How to Export to Bosnia - Herzegovina - Export to Bosnia

How to Export to Bosnia-Herzegovina

How to Export to Bosnia-Herzegovina
Customs Valuation
Customs valuation is based on the transaction value Ò the price actually paid or payable for the goods when sold for export to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The system of customs valuation in the Law on Customs Policy is fully compatible with WTO rules. The following duties, taxes, and other charges need to be paid to clear products through customs in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Duties

Duties depend on the good being exported. The duty is assessed on the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) of the good. Tariffs are set in accordance with World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations, although Bosnia and Herzegovina holds only observer status in the WTO. Bosnia and Herzegovina has a fairly low customs rate structure, ranging from 0 to 15 percent, with some exemptions.
CEEBIC (Tel: 202 482-2645) can provide the duty rate if the exporter supplies the harmonized code (Schedule B) for the product. Harmonized codes may be found on the Internet by running a keyword search on the Census Bureau Web site at: http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www, or by calling the Census Bureau at: (301) 457-1084.

Customs Record Keeping Tax
There is a 1 percent customs handling fee on all goods, with few exceptions.

Value-Added Tax (VAT)
Bosnia and Herzegovina currently does not have a Value Added Tax (VAT).

Excise, Consumption and Luxury Taxes
The Law on Excise Tax in Bosnia and Herzegovina regulates excise taxes on cigarettes, tobacco, and alcoholic beverages.

Temporary Entry
Products may be imported into Bosnia on a temporary basis. The rules on temporary imports are contained in the Law on Customs Policy of Bosnia and Herzegovina ("Official Gazette" of Bosnia and Herzegovina 21/98). Goods entering Bosnia and Herzegovina under this regime may be fully or partially free of customs duties and must not sustain any changes except for the nominal loss of value due to use. The maximum period for temporary entry is 12 months.

Free Trade Zones
Bosnia and Herzegovina currently contains eight free trade zones: Sarajevo, Vogosca, Visoko, Herzegovina Mostar, Lukavac, Mostar Jugoistok, Kiseljak, and Orasje.

Free Trade Agreements
Bosnia and Herzegovina has signed free trade agreements with Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Moldova, Turkey, and Romania.

Import Documentation
The Law on Customs requires that goods imported into Bosnia and Herzegovina be accompanied by a customs declaration (Single Administrative Document), commercial invoice, a certificate of origin, airway bill or bill of lading, and any required certificates for quality control.

Prohibited Imports
Bosnia and Herzegovina prohibits the imports of: passenger cars older than seven years; cargo vehicles older than ten years; buses older than ten years; trailers for cargo vehicles older than ten years; and used tires.

Quotas
As of June 2004, tariff quotas are only applied to raw materials imported at zero tariff for the meat-processing industry.

Export Licenses
Most high-tech Western technology can flow into Central and Eastern Europe without a U.S. export license. However, the goods that need an export license are different for every country and the list constantly changes. Generally, defense products and equipment such as optical equipment and software that may have a dual usage do require an export license. Export licenses can be obtained from the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) (formerly, BXA at the U.S. Department of Commerce). BIS coordinates the licensing process with the Departments of State and Defense.

If an exporter has a good that may need a license, the Export Commodity Control Number (ECCN) must be determined from the manufacturer. The number can also be obtained by filling out the BIS-748 Multipurpose Form, available by calling BIS's form request line at (202) 482-3332 or 482-4811. This form also serves as the application for the export license itself. BIS's telephone number for specific questions about Export Licenses is: (202) 482-4811.

Standards and Quality Control
The Law on Foreign Trade Policy (Article 7) requires imported goods to conform with the standards and technical and quality norms prescribed or recognized as preconditions for their placement in circulation or in use in Bosnia and Herzegovina. International and European standards are usually adopted. Preference is given to European standards, and particularly to Harmonized Standards. The Institute for Standardization, Metrology, and Intellectual Property is the main conformity assessment body in Bosnia and Herzegovina (see "Useful Contacts" section below). There are other testing organizations in BiH and a list of these institutions can be obtained from the Institute.

Labeling and Marking Requirements
Labels must contain the following information: name of the product, full address of the importer and the country of origin, net quantity/weight/volume, ingredients, manner of storage (transport, use, or maintenance), and pertinent consumer warnings. Technically complex products must be accompanied by instructions on usage, manufacturer specifications, a list of authorized maintenance persons/businesses, warranty information, warranty period, and other applicable data. All information must be translated into the languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina and affixed to (or accompanying) the product before it is put on the market.

Useful Addresses
Indirect Taxation Administration of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Uprava za Indirektno Oporezivanje Bosne i Hercegovine
Mr. Kemal Causevic, Director
Bana Lazarevica bb
Banja Luka, 78000
Bosnia and Herzegovnia
Phone: 387-(0)51-335-494
Fax: 387-(0)51-335-101

Institute for Standards, Metrology and Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mr. Sead Kilalic
Hamdije Cemerlica 2/7
71000 Sarajevo
Phone: 387-33-652-765
Fax: 387-33-652-757
E-mail: info@basmp.gov.ba

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Information Source: Trade Information Center