Lys (river) in the context of Belgium–France border

The Belgium–France border, or more commonly the Franco-Belgian border, separates France and Belgium and is 620 km (390 mi) long. Part of it is defined by the Lys river. The western end is at the North Sea (51°5′22″N 2°32′43″E / 51.08944°N 2.54528°E / 51.08944; 2.54528 near De Panne and Bray-Dunes). The eastern end is at the Belgium–France–Luxembourg tripoint (at 49°32′46″N 5°49′5″E / 49.54611°N 5.81806°E / 49.54611; 5.81806 near Athus and Mont-Saint-Martin). The straight distance between these points is 289 km (180 mi).

Since 1995, Belgium and France have been parts of the Schengen Area. This means there are no permanent border controls at this border, but there have been temporary controls.

The Port of Ghent is the third busiest seaport in Belgium, located in Ghent, East Flanders in the Flemish Region. The first port of Ghent was situated at the river Scheldt and later on at the Leie. Since the Middle Ages Ghent has sought for a connection to the sea. In the 13th century via the Lieve canal to the Zwin near Damme, in the 16th century via the Sassevaart, in the 17th century via the Ghent–Bruges canal. Since the 19th century, the Ghent–Terneuzen Canal connects the port via the Western Scheldt to the North Sea. The port of Ghent is accessible by ships of the Panamax size, and in February 2015 the construction of a new lock at Terneuzen was announced, which will maintain near-parity with those of the Panama Canal expansion project.