Voluntary Report - public distribution

**Date:** 7/7/2004

**GAIN Report Number:** BK4018

BK4018

**Bosnia-Hercegovina**

**FAIRS Product Specific**

**Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards\--Country
Report**

**2004**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Sarah Hanson

U.S. Embassy

**Prepared by:**

Sanela Stanojcic

**Report Highlights:**

This report provides information on the food import rules for Bosnia and
Herzegovina (BiH), including the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
and the Republika Srpska. It includes information on labeling,
packaging, food additives, and import procedures. Important points of
contact for U.S. food exporters are listed in the appendices.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Unscheduled Report

Vienna \[AU1\]

\[BK\]

FAIRS REPORT

\"This report was prepared by the Office of Agricultural Affairs of the
USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
for U.S. exporters of domestic food and agricultural products. While
every possible care was taken in the preparation of this report,
information provided may not be completely accurate either because
policies have changed since its preparation, or because clear and
consistent information about these policies was not available. It is
highly recommended that U.S. exporters verify the full set of import
requirements with their foreign customers, who are normally best
equipped to research such matters with local authorities, before any
goods are shipped. FINAL IMPORT APPROVAL OF ANY PRODUCT IS SUBJECT TO
THE IMPORTING COUNTRY\'S RULES AND REGULATIONS AS INTERPRETED BY BORDER
OFFICIALS AT THE TIME OF PRODUCT ENTRY.\"

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

I.  FOOD LAWS

II. LABELING REQUIREMENTS

III. PACKAGING AND CONTAINER REGULATIONS

IV. FOOD ADDITIVE REGULATIONS .

V.  PESTICIDE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS

VI. OTHER REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

VII. OTHER SPECIFIC STANDARDS

VIII. COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK LAWS

IX. IMPORT PROCEDURES

APPENDIX I. GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AGENCY CONTACTS . .

APPENDIX II. OTHER IMPORTANT CONTACTS FOR U.S. EXPORTERS

# I. FOOD LAWS

Under the Dayton Peace Agreement, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is
divided into two Entities, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (F
BiH) and Republika Srpska (RS). The Entities are responsible for
agricultural and food issues, and there is no national-level
agricultural ministry/department. The responsibilities regarding the
food laws are divided as well, and each Entity has its own laws and
enforcement mechanisms. There is some similarity between the two
systems, but there is no common food law yet at the national level. This
situation will change hopefully by the end of this year because the
Entities have agreed to adopt a national-level food law and to form a
national -- level food agency.

*Foreign trade and customs policies*

National level laws, including the Law on BiH Foreign Trade Policy and
the Law on BiH Customs Tariffs, regulate issues regarding foreign trade
and customs tariffs.

The Law on BiH Foreign Trade policy promotes the free trade of goods and
services. Officially, restrictions and import bans are applied to
protect public health and the domestic market against subsidized or
dumped products and not to discriminate against imports or the products
of a particular country.

BiH has a single ministry in charge of foreign trade issues, the
Ministry of Trade and Economic Relations (MOFTER). MOFTER is a "super"
institution on the national level, in charge of high-level trade issues
such as special agreements on trade with other countries and
international agreements. MOFTER also issues prior import permits for
live animals and animal genetics, seeds, planting material pesticides
(Decision on Classification of Commodities to Export and Import Regimes,
BiH Official Gazette \# 40/of Import Licenses, BiH Official Gazette \#
41/02).\[For more information please see FAIRS report #BK3001 (this
report may be downloaded from
<http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/attacherep/default.asp>)\].

BiH is not a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) but has
started accession negotiations[^1]. Agreements on free trade (FTAs)[^2]
have been signed with a number of countries in Southeast European region
and some other countries. BiH also has a number of bilateral trade
agreements with the European Union and other countries. Although both
Entities have their own Customs Administration within the Ministry of
Finance, according to the Law on BiH Customs Tariffs, BiH applies a
single customs policy for imports. The Harmonized System (HS) of
commodity description and coding, developed by the World Customs
Organization (WCO)*,* is applied. Customs tariffs for agricultural
products range from 0, 5, 10 and 15%, with an additional charge for some
agricultural products based on unit weight, in KM[^3]/kg (for product
specific tariff information, please contact the Sarajevo FAS office
listed in Appendix II).

Taxes are applied at the same rates for locally produced and imported
goods. A value-added tax (VAT) is planned but not yet enforced.

*Food safety*

While the foreign trade and customs policies are unified at the national
level, the food safety responsibility is shared between the
national-level and the entity level authorities, including prior import
approvals, food certificates and food laws and regulations.

Recently, efforts have been made to unify veterinary and phytosanitary
laws and regulations. A national-level, state veterinary administration
(SVA) was established in 2001, and a common veterinary law has been
adopted to harmonize the Entity laws. This should result in better
control of animal diseases and improved food safety of animal products.
Recently the SVA started to control imports and exports of veterinary
products and soon will be controlling the veterinary border inspection.
Also, a decision has been made by the Government to form a state
phytosanitary administration. The State Phytosanitary Administration
(SPA) will be in charge of policy issues, drafting regulations,
improving plant health protection, serving as the enquiry point and
representing BiH internationally. The Ministry of Foreign Trade and
Economic Relations are the umbrella organization for both SVA and SPA.

The MOFTER, SVA, the Entities Ministries of Agriculture, Health and
Trade share responsibility for food safety. As of this year, the SVA
issues import requirements and prior import approvals for animal
products, while MOFTER has a responsibility to issue final import
permits for live animals and animal genetics, seeds, planting material
and pesticides, based on the SVA and the Entities phitosanitary
departments technical opinion. The two Entities' Ministries of
Agriculture have Veterinary and Phytosanitary Inspection units that
inspect goods at border crossings.

The two Entities' Ministries of Health have Sanitary Inspection units
responsible for the wholesomeness of imported foods. Inspections take
place at border crossings or, more commonly, at the customs clearance
point.

Finally, the Entities' Ministries of Trade Market Inspection units are
in charge of quality control for imported foods. They inspect imported
food products at the customs point and food in retail distribution.

Both Entities in BiH have inherited and still use some food laws from
the former Yugoslavia[^4]. However, future food laws and regulations
will likely be harmonized with European Union (EU) directives[^5].

The following laws and regulations are relevant both for locally
processed and imported foods:

\- The Law on Sanitary Correctness of Food and Goods of General Use
(taken from Yugoslavia Official Gazette 53/91) - This law applies to
foods, spices, additives, processing equipment, wrapping material, as
well as tobacco and products. It regulates both food hygiene (subject to
the specific ordinances regulating presence of pathogenic
microorganisms, parasites, pesticides and other contaminants, mechanical
residues, changes in food quality due to the physical chemical,
microbiological and other processes, expiry date, original package and
bulk-packaged foods labeling) and nutritive value (subject to the
specific ordinances regulating quality of each type of food). Sanitary
inspectors work in accordance to this Law.

\- Enforcement is done in accordance with the Law on Market Inspection
(FBiH Official Gazette 2/95, RS Official Gazette 10/97) and the Law on
Quality Control of Imported and Exported Goods (BiH Official Gazette
13/03). Quality control for all types of products is done by visual
check-up and for products listed in the above-mentioned Laws (almost
everything that is considered as food) additional safety checks are
done, using laboratory testing on basic ingredients. Visual check ups
involve product identification (origin, type, quantity), determining if
labeling and packaging requirements have been met, and checking for the
necessary statements containing the importer's name and address, the
product's general appearance, taste, flavor, presence of residues,
color, structure etc. Specific ordinances define sampling procedures.

Quality control of imported products can be done again after the import
procedure has been completed and prior to retail distribution on the
market. Inspection can be done also after the retail distribution.

The quality of individual groups of products is subject to specific
ordinances (e.g. Quality of Meat and Meat Products, Quality of Milk and
Milk Products, Quality of Honey and Other Bees Products etc).

# II. LABELING REQUIREMENTS

The Law on Sanitary Correctness of Food and Goods of General Use
regulates labeling requirements for food. According to the Law, a label
must be present in both retail and bulk packaged foods and must indicate
the following: expiration date, type and content of food additives, type
and content of added vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients added to
enrich the product's nutritional value. Labels on foods that have been
changed nutritionally for people on special diets must clearly indicate
"dietetic food". Labels must not indicate possible medicinal
characteristics of foods.

Producers of cigarettes and tobacco must indicate clearly on packages
"Smoking causes health problems", as well as the content of nicotine and
tar.

The Law on Quality Control of Imported and Exported Goods says that a
label must clearly indicate the name of the product, manufacturer's
complete address, name and address of the importer, and important
information such as net weight in metric units, ingredients,
instructions for use (if necessary) and storage and any important
information and warnings.

If an original label is in English (e.g. standard U.S. label) or any
other language, the seller is obliged to prepare translated stick-on
labels and deliver them together with imported products. It is the
importer's obligation is to stick those translated labels on products
prior to retail distribution.

For each type of food product a specific ordinance spells out labeling
requirements; e.g. according to the ordinance for Quality of Edible
Vegetables Oils and Fats, Mayonnaise and Related Products (Yugoslavia
Official Gazette 27/85), a label must clearly indicate the following:

1\) product name and brand name if any, 2) manufacturer's name and
complete address, 3) date of manufacturing (day/month/year), 4) "use by"
or "best before" date, 5) product's net-weight (mass or volume), 6) used
food additives, 7) basic ingredients listed in order of their
predominance and type and 8) quantity of ingredients added to enrich
product's nutritive value. The label must be noticeable, visible, clear
and legible. The product's and the manufacturer's names must be printed
in larger fonts (the size of font is not specified).

Labels for margarine and similar products must include the percentage of
individual components. If vitamins are added the label must indicate
"enriched with vitamins".

If the manufacturing and packaging companies are not the same, the label
must indicate the company that did the packaging.

Labels for honey must include its origin (e.g. linden honey, meadow
honey) and production method (e.g. comb, liquid, strained honey). If it
was imported, it must be labeled "imported honey".

Labels for roasted coffee must indicate its origin and date of roasting.

Meat products must indicate "chilled", "frozen", "heat treated",
"sliced", "chopped" etc. and must provide instructions for use and
storage if necessary.

If products were artificially colored and preserved by preservatives, it
must be indicated right below the product's name, e.g. "artificially
colored" or "preserved by preservative".

Claims such as "light" and "reduced" are permitted. However, a general
requirement is that labels must not contain words, pictures and drawings
and health-related information that could mislead consumers regarding
product's origin, quantity and quality

None of the existing laws or ordinances regulates biotechnology (GMOs)
or organic labeling. Food samples do not need to be labeled.

**III. PACKAGING AND CONTAINER REGULATIONS**

Packaging requirements are subject to specific ordinances for each type
of food.

For example, packaging material for raw coffee packed in ½ kg units must
weight less than 50g per square meter. Packaging requirements for fresh
seafood products are quite comprehensive and detailed. However, in most
of cases there are no special requirements concerning packaging material
and container size. The BiH consumers' prefer larger packages at lower
prices. There are no legal requirements regarding the collection and
recycling of used packaging materials.

**IV. FOOD ADDITIVE REGULATIONS**

Food additives are regulated by the ordinance on "Quality of Foods
Additives" Yugoslavia Official Gazette 39/89). According to that
ordinance, additives are substances that are not foods (regardless of
their nutritive value) but are added to foods during processing because
of their effect on the food's organoleptic characteristics. Substances
added to enrich nutritive value and salt are not considered as
additives.

Additives can be added to foods if approved and listed in the "Positive
List" provided in the above-mentioned ordinance (approx. 500 additives
in total). The quantity used must be in accordance with specific
regulations for each group of products. Additives must not
affect/decrease product's nutritive value and change significantly taste
and flavor of product, unless this is the intent. They also must not
create toxins in products during the processing, storage or use. They
must be identifiable, which means that their type and quantity in
product can be tested, unless they were removed or destroyed during
processing. Additive usage generally must be justified from a technical
standpoint.

Additives are divided into 14 groups according to the "Positive
List": 1) antioxidants and synergists of antioxidants, 2) preservatives,
3) flavorings, 4) flavor intensifiers, 5) emulsifiers, stabilizers and
coagulants, 6) colorings, 7) anticoagulants, 8) acids, 9) bases, 10)
salts, 11) enzymes 12) sweeteners, 13) processing accessory substances
(against foaming, for filtration, catalysts) and 14) other. For each of
these groups there are specific requirements.

There are also two additional lists in the ordinance: 1) a list of herbs
that cannot be used in production of food flavorings and 2) a list of
flavorings and other substances with restricted usage (e.g. caffeine).

Additives labels must clearly indicate the following:

1.  The additive's name according to the "Positive List", or mixture
    name, including its usage, and brand name if any,

2.  The manufacturer's name and complete address,

3.  The date of manufacturing (day/month/year) and "best before" date,

4.  The product's net-weight (mass or volume) in metric units,

5.  Basic ingredients:

5.1. For additives: The basic ingredient (active component) and its
quantity in units or percentage compared to product's net-weight. An
additive's basic ingredient is its active component. For flavoring, the
origin/type is declared -- natural, artificial or naturally identical.
Additive carriers (e.g. ethanol) must be declared,

> 5.2. For additive mixtures: A list of additive names from the
> "Positive List" in order of their predominance compared to product's
> net-weight. If certain additives can be used only in limited quantity,
> the quantity must be declared

6.  Name of the country of origin -- if imported, except for small
    packages in retail distribution,

7.  Other information important to consumers.

The product's name and the manufacturer's name must be printed in larger
fonts (not specified). Labels must indicate the company that did the
packaging (name and address) if different from manufacturer.

Sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite and saltpeter mixtures used for
pickling may be sold but only in original packaging and must be marked
as "warning -- poison!" and "keep in dry place". The "Positive List",
the list of herbs that cannot be used in production of food flavorings
and the list of flavorings and other substances with restricted usage,
can be obtained at the FAS office in Sarajevo (see Appendix II).

**V. PESTICIDE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS**

*Pesticide and other contaminants residues in food*

In general, imported food products must comply with domestic rules.

Although BiH is not a member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission*,* the
CODEX maximum residue limits (MRLs) are recognized for imported
foodstuffs.

There is a specific ordinance on the residue limits for pesticides and
other contaminants, (e.g. hormones, antibiotics and mycotoxins) that can
be found in food (the ordinance on "Pesticides and other Contaminants in
Food" was inherited from the old Yugoslavia Official Gazette, No. 59/83,
79/87). According to the ordinance, pesticides are substances used for
protection of agricultural products against diseases and pests.
Pesticides and their maximum residue limits in food are listed in a
special attachment. The list includes 232 different pesticides, their
trade names, chemical names and maximum contents in milligrams per
kilogram (mg/kg) of food. Products like spices and food additives can
contain 10 times more pesticides than normally allowed, while tea can
contain five times more pesticides. For concentrated and dehydrated
products (e.g. milk powder, dried soups) the maximum quantities are
being calculated for a product that is used for final consumption (e.g.
liquid milk and soups).

Food contaminants are listed as lead, cadmium, mercury, zinc, tin,
cooper, arsenic, iron and other metals and nonmetals. The ordinance
provides a table with maximum residue limits for 47 different foods
(expressed in mg/kg).

Hormones and antibiotics residues are generally not allowed in food
products.

Maximum residue limits of mycotoxins are also regulated for grains,
flour, legumes, beans, nuts, coffee, roasted cocoa and peanuts. The
above-mentioned lists are available from the FAS office in Sarajevo (see
Appendix II).

## Import of Pesticides

Prior approvals must be obtained at the Entities' Ministries of
Agriculture. BiH does not posses a list of approved pesticides, but
accepts pesticides that have been approved by neighboring countries,
Croatia and Yugoslavia. The information on approved pesticides and
required documents can be obtained from the following address:

[For the F BiH :]{.underline}

Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry

Phytosanitary Department

Titova 15

71 000 Sarajevo

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Contact person: Selma Sose

Tel. +387 (33) 442 761

Fax:+387 (33) 206 638

[For the RS:]{.underline}

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management

Phytosanitary Department

Milosa Obilica 51

76300 Bijeljina

Contact person: Aleksandra Popovic

Tel: +387 (55) 401 856

Fax: +387 (55) 472 - 353

E-mail: mps@mps.vladars.net

The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations issues final import
permits:

Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations

Musala 9

71000 Sarajevo

Contact person: Marijo Perc

Tel. +387 33 663 863 (ext. 239)

Fax: +387 33 220 546

E-mail: <perc@bih.net.ba>

\[For more information please see FAIRS report #BK3001 (this report may
be downloaded from

http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/attacherep/default.asp)\]

**VI. OTHER REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS**

Upon an importer's requests the State Veterinary Office (SVA) provides
specific requirements for import of live animals and products of animal
origin (for contact details see Appendix I). Those requirements are in
accordance with the Office International des Epizooties (OIE)
requirements. Exporting facilities need to register with the SVA for the
first time they export to BiH.

Food products must be tested for microbe levels at laboratories within
the Entities' Institutes for Public Health (see Appendix II). The
ordinance on "Microbiological Wholesomeness of Food" comes from the
Yugoslavia Official Gazette, No. 43/83 and No. 43/89, and provides
maximum content of different microorganisms in food products.

Because of European outbreaks of FMD, BSE, Classical Swine Fever,
Bluetongue and Avian Influenza, both the F BiH and the RS have banned
imports and transportation of domestic and wild ungulates and their
products from a number of countries, as well as feed containing proteins
of animal origin. The United States was not listed in any of the import
bans, except for BSE; however, import of beef from the U.S. is allowed
if certain requirements are met.

There are specific conditions for import of semen and embryos. They may
be obtained from the SVA (see appendix I).

Certification and documentation: Live animals, meat and diary products
require veterinary certification, while fruits and vegetables require a
phyto-sanitary certificate issued by the export country's relevant
authorities (e.g. USDA/APHIS).

Foods that are subject to veterinary and phyto-sanitary inspections can
enter BiH only at certain border crossings including: Orasje, Gradiska,
Izacic, Doljani (on the border with Croatia), Raca (on the border with
Serbia) and the Sarajevo Airport.

Importers should always inform the relevant Ministry at the point of
entry in order to allow them to fax import permits to the relevant
border inspection post.

Inspection services are much more expensive if done after regular
working hours and on weekends and holidays.

**VII. OTHER SPECIFIC STANDARDS**

Organic agriculture: According to domestic agricultural experts, BiH has
a good climate for organic farming. However, organic agriculture is in
the beginning phase of development and there are no standards yet
enforced, (a national Law on Organic Farming is being prepared).
Consumers tend to think that almost all agriculture production is
organic since production is more traditionally oriented and the use of
pesticides is lower then elsewhere in Europe. There are also few
industrial polluters.

Genetically modified organisms (GMO)***:*** No legislation has been
implemented so far. However, local authorities, oppose imports of
genetically modified food products. Two years ago U.S. corn that
contained GMOs was characterized as "undesirable" by the RS Ministry of
Agriculture and therefore was not imported. Recently, a local company
attempted to import American donut mix and was rejected by local
authorities because they tested product on GMO content and found that it
was above the threshold allowed in the European Union.

Veterinary drugs: must be on the approved list of veterinary drugs in
the F BiH and the RS. The list is available from the Ministries of
Agriculture (Appendix I);

Seeds and planting materials: Seeds can be imported only if the
varieties are recognized in the country. The List of Recognized
Varieties is available at the Ministries of Agriculture. If a variety is
not on the list, importers can request its recognition from the Seeds
Commission (request forms available at the Ministries of Agriculture,
Law on recognition of agricultural varieties F BiH Official Gazette
31/00 and Law on Plant Protection RS Official Gazette 13/97 );

The Metric system is used in BiH;

Live animals are subject to the ordinance on quarantine requirements for
imported animals issued by the Ministries of Agriculture. For ungulates,
the required quarantine is 30 days, for poultry and pets 21 day, for
semen and inseminated egg cells 14 days;

Alcoholic beverages, nonalcoholic beverages, and tobacco: Products are
subject to specific taxation rules and require an import license issued
by the Entities' Ministries of Finance. The Ministry of Finance issues
control excise stamps which are to be included in the packaging prior to
import into BiH.

### VIII. COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK LAWS

The Law on Industrial Property Rights (BiH Official Gazette No. 3/02)
protects trademarks and brand names. It is a national level law and was
adopted recently, in February 2002. The Law is applicable to foreign
producers only if international agreements and conventions, such as the
Paris Convention Treaty[^6]7, have regulated it, and if not -- the rule
of reciprocity is applied.

Both BiH and the USA are members of the World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO) and should respect the Paris Convention Union rules.
Domestic and foreign applications must be submitted to the BiH Institute
for Standards, Metrology and Intellectual Property (see Appendix II).

Regarding the licenses for production -- the agreement must be signed
between the owner/seller and the buyer and must be published in the BiH
Official Gazette.

Law on Copyrights is also a national level law and was adopted recently
in April 2002 (BiH Official Gazette 7/02).

**IX. IMPORT PROCEDURES**

Foreign exporters can import food products into BiH using a locally
registered office or a local company/shipping agency registered for
import activities. It is common for agents to help with food import
regulations.

Prior import approvals and licenses are required for live animals and
animal products and seeds and pesticides. For animals and certain animal
products the State Veterinary Administration (SVA) provides prior
approvals and final approval for live animals, embryo and semen is
provided by the Ministry of foreign Trade and Economic Relations
(MOFTER). For seeds, planting materials and pesticides the entities'
agriculture ministries provide prior approvals and MOFTER issues import
licenses. Forms are available at the SVA and the Ministries (see
Appendix I). It is important to note that requirements for prior import
approvals differ between the two Entities.

All food products must be accompanied with standard documents that
follow each shipment and by health certificates issued by relevant
authorities of exporting countries (e.g. veterinary certificate for meat
and meat products, phyto-sanitary certificates for fruits, vegetables,
seeds etc.) and are subject to veterinary and phyto-sanitary inspections
at border crossings and sanitary and market inspections at customs
points.

Sanitary inspectors visually inspect all food for sanitary wholesomeness
prior to customs clearance visually and take samples for laboratory
tests (Appendix II). Imported goods are held at the customs point until
testing is complete.

Market inspectors issue the quality certificates at inspection points
(see Appendix I). Quality control inspections are done at the
exporter/importer's written request, which should be received at least
24 hours prior to the customs clearance. The request for quality control
must be accompanied with basic documents that follow each shipment,
translated into Bosnian/Croatian for th F BiH or into Serbian for the
RS. The following information must be provided in the documents: type
and name of product, country of origin, exporter's name, manufacturer's
name, type and number of transport means, port of loading and unloading,
total pieces, packaging unit, gross and net weigh and product's quality
basic data. If the same product is imported again, at it has been tested
within 90 days, only visual check up is done. Both Entities have
officially recognized laboratories to test imported food products
(Appendix II).

If a market inspector rejects an importer's request, goods are stored
until the procedure is complete - the inspector can order the return or
destruction of goods if necessary at the cost of importer, or can order
certain changes prior to customs clearance.

**APPENDIX I. GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AGENCY CONTACTS**

1\. Imports of live animals and products, veterinary drugs:

> F BiH Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry
>
> Veterinary Department
>
> Titova 15
>
> 71 000 Sarajevo
>
> Bosnia and Herzegovina
>
> Tel/fax +387 (33) 217 242

http://www.fbihvlada.gov.ba/engleski/index.html

RS Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management

Veterinary Department

Milosa Obilica 51

76300 Bijeljina

> Contact person: Vesna Karan
>
> Tel: +387 55 211 536
>
> Fax: +387 55 210 -- 353
>
> http://www.vladars.net/lt/min/mps.html
>
> E-mail: <mps@mps.vladars.net>
>
> State Veterinary Office
>
> Radiceva 8/II
>
> 7100 Sarajevo
>
> Contact person: Darko Cobanov
>
> Bosnia and Herzegovina
>
> Tel. +387 33 258 840
>
> Fax +387 33 265 620
>
> E-mail: info@vet.gov.ba
>
> <http://www.vet.gov.ba/>

2\. Import of seeds, planting material and pesticides :

F BiH Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry

Phytosanitary Department

Titova 15

71 000 Sarajevo

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Tel. +387 33 442 761

Fax: +387 33 206 638

http://www.fbihvlada.gov.ba/engleski/index.html

RS Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management

> Phytosanitary Department
>
> Milosa Obilica 51
>
> 76300 Bijeljina
>
> Contact person: Aleksandra Popovic
>
> Tel: +387 55 201 856
>
> Fax: +387 55 210 353
>
> http://www.vladars.net/lt/min/mps.html

E-mail: mps@mps.vladars.net

4\. Final import permits for live animals, seeds and pesticides:

> Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations
>
> Musala 9
>
> 1000 Sarajevo
>
> Contact person: Marijo Perc
>
> Tel. +387 33 663 863 (ext. 239)
>
> Fax: +387 33 220 546
>
> E-mail: <perc@bih.net.ba>

5\. Inspection on sanitary conformity:

> F BiH Ministry of Health
>
> Department for Sanitary Inspection
>
> Titova 9
>
> 71 000 Sarajevo
>
> Tel: + 387 33 615 654
>
> Fax + 387 33 664 245
>
> http://www.fbihvlada.gov.ba/engleski/index.html
>
> RS Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
>
> Department for Sanitary Inspection
>
> Zdrave Korde 8
>
> 51000 Banja Luka
>
> Tel. + 387 51 213 051, +387 57 226 352
>
> Fax: +387 51/216 601
>
> http://www.vladars.net/en/min/mzsz.html
>
> E-mail: mzsz@mzsz.vladars.net

6\. Labeling and quality control (market inspection):

> F BiH Ministry of Trade
>
> Department of Market Inspection
>
> Kneza Domagoja 12
>
> 88 000 Mostar
>
> Tel/fax: + 387 36 327 935
>
> http://www.fbihvlada.gov.ba/engleski/index.html
>
> RS Ministry of Trade and Tourism
>
> Department of Market Inspection
>
> Vuka Karadzica 4
>
> 51000 Banja Luka
>
> Tel.: + 387 51 308 323
>
> Fax: +387 51 331-499
>
> http://www.vladars.net/en/min/mtt.html
>
> E-mail: mtt@mtt.vladars.net

7\. Alcohol, nonalcoholic beverages, tobacco:

> F BiH Ministry of Finance
>
> Alipasina 41
>
> 71 000 Sarajevo
>
> Tel.: +387 33 203 147
>
> Fax: +387 33 216 603
>
> http://www.fbihvlada.gov.ba/engleski/index.html
>
> RS Ministry of Finance
>
> Vuka Karadzica 4
>
> 51000 Banja Luka
>
> Tel: +387 51 331-350
>
> Fax: +387 51 331-351
>
> http://www.vladars.net/en/min/mf.html
>
> E-mail: mf@mf.vladars.net

8\. Customs clearance:

> F BiH Custom Administration
>
> M. Mustafe Baseskije br.6
>
> 71000 Sarajevo
>
> Tel.: +388 33 279 532
>
> Fax: +387 33 279 616
>
> http://www.cufbih.com/
>
> RS Custom Adminstration
>
> Mladena Stojanovi.a 7
>
> 78 000 Banja Luka
>
> Tel: +387 51 312-009
>
> Fax: +387 51 314-251
>
> http://www.rucrs.com/sr/index.html

9\. BiH Institute for Standardization, Metrology and Intellectual
Property

> Hamdije Cemerlica /7
>
> 71 000 Sarajevo
>
> Tel. +387 33 652 756
>
> Fax. +387 33 652 757
>
> E-mail: info@basmp.gov.ba
>
> <http://www.basmp.gov.ba/index.htm>

**APPENDIX II. OTHER IMPORTANT CONTACTS FOR U.S. EXPORTERS**

1\. Office of Agricultural Affairs (Foreign Agricultural Service
\[FAS\])

> U.S. Embassy to BiH
>
> 71000 Sarajevo
>
> Bosnia and Herzegovina
>
> Tel.: +387 33 445 700, x2099
>
> Fax:+387 33 212 692
>
> Contact: Sanela Stanojcic, Agricultural Specialist
>
> http://www.usembassy.ba/
>
> E-mail: sanela.stanojcic-eminagic@usda.gov

2\. Officially recognized laboratories:

> F BiH Institute for Public Health
>
> Titova 9
>
> 71 000 Sarajevo
>
> Tel: +387 33 663 940 and 664 548
>
> Fax: +387 33 220 548
>
> Agricultural Institute Sarajevo
>
> Butmirska Cesta 40
>
> 71 000 Sarajevo
>
> Tel: +387 33 623 203
>
> Fax: +387 33 637 601
>
> University of Sarajevo, Veterinary College
>
> Department for Food Hygiene
>
> Zmaja od Bosne 90
>
> 71 000 Sarajevo
>
> Tel/fax: +387 33 643 684
>
> E-mail: vetfaksa@bih.net.ba
>
> Veterinary Institute "Vaso Butozan" Banja Luka
>
> Branka Radicevica 18
>
> 78 000 Banja Luka
>
> Tel/Fax +387 51 211 048
>
> RS Institute for Health Protection
>
> Jovana Ducica 1
>
> 78 000 Banja Luka
>
> Tel.: +387 51 216 510
>
> Fax. +387 51 216 510
>
> Agricultural Institute Bijeljina
>
> Stefana Decanskog bb
>
> 76 300 Bijeljina
>
> Tel. +387 55 240 137
>
> Fax:+387 55 240 032
>
> Agricultural Institute Banja Luka
>
> Knjaza Milosa 17
>
> 78 000 Banja Luka
>
> Tel. +387 51 303 112
>
> Fax: +387 51 312 792

3\. Other Useful contacts:

> BiH Chamber of Economy
>
> Branislava Djurdjeva 10
>
> 71 000 Sarajevo
>
> Tel. +387 33 663 370 and 663 636
>
> Fax: +387 33 663 632
>
> E-mail: webmaster@komorabih.com
>
> http://www.komorabih.com/
>
> F BiH Chamber of Economy
>
> Branislava Djurdjeva 10
>
> 71 000 Sarajevo
>
> Tel. +387 33 663 370 and 667 940
>
> Fax: +387 33 663 632 and 663 635
>
> E-mail: webmaster@komorabih.com
>
> http://www.kfbih.com/eng/index.htm
>
> RS Chamber of Commerce
>
> Djure Danicica 1/II
>
> 78 000 Banja Luka
>
> Tel. +387 51 301 908 and 301 838
>
> Fax: +387 51 301 838
>
> <http://www.pkrs.inecco.net/>

[^1]: Bosnia Herzegovina\'s Working Party was established on 15 July
    1999 and a draft Memorandum on Foreign Trade Regime was submitted to
    the WTO in August 2002. The first working party session was held in
    November 2003 and the second one is scheduled for fall 2004.

[^2]: Under the Stability Pact initiative, a Memorandum of Understanding
    on Trade Liberalization and Facilitation was signed in Brussels in
    June 2001 by Albania, BiH, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania,
    Serbia and Montenegro in order to establish a network of FTAs in the
    South East European region.

[^3]: The BiH official currency is convertible mark (KM). 1 US\$ values
    approx. 1.6 KM.

[^4]: BAS is the officially recognized Bosnian standard (Law on
    Standardization, BiH Official Gazette 19/02). However, when it comes
    to food ordinances, the former Yugoslavia standard JUS is still in
    use.

[^5]: BiH has undertaken major political and economic reforms with the
    goal of eventual accession to the EU.

[^6]: According to the Paris Convention Treaty (Union), nationals of any
    country of the Union shall, as regards the protection of industrial
    property, enjoy in all the other countries of the Union the
    advantages that their respective laws grant. In addition, any person
    who has duly filed an application for a patent, or for the
    registration of a utility model, or of an industrial design, or of a
    trademark, in one of the countries of the Union, or his successor in
    title, shall enjoy, for the purpose of filing in the other
    countries, a right of priority during certain period (twelve months
    for patents and utility models, and six months for industrial
    designs and trademarks).