Visitors from outside the EU can reclaim most sales tax (TVA/BWT) on purchases above a minimum value of €125 from any one shop. Look for shops with the Tax-free Shopping sign. With sales tax at 21 per cent, this means a large saving on items of high value. You must obtain a “Tax-free Shopping Cheque” from the shop, and you can claim your refund at the Tax-free offices at Zavantem Airport. Visit www.global-blue.com or www.brusselsairport.be for more information.

EU residents face few limits on taking goods out of Belgium, but some restrictions apply to meat products, plants and, of course, weapons and narcotics. Alcohol and tobacco must be for personal use only; UK guidelines for maximum quantities are 10 litres of spirits, 800 cigarettes, 90 litres of wine, and 110 litres of beer. Non-EU visitors returning home are subject to far more restrictive limits on alcohol and tobacco.

As a general rule, shops are open from 10am to 6pm; small shops such as bakeries and newsagents may open earlier. Some shops close for lunch but stay open later in the evening. On Sundays, larger shops and supermarkets close, but pâtisseries, chocolate shops, delicatessens and tourist shops are likely to remain open. Some shops stay open late on one night of the week, but none of the cites has a general late-night-shopping day.

Many goods worth taking home – Trappist beers, Stella Artois lager, Côte d’Or chocolates – are found in supermarkets. The larger markets, such as those of the Delhaize chain, tend to be in the suburbs, but they also have mini stores in town.

All the cities have covered shopping malls (For further details see shopping in Central Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp), which are home to up-market boutiques and clothing chains.

One of the great things about good-quality Belgian filled chocolates, or pralines, is that they contain fresh cream – but as a result they also have a limited shelf-life. If you refrigerate them, however, they should be fine for about three weeks.

Belgian beer is remarkably good value, given its quality. There are specialist beer shops, but most of the better-known beers can be bought in ordinary food shops and supermarkets. The Belgians tend to drink French wine, and shop prices for wine are similar to French prices.

Genuine, hand-made lace is expensive. To ensure you are getting the real thing, insist on a certificate of authenticity.

The city centres are packed with all sorts of clothes shops. Many items are imported, but the prices may still seem good value. Belgium is also famous for its home-grown designers. Antwerp is the fashion design centre and has a throng of shops that reflect this (For further details see Shopping), but the clothes of the top designers can be found in outlets elsewhere. There are also several respected Belgian labels (such as Olivier Strelli and Rue Blanche), with shops in most cities.

All the cities have plenty of bookshops; the best offer many books in English, including novels and guidebooks. Brussels has several specialist English-language bookshops, including a branch of Waterstones.