Why are Prices Higher in Belgium? Explaining the Cost Difference with France

2023-12-19 17:36:00

According to our colleagues from RTBF, the same bottle of water, from the same brand, costs 93 cents in Belgium compared to only 61 cents in France.

What explains this price difference?

First, the bottle tax. This is a 10c/L contribution on the product packaging. This tax does not exist in France, and therefore directly impacts the difference in the final amount.

Then, VAT is slightly higher on our side of the border.

Finally, note the soda tax in force in Belgium since January 1, 2018. The excise on lemonades then increased from 6.8 to 11.9 euros.

The Walloon government changes its mind: it will not force restaurateurs to provide free water to their customers

Consequences

Some Belgians jump over the border to do their shopping. But obviously, once at the store, there is no question of stopping shopping to buy bottles of water and sodas. Empler races are therefore carried out in France. In 2022, cross-border purchases amounted to 546 million euros. In 2023, they are expected to exceed 700 million.

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