Summary:
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Belgian Finance Minister Jan Jambon (N-VA) wants to make cross‑border shopping less attractive because high excise taxes make many goods cheaper in neighbouring countries, causing Belgians to shop across the border (e.g., at French Auchan).
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He plans to address this in upcoming budget talks and focus on reforms (two‑thirds of efforts per the coalition agreement).
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Jambon says Belgium is one of the highest‑taxed OECD countries, so scope for new taxes is limited; instead, lowering certain taxes (like some excises) could raise revenues by reducing cross‑border purchases.
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The government will also study which other excises could be reduced to deter cross‑border buying. Alcohol and sugary‑drink taxes are among the levies that affect cross‑border shopping the most, but cuts will depend on political support and other coalition goals.
I cross border shop maybe once every 2 months. I think it’s worth the trip!
Are we talking online mail-order stuff, or you travel outside Belgium to do your shopping? Sounds like the latter, in which case I would be interested in hearing where you go for better prices on what. I sometimes travel to neighboring countries but don’t really know what to buy and bring back.
In particular, the mabru street market in Brussels is so good that people come from Netherlands to go there. I wonder if there is a comparable large 2nd-hand street market outside of Belgium that’s worth a look.
Germany and netherlands are good for shampoos, cleaning stuff, over the counter medicine. Foodstuffs I find cheaper in France.
I’ve no clue about 2nd hand streetmarkets :)