Table of Contents
1. Regulations and Policies
1.1 Trade Regulations and Policies
1.1.1 Principal Authority Governing Trade
1.1.2 Trade Regulations
1.1.3 Relevant Provisions on Trade Administration
1.1.4 Inspection and Quarantine of Imported and Exported Commodities
1.1.5 Customs Administration Rules and Regulations
1. Regulations and Policies
The competent authority for foreign economic and trade in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina ("MoFTER", website: www.mvteo.gov.ba). Its main responsibilities include: formulating the country's foreign economic and trade development plans and related policies, customs law and tariff rules, policies and regulations for attracting foreign investment, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina's strategic plans on new energy, environmental protection and tourism industries; carrying out bilateral economic and trade cooperation; developing international economic and trade cooperation.
Table 1-1 System of Trade Regulations in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Trade regulations |
Website |
Law on Foreign Trade of Bosnia and Herzegovina |
www.mvteo.gov.ba/Content/Read/zakoni?lang=en |
Customs Policy Act and Tariff Rules |
www.mvteo.gov.ba/attachments/en_Home/Other_pages/Cu stoms_policy_and_tariff/Akti/Zakoni_carina/%D0%95N_57- 04.pdf; www.mvteo.gov.ba/attachments/en_Home/Other_pages/Cu stoms_policy_and_tariff/Akti/Zakoni_carina/EN_58-12.pdf |
Free Trade Zones Act |
www.mvteo.gov.ba/attachments/en_Home/Other_pages/Cu stoms_policy_and_tariff/Akti/Zakoni_carina/EN_99-09.pdf |
Law on the Protection of Consumer Rights and Interests |
extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/pdf/bih145405.pdf |
Market Regulation Act |
bihkonk.gov.ba/en/law-on-competition-of-bosnia-and-herze govina.html |
Product Technical Requirements Law |
annt.gov.ba/Agencija/zakonodavstvo/Law_Technical_Requi rements_Products_Conformity_Assessment.pdf |
Public Procurement Law |
urz.gov.ba/legislativa/zakoni/Novi_ZJN_BiH_en.pdf |
Source: Compiled by the Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Bosnia and Herzegovina
[Import Management] The MoFTER is the import management agency. Bosnia and Herzegovina has no restrictions on the import of industrial production and consumer goods. However, Bosnia and Herzegovina prohibits the import of goods that are harmful to human health or affect the environment, such as waste tires and vehicles over 10 years old. Bosnia and Herzegovina has strict restrictions on the import of special commodities such as weapons, ammunition, military equipment, animal and plant drugs, narcotics, etc. It is necessary to apply for an import license from the MoFTER. Website:
www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/bosnia-and-herzegovin a-prohibited-and-restricted-imports
[Export Management] The Bosnia and Herzegovina Export Promotion Agency under the BiH Foreign Trade Chamber is an export management agency.
Bosnia and Herzegovina encourages the export of its own products. Except for weapons, ammunition and dual-use items, there are no restrictions on export, but it must strictly abide by free trade agreements signed with EU and Southeast European countries. In terms of the application of tax-free preferential treatment and other provisions, the products that use foreign raw materials and are processed in Bosnia and Herzegovina and then exported to other countries in the free trade zone must strictly comply with the rules of origin of the products. Website:
www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/bosnia-and-herzegovin a-trade-barriers
In 2023, in order to prevent timber shortages and alleviate the impact of rising wood product prices and world energy market crises on the economy, Bosnia and Herzegovina imposed the temporary export bans on some timber and wood products involving 11 tariff codes, including logs and wood pellets, until July 31 of the same year. The relevant bans can be found at:
ppp.dws.ba/udocs/Odluka20o20privremenoj20zabrani20izvoza20o dreC491enih20C5A1umskih20drvnih20sortimenata20402023.pdf
The authority in charge of quarantine of imported and exported food and animal products in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the State Veterinary Office of MoFTER (website: vet.gov.ba/v2/? lang=en). When relevant commodities enter and exit the Customs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the customs declaration shall be made to the Customs. The Customs is responsible for spot checks on commodities. The EU Customs Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina is responsible for monitoring certificates of origin for products exported to the EU. For animal and plant products, the inspection and quarantine certificate officially issued by the exporting country shall be provided. Special products entering Bosnia and Herzegovina shall have relevant approval documents or certificates.
There are four major customs areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, namely: Sarajevo Customs, Mostar Customs, Tuzla Customs and Banja Luka Customs.
[Management System] According to the Customs Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the MoFTER is responsible for publishing new customs tariff rules every year as an attached document to the Customs Law. The import tariff rules shall list different tax rates, including basic tariff, EU preferential tariff and quota, CEFTA zero tariff, Iran agreement tariff, Turkey agreement tariff, etc. The Customs of Bosnia and Herzegovina is exempt from customs duties on equipment imported by foreign investors as investment shares or assets.
[Tariff Rate] According to the provisions of the tariff rules, the customs registration tax is 1% of the customs declaration base. The import tax rates in Bosnia and Herzegovina are: 0%, 5%, 10% and 15%. In September 2023, the Council of Ministers of BiH announced a temporary suspension or reduction of import tariffs on 68 HS codes in the textile, footwear, chemical, metal, food, graphics, and electrical sectors until December 31, 2024. Website: www.sluzbenilist.ba/page/akt/4jFfrI0DxA0=
According to the CEFTA Free Trade Agreement signed between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Central and Eastern European countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina gives zero tariff preferences to import products originating from member countries of the agreement. According to the Interim Trade Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU ("Annex to the Stabilization and Association Agreement"), Bosnia and Herzegovina completely eliminated customs duties on imports from the EU by 2013.
Disclaimer:The above content is translated from Chinese version of Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China. The Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China version shall prevail.