Brussels, Liège and Ostend-Bruges Airports Adopt Unified Digital Customs Framework to Enhance Efficiency, Compliance and Trade Facilitation
Belgium’s three key cargo gateways—Brussels Airport, Liège Airport and Ostend-Bruges Airport—have joined forces to implement a harmonised digital customs framework aimed at modernising air cargo processes and supporting the country’s transition to the European Union’s next-generation customs environment. Coordinated by Air Cargo Belgium and LGG Connect, the initiative will standardise customs data exchanges across the nation’s airport community platforms, creating a more efficient, transparent and competitive logistics ecosystem ahead of full implementation by the end of 2026.
In a significant step towards the digital transformation of European air cargo operations, Belgium’s leading cargo airports have announced a joint initiative to harmonise customs procedures through a unified digital framework that will streamline the exchange of customs declarations and strengthen the country’s position as a premier logistics gateway for international trade.
The collaboration brings together Brussels Airport, Liège Airport and Ostend-Bruges Airport under a common approach to customs digitalisation, enabling cargo stakeholders to exchange import, export and transit declarations with Belgian Customs using standardised interfaces and operational principles.
The project is being coordinated by Air Cargo Belgium and LGG Connect and represents one of the most comprehensive collaborative digitalisation efforts undertaken within the Belgian aviation sector.
Supporting Europe’s Next Generation Customs Environment
The initiative forms part of Belgium’s broader transition away from the existing Paperless Customs and Excise system towards the European Union’s Multi-Annual Strategic Plan for Customs (MASP-C), a long-term programme designed to modernise customs procedures across member states through greater digital integration and automation.
Under the new framework, air cargo companies operating through Belgian airports will be able to submit Temporary Storage Declarations (TSDs) electronically through dedicated airport community platforms.
At Brussels Airport, declarations will be processed through BRUCloud, while operators at Liège Airport will use LGG Tracking. Although each platform will remain independently managed, both systems will operate according to identical standards and technical interfaces, ensuring consistency across the national air cargo ecosystem.
The platforms will connect directly with Belgian Customs’ electronic systems, enabling declarations to be processed digitally while providing real-time feedback and notification mechanisms to cargo stakeholders.
The transition represents a significant advancement in customs modernisation, reducing manual intervention, improving data accuracy and facilitating more efficient cargo clearance procedures.
Enhancing Belgium’s Competitive Position as a Logistics Hub
Industry stakeholders view the initiative as a strategic move that will strengthen Belgium’s attractiveness as a logistics gateway at a time when supply chains increasingly demand speed, visibility and regulatory compliance.
By creating a uniform customs environment across multiple airports, Belgium aims to simplify interactions for freight forwarders, airlines, handling agents and international traders, regardless of the airport through which cargo enters or exits the country.
The standardisation of customs procedures is expected to reduce administrative complexity, improve operational efficiency and provide greater transparency throughout the cargo handling process.
As European supply chains continue to evolve amid changing trade patterns, digital customs capabilities are increasingly regarded as a key differentiator for airports competing to attract international cargo traffic.
A harmonised approach also positions Belgium to better support growing e-commerce volumes, time-sensitive shipments and complex multimodal supply chains that rely on seamless data exchange between logistics stakeholders and regulatory authorities.
Rare Collaboration Across the Belgian Aviation Sector
The project marks an unprecedented level of cooperation among Belgium’s major cargo airports, traditionally operating as independent cargo ecosystems.
By aligning their digital customs strategies, Brussels Airport, Liège Airport and Ostend-Bruges Airport are demonstrating a shared commitment to creating a nationally coordinated cargo infrastructure that benefits the wider logistics community.
The initiative is being led by Air Cargo Belgium, which represents cargo stakeholders at Brussels Airport, alongside LGG Connect, the cargo community organisation supporting Liège Airport’s logistics ecosystem.
Development of the digital portal infrastructure is already underway, with operational deployment expected before the end of 2026.
Industry Leaders Back Digital Transformation
Senior executives from the participating organisations have highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative for both the air cargo sector and Belgium’s broader economic competitiveness.
Arnaud Feist, Chief Executive Officer of Brussels Airport, said the project aligns closely with the airport’s long-standing commitment to cargo digitalisation and operational innovation.
“Brussels Airport has been committed to the digitalisation of cargo processes for years. The development of this new digital integration is fully in line with our strategy to further strengthen the efficiency of air cargo operations through innovative and digital solutions. At the same time, we are contributing to a unified approach at the Belgian level, making Brussels Airport and our country even more interesting as a logistics hub for international trade,” he said.
Freek De Witte, Director of Air Cargo Belgium, emphasised the organisation’s role in fostering collaboration between industry stakeholders and customs authorities.
“Thanks to its unique relationship with our operational stakeholders, Air Cargo Belgium enjoys the full confidence of both the General Administration of Customs & Excise and our members. Our recent accession to the National Forum Steering Committee confirms this mandate,” he said.
De Witte noted that the initiative builds upon earlier cooperation agreements focused on creating a standardised and digitally enabled customs environment for the entire Belgian air cargo sector.
Digitalisation as a Driver of Future Growth
For Liège Airport, one of Europe’s leading cargo-focused airports, the project represents another step in leveraging digital innovation to improve operational performance and customer experience.
Laurent Jossart, Chief Executive Officer of Liège Airport, said the initiative reflects a shared ambition to strengthen Belgium’s role within the European logistics landscape.
“This collaboration reflects our shared ambition to strengthen Belgium’s position as a leading European logistics hub. At Liège Airport, we strongly believe in digital innovation and seamless cooperation across the cargo ecosystem to improve transparency, efficiency and compliance in international trade flows,” he said.
“At Liège Airport, cargo is at the heart of our strategy. This joint initiative is a concrete step towards more efficient, transparent and digitally enabled cargo operations across Belgium, benefiting our customers, partners and authorities alike.”
Preparing for the Future of Air Cargo
As governments and logistics providers increasingly embrace digital customs frameworks, Belgium’s coordinated airport strategy could serve as a model for other European cargo hubs seeking to modernise trade facilitation processes.
The move reflects a broader industry trend toward greater interoperability between airport community systems, customs authorities and logistics stakeholders, enabling cargo to move more efficiently while maintaining high levels of regulatory oversight.
With implementation targeted before the end of 2026, the initiative is expected to deliver long-term benefits through faster customs processing, improved data quality, reduced administrative burdens and enhanced competitiveness for Belgian air cargo operations.
For Belgium’s aviation and logistics sectors, the collaboration signals a new era of digital integration—one designed to strengthen the country’s role as a key gateway for global trade and reinforce its reputation as one of Europe’s most advanced cargo logistics centres.
