When the Arizona coalition coalition became known at the beginning of February, there was a sigh of relief in the transport world. “For the professional diesel, we retain a competitive advantage that is sufficiently large towards France and the other neighboring countries,” the coalition agreement literally says. “Anyway,” it sounds with the Sector federations Fethetra, TLV and Uptr.
Recovery of diesel batches for transporters has been around in Belgium since 2004. Today, carriers, under certain conditions, can reclaim up to 192.4 euros per 1000 liters of diesel. That represents about one third of the total sum of excise duties. “Two thirds of those excise duties on Diesel, which are also paid for 53% by foreigners, therefore remain in the greenhouse of the Belgian state,” says Michael Reul, Secretary-General of Uptr.
“In 2023, foreign transporters paid a record amount of 604.26 million euros in Belgium. To say: compared to France and other neighboring countries, Belgium remains an interesting country to refuel diesel. And the state treasury is benefiting.”
“Reduction disrupted market”
How important is that reimbursement for the Belgian transport companies? “If that reimbursement had to disappear, that would be a very heavy financial loss for many companies,” says Frederic Keymeulen, policy officer at TLV. “For many companies, that tax measure makes the difference between narrow profit or loss. If you use a truck about 3000 liters per month, it will be on about 575 euros per month. That is already quite for small fleets, with large companies that is ticking seriously.”
“That reimbursement is the only advantage that our transport companies have,” emphasizes Philippe Degraef, General Manager of Febetra. “In terms of wage costs, we are at the top. We have the highest social security charges in Europe. Anyone looking for transport as cheap as possible will never or will never come to a Belgian carrier.”
“The profit of an average transport company corresponds to the reimbursement that is paid for professional diesel,” adds Michael Reul. “In short: the current system is simply crucial. The fact that the Arizona government realizes that is excellent. It also proves that our lobbying has shown.”
A significant reduction in this reimbursement would disrupt the market, says M. Reul. “And it would take a long time for the market to be in balance. Who will be the biggest victims? The small SMEs and the self -employed. Those players usually have little or no financial reserves. Without repayment of an important part of the excise duties on professional diesel, they would have to compete with large players, who do have sufficient own reserves.” “I even fear that this would lead to a lot of bankruptcies,” responds P. Degraef.
No abolition in sight
How does Europe look at the tax approach to professional diesel in Belgium, France and some other Member States? “The European Commission would certainly want more uniformity about this in the various Member States,” replies M. Reul. “They strive that transport companies can fight with the same tax ‘weapons’ everywhere. But I have been following this file for 20 years and note that most countries that want to keep taxation in our own hands. That is about sovereignty. If you want to tinker with it, you should not be able to give up unanimity of it. tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow. ”
“There is indeed a revision of the energy assessment directive,” adds P. Degraef. “Polluting fuels, such as diesel, people want to burden more heavily. But tax adjustments require unanimity at European level. I do not expect any major changes in the short term.”
High wage costs
Should or can Belgium do more to keep diesel prices competitive compared to our neighboring countries? “We are almost at the minimum level that Europe imposes,” answer P. Degraef. “Doing much more, if you want to improve the competitiveness of our transporters, then you have to do something about wage costs. Together with TLV and UPTR, we have long been asking for an exemption from the burden on the non -productive hours, when a driver is waiting while being loaded or unloading his vehicle.
“The government must certainly ensure that the system of the professional diesel remains sufficiently interesting,” adds M. Reul. “The ‘difference’ must be large enough to compensate for pre -finance the recoverable VAT and excise duties, as well as the administrative costs associated with it. And so you ensure that foreign transporters do not ignore Belgium.”
