Is the Field Company No. 8 Skillet actually worth using a freight forwarder to ship to Belgium in 2026?
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Why the Field Company No. 8 is suddenly everywhere
I’ve spent way too many hours on cooking forums lately, and the name that keeps popping up is Field Company. Specifically, the No. 8 Cast Iron Skillet. If you are like me and live in Belgium, you probably find the cast iron pans at local shops a bit... heavy. They are built like tanks, which is fine, but they aren't exactly nimble.
The Field Company No. 8 is trending because it feels more like a vintage Griswold than a modern clunker. It is significantly lighter and has a machined smooth interior that makes it almost non-stick from day one. I decided I needed one for my kitchen in Brussels, but getting it here in 2026 required a bit of a strategy.
How I managed to shop US stores from Belgium
When I first looked for this pan, I realized that while some specialty shops might carry it, the prices were marked up significantly. I wanted to shop us store directly to get the best deal and access the full range of accessories. However, most US-based kitchenware sites don't offer direct shipping to Europe, or if they do, the costs are astronomical.
My first step was finding a reliable way to shop us store and get the item sent to a tax-free us address. This is where a parcel forwarding service becomes essential. By using a US address, I could take advantage of domestic sales and then bundle my items before sending them across the Atlantic.
Choosing a freight forwarder that actually works
I decided to go with comGateway as my freight forwarder. I’ve used them before for tech gear, but a heavy cast iron pan is a different beast. I was worried about the weight, so I used their shipping calculator to estimate shipping cost before I committed to the purchase.
Because the Field Company pan is lighter than standard cast iron, the international shipping rates were actually quite reasonable. I chose their international shipping service because they offer options like DHL international shipping and FedEx international shipping, which I trust for Belgium delivery. I wanted to ensure my pan didn't end up lost in a warehouse somewhere.
What I did when the store blocked my Belgian credit card
Here is where things got tricky. I tried to buy the skillet from a high-end US retailer, but they immediately declined my order. This is a common headache for us in Belgium—many US stores like Nike, Sephora, or even some boutique cookware brands block international credit cards or refuse to ship to known package forwarding addresses.
I didn't panic because I used the BuyForMe service. Essentially, I told comGateway what I wanted, and they handled the proxy shopping for me. They used a US-based domestic credit card to buy the skillet on my behalf. This is honestly the safest way to guarantee an order doesn't get cancelled by a picky retailer. If you've ever dealt with a store that just won't take your money because you're outside the States, this service is a lifesaver.
Managing import tax and Belgium delivery
Before the pan arrived, I had to prepare for the import tax. Belgium can be quite strict with customs tax and VAT on items coming from outside the EU. I highly recommend checking out the comGateway blog on import duties to understand exactly what you'll owe when the package hits the border.
For my ship to Belgium experience, the process was seamless. Once the pan arrived at my US address, I followed the step-by-step guide on the comGateway site to declare the value and ship it out. It arrived at my door in Antwerp in less than a week. If you want more details on the specific logistics I faced, Read more: The 7 things I learned while importing my Field Company No. 8 Cast Iron Skillet to Belgium.
My final verdict on the No. 8 skillet
So, is it worth it? After using it for a month, I can say yes. It’s the pan I reach for every morning for eggs. It’s light enough to toss vegetables and the finish is beautiful. If you are tired of the heavy options available locally, using an international shipping service to get a Field Company pan is a great investment for your kitchen in 2026.
If you're ready to upgrade your cooking, just make sure you use a reliable international shipping service to handle the journey. It makes the whole process of getting high-quality US goods to Belgium much less stressful.
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