Save €80 on the New Balance 990v7 by shipping from the US to Belgium

Why the 990v7 Core Collection is everywhere right now

If you've been scrolling through sneaker forums lately, you know the New Balance 990v7 'Made in USA' Core Collection is the biggest thing to happen this May 2026. This iteration has refined the silhouette with a sleeker FuelCell foam integration while keeping that chunky 'dad shoe' aesthetic we all love. The problem for those of us in Belgium is that this is currently a US-first release. While local boutiques in Brussels might get them eventually, the US stores currently have the full stock, including those specific width sizes like 4E and 6E that are almost impossible to find in Europe.

The math behind the savings

I've seen a lot of people assuming that once you add up the costs, buying from the US isn't worth it. Let's look at the actual numbers for May 2026. The 990v7 is retailing in the US for roughly $185. In the EU, once they finally land, the projected retail price is upwards of €265. Even with the current exchange rate and shipping, you are looking at a saving of about €80 per pair. If you are buying more than one colorway from the Core Collection, those savings start to get pretty serious. You can use a shipping calculator to see exactly how the numbers work out for your specific location in Belgium.

Getting around the credit card block with BuyForMe

Here is a common frustration: you find the 990v7 in stock on a US site, you get to the checkout, and then your Belgian credit card gets declined. A lot of major US retailers—similar to how Nike, Sephora, or Apple operate—often block international credit cards or simply refuse to ship to known warehouse addresses. It is incredibly annoying to see your order cancelled five minutes after you place it.

This is where the BuyForMe service becomes a lifesaver. Instead of you struggling with a card that the store won't accept, comGateway buys the item for you using a US domestic payment method. This proxy shopping approach is the safest way to guarantee your order doesn't get flagged and cancelled by strict US retailers. It takes the stress out of the process because the transaction looks like a local US purchase to the store.

How to handle international shipping to Belgium

Once your sneakers are secured, you need a reliable way to get them to your doorstep. Since most US New Balance retailers don't offer direct international shipping to Belgium, you will need a freight forwarder. By using comGateway, you get a tax-free US address to ship your shoes to. This is a huge deal because it saves you from paying US sales tax on top of your purchase price.

When your package arrives at the warehouse, you can choose your preferred carrier. Whether you prefer DHL international shipping for its speed or FedEx international shipping for its reliability in the Flanders region, having choices helps you control your budget. You can check the current international shipping rates to see which carrier fits your timeline.

The truth about import tax and customs

A common myth is that import tax will completely wipe out your savings. While it is true that Belgium has specific VAT and duty rules for imports from outside the EU, you are still often coming out ahead on high-value items like the 990v7. Since the US retail price is significantly lower, even after paying the Belgian VAT at the border, the total cost remains lower than the inflated EU retail price. Plus, you get the shoes months before they even hit the shelves in Antwerp.

A simple way to get your pair

If you are ready to grab the Core Collection, here is a quick step-by-step guide to making it happen:

• Sign up for a package forwarding account to get your US address.
• Use the BuyForMe service if the store won't accept your Belgian card.
• Wait for your 990v7s to arrive at your tax-free address.
• Select an international shipping service to send them to Belgium.
• Pay your local customs fees when they arrive and enjoy your new sneakers.

There is really no reason to wait for a local release that might be more expensive and have less variety in sizing. Shipping from the US is a straightforward way to get exactly what you want while keeping some extra Euro in your pocket.