Your rights as a consumer
Directive 1999/44/EC on the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees has been transposed in Belgium. As a result of this legislation, consumers have a right to a minimum guarantee of two years on products. Within the first six months any lack of conformity shall be presumed to have existed at the time of delivery, unless proved otherwise. After this period of six months the trader still can be held liable for any lack of conformity. However, it is then up to the consumer to prove that the lack of conformity existed at the time of delivery.
The consumer is entitled to have the goods brought back into conformity. The consumer is entitled to ask for the goods to be repaired or replaced free of charge. If this is not possible, the consumer can ask for a price reduction or for a reimbursement.
Voluntary guarantees given by a producer do not restrict the statutory rights of consumers.
Exchange
There is no legal obligation on the seller to offer an exchange for a good that is not faulty.
Pricing
The Belgian currency is the euro.
The price must be indicated legibly, visibly and clearly.
The consumer can insist on getting the item for the price indicated on the price tag.
VAT must be included in the price when sold to consumers.
The trader is not obliged to issue a receipt to the consumer.
Tax
On most goods and services a 21% value added tax – VAT (Belasting op Toegevoegde Waarde - BTW; Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée - TVA) is charged in Belgium.
Methods of payment
The most common methods of payment in Belgium are cash, debit card, and credit card.
When paying by credit card, consumers may have to show identity card.
Sales
There are two set sales periods -winter and summer.
Winter sales: January 3 - January 31.
Summer sales: July 1 - July 31.
Opening hours
Shops’ general opening hours are:
Monday – Saturday: 09:00 - 19:00
Sunday: closed
Banks’ general opening hours are:
Monday – Friday: 09:00 - 16:00 / 16:30
Saturday & Sunday: closed
Post Offices’ general opening hours are:
Monday – Saturday: 09:00 - 17:00
One evening per week: 09:00 - 19:00
In Brussels there is one post office open all week from 08:00 / 09:00 – 23:00
Deposit
There is a deposit on some glass bottles.
There is no deposit on cans or plastic bags.
Tourist information
Tourist information can be found via the following links to official websites for tourism and travel:
www.belgique-tourisme.net
www.toerismevlaanderen.be
