Shipping to Belgium From Houston and the USA

Ship Heavy Equipment to Belgium

Shipping heavy equipment to Belgium requires precise planning, customs compliance, and a freight forwarder with proven expertise in international project cargo logistics.

Texas International Freight manages end-to-end logistics for construction machinery, oil and gas equipment, mining assets, and agricultural machinery from the United States to Antwerp, Zeebrugge, Brussels, and Liège.

Whether you need breakbulk or roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) services into the Port of Antwerp or Zeebrugge, we deliver comprehensive solutions tailored to your equipment specifications and timeline.

Why Belgium Is a Strategic Gateway for Heavy Equipment Imports

Port of Antwerp ranks among Europe’s busiest international gateways for industrial imports. It efficiently handles containerized cargo, breakbulk cargo, project cargo, and out-of-gauge loads with world-class infrastructure and customs capabilities.

Port of Zeebrugge specializes in roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) services and serves as the ideal entry point for wheeled or self-propelled machinery such as tractors, articulated dump trucks, and mobile cranes.

Belgium’s strategic position within the European Union, combined with robust rail and road infrastructure, makes it an optimal distribution hub for final delivery across France, Germany, the Netherlands, and beyond.

Equipment Categories We Ship to Belgium

• Construction equipment: excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, crawler cranes, and tower cranes
• Oilfield and energy equipment: drill rigs, blowout preventers (BOPs), accumulators, piping skids, compressors, and generators
• Mining machinery: crushers, screens, graders, and off-highway trucks
• Agricultural machinery: tractors, combines, harvesters, sprayers, and implements
• Industrial machinery: CNC machines, power transformers, heat exchangers, and complete production lines

Shipping Options to Antwerp and Zeebrugge

Ocean Freight: Container, LCL, Breakbulk, and Vessel Charter Services

• Container shipping to Antwerp for crated or skidded machinery. Select full container load (FCL) for large shipments or less-than-container load (LCL) for smaller consignments with cost efficiency.
• Breakbulk shipping for oversized and heavy-lift cargo that exceeds standard container dimensions and weight limitations.
• Vessel charter for complex project cargo or multi-piece equipment requiring dedicated capacity with specified laycan windows.

Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo) for Wheeled and Towable Equipment

Roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) service to Zeebrugge provides an ideal solution for tractors, trucks, and mobile equipment. This service minimizes cargo handling, reduces lift-related risks, and maintains schedule reliability.

For non-self-propelled assets, we utilize specialized Mafi trailers and tow bars to ensure secure loading and transit protection.

Air Freight to Brussels (BRU) and Liège (LGG) Airports

For time-critical shipments of high-value components or urgent parts, air freight service to BRU or LGG offers expedited delivery. We provide complete door-to-door coordination and arrange first-mile heavy-haul trucking from your facility to the U.S. airport of origin.

Customs Documentation and Regulatory Compliance for Belgium

Essential Documentation Requirements

• Commercial invoice with Incoterms and currency designation
• Detailed packing list with gross and net weights and dimensions
• Bill of Lading (ocean) or Air Waybill (air freight)
• Equipment certifications, permits, or technical compliance documents (if applicable)

Incoterms, Harmonized System Codes, and Regulatory Alignment

We establish Incoterms early in planning and verify Harmonized System (HS) codes to prevent customs delays on arrival. Our customs broker network manages all import procedures, value-added tax (VAT) assessment, and regulatory compliance checks for machinery, oil and gas equipment, and mining assets. We collaborate closely with your consignee’s broker to maintain transparent timelines and avoid supply chain disruptions.

Export Packing, Blocking, Bracing, and Cargo Insurance

Export protection is paramount to safe cargo arrival. We provide comprehensive export packing services including seaworthy crating, custom skidding, heat-treated lumber, engineered blocking and bracing, and shrink-wrap protection.

Sensitive and moisture-prone equipment receives desiccant packs and vapor barrier treatment. For comprehensive risk mitigation, we recommend adding cargo insurance covering full door-to-door transit liability.

First-Mile Trucking and U.S. Port Gateway Coordination

We collect equipment from manufacturing facilities across the continental United States and transport cargo to port using heavy-haul trucking services with pilot cars and specialized permits as required.

Primary export gateways include Houston, Galveston, and New Orleans. For Houston-origin shipments, consult our Houston freight forwarder page for local expertise and streamlined coordination.

Ocean Routes, Transit Times, and European On-Carriage

Typical Ocean Shipping Routes

• Houston or Galveston to Antwerp: Frequent container and breakbulk sailings with competitive rates and established carrier relationships
• U.S. Gulf to Zeebrugge: Dedicated RoRo services for wheeled, self-propelled, and towable equipment
• East Coast alternatives: Optional routing via Norfolk, Savannah, or Baltimore based on cargo cutoff dates, rate optimization, and schedule requirements

Indicative Transit Times

Transit duration varies based on selected service mode and seasonal demand fluctuations. As a planning benchmark, allow several weeks for port-to-port ocean transit to Belgian ports. Air freight delivers in 2-5 business days.

We recommend requesting current sailing schedules with your specific equipment dimensions, weight specifications, and required delivery date to ensure accurate timeline projections.

On-Carriage Distribution Across Europe

We arrange trucking of cargo from Antwerp or Zeebrugge to project sites across Belgium and throughout the broader European Union.

Standard delivery coverage includes job sites in Flanders, Wallonia, northern France, the Ruhr industrial area in Germany, and the Randstad economic region in the Netherlands. We coordinate specialized lift plans, escort vehicle services, and weekend or holiday delivery restrictions where applicable.

Project Cargo and Heavy-Lift Expertise

For complex or specialized equipment moves, our project logistics team coordinates comprehensive rigging, lifting procedures, and stowage planning. We conduct site surveys, develop detailed method statements, and select optimal carriers for out-of-gauge and heavy-lift items.

We evaluate your cargo against available flatracks, Mafi trailers, and deck space options, then recommend the optimal transport mode—container, RoRo, or breakbulk—based on risk assessment, cost analysis, and schedule constraints.

Industry-Specific Expertise

Construction Equipment Logistics

Cranes, excavators, concrete plants, and road paving machinery move most effectively via breakbulk or RoRo services. We secure booms, articulated arms, and counterweights and coordinate specialized loading gear with terminal operators.

Oil and Gas Equipment Shipping

From drill rigs and equipment skids to blowout preventers (BOPs) and accumulators, we coordinate comprehensive packaging, hazardous materials compliance checks, and route surveys to ensure safe export to Belgium.

Mining Equipment Transportation

We specialize in shipping crushers, stackers, and off-highway trucks using RoRo or breakbulk methods and provide disassembly and reassembly coordination support upon request.

Agricultural Machinery Export

RoRo service is ideal for tractors, combines, and harvester equipment. Containerized options accommodate attachments, replacement parts, and boxed implements. We develop integrated multimodal plans combining both shipping methods for optimized cost and schedule efficiency.

Why Choose Texas International Freight as Your Belgium Shipping Partner

• End-to-end logistics control: Complete management from equipment pickup through export, ocean or air transit, customs clearance, and final destination delivery
• Comprehensive mode flexibility: Ocean freight, air freight, breakbulk, RoRo, full container load (FCL), and less-than-container load (LCL) options
• Industry specialization: Deep expertise serving construction, mining, oil and gas, power generation, and agricultural sectors
• Risk management solutions: Professional export packing and comprehensive cargo insurance
• Transparent pricing and planning: Clear scope definition, realistic schedules, and detailed routing recommendations established from project initiation

Ready to plan your shipment to Belgium? Provide us with your equipment dimensions, total weight, pickup location ZIP code, destination address, and required delivery date.

Our team will analyze your cargo and recommend the optimal transportation mode and routing for your specific requirements.

To understand how we manage complex international logistics, learn more about the
responsibility of a freight forwarder and the role it plays in ensuring secure, compliant, and on-time deliveries.

Frequently Asked Questions: Shipping Heavy Equipment to Belgium

What documents are required for shipping equipment to Belgium?

Standard documentation includes a commercial invoice, detailed packing list, and Bill of Lading (ocean) or Air Waybill (air freight). Certain specialized equipment may require specific permits, technical certifications, or compliance documentation. We coordinate with your customs broker to ensure complete regulatory compliance.

Which Belgian ports are best suited for heavy equipment imports?

Port of Antwerp serves as the primary gateway for containerized and breakbulk cargo. Port of Zeebrugge specializes in roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) services and is optimal for wheeled or self-propelled equipment.

Can oversized equipment be transported via RoRo to Zeebrugge?

Yes. RoRo service minimizes cargo handling and reduces lifting risks, making it suitable for tractors, trucks, and many construction and agricultural machines that fit within RoRo vessel dimensions and weight specifications.

Do you provide export packing and cargo insurance services?

Yes. We provide comprehensive export packing services and offer optional cargo insurance to protect your equipment throughout transit.

Do you offer door-to-door delivery across the European Union?

Yes. We arrange trucking from Antwerp or Zeebrugge to project sites across Belgium and into France, Germany, the Netherlands, and other EU nations, with specialized handling for oversized or sensitive equipment.

What are typical transit times for ocean freight to Belgium?

Transit duration varies by service type and seasonal demand. Typically, allow 3-4 weeks for ocean cargo from the U.S. Gulf Coast to Belgian ports. Air freight delivers in 2-5 business days. Contact us for current sailing schedules and precise timeline estimates based on your specific shipment details.