Would you like to become a freelance bike courier and work on your own time? Are you interested in joining Packaly’s Riders team, but you are not sure how to? Here’s how to become a freelance bike courier

Steps to register as a freelance bike courier:

• Prerequisites to register as a freelance bike courier

  • Required documents to register as a bike courier

  • Opening a bank account

• Registering as a freelance bike courier at The CBE

• Social contributions as a freelance bike courier

• Obtaining a VAT number

• Freelance Bike courier with Packaly

  • Why become a Packaly Rider?

  • What do I need to become a Packaly Rider?

Prerequisites to register as a freelance bike courier

To become a freelance bike courier, you need to register as a self-employed worker with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE), also referred to as BCE in French and KBO in Dutch. To be able to register as a self-employed worker, you need to meet the following conditions:

• Be 18 years of age or older

• Have your civil and political rights (During a criminal conviction, you will not be allowed to register as a self-employed worker)

• Be legally capable, meaning that you have not been declared legally incompetent, banned from practicing, or subjected to judicial review.

Required documents to register as a bike courier.

Starting with the required documents, you will need to register yourself with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE) and legally work in Belgium. The required documents are:

• One document to prove your right to work in Belgium, could be:

  • UK/EEA passport

  • EEA ID card 

  • Non-EEA passport 

  • Residence Permit

• One document to prove your understanding of fundamental business management skills

  • Bachelor’s degree

  • Work experience (expressed when applying)

  • Central Examination Board certificate

Opening a bank account

If you already have a bank account, we advise you to open a separate account for your bike courier freelance business. Opening a separate account will make it easier for you to track your income and keep your day-to-day expenses separate, making your tax returns easier to complete.

There is no specific bank we advise you to use, but we recommend you do your research before choosing the bank. Some banks will even let you open a bank account online.

Registering as a freelance bike courier at The CBE

To become a freelance bike courier, you will need to register with Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE) as a self-employed worker. Please note that there is a one-time business registration fee of €89,50 at the CBE.

We advise you to use a 3rd party to register. Packaly is currently partnered up with Accountable, who will do the whole process for you. You could also register by yourself or use another 3rd party.

If you register by yourself, make sure to enter a name for your enterprise and specify the type as a “natural person.”

Social contributions as a freelance bike courier

As a registered self-employed enterprise, you will need to register with a security fund. There are various security funds in Belgium, and they might even offer to help with your CBE registration.

Your fund registration is to deal with you allowances, such as family allowance and child benefits, and your pensions as a freelance bike courier. They will also provide a safety net for you in case of unexpected economic difficulties such as bankruptcy.

The amount you have to pay depends on your income and could amount to 20.5% of your gross taxable income.

Obtaining a VAT number

Like any other enterprise, as a self-employed person, you might need to obtain a VAT number if you meet the tax obligations criteria. Your CBE portal could provide you with your VAT number, which is BE followed by your business number.

To activate your VAT, you need to submit form 604A, Application for identification for VAT purposes at the start of an activity. To do so, you can either go to the form directly, or read more on the Federal Public Service Finance General Tax Administration.

You could also ask the 3rd party that helped you register with the CBE for more information about your VAT tax liability and registration process.

You have to declare and pay your VAT (if eligible) 4 times a year. The government knows this might be confusing, so they provide freelancers and businesses with a VAT calendar that shows you all the dates. Usually, 3rd party partners also send you reminders when your VAT declarations are nearby.

To submit your VAT, you need to go to intervat. The government also provides a short tutorial on how to submit your VAT in French and Dutch. Be aware that these links are not mobile-friendly, so you might want to use a computer to read them.

Please note that if you make under 25,000 a year, you might be exempt from declaring your VAT. If you want to be VAT exempt for a given year, you need to make sure to apply for that exemption before the deadline, usually around the 15th of December.

Freelance Bike courier with Packaly

Our inclusive professional fleet of Riders and culture stands out from our competition. Not only will you be delivering for the most prominent businesses while discovering your city, but you also have the chance to work on your schedule and do multiple deliveries a route.

"As freelance sound engineer I have the freedom to work when I really need to. I can work for Packaly one night, and work on my music the other night. It’s incredibly flexible." Bas - Packaly Rider

Why become a Packaly Rider?

Packaly is a CO2-neutral bicycle last-mile delivery service. Currently available in over 25 cities in the Netherlands and Belgium, Packaly has proved to an industry pioneer in its workflow and bike courier satisfaction. 

With Packaly, you will be able to work with the biggest businesses on your own schedule and be a part of Packaly’s sustainable mission. You will also get paid for the amount of work you put in, getting paid by the parcel. 

Not only will you be getting paid by parcel, but our multidrop algorithm allows you to have more than one parcel a route, boosting your earnings even more. You could also choose not to take an order without getting penalized.

It’s not only about earnings. We take pride in our inclusive professional fleet of Riders. We are always working to help our Riders on and off the road, and our friendly support team is one click away, 7 days a week.

What do I need to become a Packaly Rider?

• A business number from your CBE registration

• Your own bicycle to deliver on

• A smartphone with iOS 12+ or Android 6+

• A Packaly backpack

• Safety equipment (e.g., helmet, bike lights)

• You need to be 18+

• A great attitude and a big smile

Sign up through our website or Packaly’s Rider App, available on iOS and Android right now, and start delivering in the cities we’re available in.