In October 2025, the World Customs Organization (WCO) adopted Explanatory Note 7.1 – a significant development in customs valuation guidance that provides greater clarity around one of the most important concepts in international trade:
The “price actually paid or payable” under the transaction value method.
For importers, customs professionals and advisers, this concept sits at the heart of customs valuation and import declarations. Yet historically, guidance has often been spread across multiple WCO instruments and interpretations.
This practical webinar will explain what EN 7.1 means in real commercial terms and how businesses can better assess whether payments should, or should not, form part of customs value.
The session combines technical insight with practical commercial examples relevant to UK and EU importers.
What Will Be Covered?
During the webinar, we will explore:
- The background and significance of WCO Explanatory Note 7.1
- The meaning of “price actually paid or payable”
- The EN 7.1 three-pillar framework
- The “condition of sale” test in practice
- Payments included within customs value
- Payments excluded from customs value
- Transfer pricing adjustments and customs valuation
- Warranty charges and training fees
- E-commerce platform fees
- Compliance considerations for UK and EU importers
The session will also examine practical commercial scenarios to help attendees understand how the guidance may apply in day-to-day operations.
Who Should Attend?
This webinar is designed for professionals involved in international trade, customs and cross-border transactions, including:
- Customs compliance managers
- Trade compliance teams
- Import/export professionals
- Finance directors and CFOs
- Transfer pricing specialists
- Customs brokers and freight forwarders
- Tax advisers and accountants
- International trade lawyers
- E-commerce importers and platform operators
No prior knowledge of WCO valuation rules is required.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
✔ Understand the purpose and structure of EN 7.1
✔ Assess whether payments form part of customs value
✔ Apply the “condition of sale” test more confidently
✔ Recognise common customs valuation risk areas
✔ Better understand the interaction between customs valuation and transfer pricing
About the Presenter
Douglas Mackay
Douglas Mackay is a Customs, Trade & Indirect Tax Specialist at International Trade Matters Ltd with more than 40 years of international customs experience.
His background includes participation in WCO Technical Committee on Customs Valuation work, senior advisory roles at KPMG China and PwC China, and leadership positions overseeing customs and VAT operations across Asia Pacific regions.
Douglas advises businesses across UK, EU and international trade frameworks on customs valuation, tariff classification, rules of origin and trade remedies.
Register Your Place
Places are limited for this complimentary practitioner briefing.
For further information, please contact:
info@internationaltradematters.com