Packed chemicals

Customs solutions

Antwerp,your European customs highway

LATIN

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ERIC

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USA AND CANADA

AFRICA

MEDITERRANEAN

AUSTRALIA/AS IA

Antwerp

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Antwerp, your European customs highway 32 Port of Antwerp

T he port of Antwerp allows you to smoothly reach all your customers

on the European continent. Antwerp is in fact a European external border, meaning that all customs formalities can be done in Antwerp. In Antwerp you can count on efficient and reliable customs procedures and VAT regimes. In combination with its central location, smooth access to the European hinterland and the presence of specialised logistics service providers, the Port of Antwerp is the ideal hotspot for your flows to Europe.

ANTWERP, HOTSPOT FOR YOUR FLOWS TO EUROPE

All European destinations within hand’s reach

Central and inland located

Flexible transport solutions

P 4

2

European customs union

Unified customs regulations

Reaching the entire European continent

P 4

1

Worldwide distribution from a virtual free zone

No import duties or VAT in customs warehouses

Largest storage capacity of Europe

Fully electronic process

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Fast and efficient customs handling

Declaration at sea

Electronic customs procedures

Transparent supply chains

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One-stop-shop logistics specialists

Single point of contact

Fiscal representation

Full AEO-certified

P 10

5Port of Antwerp delivers a trustful, open and professional platform to import our goods into EuropeHenning Schussmüller Senior Manager Supply Chain & Logistics sumitomo chemical europe

Birmingham

FRANCE

LUX.

GERMANYNETHERLANDS

BELGIUM

SPAIN

PORTUGAL

UNITED KINGDOM

IRELAND

SWEDEN

DENMARK

POLAND

LITHUANIA

LATVIA

ESTONIA

CZECH REPUBLIC

BULGARIA

ROMANIA

HUNGARYAUSTRIA

CYPRUS

GREECE

POLAND

SLOVENIA

ITALY

MALTA

CROATIA

FINLAND

London

AmsterdamRotterdam

DüsseldorfBrussels

Lux.Paris

Lyon

Marseilles

Bern

Milan

Vienna

Frankfurt

Strasbourg

Barcelona

Lisbon

Madrid

Hamburg

250 km

500 km

750 km

1000 km

Antwerp

" Member states of the European Union (EU) which form a single customs area

Antwerp, your European customs highway 54 Port of Antwerp

European Customs Union

1

As many as 28 European countries are member of the European Union (EU), which forms a single customs area.

Reaching the entire European continent Port customers may choose to arrange for customs clearance to be carried out at the place of destination. The goods can then be transported to the destination under the transit procedure, without any customs duties being payable at the port. This procedure applies also for countries that are not members of the EU, e.g. Switzerland, The Russian Federation, Norway, etc. The Port of Antwerp is, therefore, a real gateway to Europe.

INTERMODAL CONNECTIVITY PLATFORMTo keep our customers better informed about our connectivity with the European hinterland, the port of Antwerp has developped the intermodal connectivity platform.This website offers clear information about the maritime and intermodal transport possibilities to and from the port, all centralised in one place. In a minimum of time you can find the best way to have your goods delivered at their European destination.

Overview of the transport connections at www.portofantwerp.com/en/connectivity

Central and inland locatedThe Port of Antwerp is situated in the heart of Europe: no less than 60% of all European consumers are located within a 500 km radius. Sea-going vessels can easily carry cargo up to 80 km inland, significantly shortening the distance to the customer and thereby also reducing the transport cost to the final destination.

All European destinations within hand’s reach

2

Goods leaving Antwerp quickly find their way to European destinations. The intense network of hinterland connections plays a vital role in this respect.

Unified customs regulationsThe same customs regulations, customs duties, rules of origin, quotas, etc. apply anywhere within the EU. Once the goods have been customs cleared in Antwerp, they can move freely throughout the EU. No additional customs formalities need to be completed at internal borders nor at the final destination within the EU.

All port terminals in Antwerp are efficiently linked to an extensive network of road, rail and barge connections. As a result, the Port of Antwerp offers numerous daily departures to a wide variety of European destinations. In addition, the Port of Antwerp is the hub of a very extensive shortsea and feeder network to 700 ports in the EMEA and CIS regions1.

1 EMEA: Europe, Middle East, AfricaCIS: Commonwealth of Independent States

Flexibletransport solutions

60% of European purchasing power is located within a radius of 500 km from Antwerp

Antwerp, your European customs highway 76 Port of Antwerp

72 HOURS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL

cargo manifest to customs notice of arrival to

CNEE/NTY Start clearance process

7 HOURS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL

IN THE PORT customs pre-clearance customs release or

selection for inspection

UPON ARRIVAL IN THE PORT

goods can already be customs cleared enabling an oncarriage

transport without delay

Advanced clearance reduces lead time

Fast and efficient customs handling

3

Declaration at seaThe fact that goods can be cleared even before they are unloaded from the sea-going vessel is due to the inland location of the Port of Antwerp: six to seven hours before the ship’s arrival at the port, the goods can be cleared and released. In the meantime, your agent can arrange for the subsequent transport to a distribution center or an inland destination.

Customs processes in the Port of Antwerp are particularly fast as they are carried out electronically and before the goods enter the port.

Electronic customs procedures Customs procedures in Antwerp are aimed at optimising the cargo flow. The vast majority of customs declarations are released within five minutes, thanks to the completely automated and electronic process. If the cargo has to be inspected, the declarant is notified thereof within two hours. Often, the ship will still be en route to Antwerp, so that the inspection can be scheduled in advance and the goods can quickly continue their journey.

Transparent supply chainsThe port of Antwerp makes every effort to guarantee an optimal chain operation. To this end, the Antwerp port authority, together with the customs administration and private companies, has created the ‘Antwerp Port Community System’. APCS is a network of systems and solutions for electronic exchange of information between all the logistics players in and around the port, and between these players and the various authorities.

Transparency, flexibility, security and reliability are vital in ensuring a smooth supply chain. APCS provides multimodal and global services and solutions allowing clients to neatly integrate their operations at the port of Antwerp into their global operations. With a broad array of electronic communication services, APCS contributes to the smooth and secure flow of goods and information and enhances the transparency in the supply chains.

More information atwww.portofantwerp.com/apcs

SENDER 2

SENDER 1

SENDER 3

SENDER 4

RECEIVER 2

RECEIVER 1

RECEIVER 3

RECEIVER 4

APCSSENDER 2

SENDER 1

SENDER 3

SENDER 4

RECEIVER 2

RECEIVER 1

RECEIVER 3

RECEIVER 4

The port of Antwerp is a fast, efficient and secure seaportNoël Colpin Administrator General of the Belgian Customs & Excise Administration

Antwerp Port Community System

Antwerp, your European customs highway 98 Port of Antwerp

DEFERRAL OF VATBelgium has a highly advantageous procedure to defer the VAT at import in time. In Belgium, the so-called ‘ET 14.000’ procedure allows the VAT at import to be deferred to the periodical VAT return without having to provide any security. This means that the VAT no longer needs to be prefinanced at the time of import in comparison with most EU countries. The VAT can also be deferred if the goods are delivered to another EU member state after import.

DEFERRAL OF CUSTOMS DUTIESThe procedures 'inward processing' and 'processing under customs control' are other options to defer or avoid payment of customs duties and VAT at import. Both procedures offer a wide range of options for processing goods under suspension of customs duties.

More detailed information: www.portofantwerp.com/en/trade-facilitation

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Worldwide distribution from a virtual free zone

No import duties or VAT in customs warehousesAlmost all warehouses, tanks, silos and terminals in Antwerp have the status of customs warehouse. This procedure allows the goods to be stored in the port without any customs duties or VAT being payable at the time of import. These will only have to be paid later when the goods have been sold and are delivered from the customs warehouse, which obviously provides cash flow advantages.

Fully electronic process Using integrated warehouse management systems, the process is fully electronic: a physical stop at customs is no longer necessary, resulting in further cost savings. Storage in a bonded warehouse is also unlimited in time. Therefore, the procedure is not only beneficial for distribution but also particularly advantageous for trading goods or for strategic stocks. The numerous available alternatives to avoid direct import

duties and taxes, make the Port of Antwerp an ideal distribution hub and virtual free zone.

6,1 million m² COVERED WAREHOUSE SPACE

680,000 m³ SILO CAPACITY

6.9 million m³ TANK STORAGE CAPACITY

Storage capacity with value added logistics

DESTINATIONNON EU

DESTINATIONEU

BONDED WAREHOUSE

(CROSSBORDER) BONDED WAREHOUSE

EXEMPTDUTIES

—EXEMPT

VAT

PAYMENTDUTIES

— DEFERRAL

VAT

DEFERRALDUTIES

—DEFERRAL

VAT

EXTENDED GATECustoms formalities don’t need necessarily be completed in the port, but can be postponed until the goods have arrived at an inland terminal or the consignee's warehouse. In this way, your goods in the port can immediately be transhipped to a train or barge without being hindered by borders, formalities, inspections or other operational obstacles.

We were looking for fast, smart customs procedures. We found them in Antwerp Giangaetano Cappuccilli Customs Operations Manager Western Europe fiat group

Largest storage capacity of EuropeThe Port of Antwerp has more storage space than any other port in Europe. The majority of these warehouses are in the vicinity of the terminals, reducing pre- and post haulage. Its 6,1 million square metres (1360 acres) of covered storage capacity includes standard and refrigerated warehouses, extensive facilities for dangerous goods.

Value added activities allowedDuring storage in the customs warehouse, various VAL activities related to the actual storage, subsequent resale or distribution, can be carried out. Examples are quality control, repackaging, repairs, etc.

Antwerp, your European customs highway 1110 Port of Antwerp

For all your goods and administrative handling you can count on experienced and highly skilled logistic service providers who can also act as fiscal representative.

AEO-Full certifiedBusinesses can be awarded the AEO certificate following a thorough screening by customs. Most logistics operators in the port of Antwerp have an AEO-Full certificate, meaning they are considered a reliable trading partner in terms of both security and customs.

One-stop-shop logistics specialists

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Single point of contact In the port of Antwerp you will find worldwide renowned service providers.These service providers are highly specialised in the most diverse market segments and regulations, and design tailor-made solutions for every type of customer.

Fiscal representationForeign companies need not have a legal entity established in Belgium or have a Belgian VAT number to be able to import goods via the port of Antwerp into the EU or to store and distribute goods from Antwerp. Fiscal representatives have a global VAT number enabling them to complete all customs formalities for companies that are not registered in Belgium. All advantages, such as deferral of VAT at import, apply here as well.

The logistics service providers in the port of Antwerp have evolved towards supply chain orchestrators, offering tailor-made servicesOlivier Schoenmaeckers Director of the Belgian forwarders associationFiscal

represen-tation

Import/ export

formalities

Freight forwarding

Storage and

distributionTransport

Value added

logistics AEO-Full

certified

AEO certified companies are granted a number of benefits by the customs administration improving the smooth flow of cargo and accompanying e-documentation: fewer inspections reductions on warranties simplified procedures

+200 Specialised logistic service providers

+700 European distribution centres

GREEN LANEThe AEO status in Europe is recognised by both the C-TPAT certification in the US and the AEO certification in Japan. A complete supply chain made up of AEO- and C-TPAT-certified companies results in a green lane, which allows for even shorter handling times and reduced inspections in Antwerp. To ensure smooth cargo flows worlwide, negotiations are also under way with New Zealand, Canada, China and South Korea.

ContactFor more information or if you are looking for a tailor made solution, please do not hesitate to contact us:

ANTWERP PORT AUTHORITYPort House1 Entrepotkaai2000 AntwerpBelgium

Advisor Trade FacilitationBart van MolT +32 3 205 20 50E Bart.VanMol@portofantwerp.com

Coordinator Trade FacilitationNicolas PeetersT +32 3 229 64 96E Nicolas.Peeters@portofantwerp.comC

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T o stand out from the competition on the world market, companies

must be able to call upon a sustainable, flexible, efficient and innovative supply chain in which all links play aneffective role. The port of Antwerp is a crucial link in this chain.

Good sea access, a dense network of hinterland connections and its geographical location are just the start of its advantages

Antwerp is also distinguished for its integrated range of logistics services, supported by single-window ICT, comprehensive expertise in freight handling and value-added services, and the “can-do” attitude that pervades the entire port community.