14th September 2026, Skopje – Customs Administration is undergoing a transformation into a modern, efficient and secure administration. Today, at Tabanovce border crossing, the results of the project, implemented with EU support, amounting to around EUR 4 million, were presented. This was highlighted by Minister of Finance at Tabanovce border crossing on the occasion of the successful completion of the projects implemented under the Action Document “EU against Organized Crime, in Support of Trade”.
“Today, we are at the border crossing to witness the tangible results of yet another significant project implemented with EU support, valued at EUR 4 million. Its significance far exceeds the value of the procured equipment. It is an investment in an institution that plays a vital role for the country by safeguarding its financial interests, combating organized and cross-border crime, while also creating conditions in support of faster and more efficient trade,” the Minister said.
With EU support, specialized equipment and modern technological solutions for controls and investigations were provided, including IT equipment and software, as well as new specialized vehicles for mobile customs teams and the K-9 unit.
According to the Minister, this will result in improved working conditions for customs officers, greater mobility, and enhanced capacity to detect and prevent illicit trade and cross-border crime.
She added that parallel investments are also being made in digitalization, which will result in fewer administrative procedures, streamlined access to customs systems, and faster processing times.
“By developing the EOR12 system and the system for unified user identity management and digital signatures, an important step has been taken towards creating a single, more streamlined and secure digital access point to customs services, which is of vital importance to economic operators. The Customs Administration will also be provided with higher-quality data, enhanced security, and improved system connectivity, the Minister said, adding that these changes form part of the broader process of alignment with EU customs standards and preparatory activities for integration into the EU Single Market and Customs Union.
As highlighted by the Minister, providing adequate working conditions for customs officers is a key priority, as a strong institution is also built by the people who implement these standards in practice on a day-to-day basis. She also expressed appreciation for the European Union's continuous partnership, through which several projects supporting the Customs Administration have been implemented in recent years, including at Tabanovce border crossing.
“Under the IPA I Programme, a series of projects have been implemented so far, contributing to the improvement of customs processes and operations. Under the IPA Programme, EUR 1.8 million was invested in the upgrade and expansion of customs clearance and inspection facilities. In addition, with support amounting to EUR 1 million, a series of procurements aimed at improving the operational capacity at Tabanovce border crossing were successfully completed. These included the procurement of vehicles, GPS tracking devices, IT equipment and multifunctional devices, office supplies, protective clothing for conducting official inspections, as well as equipment for carrying out inspection controls,” the Minister stated.
She pointed out that the Ministry of Finance continues to provide strong support for the modernization and digitalization of customs operations, as an efficient Customs Administration contributes to improved revenue collection and safeguarded public revenues, more efficient fight against the informal economy and crime, as well as better business environment and greater competitiveness of Macedonian economy.
She also stressed that, in the first eight months of this year, revenue from import duties amounted to nearly Denar 10.5 billion, representing a 9.7% increase compared with the same period last year.
