Albania: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 9 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Albania.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

No elevated country indicator for Albania in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Albania may still be on a list.

Check a shipment to Albania →

On the sanctions lists

9 entries on the official lists name Albania — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.

List	Entries	Companies & organisations	Vessels	Aircraft
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)	5	5	—	—
Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List	1	1	—	—
EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF)	1	1	—	—
UN Security Council Consolidated List	1	1	—	—
UK Sanctions List (FCDO)	1	1	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Albania recorded yet.

All updates →

All sanctioned countries compared by regime

Logistics profile

Albania: logistics and trade

Adriatic port and transit market, emerging Western Balkans corridor

Albania (ISO code: AL) is an Adriatic coastal state in the Western Balkans, bordering Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Greece. It is not an EU member but has been linked to the EU since 2009 through a Stabilisation and Association Agreement establishing a free trade area, is an EU accession candidate and a member of CEFTA. Customs are handled by the General Directorate of Customs (Drejtoria e Pergjithshme e Doganave) through the electronic ASYCUDA World system; import VAT is generally 20 percent (reduced rates of 6 and 10 percent). Its foreign trade is shaped by clothing and footwear from contract manufacturing, mineral oil, metals, construction materials, agriculture and a growing tourism sector, with Italy as the main trading partner. In logistics terms Albania is primarily an Adriatic port and road market: the Port of Durres handles the bulk of throughput (around 196,500 TEU in 2024), complemented by Vlora, Shengjin and Saranda. Air freight runs through Tirana Nene Tereza Airport (TIA), while Corridor VIII and the A1 motorway link the Adriatic ports with North Macedonia and Kosovo. Rail transport is limited but is being modernised as part of Corridor VIII.

Capital: Tirana
Population: 2,400,000
Area: 28,748 km²
Currency: Albanian Lek (ALL)
Continent: Europe
Region: Western Balkans / Southeast Europe
Economic area: CEFTA; EU accession candidate (SAA in force since 2009)
Religions: Islam, Christianity, None
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Sea · Road · Air · Rail

Current situation: No nationwide disruption verified (as of 2026-06-22). Albania entered the final phase of EU accession negotiations in May 2026; ongoing expansion of port and road infrastructure.
Seasonal conditions: Mediterranean coast with mild winters; in the mountain hinterland (north, east) snow and winter road closures. Heavy rain and flooding can temporarily affect roads.

Main seaports

Durres
Durrës (AL DRZ): Albania's principal port handling ~90% of seaborne trade, 196,507 TEU in 2024. Container, ferry and bulk terminals on the Adriatic; ferries to Italy.
Shengjin
Shengjin (AL SHG): small northern-Albania Adriatic port for general cargo, bulk and timber. Minimal containers; Durrës and Bar are the alternatives.
Vlores
Vlorë (AL VOA): Albania's second port on the Adriatic. General cargo, the Vlorë 1 oil berth and seasonal ferries to Italy; large container volumes route via Durrës.

Main cargo airports

Tirana International Airport Mother TeresaTIA
Tirana Airport (TIA/LATI) is Albania's leading air cargo gateway: a 24/7 cargo terminal, mainly belly freight, customs brokerage and Durrës seaport nearby.

Road corridors

Corridor VIII (Durres - Tirana - Elbasan - North Macedonia)
Motorway A1 (Durres/Tirana - Kukes - Morine, towards Kosovo)
SH2 Tirana - Durres
Adriatic coastal axis (towards Montenegro / Greece)

Rail corridors

Hekurudha Shqiptare (HSH): Durres - Tirana / Elbasan - Pogradec, limited freight traffic
Rebuilding of the Tirana - Durres line and connection towards North Macedonia (Corridor VIII)

Main trade lanes

Italy - Albania
Albania - Italy
Greece - Albania
Kosovo - Albania
Turkey - Albania

Customs and import

Customs authority General Directorate of Customs (Drejtoria e Pergjithshme e Doganave, DPD)Official website ↗

Import customs system: ASYCUDA World (electronic customs declaration by the DPD). Albania applies the Harmonized System; declarations are usually made through licensed customs agents.
Export customs system: ASYCUDA World (DPD). Preferential trade with the EU under the SAA and within CEFTA.
Import VAT: 20% (standard rate); reduced 6% and 10%
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: EUR.1, EUR-MED and origin declaration on the invoice. Albania is a CEFTA member and has a free trade area with the EU (SAA, since 2009); further preferential agreements, including with EFTA and Turkey, among others.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Weapons and military goods, narcotics, protected species (CITES), certain agricultural and food imports, and excise goods (tobacco, alcohol, mineral oil). Checks via the DPD.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Customs declaration (ASYCUDA World)
Transport document (CMR, B/L, AWB)
Proof of origin (EUR.1 / origin declaration) for preference
Import licences if applicable

Typical export documents

Export declaration (ASYCUDA World)
Commercial invoice
Packing list
Proof of origin (EUR.1 / EUR-MED)
Transport document
Export licence if applicable (dual-use / military goods, AKSHE)

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: Medium
Customs delays: Medium
Port congestion: Medium
Dangerous goods relevance: Medium
Pharma and cold chain relevance: Low to medium
E-commerce relevance: Medium

Trade

Top import partners

Italy China Türkiye Greece Germany

Top export partners

Italy Kosovo Greece Spain North Macedonia

Top import goods

Mineral oils
Vehicles
Electronic equipment
Miscellaneous

Top export goods

Mineral oils
Footwear
Clothing
Iron/steel
Electrical machinery

Typical cargo

Mineral oil and fuels
Clothing and footwear (processing under contract)
Iron and steel
Building materials
Food
Machinery
Chrome / ores

Logistics questions

Is Albania part of the EU or the EU customs union?

No. Albania is not an EU member but an accession candidate. Since 2009 there has been a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with a free trade area with the EU, and Albania is a member of CEFTA.

What is the import tax (VAT) rate in Albania?

The standard rate is 20%. Reduced rates of 6% and 10% apply, among others, to accommodation, books and certain agricultural inputs; international transport is exempt at 0%.

Which customs system does Albania use?

The General Directorate of Customs processes declarations electronically via the ASYCUDA World system. Imports are usually declared by licensed customs agents.

What documents do I need for importing into Albania?

Typical documents are the commercial invoice, packing list, electronic customs declaration (ASYCUDA World) and a transport document (CMR, B/L or AWB). For preferential treatment, a proof of origin such as EUR.1 is also required.

What is Albania's most important port?

The port of Durres is by far the largest and handles the majority of Albanian general cargo and container traffic (around 196'500 TEU in 2024). Other ports are Vlora, Shengjin and Saranda.

Which currency does Albania use?

The national currency is the Albanian lek (ALL). The euro is partly accepted in trade but is not legal tender.

How is Albania connected by road?

The main axes are Corridor VIII (Durres - Tirana - North Macedonia) and the A1 motorway towards Kosovo. Rail transport plays only a minor role.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗