Moving to Bosnia and Herzegovina

IMPORT OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS

For expat families, the process of moving to a new country, finding a suitable accommodation or good school for their kids is just one of the many things they have to deal with as they prepare to start life in their new environment. Managing the whole process alone can be stressful and time consuming, and so the help of relocation experts is highly recommended. At Move One Relocations we understand the importance of making a seamless transition when settling in your new destination, and are committed to making this possible.

Individuals, moving to Bosnia, other than diplomats wishing to import household goods to Bosnia and Herzegovina need to be present for the customs clearance process and need to submit the following documents:

• Proforma invoice with stated value for customs purposes
• Detailed and valued packing list
• Shipping document
• Copy of residence permit issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs or a housing lease
• Power of attorney for Move One/AES Cargo to import the shipment
• Copy of passport with the possibility that the original must be shown
• Copy of work permit
• Owner’s statement

Foreigners cannnot import their goods duty free, there are approx. 16% duties and 17% taxes to be paid. Transport costs will also be included in the base of cacluation for duties and taxes.

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Bosnian citizens must be present for the customs clearance process. Bosnian citizens can only import goods duty free if they have been away from Bosnia for 1 year or more and the following documents are submitted to customs authorities:

• Certificate from the Bosnian Embassy at origin stating that the shipper has lived outside Bosnia for more than 1 year
• Detailed packing list stamped by the Bosnian Embassy at origin with total value on it
• Shipping document
• Declaration from the shipper stating that the goods are all used and they are in his/her possession for more than 12 months
• If the shipper owns a dwelling he/she must show a proof that he/she will live in it for 2 years and it will not be rented out to a third party in case of absence
• Owner’s statement

Bosnian citizens can only perform duty and tax free import of HHG once. If they are importing a new TV or household goods after they have previously imported goods duty free, they must pay duties and taxes the second and every subsequent time.

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Diplomats importing HHG and personal effects need the following documents:

• Proforma invoice with stated value for customs purposes
• Packing list
• Shipping document
• Copy of passport
• Letter from the Embassy
• Diplomatic protocol from the Bosnian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Notes

Import customs clearance takes up to 7 days. Packing list should be in English or Bosnian. Do not attach the inventory list used for the insurance purposes with the documents enclosed with the shipment. As experienced in the past, the customs regulations can change at any time with or without notice. We’ll do our best to update our valued customers and agents with such changes.

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The following items cannot be imported to Bosnia:

• Weapons of all kinds
• Pornography
• Narcotics
• Toxic materials
• Radioactive materials
• Stuffed animals

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The following documents are needed for import customs clearance of a vehicle:

• Customs border report
• Invoice or statement about vehicle’s value
• Shipping document
• Owner’s vehicle book with engine number and size
• Statement by owner on company letterhead stating place of residence in Bosnia
• Copy of owner’s passport or ID card

When importing a vehicle with diplomatic protocol it can be sold in Bosnia later. Documents needed for diplomats are:

• Diplomatic protocol from Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• All vehicle details – with stamp from the Embassy
• Customs border report
• Invoice or statement about vehicle’s value
• Shipping document

Vehicles being imported cannot be more than 7 years old and apart from diplomats all individuals must pay duties and taxes on them. For used vehicles duties are approximately 16% plus there is 17% VAT. Transport costs will also be included in the base of calculation for duties and taxes.

Notes

New cars from EU are free of customs duties. Used cars must have EURO 3 engine.

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When importing jewelry, art, antiques and carpets these items must be registered upon arrival into Bosnia. There are no restrictions on what can be brought into Bosnia as long as the item is registered and a document from the Bosnian Ministry of Culture is obtained to show the presence of the item in the country.

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The allowance limit for the import of wine, spirits and cigarettes for personal consumption is:

• Alcohol: 1 liter
• Cigarettes: 10 boxes per person

For amounts exceeding the permitted limit duties and taxes of 100% of value on alcohol and tobacco are to be paid.

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EXPORT OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS

Regulations, charges or restrictions may apply to household goods exports as they leave Bosnia and when they arrive at their destination country. Specialists at Move One Relocations are experts in local rules and industry regulations and will handle your transaction on both sides. At Move One Relocations we understand the importance of making a seamless transition as your foreign assignment in Bosnia is coming to an end, and are committed to making this possible.

Foreigners, other than diplomats and Bosnian citizens wishing to export goods from Bosnia do not need to be present for the export clearance process. Next are needed for export clearance of HHG:

• Packing list
• Copy of passport
• Power of attorney for Move One/AES Cargo to handle the export
• Weight ticket

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Diplomats exporting goods from Bosnia need the following documents:

• Packing list
• Copy of passport
• Diplomatic protocol

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The following items cannot be exported out of Bosnia:

• Weapons of all kinds
• Pornography
• Narcotics
• Toxic materials
• Radioactive materials
• Stuffed animals

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When exporting a vehicle from Bosnia, the following documents are needed:

• Power of attorney for Move One/AES to handle the export
• Proforma invoice stating the value of the car
• Vehicle ownership paperwork
• Copy of owner’s passport

Before the export process the vehicle must be de-registered.

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Before the export a permit from Ministry of Culture need to be obtained for artworks and antiques. For those items which have been registered upon arrival this permit is not needed, but the import registration must be shown to customs authorities.

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There is no restriction for export of wine, spirits or tobacco. Maximum quantity of the items being exported depends on the country of destination, therefore before export please contact our office to check the current customs regulations and restrictions in the destination country.

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