If you have ever had a doubt about which VAT rate to use on your product or maybe what customs code is the correct one – in this article we will provide you with the official search tools for Benelux countries – Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. They are a trustful and easy way to find all the information you need in no time.
What is a customs code and why do I need it?
The Customs Code is a numerical value that serves as a distinctive identifier for a specific product category in international trade. Its purpose is to streamline the customs transit process of goods that are categorized using a globally standardized nomenclature system.
In the European Union, the customs code that is used for classifying goods is the CN Code = Combined Nomenclature. The Combined Nomenclature (CN) serves the purpose of categorizing goods and is designed to fulfill the demands of both the Common Customs Tariff and the EU’s external trade statistics. Moreover, the CN is also utilized for the purpose of intra-EU trade statistics.
The full list of the CN codes can be found in the Official Journal of the European Union L.282/5, published on 31.10.2022.
There has been new one published:
the Official Journal of the European Union COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2024/2522 of 23 September 2024 amending Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87, published on 31.10.2024.
However, the list is so extensive, that it might take you some time to find the right code for your specific product. Luckily in the tools that we are linking below, there is an easy way to just type the type of your product and quickly find the right CN code.
How can I check the VAT rate in Benelux ?
With the help of the customs code, it will be really easy for you to check the VAT Rate of a specific product in a specific country. In this section we will focus on VAT Rates in Benelux Countries : VAT in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg and give you links to tools that can help you quickly find the VAT rate of your specific product.
For VAT rates in other countries – feel free to check out our article with a summary of VAT rules in Belgium.
VAT Rate in Benelux : Belgium
Belgium currently has three VAT rates:
Belgium also has a special 0% VAT rate that applies to, among other things: certain transactions involving goods placed in a customs warehouse, cross-border passenger transportation (by sea or land), certain electronic publications.
If you would like to check the VAT of your specific product, by using it’s CN Customs Code, you can use this free tool provided by Belgian administration: TARBEL.
You simply need to click on Tarrif Consultation-> Tarrif Browser -> Type your nomenclature code and you will find all different customs and VAT rate applied in Belgium for that specific product.
Do you need a tax agent or a fiscal representative in Belgium ? We can help you to pay & recover VAT, Belgium VAT return, Annual Return and other necessary declarations in Belgium !
VAT Rate in Benelux : the Netherlands
The Netherlands currently has two VAT Rates:
The special VAT rate of 0% in the Netherlands applies to certain types of passenger transportation. It also applies to the partial activities of writers and composers.
If you would like to check the VAT of your specific product, by using it’s CN Customs Code, you can use this free tool provided by the Dutch administration: Douane Belastingdienst Tarriff
VAT Rate in Benelux : Luxembourg
In 2023, the VAT rates in Luxembourg have been lowered temporarily by the government.
The current VAT rates in Luxembourg are:
If you would like to check the VAT of your specific product, by using it’s CN Customs Code, you can use this free tool provided by the Luxembourg administration: ArcticTARIFF
VAT rates in Luxembourg in 2025
17% – standard rate
14% – intermediate rate (certain types of wine, fuel, energy, advertising brochures, management and custody of credit guarantees)
8% – first reduced rate (certain types of energy (gas and electricity), plants, bicycle, shoe and leather goods repair services, cleaning and hairdressing services)
3% – second reduced rate (food products, books, magazines and newspapers, pharmaceuticals, children’s clothing and footwear, restaurant services, passenger transport services, cultural events)
You are not sure how to check the VAT rate in Benelux countries?
Schedule a free consultation with our expert in VAT in Benelux countries
How to check VAT rates and customs code in Benelux: Conclusion
In conclusion, if you have a doubt about a VAT rate of your product in Benelux countries, you can use the below tools to find the right rate. The tools can also help you with finding the CN customs codes of your product as well as calculating, for example, the VAT on imports in Belgium.
Belgium | TARBEL
The Netherlands | Douane Belastingdienst Tarriff
Get in touch with our Eurofiscalis Benelux Team
Is there anything that is not clear to you about the VAT in Benelux ? Do not hesitate to get in touch with our Eurofiscalis Benelux Team. Our VAT specialists will be more than happy to help you !
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VAT rate changes in Benelux 2025 and 2026
In Belgium
From 1 January 2025:
In Netherlands
From 1 January 2025:
From 1 January 2026:
In Luxembourg
From 1 January 2025:
Source: VAT in Luxembourg
Countries concerned
