The EU Cross-Border E-commerce Forum (EU-CBEC) officially opened this morning in Liège, Belgium, bringing together more than 900 professionals for two days of discussions at the home of Liège Airport (LGG), Europe’s first airport specialising in air cargo.
The event brings together stakeholders from across the e-commerce and air cargo ecosystem, including cargo and logistics specialists, customs authorities, technology providers, retailers and supply chain professionals. The aim is to examine how the sector can respond to the changing conditions affecting cross-border e-commerce and international air cargo.
The opening speech and market outlook highlighted the need for the air cargo industry to adapt to an increasingly challenging global environment. While the European Union’s decision to abolish its duty exemption for low-value goods remains a central issue throughout the forum, broader geopolitical instability and continuing disruption to global trade are also expected to influence market conditions.
“We are very happy to have everyone in Liege for this EU CBEC Forum 2026, in the Palais de Congres. Seeing the energy and seeing all these professionals and specialists in e-commerce and air cargo meeting in one place is simply amazing and hope to see everyone again tomorrow,” said Frederic Brun, Vice President Sales and Marketing at Liège Airport.
The impact of the EU’s latest duty measures is already being felt along key trade routes. Trade between China and Europe recorded a 24 percent decline in July, with the reduction accompanied by a similar fall in capacity on the lane.
Against this backdrop, the forum is addressing the challenges facing the sector through a series of panels focused on customs regulations, policy decisions and other key aspects of air cargo and cross-border e-commerce.
The discussions bring together key decision-makers and industry stakeholders to consider how the sector can navigate the turbulence created by external factors, while adapting to the rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape.
