As of April 1, trucks in Belgium will have to pay kilometre tax. The question is: is everyone prepared for it? According to Gunther Mutton of Bingo Trans this is doubtful. "The Belgian transporters know about it and know what they have to do, but I think it is especially unclear for foreign drivers. The government's communication around the kilometre tax isn't very extensive yet, so there are certainly ambiguities."
Preparations
Gunther indicates that Bingo Trans is almost ready. "We have made preparations and the registration has been done. We are still waiting for the OBU's, the On Board Units. There are two types, a 'loose' one and one that can be built in. We still have to consider the advantages and disadvantages of both and decide."
Increase in cost
He indicates that the costs per kilometre will increase by an average of 8%. "That's a large increase. Everyone knows about it through the internet or other media, but everything will soon be officially communicated by us to our customers. But I think it's a shame that the government isn't giving out much information. There are some signs along the motorway, but other than that the publicity is minimal. I think there is still quite a large group that is barely aware of it and won't be confronted with it until April." According to Gunther the impact of the kilometre tax is difficult to estimate. "We'll have to wait until the 1st of April to see what will actually happen."
For more information:
Gunther Mutton
Bingo Trans BVBA
Industriezone Sint-Katelijne-Waver Z. 1
Kempenarestraat 64 - Bus 1
BE-2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver
Tel. : +32 15 85 89 71+32 15 85 89 71
Fax : +32 15 85 89 72
www.bingotrans.be
Boerenbond Information
The Boerenbond has collected information on the kilometre tax and you can read more at their website. The tax is on all trucks with an MTM larger than 3.5 tonnes, for domestic and foreign trucks. Tractors are exempt, provided they are used exclusively for agricultural purposes. We are painting a general picture here. Because Boerenbond also wants to extensively inform its members of the practical consequences, five provincial information meetings will be organised.
The tariff is inspired by the German system. On the highways and the regional roads the tax varies from 7.4 cents to 20 cents/km. The least polluting light trucks (MTM between 3.5 and 12 tonnes and eurnorm 6) pay the minimum tariff. For the heavy trucks (MTM larger than 32 tonnes) the tax is 12.8 cents for the least polluting and 20 cents for the most polluting vehicles. In the center of Brussels the tax is higher and varies from 9.9 to 29.1 cents/km.
Click here for more information
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