Mission possible: how the WTO Valuation Agreement strikes a balance between trade facilitation and customs regulation

Customs valuation is one of the largest challenges in international trade. That is why the rules of customs valuation are set out in an international treaty. On the one hand, this is aimed at harmonizing the valuation rules, while on the other hand, it is aimed at protecting economic operators from the arbitrariness of the authorities and, ultimately, at helping traders. Does it really work in practice, and does it serve both public and private interests in international trade? In the article, the peculiarities of customs valuation are highlighted, which are especially important to consider for those who deal with developing and least-developed countries.