Belgian customs is a major player in Europe . It plays a crucial role in our economy and in the competitiveness of our seaports, airports, and logistics centers. The University of Antwerp and the University of Liège are joining forces to establish an interuniversity chair focused on academic research into Belgian and Luxembourg customs law and sanctions policy. This chair is an initiative of academia, the private sector, and the public sector.
The chair provides a platform for research and service provision on new developments and challenges related to European and Belgian customs and excise law . In particular, it will contribute academically to the multidisciplinary committee for the revision of sanctions policy on customs and excise duties, established in May 2024 at the request of the Minister of Finance. Its activities are intended to result in proposals for reforming existing regulations.
Academic experts will investigate how modern customs enforcement can contribute to legal certainty , as well as efficient and fair sanctions in accordance with current European standards and fundamental safeguards. The researchers will draw on in-depth legal analyses , comparative studies with other EU Member States , and insights from practitioners . The research results can contribute to the development of concrete proposals to modernize and reform existing legislation.
The establishment of the interuniversity chair underscores the importance of scientific research and collaboration in the reform of complex legal systems and represents an important step towards a future-oriented customs policy for the Belgian-Luxembourg Economic Union. The chair follows on from an extensive research project conducted by the University of Antwerp, which highlighted the urgent need to modernize Belgian customs criminal law, and builds on previous research by the University of Liège.
Chair holder University of Antwerp: Eric Van Dooren
Professor at ULiège: Vanessa Franssen
Faculty: Law
Active: since 2025
This chair is a collaboration with ULiège, La Faculté de Droit, de Science Politique et de Criminologie.
This chair is made possible by the following partners : Havenkoepel VZW, AAD&A