The EU Cross-Border E-commerce Forum (EU-CBEC) has commenced in Liege, Belgium, hosted at Liege Airport (LGG), a prominent air cargo hub. The two-day event is expected to attract more than 900 professionals from various sectors, including e-commerce, air cargo, logistics, customs, technology, retail, and supply chain management. The forum aims to address the evolving landscape of the air cargo market, particularly in the context of e-commerce.
A central theme of the discussions is the European Union's recent decision to remove the low-value duty exemption. This regulatory change has substantial implications for cross-border e-commerce, as goods previously exempt from duties will now be subject to new customs procedures and charges.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this development means a significant adjustment to existing e-commerce logistics strategies. The removal of the low-value duty exemption will likely lead to increased administrative burdens related to customs declarations and duty calculations for shipments entering the EU. Forwarders will need to ensure their systems and processes are updated to accurately handle these new requirements, potentially impacting transit times and overall costs for shippers. It also underscores the importance of clear communication with clients regarding potential changes in landed costs for consumers. Capacity and routing may also see adjustments as carriers and integrators adapt their networks to the new regulatory environment.
