Liège named Belgium’s bid to host new EU Customs Authority

Liège, home to Belgium’s largest cargo airport, has been officially selected as the country’s candidate to host the headquarters of the future European Customs Authority (EUCA), with the federal government and the Walloon Region jointly backing the bid.

The EUCA — unveiled by the European Commission in 2023 — is designed to become a centralised hub supporting national customs agencies across the bloc. Once established, it aims to streamline customs processes, boost the safety of online purchases for EU consumers, and offer national authorities more unified digital tools.

According to GRE Liège, a public-private body that coordinates economic strategy for the region, the city has been formally put forward to host the agency.

A logistics powerhouse

The application highlights the University of Liège’s customs law research centre, active since 2018, as well as the strategic expertise built around Liège Airport. The airport, one of Europe’s key cargo hubs, handles exceptionally high volumes of small parcels — providing researchers and operators with direct exposure to the complexities of global e-commerce.

“Liège is a strategic choice for Europe, a major logistics hub with its cargo airport, its river port and its multimodal connectivity, at the heart of trade flows,” said Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Wallonia’s Economy Minister. “This candidacy shows our ambition to strengthen competitiveness not only in Wallonia but also in Belgium and in Europe.”

Strong competition

Belgium’s candidate faces competition from eight other cities: Bucharest, The Hague, Malaga, Porto, Lille, Rome, Warsaw and Zagreb. The European Commission will evaluate the bids based on accessibility, readiness of facilities, and the availability of suitable schooling for staff and their families.

The winning host city is expected to be announced in the coming months, with the EUCA scheduled to begin operations in 2028. The new authority is projected to employ around 250 people.