Brussels-Midi Eurostar terminal to undergo Brexit modifications

The Council of Ministers agreed on Friday to start infrastructure work in the Eurostar terminal at Brussels-Midi station as part of the capital’s Brexit preparations, federal finance minister Vincent Van Peteghem announced.

The UK is expected to leave the EU’s internal market on 1 January 2021. All goods that are imported from, or exported to the UK, including those in travellers' luggage, will therefore be subject to customs procedures, the minister said. This will also be the case if the British and EU negotiators reach an agreement.

The General Administration of Customs and Excise will therefore have to have an operational presence at the Eurostar terminal at Brussels-Midi station on 1 January.

The SNCB and the Buildings Authority will provide temporary prefabricated structures before 15 December 2020, the Council of Ministers said, but permanently installed infrastructure to meet the needs of the General Administration of Customs and Excise must be available by 1 February 2021.