A unique glimpse into the past.
The (Belgian) tram has just left the Netherlands and is therefore back on Belgian territory. To prevent the tram from attempting to return to the Netherlands, the barrier was immediately closed behind it.
On the Dutch side, customs officers check vehicle drivers.
On the Belgian side, where the photographer was standing, everyone on the tram must go to the customs office.
On the right, you can see the tram driver, with all his equipment and little enthusiasm, heading for the office. Passengers also get off the tram and may have to show the contents of their bags to prove that they have not smuggled cheaper goods from the Netherlands into Belgium. This is probably also the reason why the driver has to take everything to the customs office. Once everyone has left the tram, another customs officer will check that nothing has been left behind...

Neither the trams nor the customs officers will be seen here anymore. The location is still very recognisable and the house in the background is still standing.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/a58hdpiMmpzNVrfP9

A uniquely interesting photo and description, many thanks. Especially interesting is the fact that the ‘goods’ in the Netherlands were cheaper, than in Belgium )

Quote (Ymtram, 26.02.2026):
> Especially interesting is the fact that the ‘goods’ in the Netherlands were cheaper, than in Belgium )

I wasn't born yet and can only base my knowledge on what I've read elsewhere.
WWII had ended only a few years earlier and the economic situation was appalling.
Every country did its best to help its citizens. For example, in Belgium, a fixed bread price was introduced, and this system remained in place until 2004! In the Netherlands, this applied to other items, including dairy products (butter, margarine, milk, etc.). There are stories circulating about travellers who tied packs of butter around their waists, but then the heat caused it to melt...
The trick was to find out what was cheaper across the border. Actually, nothing has changed, except that people now visit shops by car rather than by tram and not more for butter...