Bosnia and Herzegovina: sanctions and trade risk

Sanctions programmeEU and UK targeted sanctions on individuals undermining stability.

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 26 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Bosnia and Herzegovina.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

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

A sanctions programme concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina is in force — typically an arms embargo or targeted measures against listed persons and entities. Ordinary civilian goods are usually not restricted; arms, related material and listed parties are.

Sources: EU Sanctions Map — Bosnia and Herzegovina (30 Mar 2026) · UK FCDO — Current UK sanctions regimes (25 Mar 2026) · reviewed 24 Oct 2026

Check a shipment to Bosnia and Herzegovina →

By sanctions regime

The indicator above is the strictest of these. Which regimes are relevant to a shipment depends on many connections — dispatch country, company location, incorporation, nationality, ownership, banks, goods origin. The check selects them from your inputs in a simplified way; UN measures take effect through each country's implementing law.

Regime	Indicator	What applies
UN	—	No UN sanctions regime.
EU	Sanctions programme	Targeted listings (to Mar 2027).
Switzerland	—	No measures against the country itself.
UK	Sanctions programme	Targeted listings.
US	Sanctions programme	US Balkans-related programme.

On the sanctions lists

26 entries on the official lists name Bosnia and Herzegovina — 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)	13	13	—	—
UK Sanctions List (FCDO)	4	4	—	—
EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF)	3	3	—	—
UN Security Council Consolidated List	3	3	—	—
Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List	3	3	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded yet.

All updates →

All sanctioned countries compared by regime

Logistics profile

Bosnia and Herzegovina: logistics and trade

Transit country on Corridor Vc; supplier industry, wood/furniture, metal and energy

Bosnia and Herzegovina (ISO Code: BA) is located on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe and borders Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro. Politically, the country is a federal republic with a complex administration, consisting of two entities and a Brčko District. The climate varies regionally: continental inland with cold winters and warm summers, Mediterranean along the Adriatic coast. Economically, Bosnia and Herzegovina relies on manufacturing, mining, energy production, and agriculture. The country is import-dependent, particularly for machinery, energy, and consumer goods. In foreign trade, the EU plays a central role as the main buyer and supplier, while the transit function is supported by well-developed road and rail connections. The national currency is the Convertible Mark (BAM), which is pegged to the Euro and enables stable trade and payment flows. Strategically, Bosnia and Herzegovina benefits from its position as a link between Central and Southeastern Europe, with logistics and transportation gaining increasing importance.

Capital: Sarajevo
Population: 3,412,000
Area: 51,209 km²
Currency: Convertible Mark Bosnia and Herzegovina (BAM)
Continent: Europe
Region: Western Balkans / Southeast Europe
Economic area: CEFTA 2006; EU accession candidate (SAA)
Religions: Islam, Orthodox Christianity, Roman Catholic, Atheists
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Road · Rail · Air · Inland waterway

Current situation: Expansion of the A1 motorway (Corridor Vc) is ongoing. EU accession candidate since end of 2022; in 2024 decision to open accession talks. As of June 2026.
Seasonal conditions: Continental inland climate with cold, snowy winters on passes and mountain routes; milder Mediterranean coast. Occasional flooding possible in spring and summer.

Main cargo airports

Sarajevo International AirportSJJ
Sarajevo International (SJJ/LQSA) handled ~3,344 t of freight in 2025, mostly belly cargo. Non-EU customs apply. Alternatives: Tuzla, Mostar, Zagreb, Belgrade.
Tuzla International AirportTZL
Tuzla Airport (TZL) in northeastern Bosnia: low-cost diaspora flights, shared military use, no air cargo – nearest alternative Sarajevo (SJJ), approx. 100 km.
Banja Luka International AirportBNX
Banja Luka Airport (BNX/LQBK): just 23.8 tonnes of freight in 2025 — a passenger airport; air cargo for northern Bosnia routes via Zagreb or Sarajevo.
Mostar International AirportOMO
Mostar Airport (OMO): Sky Alps base since 2025, plus Eurowings and Air Serbia; tourists and Medjugorje pilgrims. No air cargo – nearest hub Sarajevo (SJJ).

Road corridors

Corridor Vc / A1 motorway: Budapest - Osijek - Sarajevo - Mostar - Ploče
M17 main road along the Neretva
Connections to Zagreb and Belgrade

Rail corridors

Rail corridor Vc: Šamac - Doboj - Sarajevo - Čapljina - Ploče
Banja Luka - Doboj - Tuzla
Connection to the Croatian and Serbian networks

Inland ports

Brčko (port on the Sava)
Bosanski Šamac (Sava)

Main trade lanes

BiH - Germany
BiH - Croatia (port of Ploče)
BiH - Serbia
BiH - Italy
BiH - Austria

Customs and import

Customs authority Uprava za indirektno oporezivanje BiH (Indirect Taxation Authority, ITA)Official website ↗

Import customs system: Import clearance by the ITA using the ASYCUDA system (e-Customs). The BiH customs tariff is aligned with the EU Combined Nomenclature.
Export customs system: Export clearance via the ITA in the ASYCUDA system; electronic export declaration. Preferential exports under SAA (EU), CEFTA 2006 and EFTA.
Import VAT: Uniform VAT rate of 17 percent with no reduced rates, levied by the ITA. Import VAT is calculated on the customs value plus customs duties and excise duties.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: Preference proofs EUR.1 or origin declaration under SAA (EU), CEFTA 2006 and EFTA; PEM cumulation of origin applicable.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Import controls for, among others, weapons, narcotics, protected species (CITES), certain foodstuffs and plants, and goods subject to excise duty.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
CMR consignment note
Packing list
Import customs declaration (ASYCUDA)
Proof of origin (EUR.1 / origin declaration)
Import licences depending on the goods

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
CMR consignment note
Packing list
Export customs declaration (ASYCUDA)
Proof of origin (EUR.1 / origin declaration)

Logistics conditions

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

Trade

Top import partners

Italy Germany Serbia China Croatia

Top export partners

Germany Croatia Serbia Austria Italy

Top import goods

Mineral oils
Machinery
Plastics
Vehicles. Electrical appliances

Top export goods

Mineral fuels
Electrical machinery
Machinery
Furniture
Iron/steel

Typical cargo

Mineral fuels and electricity
Metals (iron, steel, aluminium)
Wood and furniture
Machinery and electrical appliances
Plastics
Textiles and footwear (contract manufacturing)

Logistics questions

Which authority is responsible for customs and VAT?

The responsible body is the Indirect Taxation Authority (ITA, Uprava za indirektno oporezivanje BiH). It administers customs, VAT and excise duties nationwide and handles imports via the ASYCUDA system.

What is the VAT rate on imports?

Bosnia and Herzegovina levies a uniform VAT rate of 17 percent with no reduced rates. On imports, VAT is calculated on the customs value plus customs duties and any applicable excise duties.

Does Bosnia and Herzegovina have its own seaport?

No. The country has around 20 km of Adriatic coast near Neum, but no commercial deep-sea port. Overseas shipments generally run via Ploče in Croatia or Bar in Montenegro.

Which free trade and preferential agreements apply?

The country has the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU, CEFTA 2006 membership and an EFTA free trade agreement. Preference proofs are the EUR.1 or the origin declaration.

Which transport corridors are the most important?

The central route is the Pan-European Corridor Vc, with the A1 motorway under construction from Budapest via Sarajevo to Ploče. The M17 main road and rail links to Croatia and Serbia are also important.

Which documents are required for imports?

Common documents are the commercial invoice, CMR consignment note, packing list and the electronic import customs declaration in the ASYCUDA system. For preferences, a proof of origin (EUR.1 or origin declaration) is added; depending on the goods, import licences may also be required.

Which currency applies and is it stable?

The currency is the Convertible Mark (BAM). It is firmly pegged to the euro through a currency board (1 EUR = 1,95583 BAM), which supports stable trade and payment flows.

Which risks should shippers keep in mind?

The complex administration with two entities and the Brčko District, as well as border waiting times at the EU external border, can extend transit times. In winter, mountain routes are at risk of snow and ice, and flooding is possible in spring.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗