COVID-19 – Export measure for medical personal protective equipment without export authorisation

In the context of the fight against coronavirus (COVID – 19), the European Union prohibits the export of medical personal protective equipment without an export license (see Commission  Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/402 (link is external) of 14 March 2020 submitting the export of certain products upon presentation of an export license). This ban is already in force. 

Please note, these are the commodity codes stated in the appendix, where the goods correspond to the description in the same appendix. Therefore, only in scope is the personal protective equipment to protect against potentially infectious material and to protect the environment against potentially infectious material distributed by the user .

The export of those goods is therefore still authorized with an export license issued by the competent authority of the Member State where the exporter is established. In Belgium, the FPS Economy is the competent authority. More information can be found on her website (link is external).

In view of the crisis situation caused by the coronavirus, the General Administration of Customs & Excise (AAD & A) will monitor this prohibition very strictly. The AAD & A considers any export of goods against the requirements of the said implementing regulation to be a serious offense.

The licensing obligation is regulated in Belgium by the  law of 11 September 1962 (link is external), concerning the import, export and transit of goods and the associated technology. This means, among other things, that the AAD & A can punish any violation of the regulations of the implementing regulation 2020/402 on the basis of  Article 231 of the General Law on Customs and Excise (link is external). Based on this article, a seizure can be established when a violation is established.

For applying for permits and for additional information, you can contact the FPS Economy via  [email protected]