Find Companies in Antwerp: Port, Diamonds, and BCE Data
Antwerp is the economic engine of Flanders with over 90,000 active enterprises. From diamond trading to port logistics, discover how the Company Belgium API helps you identify and verify Antwerp-based companies through the BCE database.
In brief
Antwerp concentrates over 90,000 active companies registered in the BCE, covering strategic sectors: port logistics, diamond trading (80% of the global market), petrochemicals, and fashion. The Company Belgium API allows you to search these companies by NACE code, name, or BCE number and verify their status in real time, an essential step for any commercial due diligence or AML compliance in the Antwerp region.
Antwerp: An Economic Powerhouse at the Crossroads of Global Trade
Antwerp is not just Belgium's second-largest city — it is an economic giant. With over 90,000 active enterprises registered in the BCE, the Flemish metropolis is a nerve center of international commerce. Its port, the second largest in Europe, generates colossal logistics activity. Its diamond quarter handles 80% of the world's rough diamond trade.
The pillars of Antwerp's economy:
- Logistics and maritime transport: freight forwarders, shipping lines, warehousing
- Diamond and precious stone trade: dealers, cutters, brokers
- Petrochemicals: Antwerp's petrochemical cluster is the largest in Europe
- Fashion and design: Antwerp is a global fashion capital
- E-commerce: a rapidly growing sector centered around the port
For professionals operating in these sectors, verifying business partners is crucial — and that is exactly what the Company Belgium API enables.
The Challenges of Company Verification in Antwerp
Antwerp's economic fabric is characterized by a strong international dimension. Many companies are subsidiaries of foreign groups, trading firms, or intermediaries in complex supply chains. This complexity makes due diligence all the more critical.
The Diamond Sector
Antwerp's diamond quarter is home to hundreds of trading companies. Before dealing with a diamond trader, it is essential to verify their BCE registration, legal form, and declared activities. AML regulations apply with particular rigor in this sector.
Port Logistics
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges handles over 280 million tonnes of goods per year. Logistics companies, freight forwarders, and carriers must be verified before any collaboration. An invalid BCE number or a struck-off company can signal risk.
Import-Export
Antwerp is a hub for international trade. Verifying that an import-export company is properly registered and active is the first step in any serious business relationship.
Searching Antwerp Companies with the API
The Company Belgium API allows precise, fast searches in the BCE database. Here are examples tailored to the Antwerp context:
Find Logistics Companies
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GET /api/v1/companies?nace=52290&city=antwerpenNACE code 52290 covers support activities for transportation. This request lists all active logistics providers in Antwerp.
Verify a Diamond Trader
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GET /api/v1/companies?nace=46480&city=antwerpenNACE code 46480 covers wholesale of jewelry and watches. Combined with the city filter, you get a list of registered traders.
Search by Company Name
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GET /api/v1/companies?name=shipping&city=antwerpenIdeal for finding shipping companies or maritime agencies based in Antwerp.
Direct Verification by BCE Number
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GET /api/v1/companies/0987.654.321When you have the enterprise number, verification is instant. You get the status, address, legal form, and NACE codes in a single request.
Use Case: Due Diligence for a Port Partner
You are a French importer looking for a freight forwarder in Antwerp. Here is how the Company Belgium API streamlines your process:
GET /api/v1/companies?nace=52291&city=antwerpen to find freight forwardersThis process, which could take hours of manual research, is completed in minutes via the API.
Antwerp in Numbers
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Active enterprises | 90,000+ |
| Port: annual tonnage | 280+ million tonnes |
| Diamond trade | 80% of global market (rough) |
| Petrochemical cluster | Largest in Europe |
| Company creations/year | ~8,000 |
Integration into Your Tools
The Company Belgium API integrates seamlessly into your existing systems:
- CRM: automatically enrich your Antwerp contact records with BCE data
- ERP: verify suppliers at the point of creation in the system
- Compliance tools: automate KYC/AML checks for diamond sector partners
- E-commerce platforms: validate sellers and marketplace sellers based in Antwerp
To understand how the BCE register powering these searches works, read our complete guide to the BCE/KBO. AML verification of diamond or logistics partners relies on legal obligations detailed in our article on anti-money laundering and company verification. To broaden your prospecting to other cities, also see the company search in Brussels, in Ghent, and in Liège. To automate these checks in your CRM or ERP, our BCE API integration guide explains how to proceed.
Take Action
Antwerp is a strategic market for any business active in international trade, logistics, or commodities. Do not leave partner verification to chance.
Sign up for free on Company Belgium and access the complete database of Antwerp enterprises:
Frequently asked questions
How many active companies in Antwerp are registered with the BCE ?
The BCE database lists over 90,000 active enterprises in the Antwerp district. This figure includes legal entities (SRL, SA, ASBL) and natural persons carrying out a commercial activity. Around 8,000 new companies are created each year in the region, reflecting the economic dynamism of the Flemish metropolis.
How do you search for logistics or diamond sector companies in Antwerp via the API ?
The Company Belgium API allows filtering by NACE code and city. For port logistics, use NACE code 52290 (support activities for transport) with the filter city=antwerpen. For diamond trading, NACE code 46480 (wholesale of jewellery) targeted at Antwerp returns registered traders. You can combine these filters with a name search to narrow down results.
Are Antwerp diamond sector companies subject to specific AML obligations ?
Yes. The Belgian diamond sector is designated as a high-risk sector under the Act of 18 September 2017 on the fight against money laundering. Precious stone dealers are obliged professionals and must apply enhanced KYC procedures: identification of beneficial owners (UBO), customer risk assessment, and reporting to the CTIF in case of suspicion. Verifying the BCE status of the counterparty is the first step of this due diligence.
Can you verify whether an Antwerp company is still active through the BCE ?
Yes. The BCE indicates the status of each company: active, struck off (cessation of activity), or in liquidation. Via the Company Belgium API, a request with the company's BCE number instantly returns this status, its creation date, current address, and NACE codes. A company with a struck-off status or an untraceable BCE number should raise a red flag about the risk of the planned transaction.
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