LINDA FIERENS - Customs Solutions, Belgium
Linda has more than 25 years of experience in customs and excise. She started her career within the Belgian Customs Administration, where she developed a strong foundation in customs legislation, procedures and enforcement. Following her time in public service, Linda continued her career in the private sector, where she held leadership positions within customs departments of major international logistics and freight forwarding companies.
Drawing on this extensive experience, Linda founded Customs Solutions, a consultancy dedicated to helping businesses navigate increasingly complex customs and excise environments. Her vision combines technical expertise with practical, business-oriented advice that organizations can effectively implement in their daily operations.
Linda advises companies on a broad range of customs and excise matters, including customs procedures, customs classification, authorizations, tooling, compliance management, audits and operational setup from scratch. She supports businesses in navigating increasingly complex customs environments and translating legislation into workable solutions.
Her experience spans multiple industries and international supply chains, making her a trusted advisor for organizations seeking both practical guidance and long-term customs compliance strategies.
Linda lives in Belgium and remains passionate about sharing her customs expertise with clients and colleagues alike. What characterises Linda most is her pragmatic approach, her extensive industry knowledge and her ability to make complex customs matters understandable and manageable.
VALENTINA MARKU - Customs Solutions, Belgium
Valentina Marku is a customs and excise expert with a legal background and extensive experience supporting the movement, storage and taxation of energy products across the European Union.
Over the course of her career, she has advised and managed customs and excise matters across multiple EU jurisdictions, working closely with operators active in the energy, fuel, chemicals and liquid bulk sectors. Her expertise covers both the regulatory and operational aspects of customs, excise and international trade.
Prior to joining Customs Solutions, Valentina held senior customs and global trade positions within the European tank storage industry, where she was responsible for customs and trade compliance across a network of terminals and operations in several Member States. This experience has provided her with a thorough understanding of the practical challenges faced by businesses operating complex cross-border supply chains for energy products.
In addition to her professional activities, Valentina serves as Chair of the FETSA Customs Taskforce, representing the European tank storage sector in discussions concerning customs legislation, excise procedures, digitalisation initiatives and regulatory developments at EU level.
As a representative of Customs Solutions within the European Excise Association, Valentina contributes an independent industry perspective shaped by years of experience across multiple European jurisdictions, particularly in relation to energy products and liquid bulk supply chains. Her work focuses on helping businesses navigate regulatory complexity while maintaining efficient and compliant operations across Europe.
Based in Belgium, Valentina is passionate about fostering cooperation between industry, authorities and trade associations, and contributing to the continued development of customs and excise practices across the European Union.