• EU-CBEC has opened in Liège: more than 900 e-commerce, air cargo, logistics, customs, technology, retail and supply chain professionals are expected at the two-day forum, hosted at Liège Airport (LGG), Europe’s first airport specialising in air cargo.
• Air cargo faces a shifting market: the EU’s removal of the low-value duty exemption is a major focus, but wider geopolitical instability and global trade disruption are also putting pressure on the sector. The new EU duty has already affected the China-Europe trade lane.
• China-Europe trade has taken a hit: the lane saw a 24 percent fall in July, alongside a similar reduction in capacity. Discussions at the forum are focusing on how customs, policy and industry stakeholders can navigate these external pressures and adapt to the changing e-commerce landscape.

EU Cross-Border e-commerce Forum (EU-CBEC) commenced this morning in Liège, Belgium, with over 900 attendee’s expected over the next two days at the home of Liege Airport (LGG), Europe’s first airport to specialise in air cargo.

The forum, dedicated to e-commerce and its impact on the air cargo sector brings together cargo, logistics, e-commerce, customs, technology, retail and supply chain professionals ready to shape what comes next in e-commerce and air cargo.

As the opening speech and market outlook made clear, air cargo needs to adapt to the changing and challenging conditions globally. While the overarching context of the conference is assuredly the European Union’s (EU’s) abolishment of its duty exemption on low-value goods, geopolitical instability globally will continue to impact the market.

“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,” Frederic Brun, Leige Airport’s Vice President Sales and Marketing, said.

The EU’s latest duty fee has already impacted trade lanes between China and Europe with a -24 percent fall in July which corresponded with a similar drop in capacity.

Panels covering customs regulations, policy decisions, and all other aspects and stakeholders of the air cargo sector will bring together key decision makers and discuss how the industry will navigate the turbulence external factors are putting on the industry.

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