, Reiss, Ted Baker and Marks and Spencer are consistently popular, particularly M&S formalwear and knitwear. ASOS offers wide ranges and trend-led fashion.
Skincare and Beauty
Boots No7 is one of the most requested items, since Boots doesn't ship to Belgium and forwarding is the only route. The Body Shop, Liz Earle, Elemis and Charlotte Tilbury are also popular. Perfumes and aerosol cosmetics can't be forwarded, non-aerosol skincare is fine. Check the prohibited items page before ordering beauty products.
Homeware
Emma Bridgewater, Portmeirion and The White Company offer distinctive British homeware rarely stocked locally.
Second-hand and Vintage
eBay and Vinted in Britain hold huge inventories that ship domestically only. A forwarding address opens the entire British second-hand market to Belgian buyers.
Sale Events Worth Planning Around
Boxing Day on 26 December is the strongest sale period, with fashion, beauty and homeware all seeing significant reductions. Boots Advantage Card events typically offer 20 to 25 percent off beauty including No7. Black Friday discounts are often deeper than regional Belgian sales. Holding everything in free storage and consolidating into one shipment reduces both shipping cost and customs charges.
How to Forward Parcels from the UK to Belgium
Register free at send2hub.com/login, your personalised UK address with unique unit number is ready instantly, no monthly fee on the Individual and Business plans.
Use your Send2Hub address at checkout with any retailer based in Britain. Every parcel is photographed, weighed and measured automatically on arrival.
Combining multiple orders into one shipment typically cuts shipping costs by 40 to 60 percent. If you'd like the original packaging removed too, that's available as an optional paid add-on. Free storage: 30 days Individual, 45 days Business, 60 days Premium. Learn more on our parcel consolidation page.
If your Belgian card is rejected at checkout, our Shop & Ship service purchases items on your behalf.
Belgian Customs Rules for UK Parcels
Belgium applies standard EU customs rules to goods arriving from Britain: 21% VAT on most goods, and a €3 flat duty per product category on parcels valued at €150 or below, effective 1 July 2026. This applies per HS code line, three categories means €9 total. Above €150, standard EU tariff rates apply. Consolidating your orders means the €3 duty applies once instead of across multiple parcels. Full details are on our Belgium shipping page.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Leaving out your unit number, this is how parcels are matched to your account.
Underdeclaring value, this is a legal offence and risks real problems at Belgian customs.
Ordering perfume or aerosols without checking first, these can't be forwarded.
Assuming pre-Brexit rules still apply, all shipments now follow standard EU customs procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Belgium charge VAT on UK imports?
Yes, 21% VAT applies to most goods.
What's the new €3 duty?
From 1 July 2026, the EU applies a €3 flat duty per product category on parcels valued at €150 or below.
Can I shop UK retailers that don't ship to Belgium?
Yes, your free Send2Hub address gives access to any retailer delivering domestically within Britain.
How much is shipping from the UK to Belgium?
Cost depends on weight, dimensions and chosen carrier. Use the shipping calculator for a live quote, consolidating multiple orders typically brings the per-item cost down significantly.
How much can I save by consolidating?
Most customers save 40 to 60 percent by combining multiple orders into one shipment.
Can I forward perfume or cosmetics?
Perfume and aerosol cosmetics can't be forwarded. Non-aerosol skincare is fine.