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Time to round
Since 1st December 2019, we round cash payment to the nearest 5 cents. The 1 and 2 cent coins are still valid as means of payment.
Why rounding?
The 1 and 2 cent coins are very expensive to produce (because of the cost of raw materials, the striking of coins, the transport, …). They are also very rarely used. They often stay in the wallet or in a drawer at home. That’s why 1 and 2 cent coins are constantly being produced.
With the mandatory rounding of cash payments, the Belgian government wants to reduce the use of the small 1 and 2 cent coins. A survey in early 2018 showed that 8 out of 10 retailers and 7 out of 10 consumers were in favour of rounding.
Who must round?
The rounding obligation applies to all cash payments and all companies that pursue a sustainable economic goal.
It is not just companies, in the usual sense of the word, that are required to round cash payments, but also the liberal professions and any individuals, associations, administrations, etc. that regularly engage in economic activities in relation to consumers, such as a swimming pool, library or cultural centre.
Similarly, when associations regularly engage in an economic activity (e.g. selling products to consumers), they will be considered as a company. Whether or not an association is not-for-profit is irrelevant in this instance.
Sales between individuals, just like those that take place between companies, are not affected by the mandatory rounding rules.
The principle of rounding
The total amount of all purchases that the customer pays in cash must be rounded. It is not the aim to round the price of each article separately.
Companies must round the total amount paid in cash by the consumer, subject to the following conditions:
- the payment is made in the physical presence of both the consumer and the company, and
- the amount payable is more than 5 cents.
Rounding is not permitted for distance sales (e.g. via internet) and between private individuals or companies.
Companies can also decide to round the other payment methods that they accept, under the same conditions. If that is the case, the rounding rules apply to all their customers and all their means of payment, except meal vouchers, eco-vouchers and gift vouchers.
When rounding, the company must comply with the following rules:
- if the company only rounds cash payments, only the amount actually paid in cash is rounded (even if the payment is made partly in cash and partly using another payment method);
- if the company decides to round payment methods other than cash, the total amount payable after deduction of the amounts paid with meal vouchers, eco-vouchers or gift vouchers is rounded (even if the payment is made partly in cash and partly using another payment method). In this case, it must clearly display the following legal text, at least in the official language of the region: “The total amount is always rounded” (PDF, 524.6 KB);
- the sales receipt or supporting documentation indicates the total amount payable, and the rounded amount, whether that is the amount actually paid in cash or the actual total amount paid.
Book VI Code of Economic Law – Art. VI.7/1 and VI.7/2 Code of Economic Law
Rules of rounding
The total amount payable in cash is rounded up or down to the nearest 5 cents, depending on the case.
- If the total amount payable in cash ends in 1 or 2 cents, it is rounded down to x.x0 euro.
- If the total amount payable in cash ends in 3, 4, 6 or 7 cents, it is rounded to x.x5 euro.
- If the total amount payable in cash ends in 8 or 9 cents, it is rounded up to x.(x+1)0 euro.
Amount payable in cash ends in |
Rounding |
Examples (in euros) |
---|---|---|
x.x1 |
x.x0 |
12.91 becomes 12.90 |
x.x2 |
x.x0 |
12.92 becomes 12.90 |
x.x3 |
x.x5 |
12.93 becomes 12.95 |
x.x4 |
x.x5 |
12.94 becomes 12.95 |
x.x5 |
x.x5 |
12.95 stays 12.95 |
x.x6 |
x.x5 |
12.96 becomes 12.95 |
x.x7 |
x.x5 |
12.97 becomes 12.95 |
x.x8 |
x.(x+1)0 |
12.98 becomes 13.00 |
x.x9 |
x.(x+1)0 |
12.99 becomes 13.00 |
What to do with 1 and 2 cents?
One and two cent coins will continue to be legal tender. They will not be withdrawn from circulation, or lose their value.
They can therefore still be used and there's no need to run to the bank to return them!
Companies cannot refuse to take them as a means of payment, provided that they are used in a reasonable quantity (maximum 50 coins per payment).
Similarly, the consumer cannot refuse them when the company gives them as change.
Rules for companies
For all payments where the customer is physically present in your establishment (not online sales for example), you are required to round the total amount (not product by product) that your customer pays in cash. For other payment methods, you are free to decide whether or not to apply rounding.
If you only round cash payments:
- Before each payment, ask your customer how much they wish to pay using a payment method with a fixed or taxable amount (for example, meal vouchers, eco-vouchers, gift vouchers, etc.).
- Once this amount is paid, apply the rounding principles to the balance of the initial amount payable, actually paid in cash.
- On the sales receipt or supporting documentation indicate the total amount before rounding and the rounded amount.
- Any amount returned to the customer will always be rounded.
If you decide to round other payments in addition to cash payments:
- Display the text “The amount is always rounded” (PDF, 524.6 KB) (at least in the official language of your region) in your establishment where it is clearly visible to your customers and close to the cash desks.
- On the sales receipt or supporting documentation indicate the total amount payable for the purchases before rounding and the rounded amount. You may have to adapt your checkout system for this purpose.
For more information, view the page containing the frequently asked questions on the mandatory rounding rules for companies.
Are you a consumer?
For more information, view the page containing the frequently asked questions on the mandatory rounding rules for consumers.