On 18 March 2026, students from the Faculty of Economics–Skopje attended a lecture delivered within the course Multilateral Trading System, titled “Agreement on Customs Valuation: Principles, Implementation and Practical Challenges.” The lecture was delivered by Mr. Zlatko Veterovski, PhD, representative of the Customs Administration of the Republic of North Macedonia. The event addressed the core principles and practical implications of the Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of the GATT 1994 (Agreement on Customs Valuation), a key legal instrument within the WTO framework. The Agreement establishes a transparent, uniform, and fair system for determining the customs value of imported goods, thereby reducing arbitrary practices and facilitating international trade. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of its proper implementation for enhancing trade facilitation, strengthening revenue collection, and ensuring alignment with international obligations and the EU acquis.
 
The lecture also highlighted the importance of customs valuation rules for EU candidate countries such as North Macedonia, where harmonisation with both WTO and EU legislation represents an essential part of the broader integration process. In this context, special attention was given to practical challenges related to verification procedures, risk management, and administrative capacity.
 
Mr. Zlatko Veterovski provided valuable insights into the national application of customs valuation rules, with a particular focus on practical implementation, verification procedures, and alignment with WTO disciplines and EU customs legislation. His contribution effectively connected theoretical principles with institutional practice, offering concrete examples from the work of the Customs Administration and emphasizing both the challenges and opportunities related to ensuring compliance, transparency, and efficiency in customs procedures.