15 million euros of additional tax assessments and penalties for evasion of Eurovignette

Over 2010 the Tax and Customs Administration imposed more that 15 million euros of additional tax assessments and penalties on hauliers who should have had a Eurovignette.  State Secretary of Finance Weekers announced that the intensive spot checks will continue for the time being: "We keep on checking this, also because evasion of BZM results in unfair competition vis-à-vis hauliers who do stick to the rules."

Big and heavy lorries are a considerable strain on the roads for which an extra levy is imposed: the Heavy Motor Vehicles Taxation (belasting zware motorrijtuigen, BZM), the so-called Eurovignette.

The checks are among others carried out by clearly recognizable cars provided with infrared cameras which can scan up to 60 license plates per minute. The on-board computer system of the cars compares the results with the file of sold Eurovignettes. At the same time the Tax and Customs Administration receives information from other government departments, greatly improving the results.

The Eurovignettes may be acquired through the internet or from larger petrol stations. For each lorry over 12 tonnes BZM is due when making use of the motorways. If a company fails to pay the BZM, an additional tax assessment or penalty may follow. As from 1 January 2011 the penalty is raised from 147 euros to 246 euros. For repeat offenders the penalty may be as high as several thousands of euros.

For lorries which make regular use of the motorways an annual vignette may work out cheaper. An additional advantage is that the haulier in such a case cannot 'accidentally' forget to buy a Eurovignette.