With the support of the private and public sectors, the “Interuniversity Chair in Customs Law” (Chaire interuniversitaire en droit douanier) was established on April 1, 2025, and structured as a collaboration between the law faculties of the University of Antwerp and ULiège.

The Chair serves as a platform for research and services related to new developments and challenges in European and Belgian customs law. Primarily, the Chair provides a scientific contribution to the revision of sanction policies and other customs law issues.

The Chair was formally inaugurated on September 8, 2025, at the office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Pensions in Brussels. Speeches were delivered by Minister Jan Jambon, the two chair holders Prof. Eric Van Dooren (University of Antwerp) and Prof. Vanessa Franssen (ULiège), the Administrator-General of the General Administration of Customs and Excise Kristian Vanderwaeren and Olivier Schoenmaeckers in his capacity as co-chair of the multidisciplinary commission for the revision of customs sanction policy, and on behalf of Havenkoepel vzw.

Afterwards, a networking reception took place with many invited guests professionally involved in the sector. The University of Antwerp was also represented by a large delegation. Among those in attendance were prof. Nathalie Dens (Vice-Rector for Social Engagement), prof. Anne Van de Vijver (Dean of the Faculty of Law), prof. Bruno Peeters (Emeritus Full Professor of Tax Law), Ward Lietaert (Researcher), and Erhard Vermeulen (Researcher).