Skopje, 15 July 2026 (MIA) - The Parliament on Wednesday passed amendments to the Law on Customs Tariff in third reading with 71 votes in favor and 11 votes against, after unanimously adopting, without debate, an amendment to Article 2 submitted by VMRO-DPMNE MP Bojan Stojanovski, which deletes the wording "and shall begin to apply as of July 1, 2026". The amendments align the bill's entry into force with its implementation date. 

The amendments were being considered in a third reading after President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova told the Parliament on July 6 that she had decided not to sign the decree promulgating it. Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi noted that in accordance with Article 75, paragraph 3 of the Constitution, the Parliament reconsiders the bill and if it is passed with a majority of votes of the MPs present, the President is obliged to sign it.

"In accordance with Article 75 paragraph (3) of the Constitution, after careful analysis, I have decided not to sign the Decree on the Promulgation of the Law on Amending the Law on the Customs Tariff, adopted by the Parliament on June 29, 2026. The reasons are related to the protection of the rule of law, as a fundamental value of the constitutional order. The Decree on the Promulgation of the Law on Amending the Law on the Customs Tariff was submitted to me on July 2, 2026. Article 2 thereof stipulates that "this law shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the "Official Gazette of the Republic of North Macedonia", and shall begin to apply as of July 1, 2026." Taking into account the aforementioned implementation date, I point out that signing the Decree would enable the retroactive effect of the Law, contrary to Article 52 paragraph (4) of the Constitution," the President told the Parliament.

The amendments to the Law on Customs Tariff implement a reduction in customs duties on approximately 70 goods, primarily raw materials and production inputs used by the domestic industry, as part of the Government’s 2024-2028 Work Program which envisions a gradual harmonization of customs duties with the rates applied in the EU, adapted to the economic needs of the Macedonian economy. 

The aim to increase the competitiveness of domestic companies exporting to foreign markets, boost Macedonian exports and foreign currency inflows, as well as investments and jobs. 

The amendments were drafted in consultation with the chambers of commerce, and are a continuation of last year’s legislative changes that entered into force on July 1, 2025, when customs duty rates were reduced by up to 50 percent of the rates applied in the European Union. They stipulate full alignment of certain customs tariffs with those applied in the European Union, while also considering the rules of the World Trade Organization.

Photo: print screen