Bosnia and Herzegovina: Selling and Buying

Reaching the Consumers

Consumer Profile and Purchasing Power: Even though the unemployment rate is very high (officially almost 40%) and a lot of money goes for basic commodities (rebuilding due to the war a dozen years ago) the real purchasing power of people in Bosnia and Herzegovina is not so low as one would suppose to be. The trend of unemployment rate is now finally decreasing. And grey economy market still seems to be extremely strong.

Consumers Associations: FMT , List of Consumer association in the Muslim-Croat Federation in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Market Shares: The market share of small (individual) retailers has fallen from 80% to 65%. The biggest three (Croatian Konzum, French Interex and Slovene Mercator) are struggling heavily but their joint total market share is still under 30% (end of first half 2008). Followers are domestic Bingo (around 7%), MIMS group (around 4.5%), Drvopromet (around 2.5%) and Delta (2.5%).

Main International Economic Cooperation: Member of Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) and a signed Free Trade Agreement with Turkey. According to the preferential export regime with the European Union, all goods of Bosnia and Herzegovina origin that fulfill EU technical-technological standards and conditions, can be exported to all 27 EU countries until the end of 2010 without any quantitative restriction and without paying customs and other similar duties. Furthermore, the Stabilization and Accession Agreement between European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina will establish a free-trade zone in both ways between EU and Bosnia in the following 5 years after signature in July 2008. Bosnia and Herzegovina also has preferential regimes with USA, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway, Russia, Japan and Canada.
Customs Duties and Taxes on Imports: Import customs rates payable in BiH according to the customs tariffs are: 0%, 5%, 10% and 15%, while 1% of customs value is paid for the purpose of customs registration. The tariff rate averages 5.1%.

List of tariffs and local taxes that apply to your product on our service Customs duties and local taxes.

Customs Classification: According to the Stabilization and Accession Agreement signed with the European Union in July 2008, Bosnia and Herzegovina should soon harmonize its customs classification with the EU.
Import Procedures: Equipment being imported as part of share capital is exempt from paying customs duties. This exemption does not refer to passenger vehicles, slot and gambling machines. In order to enjoy this benefit, the foreign investor should submit a written request for exemption from paying import duties to the competent customs authority (according to the location of the company) along with the following documents:

- contract or other relevant document about the investment on the basis of which the equipment is being imported,
- proof of registration of the foreign share (equipment) at the competent authority,
- equipment of specification with tariff number, tariff mark (with quantity indication), single and total value, certified by the investor,
- statement of the investor that the equipment is not older than 10 year age limit,
- certificate of the competent institution confirming that the imported equipment complies with the environmental and employment protection standards.

The Customs Office issues a decision within 15 days upon submission of the request.
Importing Samples: Samples of goods of negligible value are free of customs.

For Further Information: Indirect Taxation Administration of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Learn more about Traders, Agents in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Globaltrade.net, the Directory for International Trade Services.

Airports: Sarajevo International Airport
Mostar International Airport
Banja Luka Airport
Air Transport Organizations: Directorate of Civil Aviation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Rail Transport Organizations: Railway Regulatory Board

Type of Production: The largest share of GDP of Bosnia and Herzegovina goes to services ( 45%) and industry ( 40%) while the agriculture contributes 13% to the GDP. Main industries are: metal production, carmaking , textile , tobacco and furniture . Other growing activites with a good potential are also wood industry, transport , energy , food processing and tourism.

Multi-sector Directories: Komorars - Business directory of all companies in Srpska.

To search directories by industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina, check out our service Business directories.

Manufacturers Associations of the Main Industries: 1 professional associations listed for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Trade Agencies and Their Representations Abroad: Chamber of Commerce of Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Chamber of Commerce of Muslim-Croat Federation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (in Bosniac)
Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina (in Bosnian)
Contact Your Commercial Representations in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Egyptian Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina
58 Nurudina Gackica St.
Sarajevo 71000
Phone: (+38733) 666498 - 665659
Fax: (+38733) 666499
Contact the Embassy via Email.
Enterprises Federation: Employers Association of Muslim-Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (in local language only)
Employers Confederation of Serbian Republic of Srpska

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