WTO status and membership in other trade associations

Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the process of negotiations of the conditions of membership to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Since the beginning of negotiations, and later through the process of stabilization and association, the process has been initiated to harmonize domestic legislation with the international rules and rules of this organization. Today, the foreign trade regime is almost fully harmonized with the international trade rules.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a very liberal and transparent foreign trade regime. In accordance with the provisions of the Law on Foreign Trade Policy, there are no quantitative restrictions of import/export and domestic and foreign goods and services are subject to identical regimes, which completely follow the Treatment of the Most Favored Nation and National Treatment (NT). Due to security and/or control reasons, certain groups of goods are on permits (licenses) regime, which has been explained in the section “Permits”.

Laws and regulations

Institutions

Export

Bosnia and Herzegovina does not apply custom duties on exports, charges having equivalent nature or other forms of restrictive measures. The export quotas, prohibitions or other forms of export limitation are not applied.

Import

Import into Bosnia and Herzegovina is conducted according to the Customs Tariff of Bosnia and Herzegovina (see under “Customs”), and about use of preferential customs rate  see undre "Custom - Origin".

Goods imported into Bosnia and Herzegovina and placed in free circulation are subject to payment of value added tax (VAT) at the rate of 17% while certain groups of products (e.g. coffee, cigarettes, oil, oil derivatives etc.) are subject to payment of specific taxes (excise) in accordance with the Law on Excise of BiH. The rates of specific taxes have ad valorem and/or specific rates form.  

Bosnia and Herzegovina has no agreed tariff quotas under the CEFTA Agreement, which indicates that the goods originating in its members are imported exclusively per agreed customs rate. Should there be no proof of origin, then the goods are imported per prescribed MFN customs rate.

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