Dutch webshops selling to Belgium must offer customers at least two shipping options starting from September 2024

Attention Dutch e-commerce retailers: If you ship to Belgium, get ready for an important update regarding your delivery.

Starting 21 September 2024, Dutch brands that ship to Belgium must provide customers with at least two delivery options. One is encouraged to be a more sustainable alternative, such as pick-up and drop-off points (PUDOs) or lockers. By introducing this new regulation, Belgium aims to reduce the environmental impact of e-commerce by cutting CO2 emissions and lowering the carbon footprint of online shopping.

It is important to note that retailers are free to choose their delivery methods.

This new regulation will be included in the Code of Economic Law for contracts between companies and consumers, especially for contracts made online through webshops (article VI.45/2 Code of Economic Law).

This regulation will undoubtedly impact how brands operate in Belgium, promoting more sustainable solutions and customer convenience. Although it can change the e-commerce landscape, offering more options to your customers can be positive. For the customer, a PUDO point or locker offers higher flexibility, allowing individuals to collect parcels at their own convenience. They also promise greater sustainability and lower costs by cutting down the number of last-mile journeys a courier must make.

How to prepare your e-commerce

• Understand how and if the new regulations apply to your e-commerce business and comply with them.
• Investigate which delivery methods better apply to your business and offer at least two options.
• Pay close attention to the sustainability aspect of the delivery methods.