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Belgium
Your rights in case of defect products
Directive 1999/44/EC on the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees has been implemented by Belgium.As a result of this legislation, all consumers, who buy goods in Belgium have the right to a minimum guarantee of 2 years on products. Within the first six months of purchase, any lack of conformity or defect shall be presumed to have existed at the time of delivery, unless proved otherwise. After the first six months, it is up to the consumer to prove that the lack of conformity existed at the time of delivery.
Within this period of 2 years the consumer is entitled to have the goods brought into conformity free of charge. In the first place, the consumer may require the seller to repair the goods or he may require the seller to replace them, unless this is impossible or disproportionate.
Any repair or replacement shall be completed within a reasonable time and without any significant inconvenience to the consumer, taking account of the nature of the goods and the purpose for which the consumer required the goods. If this should not be possible the consumer is entitled to ask for a price reduction (smaller defects) or to have the contract rescinded.
The denunciation of the lack of conformity by consumer should be done at the latest 2 months after the discover of the lack (longer terms for the denunciation can be established in the contract).
Voluntary guarantees given by a producer do not restrict the statutory rights of consumers.
Exchange
A consumer does not have a legal right to an exchange. It is at the trader’s discretion. Therefore it is important to verify before buying, if the trader allows an exchange.Pricing
The Belgian currency is the euro.The price must be indicated legibly, visibly and clearly.
The consumer can insist on getting the item for the price indicated on the price tag.
VAT must be included in the price when sold to consumers.
The trader is not obliged to issue a receipt to the consumer.
Tax
On most goods and services a 21% value added tax – VAT (Belasting op Toegevoegde Waarde - BTW; Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée - TVA) is charged in Belgium.Methods of payment
The most common methods of payment in Belgium are cash, debit card, and credit card.When paying by credit card, consumers may have to show identity card.
Sales
There are two set sales periods -winter and summer.Winter sales: January 3 - January 31.
Summer sales: July 1 - July 31.
Opening hours
Shops’ general opening hours are:
Monday – Saturday: 09:00 - 19:00
Sunday: closed
Banks’ general opening hours are:
Monday – Friday: 09:00 - 16:00 / 16:30Saturday & Sunday: closed
Post Offices’ general opening hours are:
Monday – Saturday: 09:00 - 17:00
One evening per week: 09:00 - 19:00
In Brussels there is one post office open all week from 08:00 / 09:00 – 23:00
Deposit
There is a deposit on some glass bottles.There is no deposit on cans or plastic bags.
Tourist information
Tourist information can be found via the following links to official websites for tourism and travel:http://www.belgique-tourisme.net/
http://www.toerismevlaanderen.be/
Status: April 2005
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