WT/REG360/1  
21 January 2016  
(16-0421)  Page: 1/36  
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements   
 
 
FACTUAL PRESENTATION 
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EFTA STATES AND BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 
(GOODS) 
Report by the Secretariat 
This report, prepared for the consideratio n of the Free Trade Agreement between the 
EFTA States and Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been drawn up by the WTO Secretariat 
on its own responsibility and in full consultation with the Parties. The factual presentation reproduces as closely as possible the terminology used in the Agreement and in the comments provided and does not imply official endorsement or acceptance 
by the Secretariat of such terminology. Th e report has been drawn up in accordance 
with the rules and procedures contained in the Decision for a Transparency Mechanism for Regional Trade Agreements (WT/L/671) and thus does not imply any value 
judgement by the Secretariat regarding the contents of the Agreement. 
Any technical questions arising from this report may be addressed to Rohini Acharya 
(tel: +41 22 739 5874). Any statistical questions arising from this report may be 
addressed to Rowena Cabos (tel: +41 22 739 5185). 
 
 WT/REG360/1 
 
- 2 - 
 
   
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
Page 
1  TRADE ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................................. 4  
2  CHARACTERISTIC ELEMEN TS OF THE AGREEMENT ....................................................... 6  
2.1  Background Information .............................................................................................. 6  
3  PROVISIONS ON TRADE IN GOODS .............................................................................. 8  
3.1  Import duties and charges, and quantitative restrictio ns .................................................. 8  
3.1.1  General provisions ................................................................................................... 8  
3.1.2  Liberalization of trade and tari ff lines .......................................................................... 8  
3.1.3  Liberaliza tion schedule ............................................................................................. 8  
3.1.3.1  EFTA  States ......................................................................................................... 8 
3.1.3.2  Bosnia and Herzegovina ........................................................................................ 14 
3.1.4  Tariff ra te quotas .................................................................................................... 16 
3.2  Rules of origin ........................................................................................................... 17 
3.3  Export duties and charges, and quantitative restrict ions .................................................. 17 
3.4  Regulatory Provisions of the Agreement ........................................................................ 18 
3.4.1  Standards .............................................................................................................. 18 
3.4.1.1  Sanitary and ph ytosanitary measures ..................................................................... 18 
3.4.1.2  Technical barriers to trade ..................................................................................... 18 
3.4.2  Safeguard mechanisms ............................................................................................ 18 
3.4.2.1  Global  safeguards ................................................................................................ 18 
3.4.2.2  Bilateral safeguards .............................................................................................. 18 
3.4.2.3  Safeguards for balance of payments reasons ............................................................ 19 
3.4.2.4  Special safeguards ............................................................................................... 19 
3.4.2.5  Shortage clause ................................................................................................... 20 
3.4.3  Anti-dumping and countervailing measures ................................................................ 20 
3.4.4  Subsidies and State-aid ........................................................................................... 21 
3.4.5  Customs-related procedur es and trade fa cilitation ....................................................... 21 
3.5  Sector-Specific Provis ions of the Agreement .................................................................. 22 
3.5.1  Agriculture ............................................................................................................. 22 
4  GENERAL PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT .............................................................. 22  
4.1  Transp arency ............................................................................................................ 22 
4.2  Current payments and capital movements ..................................................................... 22 
4.3  Exceptions ................................................................................................................ 22 
4.4  Accession and Withdrawal ........................................................................................... 22 
4.5  Institutio nal framework .............................................................................................. 23 
4.6  Dispute settlem ent .................................................................................................... 23 
4.7  Relationship with other agr eements concluded by the Parties ........................................... 24 
4.8  Government  procurement ........................................................................................... 25 WT/REG360/1 
 
- 3 - 
 
  4.9  Intellectual Pr operty Rights ......................................................................................... 26 
4.10  Other ................................................................................................................... .. 27 
4.10.1  Trade in services ................................................................................................... 27 
4.10.2  Inve stment  .......................................................................................................... 27 
4.10.3  Trade and Sust ainable Development ........................................................................ 27 
4.10.4  Competition ......................................................................................................... 28 
ANNEX 1 ....................................................................................................................... . 29 
 WT/REG360/1 
 
- 4 - 
 
   
Key Facts 
 
Parties to the Agreement:  
 
Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EFTA Member States 
(Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). 
 
Date of Signature:  24 June 2013 
 
Date of Entry into Force:  1 January 2015 for all 
Parties 
 
Date of Notification:   6 January 2015 
 
Full implementation: 1 January 2018  
 
 
 
1  TRADE ENVIRONMENT1 
1.1.  The Free Trade Agreement between th e EFTA States and Bosnia and Herzegovina 
(hereinafter "the Agreement") is EFTA's 25th RTA as notified to the WTO; it is the fourth RTA 
notified with Bosnia and Herzegovina as a party.2  
1.2.  In 2013 the EFTA States had a combined GDP of US$1,178 billion, compared to Bosnia and 
Herzegovina's GDP which was US$17,828 million. Among the EFTA States Switzerland is the 
largest trader, with merchandise exports and imports valued in 2013 at US$229,157 million and 
US$200,934 million, ranking it, respectively at 17th and 19th largest global exporter and importer 
(including Liechtenstein and excluding intra-EU trade). Norway was ranked at 21st and 24th largest 
exporter and importer respectively with global exports of US$154,339 million and imports of 
US$89,816 million. Iceland was ranked at 87th and 104th largest exporter and importer with global 
exports of US$4,998 million and US$4,779 million. Bosnia and Herzegovina, with exports and 
imports worth US$5,687 million an d US$10,295 million, was ranked 81st and 75th largest 
merchandise exporter and importer in 2013. While  both Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina 
mainly export manufactures, Iceland's exports are concentrated in agriculture and Norway in fuels 
and mining. Imports for all the Parties are dominated by manufactures. 
1.3.  Bilateral trade between the EFTA States and Bosnia and Herzegovina is relatively modest 
although EFTA is an important market and source  of imports for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia 
and Herzegovina is EFTA's 73rd largest export destination (US$67,919 million) and 56th largest 
source of imports (US$116,157 million). For Bosnia  and Herzegovina, the EFTA States are the 5th 
largest export destination (US$98,897 million) and 11th largest source of imports 
(US$57,591 million). Chart 1.1 shows the evolution of  the Parties' global and bilateral merchandise 
trade between 2002 and 2014. The EFTA States during this period have run a steady surplus in 
their global trade balance, while Bosnia and Herzegovina has had a deficit in its global trade 
balance. Bilateral trade shows the steady surplus in favour of EFTA peaked in 2007, followed by a 
fall in that surplus up to 2011 and a surplus by Bosnia and Herzegovina since then. 
 
  
 
   
 
                                               
1 Unless otherwise indicated, the figures in this section are based on the WTO's Trade Profiles and the 
UNSD Comtrade database. 
2 WTO RTA Database ( http://rtais.wto.org ). WT/REG360/1 
 
- 5 - 
 
  Chart 1.1 EFTA and Bosnia and Herzegovina : Bilateral and global merchandise trade 
0100200300400500
051015
2003
2004200520062007
2008
2009201020112012
2013
2014B. Bosnia and Herzegovina 2003-2014
Imports from EFTA (Right Axis)
Exports to EFTA (Right Axis)
Total Imports
Total ExportsUS$ Billion US$ Million
050100150200250300
0100200300400500
2002
200320042005
2006
200720082009201020112012
2013
2014A. EFTA 2002-2014
Imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina (Right Axis)
Exports to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Right Axis)
Total Imports
Total ExportsUS$ Billion US$ Million
 
Note: no trade data for Bosnia and Herzegovina prior to 2003.  
Source: UNSD, Comtrade database. 
 
1.4.  Chart 1.2 shows the commodity structure of  trade between the EFTA States and Bosnia and 
Herzegovina, and of their global trade during 201 2-2014 on the basis of Harmonized System (HS) 
sections. Of EFTA's main global exports, minera ls, chemicals, machinery and optical goods (which 
accounted for 75% of its global exports in 2012-2014), Bosnia and Herzegovina imports mainly chemicals (45% of its imports from EFTA), ma chinery (19%) and optical items (9%); textiles 
imports are also significant at 8% of its imports from EFTA. In comparison, out of Bosnia and 
Herzegovina's main global exports, base metals, minerals, and machinery (which accounted for 42% of its global exports), only base metals are important imports by EFTA (13%); other key 
imports by EFTA from Bosnia and Herzegovina are textiles (18%), and footwear (15%). WT/REG360/1 
 
- 6 - 
 
  Chart 1.2 EFTA and Bosnia and Herzegovina: product composition of merchandise trade, 
18
15
15
13107553323EFTA imports from Bosnia and 
Herzegovina (%)
19
17
11
88654444227EFTA's Global Imports (%)
21
11
8
107775333328Bosnia and Herzegovina's 
Global Exports (%)
45
19986337Bosnia and Herzegovina's imports from 
EFTA (%)
19
13
10
99665433227Bosnia and Herzegovina's 
Global Imports(%)
28
23
13115532226EFTA's Global Exports(%)Total: US$ 98 million Total: US$ 294 billion
Total: US$ 10 billionTotal: US$ 389 billionTotal:  US$ 6 billion
Total: US$ 61 million
 
Source: UNSD, Comtrade database. 
 
2  CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS OF THE AGREEMENT 
2.1  Background Information 2.1.  The Agreement was signed on 24 June 2013 and entered into force on 1 January 2015. It 
was notified to the WTO under Article XXIV:7(a) and its Understanding on 6 January 2015.
3 The 
text of the Agreement, together with its annexes, is available on the Parties' official websites: 
EFTA: http://www.efta.int/free-trad e/free-trade-agreements/b osnia-and-herzegovina;  
Bosnia and Herzegovina: 
http://www.mvteo.gov.ba/sporazumi/trgovinski/re gionalni/Archive.aspx? pageIndex=1&langTag=e
n-US 
2.2.  The Agreement and its complementary agreements on trade in agricultural products between 
each of the EFTA States and Bosnia and Herzegov ina, aims to establish a free trade area between 
the Parties with a view to spurring prosperity and sustainable development in their territories. It applies to the land, territory, internal waters and the territorial sea of a Party as well as its air space in accordance with international law and beyo nd the territorial sea, with respect to measures 
taken by a Party in the exercise of its sovereign rights or jurisdiction in accordance with 
international law. It shall not apply to the Norw egian territory of Svalbard, except for trade in 
                                               
3 WTO document, WT/REG360/N/1, 8 January 2015. WT/REG360/1 
 
- 7 - 
 
  goods. The Parties are to ensure that respective central, regional and local governments and 
authorities and non-governmental bodies in the exercise of governmental authorities delegated to them observe all obligations and commitments un der the Agreement. The Agreement applies to 
trade relations between the individual EFTA States with Bosnia and Herzegovina but not to trade 
relations between the EFTA States.
4 
2.3.  The objectives of the Agreement include: achieving liberalization of trade in goods, in 
conformity with Article XXIV of the GATT 1994; mutually increasing investment opportunities 
between the Parties and to gradually develop an environment conductive to enhanced trade in 
services; providing fair conditions of competition for trade between the Parties and to ensure adequate and effective protection of intellectua l property rights; gradually achieving further 
liberalization on a mutual basis of the Parties' government procurement markets; developing 
international trade in such a way as to contribute to the objective of sustainable development and 
to ensure that this objective is integrated and reflected in the Parties' trade relationship; and contributing in this manner to the harmonio us development and expansion of world trade 
(Article 1).  
2.4.  The Agreement also envisages a review by the Parties of further developments in 
international economic relations, inter alia in the framework of the WTO, and to examine in this 
context, and any other relevant factor, the possibility of further developing and deepening their 
cooperation under the Agreement and extending it to areas not covered by it. The Joint Committee will regularly examine such a possibility, and wh ere appropriate, make recommendations to the 
Parties for negotiations (Article 49). 
2.5.  Amendments to the Agreement can be agreed  between the Parties and shall be submitted to 
them for ratification, acceptance or approval. Un less otherwise agreed by the Parties, amendments 
shall enter into force on the first day of the third month following the deposit of the last instrument 
of ratification, acceptance or approval. The text of the amendment and instruments of ratification, 
acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Depository (Article 50). 
2.6.  The Agreement has nine Chapters and eight annexes. There are also three separate bilateral 
Agreements on Agriculture between the EFTA States and Bosnia and Herzegovina which form 
integral parts of the Agreement. The structure is as described in Box 2.1 below.  
Box 2.1 Structure of the Agreement 
 Preamble  
Chapter 1 General provisions 
Chapter 2 Trade in goods 
Chapter 3 Protection of Intellectual Property 
Chapter 4 Investment, Services and Government Procurement 
Chapter 5 Payments and Capital Movements 
Chapter 6 Trade and Sustainable Development 
Chapter 7 Institutional Provisions 
Chapter 8 Dispute Settlement 
Chapter 9 Final Provisions 
Annexes  
Annex 1 Excluded Products 
Annex 2 Processed Agricultural Products 
Annex 3 Fish and Other Marine Products 
Annex 4 Industrial Products 
Annex 5 Trade Facilitation 
                                               
4 Article 2 also clarifies that as a result of the customs union between Switzerland and Liechtenstein, 
Switzerland shall represent Liechtenstein in matters covered thereby. WT/REG360/1 
 
- 8 - 
 
   Preamble  
Annex 6 Mandate for a Sub-Committee 
Annex 7 Protection of Intellectual Property 
Annex 8 Transitional Agreement 
Agreement on Trade in Agricultural Products  
Source: Free Trade Agreement between the EFTA States and Bosnia and Herzegovina. 
 
3  PROVISIONS ON TRADE IN GOODS  
3.1  Import duties and charges,  and quantitative restrictions 
3.1.1  General provisions 
3.1.  Chapter 2 on trade in goods covers all products under HS Chapters 25-97, except products 
listed in Annex 1 (which are covered by separate bilateral Agreements on Agriculture)5,; processed 
agricultural products under the arrangements listed in Annex II; and fish and other marine 
products in Annex III.  
3.2.  A separate bilateral Agreement on Agriculture covering products under HS Chapters 1-24 and 
products in Annex I, between each EFTA State and Bosnia and Herzegovina, forms part of the 
instruments that establish a free trade area be tween EFTA and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 
structure of each agreement is similar and describes inter alia , the scope of coverage, tariff 
concessions, rules of origin, the provisions of the Agreement that apply, and agricultural 
safeguards.  
3.3.  Tariff liberalization is to be based on the MFN rate of duty applied by the EFTA States on 
1 January 2011 and Bosnia and Herzegovina's app lied customs tariff for 2011. If, however, any 
tariff reduction is applied, before or after entry into force of the Agreement, on an erga omnes  
basis, the reduced duties shall replace the base rate  of duty from the date when the reductions are 
applied, or from entry into force of the Agreement, whichever is later (Article 10).6 The Parties also 
commit themselves to apply any internal taxes and other charges and regulations in accordance 
with Article III of the GATT 1994 and other relevant WTO Agreements. 
3.4.  With respect to quantitative restrictions on imports, the Parties maintain their rights and 
obligations under Article XI of the GATT 1994, which is incorporated into and made part of the 
Agreement, mutatis mutandis (Article 11). 
3.1.2  Liberalization of trade and tariff lines  3.5.  Liberalization of tariffs as scheduled in the Agreement is to take place immediately for all the 
EFTA States and by 2018, based on annual reduct ions, by Bosnia and Herzegovina. The following 
section describes tariff liberalization by the Parties. In addition Annex I below contains further details. 
3.1.3  Liberalization schedule 
3.1.3.1  EFTA States 
3.1.3.1.1  Iceland 3.6.  Table 3.1 shows Iceland's tariff elimination commitments for imports from Bosnia and 
Herzegovina. In 2015 around 70% (5,968 tariff lines) of its tariff was duty free on an MFN basis, 
                                               
5 The products in Annex I are: casein, albumins (milk albumin only for Norway), dextrins and other 
modified starches (glues for animal feed only for Switzerland/Liechtenstein), finishing agents and dyes (Switzerland/Liechtenstein), industrial monocarbolic fatty acids (tall oil fatty acids and industrial fatty alcohols 
for animal feed only for Norway).  
6 Reduced duties shall be rounded to the first decimal place or, in the case of specific duties, to the 
second decimal place. WT/REG360/1 
 
- 9 - 
 
  corresponding to average annual imports of US$0.03 million or 9.8% of its imports from Bosnia 
Herzegovina during 2012-2014.7 Upon entry into force of the Agreement in 2015 when Iceland 
implemented all its tariff commitments, a further 23.2% (1,979 lines) was liberalized for imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina, corresponding to over 90% of its imports from Bosnia and 
Herzegovina during 2012-2014. Around 6.7% of the tariff (573 lines) will continue to remain 
dutiable for Iceland's imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina. 
Table 3.1 Iceland 
Tariff elimination commitments under the Ag reement and corresponding average trade 
Duty phase-out 
period  Number 
of lines  % of total 
lines in 
Iceland's tariff 
schedule  Value of Iceland's 
imports from Bosnia 
and Herzegovina 
(2012-2014)  
in million US$ % of Iceland's total 
imports from  
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina 
2012-2014 
MFN duty free 
(2015) 5,968 70.0 0.03 9.84 
2015 1,979 23.2 0.30 90.08 
Remain dutiable 573 6.7 0.00 0.08 
Total 8,520 100.0 0.33 100.0 
Note:  Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates based on data provided by Iceland.  
3.7.  Table 3.2 shows Iceland's tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement, respectively 
by broad HS Section, while Chart 3.1 shows average tariffs on lines remaining dutiable once the 
Agreement is implemented in comparison with the average MFN rates. 
3.8.  All of the tariff lines that remain dutiable once the Agreement is implemented are found in HS 
Sections I-IV. The average preferential rates of duty range from 28.5% for HS Section IV to 
35.8% for Section II; there are also four lines that remain dutiable in HS Section III but these 
have specific rates of duty for which ad valorem  equivalents are not available. Furthermore, as 
Chart 3.1 shows, for most HS Chapters (except 15, 18 and 19), the average preferential tariff for 
these lines is the same as their corresponding MFN average. Thus for the lines remaining dutiable 
once the Agreement is implemented, no preferenti al treatment is given for imports from Bosnia 
and Herzegovina. The highest average rates are fo und in HS Chapters 10 (cereals), 11 (products 
of the milling industry), 12 (oil seeds), 17 (sugar s and sugar confectionary) and 23 (food residues 
and waste), all at 55%, followed by HS 20 (preparations of vegetables, fruit and nuts) at 50.5%. 
HS Chapters 15, 18 and 19 contain specific rates of duty for which ad valorem  equivalents are not 
available. For Chapter 15 there is a small difference between the specific duty applied to one tariff 
line (88 kroner/kg compared to 90 kroner/kg). Ch apters 18 and 19 are subject to compound rates 
of duty ( ad valorem  rate plus a specific duty); the Agreement eliminates the ad valorem  part of 
the MFN duty, while reducing the specific duty  for imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina. 
Table 3.2 Iceland:  
Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement, by HS Section  
HS 
Section MFN 
average 
% Total 
No. of 
lines MFN duty-
free 
(2015) Number of 
additional duty-
free lines under 
the Agreement No. of lines 
remaining 
dutiable Avg. Final Tariff 
(Dutiable) 
% 
2015 
I 7.5 870 631 32 207 29.7 
II 12.6 467 294 35 138 35.8 
III 0.0 109 105  4  
IV 9.5 1,081 557 300 224 28.5 
V 0.1 192 190 2   
VI 1.2 971 819 152   
VII 2.4 368 238 130   
VIII 5.4 123 25 98   
                                               
7 Iceland's MFN applied tariff in 2015 consisted of 8,520 tariff lines at the HS eight-digit level. Of these, 
94.84% (8,080 lines) carried ad valorem  rates of duty. Of the remainder 387 lines had compound rates of 
duty, while 53 were specific. WT/REG360/1 
 
- 10 - 
 
  HS 
Section MFN 
average 
% Total 
No. of 
lines MFN duty-
free 
(2015) Number of 
additional duty-
free lines under 
the Agreement No. of lines 
remaining 
dutiable Avg. Final Tariff 
(Dutiable) 
% 
2015 
IX 1.9 218 158 60   
X 2.1 186 137 49   
XI 5.1 899 550 349   
XII 12.7 71 6 65   
XIII 3.5 192 110 82   
XIV 3.0 61 43 18   
XV 1.3 690 583 107   
XVI 2.2 1,113 836 277   
XVII 0.7 465 431 34   
XVIII 0.1 227 224 3   
XIX 5.9 24 6 18   
XX 8.7 185 18 167   
XXI 1.3 8 7 1   
Total 4.4 8,520 5,968 1,979 573 31.1 
Note: For the calculation of averages, sp ecific rates are excluded and only the ad valorem part of alternate 
rates is included. 
 Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO Secretariat estimates based on data provided by Iceland. 
 
Chart 3.1 Iceland: Average of du tiable rates, by HS Chapter  
 
Note:  
 For the calculation of averages, specific rates are excluded and the ad valorem  parts of alternate 
rates are included.  Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature.  
*  HS chapter 15 contains specific duties only. HS chapters 18 and 19 contain specific duties at the 
preferential level.  
Source: WTO estimates based on  data provided by Iceland.  
3.1.3.1.2  Norway 
3.9.  Table 3.3 shows Norway's tariff commitment s for imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 
2015, 85% of Norway's tariff (6,019 lines) was duty free for imports on an MFN basis, corresponding to annual average imports of US$14. 8 million (87.2% of its total imports) from WT/REG360/1 
 
- 11 - 
 
  Bosnia and Herzegovina during 2012-2014.8 As a result of the Agreement, Norway liberalized a 
further 333 lines (4.7% of the tariff), corresponding to 11.5% of its imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina during 2012-2014. Around 10.3% of its tariff (733 lines) remains dutiable following implementation of the Agreement, corresponding to 1.3% (US$0.2 million) of its imports from 
Bosnia and Herzegovina during 2012-2014. 
Table 3.3 Norway 
Tariff elimination commitments under the Ag reement and corresponding average trade  
Duty phase-
out period  Number 
of lines  % of total lines in 
Norway's tariff 
schedule  Value of Norway's 
imports from Bosnia 
and Herzegovina 
(2012-2014)  
in million US$ % of Norway's total 
imports from  
Bosnia and Herzegovina 
2012-2014 
MFN duty 
free (2015) 6,019 85.0 14.8 87.2 
2015 333 4.7 1.9 11.5 
Remain 
dutiable 733 10.3 0.2 1.3 
Total 7,085 100.0 17.0 100.0 
Note: Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Norway.  
3.10.  Table 3.4 shows Norway's tariff eliminatio n by HS Section, while Chart 3.2 shows average 
preferential and MFN tariffs for tariff lines remaining dutiable once the Agreement is implemented. The majority of tariffs remaining subject to duty after the Agreement is implemented are found in 
HS Sections I, II, and IV, with some lines also remaining dutiable in HS Sections III and VI. The 
average preferential rate for these sections range from 14% in HS Section III to 411.7% in HS Section I. With regard to final average prefer ential duties, there are differences with average 
MFN rates by HS Chapter, notably in Chapters 4, 6, 15 and 21 which would imply further 
preferences provided for imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina compared to the corresponding 
MFN rates. Chapters 5, 8, 10, 11, 17-20, 22 and 38 are subject to specific rates of duties for which 
ad valorem  equivalents are not available; nevertheless specific duties for some tariff lines in these 
chapters are lowered for imports from Bosnia an d Herzegovina, compared with the corresponding 
MFN rates. 
Table 3.4 Norway 
Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement, by HS Section  
HS Section MFN 
average 
% Total 
No. of 
lines MFN duty-
free 
(2015) Number of 
duty-free 
lines No. of lines 
remaining 
dutiable Avg. Final 
Tariff 
(Dutiable) 
% 2015 
I 20.3 528 330 7 191 411.7 
II 15.9 577 303 26 248 142.5 
III 5.7 126 50 13 63 14.0 
IV 2.2 449 215 22 212 70.4 
V 0.0 191 191    
VI 1.1 960 941  19 337.1 
VII 0.0 303 303    
VIII 0.0 90 90    
IX 0.0 173 173    
X 0.0 172 172    
XI 2.6 932 667 265   
XII 0.0 62 62    
XIII 0.0 180 180    
XIV 0.0 54 54    
XV 0.0 662 662    
                                               
8 Norway's applied MFN tariff in 2015 consisted of 7,085 tariff lines at the HS eight-digit level. Of these, 
90.25 % (6, 394 lines) were subject to ad valorem  rates of duty. Of the remaining 691 lines, 690 had specific 
rates of duty while 1 line was subject to other rates of duty. WT/REG360/1 
 
- 12 - 
 
  HS Section MFN 
average 
% Total 
No. of 
lines MFN duty-
free 
(2015) Number of 
duty-free 
lines No. of lines 
remaining 
dutiable Avg. Final 
Tariff 
(Dutiable) 
% 2015 
XVI 0.0 963 963    
XVII 0.0 215 215    
XVIII 0.0 227 227    
XIX 0.0 24 24    
XX 0.0 190 190    
XXI 0.0 7 7    
Total 2.7 7,085 6,019 333 733 164.6 
Note: For the calculation of averages, sp ecific rates are excluded and only the ad valorem part of alternate 
rates is included. 
 Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Norway. 
 
Chart 3.2 Norway: Average of du tiable rates, by HS Chapter  
0100200300400500600
1
24
*5
67
*8
*10*11
12
1516
*17
*18
*19*20
21
*22
23
35
*38Rate of duty (%)
HS ChapterMFN Preferential
 
Note: 
* HS chapters which contain specific duties only.  
 For the calculation of averages, sp ecific rates are excluded and the ad valorem  parts of alternate 
rates are included.   
Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature.  
Source: WTO estimates based on data provided by Norway.  
 
3.1.3.1.3  Switzerland9 
3.11.  Table 3.5 shows tariff elimination by Switzerland under the Agreement. In 2015 around 
19.2% of the Swiss tariff (1,590 lines), were duty free for imports on an MFN basis.10 These 
corresponded to average annual imports of US$8.6 million (12.5% of total imports) from Bosnia 
and Herzegovina during 2012-2014. As a result of the Agreement entering into force Switzerland liberalized a further 65.3% of its tariff (5,417 tari ff lines) for imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina 
in 2015, corresponding to US$58.4 million (85.4% of the total) of imports from Bosnia and 
Herzegovina. Around 15.6% of the tariff (1,292 li nes) will remain dutiable, corresponding to 
US$1.4 million (2.1%) of Swiss imports fr om Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2012-2014. 
                                               
9 Including Liechtenstein as per the Custom s Union with Switzerland on 1 January 1924. 
10 In 2015, the Swiss tariff contained 8,219 tariff lines at the HS eight-digit level, all of which have 
specific rates of duty; the MFN rate for 19.16% of the tariff, or 1,590 lines is zero. WT/REG360/1 
 
- 13 - 
 
  Table 3.5 Switzerland 
Tariff elimination commitments under the Ag reement and corresponding average trade  
Duty phase-out 
period  Number 
of lines % of total lines 
in Switzerland's 
tariff schedule Value of Switzerland's 
imports from Bosnia 
and Herzegovina 
(2012-2014)  
in million US$ % of Switzerland's 
total imports from 
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina 
2012-2014 
MFN duty free (2015) 1,590 19.2 8.6 12.5 
2015 5,417 65.3 58.4 85.4 
Remain dutiable 1,292 15.6 1.4 2.1 
Total 8,299 100.0 68.4 100.0 
Note: Tariff lines subject to in-quota rate s are excluded in the tariff line count. 
 Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data pr ovided by Switzerland and the WTO-IDB. 
 
3.12.  Table 3.6 shows Switzerland's tariff eliminatio n by broad HS Section. It shows that once the 
Agreement is implemented, tariffs for imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina will remain in place in HS Sections I-IV and VI. As Switzerland's tariff is subject to specific rates of duty for which 
ad valorem  equivalents are not available, it is not possible to compute overall average rates of 
duty for tariff lines remaining dutiable, nor to  compare average preferential and MFN tariffs. 
Table 3.6 Switzerland  
Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by HS Section 
HS Section MFN 
average 
% Total No. of 
lines MFN  
duty-free  
(2015) Number of duty-
free lines 
2015 No. of lines 
remaining dutiable 
I … 450 188 73 189 
II …  1,045 196 182 667 
III … 197 71 76 50 
IV …  618 119 121 378 
V … 183 121 62  
VI …  1,012 407 597 8 
VII … 241 30 211  
VIII …  74 15 59  
IX … 131 15 116  
X …  178 24 154  
XI … 1,090 34 1,056  
XII …  60  60  
XIII … 159 2 157  
XIV …  61 7 54  
XV … 906 39 867  
XVI …  1,236 207 1,029  
XVII … 195 18 177  
XVIII …  251 55 196  
XIX … 26  26  
XX …  176 34 142  
XXI … 10 8 2  
Total … 8,299 1,590 5,417 1,292 
… Not available: Switzerland's tariff is subject to specific duties for which ad valorem  equivalents are 
not available. 
Note: calculation excludes specific and in-quota rates.  
Based on HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO estimates based on data prov ided by Switzerland and the WTO-IDB. 
 WT/REG360/1 
 
- 14 - 
 
  3.1.3.2  Bosnia and Herzegovina 
3.13.  Table 3.7 shows tariff elimination under the Agreement by Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 
2015, 29.5% of Bosnia and Herzegovina's tariff (2 ,990 lines) was duty free for imports from all 
sources. These lines corresponded to 40.9% of it s imports from Iceland, 24.5% from Norway and 
21.3% from Switzerland (annual average imports of  US$0.42 million from Ic eland, US$0.99 million 
from Norway and US$11.98 million from Switzerlan d during 2012-2014). As on entry into force of 
the Agreement, a further 4,376 lines for imports from Iceland, 4,382 lines for imports from 
Norway and 4,487 lines for imports from Switzerland were liberalized in 2015. These corresponded 
to 56.3%, 60.9% and 73.7% respectively of imports from Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, during 2012-2014. Further tariff liberalization is scheduled for 2016, 2017 and 2018. At the end of this period, Bosnia and Herzegovina would have liber alized 8,718 lines (86.1%) for imports from 
Iceland, 8,724 lines (86.1%) for imports from Norway and 8,829 lines (87.2%) for imports from 
Switzerland.  
3.14.  Table 3.8 shows Bosnia and Herzegovina's tariff liberalization by broad HS Section. At the 
end of implementation in 2018 it will maintain tariffs in HS Sections I-IV and one line each in 
Sections VI and VIII. The average of thes e tariffs will range from 4% to 10.6%. 
3.15.   Chart 3.3 compares average preferential tariffs for imports from the EFTA States with 
average non-preferential tariffs by HS Chapter. While for a number of HS Chapters the averages 
are the same, showing no additional preferential lib eralization, there are differences especially in 
Chapters 19 (7.9% compared to 11.7% for non-preferential imports) and 43 (4% compared to 10% for non-preferential imports) and to a lesser extent in HS 16 (9.3% and 9.9%) and HS 5 (5% 
and 6%).  
  WT/REG360/1  
 
- 15 - Table 3.7 Bosnia and Herzegovina: Tariff elimination commit ments under the Agreement and corresponding average trade 
Period Commitments applied by Bosnia and Herzegovina to: 
No. of lines % 
of lines Value of Imports (2012-2014) 
(US$ million) % of Total imports 
Iceland Norway Switzerland Iceland Norway Switzerland Iceland Norway Switzerland Iceland Norway Switzerland 
Applied, duty 
free (2015) 2,990 2,990 2,990 29.5 29.5 29.5 0.42 0.99 11.98 40.9 24.5 21.3 
2015 4,376 4,382 4,487 43.2 43.3 44.3 0.57 2.46 41.41 56.3 60.9 73.7 
2016 995 995 995 9.8 9.8 9.8 0.00 0.15 1.57 0.1 3.8 2.8 
2017 354 354 354 3.5 3.5 3.5 0.00 0.05 0.89 0.4 1.3 1.6 
2018 3 3 3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.02 0.00 0.00 2.3 0.0 0.0 
Remain Dutiable 1,412 1,406 1,301 13.9 13.9 12.8 0.00 0.38 0.34 0.0 9.5 0.6 
Total 10,130 10,130  10,130  100.0 100.0 100.0 1.02 4.05 56.20 100.0 100.0 100.0 
Note:  Based on HS 2012 nomenclature.  
Source: WTO estimates based on data pr ovided by Bosnia and Herzegovina.  
 
Table 3.8 Bosnia and Herzegovina (EFTA States): Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement, by HS Section HS Section 
Applied 
average 
% 
Total No. of 
lines 
Applied 
duty-free 
(2015) Iceland Norway Switzerland 
2015 2016 2017 2018  
Remain 
dutiable 
Average 
Final Tarif f
(Dutiable )
2015 2016 2017 2018  
Remain 
dutiable 
Average 
Final Tarif f
(Dutiable )
2015 2016 2017 2018  
Remain 
dutiable 
Average 
Final Tarif f
(Dutiable )
I 5.5 974 325 173  4 3 469 8.8 170  4 3 472 8.9 191  4 3 451 8.3 
II 3.5 561 262 7  1  291 6.5 7  1  291 6.5 30  1  268 6.6 
III 2.4 128 66 12    50 5.0 12    50 5.0 12    50 5.0 
IV 10.0 880 47 107 4 122  600 10.7 116 4 122  591 10.7 177 4 122  530 10.6 
V 1.6 244 192 34 12 6    34 12 6    34 12 6    
VI 2.6 1,241 672 564  4  1 5.0 564  4  1 5.0 564  4  1 5.0 
VII 6.2 328 113 168 43 4    168 43 4    168 43 4    
VIII 6.2 131 19 71 32 8  1 4.0 71 32 8  1 4.0 71 32 8  1 4.0 
IX 3.7 214 89 102 23     102 23     102 23     
X 5.5 212 59 90 61 2    90 61 2    90 61 2    
XI 10.5 1,161 64 486 508 103    486 508 103    486 508 103    
XII 13.7 107  7 52 48    7 52 48    7 52 48    
XIII 7.7 255 25 108 98 24    108 98 24    108 98 24    
XIV 5.3 59 27 17 8 7    17 8 7    17 8 7    
XV 5.4 1,011 311 638 62     638 62     638 62     
XVI 5.6 1,667 446 1,193 28     1,193 28     1,193 28     
XVII 6.2 329 76 241 3 9    241 3 9    241 3 9    
XVIII 3.9 377 175 202      202      202      
XIX 11.1 23 5 5 12 1    5 12 1    5 12 1    
XX 8.9 221 13 148 49 11    148 49 11    148 49 11    
XXI 2.1 7 4 3      3      3      
Total 6.1 10,130 2,990 4,376 995 354 3 1,412 9.0 4,382 995 354 3 1,406 9.0 4,487 995 354 3 1,301 8.7 
Note: For the calculation of averages, sp ecific rates are excluded and only the ad valorem part of alternate rates is included. Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO estimates based on data pr ovided by Bosnia and Herzegovina.  WT/REG360/1 
 
- 16 - 
 
  Chart 3.3 Bosnia and Herzegovina (EFTA Stat es): Average of dutiable rates, by HS 
Chapter  
0246810121416
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
15
16
17
19
20
21
22
23
24
2843Average rate of duty (%)
HS ChapterBosnia and Herzegovina with Iceland
0246810121416
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
15
16
17
19
20
21
22
23
24
28
43Average rate of duty (%)
HS ChapterBosnia and Herzegovina with Norway
0246810121416
1
23
4
567
8
9
1011
12
151617
19
202122
23
242843Average rate of duty (%)
HS ChapterBosnia and Herzegovina with Switzerland
MFN
Preferential
 
Note: For the calculation of averages, specific rates are excluded and the ad valorem  parts of alternate 
rates are included.   
Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature.  
Source: WTO estimates based on data pr ovided by Bosnia and Herzegovina. 
 
3.1.4  Tariff rate quotas 
3.16.  Tariff rate quotas are maintained under the bilateral Agreement on Agriculture between 
Norway and Bosnia and Herzegovina and between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. No 
tariff rate quotas are maintained between Iceland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. 
3.17.  Norway provides additional preferential access for certain agricultural products within the 
limits of its WTO tariff rate quota, principally poultry meat (HS 020712, HS 020725,), for which a 
margin of preference of 50% of the MFN rate and HS 020733 for which a 30% margin of 
preference of the MFN rate within the WTO TRQ is provided; butter (HS 040510), for which there 
is a margin of preference of 30% of the MFN ra te, honey (HS 040900) for which there is an out of 
quota preference of 15% for imports from Bosn ia and Herzegovina and a zero in-quota duty. 
3.18.  Switzerland provides TRQs for imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina of grapes 
(HS 08061012) from September 16 to July 14 annually of 500 metric tonnes; and peaches and 
nectarines (HS 08093010 and HS 08093020) of 200 metric tonnes per year. Bosnia and 
Herzegovina provides TRQs for imports from Switzerland of heifers (HS 0102101000) of 200 
animals per year. The in quota duty in all cases is zero. WT/REG360/1 
 
- 17 - 
 
  3.2  Rules of origin 
3.19.  Rules of origin are governed by Article 8 and the Protocol on Rules of Origin. However, as 
indicated in the Agreement, once the Regional Co nvention on Pan-euro-Mediterranean Preferential 
Rules of Origin ("the PEM Convention") enters into force for the Parties, the Protocol on Rules of 
Origin will cease apply and their rights and oblig ations shall be governed by the PEM Convention, 
without prejudice to Article 16 of the Agreemen t which establishes a Sub-Committee on Rules of 
Origin, Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation. The PEM Convention has been in force since the 
entry into force of the Agreement. Consequently th e Protocol on Rules of Origin of the Agreement 
no longer applies.  
3.20.  Under Article 2 of Appendix I of the PE M Convention, products are considered to be 
originating in a Party when (a) they are wholly obtained in a Party as defined in Article 4 of the 
Convention; (b) products not wholly obtained in a Party but having undergone sufficient working 
or processing in that Party as indicated in Arti cle 5 (see below); and (c) goods originating in the 
European Economic Area (EEA) provided that fr ee trade agreements are applicable between the 
Parties. Article 5 and Annexes I and II of the PE M Convention define the extent of working or 
processing required for a product to be considered originating. The general rule for a product to be considered originating is a change in tariff heading (CTH). In several cases an alternative rule also 
applies, usually if the value of all materials used as inputs does not exceed a certain share 
(generally 20% to 50%, depending on the product and in a few cases 10% or 60%) of the ex-works price of the product. Notwithstanding these r u l e s ,  p r o d u c t s  t h a t  h a v e  b e e n  o b t a i n e d  b y  
using non-originating materials may still qualify for preferential treatment if the total value of the 
non-originating materials does not exceed 10% of the ex-works price of the final product; and the 
percentages indicated in Annex II of the PEM Conven tion are not exceeded (Article 5 of Appendix I 
of the PEM Convention). For textiles and clot hing (Chapters 50-63) the percentage of non-
originating materials permitted is generally betw een 40% and 50% of the ex-works price of the 
product; the tolerance rule for textiles and clothing products (except for linings and interlinings) which do not meet the rules of origin is that they are classified in a heading other than that of the 
product and their value does not exceed 8% of the ex-works price of the product (Note 6 of Annex 
I of the PEM Convention). 
3.21.  Cumulation of origin is permitted with the Faeroe Islands, all the parties to the EU's 
Stabilization and Association Process
11 and the Barcelona process12 provided that (a) a preferential 
trade agreement in accordance with Article XXIV of the GATT, 1994 is applicable between the 
parties; (b) materials and products have acquired originating status by the application of rules of origin identical to those in the PEM Convention; and (c) notices indicating the fulfilment of 
requirements to apply cumulation have been publis hed in the Official Journal of the EU and in the 
other contracting parties according to their own procedures (Article 3 of Appendix I of the PEM Convention). Working or processing considered to be insufficient are listed in Article 6 of 
Appendix I of the PEM Convention, while rules on  accessories, spare parts and tools, sets and 
neutral elements are in Articles 8-10 of Appendix  I of the PEM Convention. Drawback or exemption 
from customs duty for non-originating materials is prohibited (Article 14). 
3.22.  A Sub-Committee on Rules of Origin, Cu stoms Procedures and Trade Facilitation is 
established under Article 16 of the Agreement. It may exchange information, review 
developments, prepare the coordination of positi ons of the Parties and technical amendments and 
assist the Joint Committee on the rules of origin and administrative cooperation, trade facilitation, 
and implementation of commitments in tariffs and quantitative restrictions in the Agreement and 
any other matters on trade in goods referred to it by the Joint Committee (Annex VI of the Agreement). The Sub-Committee shall act by consensus and meet as often as required.  
3.3  Export duties and charges,  and quantitative restrictions 
3.23.  According to Article 9, the Parties agree to  abolish all duties, and charges having equivalent 
effect to customs duties on exports of products to the other Party covered by liberalization commitments in the Agreement. No new duties will  be introduced. With regard to quantitative 
                                               
11 The participants are: the EU, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and 
Kosovo. 
12 The participants are: the EU, EFTA, Algeria, Egyp t, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian 
Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey. WT/REG360/1 
 
- 18 - 
 
  restrictions, and the Parties agree to apply Article XI of the GATT 1994, which is incorporated into 
and made part of the Agreement mutatis mutandis (Article 11).  
3.24.  Under Article 12, exporters may not benefit from repayment of internal taxes in excess of 
the amount of indirect taxation imposed on produc ts exported to the territory of the other Party. 
3.4  Regulatory Provisions of the Agreement 
3.4.1  Standards 3.4.1.1  Sanitary and phytosanitary measures 
3.25.  The Parties' rights and obligations on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures are 
governed by the WTO Agreement on the Applicat ion of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures 
(Article 13). Although Bosnia and Herzegovina is  not a Member of the WTO, under Annex VIII of 
the Agreement the Parties agree that its rights and obligations on SPS shall be determined by the 
WTO Agreement. The Parties also agree to exchange the names and addresses of contact points 
with sanitary and phytosanitary expertise to facilitate communications and the exchange of information. According to the Parties such an exchange normally takes place in the first Joint 
Committee meeting after the entry into force of the Agreement. 
3.4.1.2  Technical barriers to trade 3.26.  Under Article 14 of the Agreement, the Parties agree that their rights and obligations in 
respect of technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment shall be governed by the 
WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). Although Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a Member of the WTO, under Annex VIII of the Ag reement the Parties agree that its rights and 
obligations on TBT shall be determined by the WTO Agreement. They also agree to strengthen 
cooperation in technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment, so as to increase 
mutual understanding of their respective systems and facilitate access to their respective markets. 
3.4.2  Safeguard mechanisms 
3.4.2.1  Global safeguards 
3.27.  Under Article 21, the Parties' rights and obligations with respect to global safeguards shall 
be governed by Article XIX of the GATT 1994 and the WTO Agreement on Safeguards. 
Furthermore, in taking global safeguard measures a Party shall exclude imports of an originating 
product from one or several Parties if such import s do not in and of themselves cause or threaten 
to cause serious injury. The Party taking the measure shall demonstrate that such exclusion is in accordance with WTO rules and practices. 
3.4.2.2  Bilateral safeguards 
3.28.  Bilateral safeguards are regulated under Arti cle 22 of the Agreement. Where, as a result of 
the reduction or elimination of a customs duty under the Agreement, any product originating in a 
Party is being imported into the territory of another Party in such increased quantities, in absolute 
terms or relative to domestic production and under such conditions as to constitute a substantial cause of serious injury or threat thereof, to the domestic industry of like or directly competitive 
products in the territory of the importing Party, the importing Party may take bilateral safeguard 
measures to the minimum extent necessary to remedy or prevent the injury, subject to certain conditions. The investigation shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures set out in the WTO Agreement on Safeguards, mutatis mutandis . The Party intending to take a bilateral 
safeguard measure shall immediately, and in any ca se before taking the measure, notify the other 
Parties. The notification shall contain pertinent information, including evidence of serious injury or threat thereof caused by increased imports, a pr ecise description of the product concerned and the 
proposed measure and proposed date of introduc tion, expected duration and timetable for the 
progressive removal of the measure. WT/REG360/1 
 
- 19 - 
 
  3.29.  Within 30 days from receipt of the no tification, the Joint Committee shall examine the 
information provided to facilitate a mutually acceptable resolution. Failing this, the importing Party may adopt a safeguard.  
3.30.  The Party taking the measure may (a) suspend the further reduction of any rate of customs 
duty provided for under the Agreement for the product; or (b) increase the rate of customs duty 
for the product to a level not to exceed the lesser of the MFN rate applied at the time the measure is taken or the MFN rate applied on the day immediately preceding the date of entry into force of 
the Agreement. In the selection of the measure, pr iority must be given to the measure that least 
disturbs the functioning of the Agreement. The me asure shall be immediately notified to the other 
Parties and the Joint Committee and shall be subject to periodic consultations in the Joint Committee, particularly with a view to establishing a timetable for their abolition as soon as 
circumstances permit. 
3.31.  Bilateral safeguards may be taken for up to  two years. In very exceptional circumstances, 
after a review by the Joint Committee, safeguards may be taken for a maximum of three years. No 
measure shall be applied to the import of a prod uct that has previously been subject to such a 
measure for a period of at least four years since the expiry of the measure. Following termination of the measure the rate of customs duty shall be that which would have been in effect but for the 
measure. 
3.32.  Provisional bilateral measures are permitted in critical circumstances, where delay would 
cause damage which would be difficult to repair. A Party may take such a measure pursuant to a preliminary determination that there is clear evidence that increased imports constitute a 
substantial cause of serious injury, or thereat thereof, to the domestic industry. The Party 
intending to take such a measure shall immediately notify the other Parties and the Joint Committee in writing and within 30 days of the notification initiate a safeguard investigation under 
the procedures in Article 22, paragraphs 2-6. 
3.33.  Any provisional bilateral safeguards shall be terminated within 200 days with this period 
being counted as part of the duration (including any extension) of the bilateral safeguard measure 
imposed following an investigation. Any tariff increases shall be promptly refunded if the safeguard 
investigation does not result in a finding of injury or threat thereof. According to the Parties no safeguards are currently in place. 
3.34.  Five years after entry into force of the Agreement, the Parties shall review in the Joint 
Committee whether there remains a need to maintain the possibility of taking bilateral safeguard 
measures. If after the first review, the possibility is maintained, there shall be biennial reviews of 
the matter in the Joint Committee thereafter. 
3.4.2.3  Safeguards for balance of payments reasons 
3.35.  Where a Party is in serious balance of payments difficulties or under threat thereof, 
Article 31 of the Agreement permits the Party concer ned, in conformity with the conditions laid 
down within the framework of the GATT 1994 and the GATS as well as the Articles of Agreement of 
the IMF, to take restrictive measures with regard to current payments and capital movements, if the measures are strictly necessary. The Party taking the measure shall inform the other Parties immediately of the measures and shall provide as soon as possible, a timetable for their removal. 
3.4.2.4  Special safeguards 
3.36.  Special safeguards in agriculture are pr ovided for by Article 8 of the Agreement on 
Agriculture. Such measures may be taken where, as a result of the reduction or elimination of a 
customs duty under the Agreement, an agricultural product originating in a Party is being imported 
into the territory of the other Party in such increased quantities, in absolute terms or relative to domestic production, or at such reduced prices in the importing Party, so as to constitute a 
substantial cause of serious injury or threat thereof to the domestic industry of a like or directly 
competitive product in the territory of the importing Party, the importing Party may take safeguards to the minimum extent necessary to remedy or prevent the injury. WT/REG360/1 
 
- 20 - 
 
  3.37.  A special safeguard may not be taken for longer than one year and may consist of: (a) 
increasing the rate of customs duty for the produc t to a level not exceeding the MFN rate of duty 
applied at the time the measure is taken; or (b) introducing a tariff quota for preferential trade, based on historical trade volumes of the five preceding years, excluding the import surge that 
necessitated the introduction of the safeguard. Acco rding to the Parties no special safeguards have 
been taken to date under the Agreement. 
3.38.  A Party intending to take a safeguard, must immediately, and in any case before taking the 
measure, notify the other Party. Within 60 days from the date of notification, the Party notifying 
shall provide all pertinent information concerning the measure and shall, upon request, consult with the affected Party on the conditions of application of the measure. Within five years after entry into force of the Agreement the Parties shall review Article 8 and assess whether any 
modifications are required. 
3.4.2.5  Shortage clause 3.39.  Under Article 23, the Parties may take appropriate measures on each others' imports where 
compliance with the trade in goods chapter of the Agreement leads to: (a) a critical shortage, or 
threat thereof, of foodstuffs or other products e ssential to the exporting Party; or (b) re-export to 
a third party of a product against which the exporting Party maintains quantitative export 
restrictions, export duties or measures or charges having equivalent effect, and where this gives 
rise, or is likely to give rise to ma jor difficulties for the exporting Party. 
3.40.  The Party considering the measure must, before taking the measure, supply the Joint 
Committee with all relevant information, with a view to seeking a solution acceptable to the 
Parties. The Parties may agree in the Joint Commi ttee on any means to end the difficulties. If 
there is no agreement within 30 days of referral to the Joint Committee, the exporting Party may apply such measures on exports of the goods concerned. In the selection of measures, priority 
shall be given to those which least disturb the functioning of the arrangements in the Agreement. 
The measures will not be applied in a manner which would constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination where the same conditions prevail, or a disguised restriction on trade 
and will be eliminated when the conditions no longer justify their maintenance. The measures will 
be notified immediately to the Joint Committee and shall be subject to periodic consultations by it, in particular, with a view to their elimination as soon as circumstances permit. 
3.4.3  Anti-dumping and countervailing measures 
3.41.  Anti-dumping measures, as provided for under Article VI of the GATT and the WTO 
Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994, are not permitted under the 
Agreement for products originating in another Party (Article 20). This is affirmed for Bosnia and 
Herzegovina under Annex VIII of the Agreement.  The Parties recognize that the effective 
implementation of competition rules may address economic causes leading to dumping.  
3.42.  The Parties may review these provisions four  years after the date of entry into force of the 
Agreement; following this, they may conduct biennial reviews in the Joint Committee established 
by the Agreement (see Section 4.5 below). 
3.43.  The Parties' rights and obligations on subsidies and countervailing measures shall be 
governed by Articles VI and XVI of the GATT 1994 and the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and 
Countervailing Measures (SCM) (Article 19), except as otherwise provided for in this Article. 
Although Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a Member  of the WTO, under Annex VIII of the Agreement 
the Parties agree that its rights and obligations on subsidies and countervailing measures shall be 
determined by the WTO Agreement on SCM. Before any of the Parties initiates an investigation to 
determine the existence, degree and effect of any alleged subsidy in an EFTA State or Bosnia and Herzegovina, as provided for in Article 11 of the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing 
Measures, the Party considering initiating an investigation shall notify in writing the Party whose 
goods are subject to the investigation and will allow a period of 45 days to find a mutually acceptable solution. The consultations shall take place in the Joint Committee if any Party so requests within 20 days of receipt of the notification. If such consultations do not resolve the 
issue, the Party considering initiating an investigation may proceed in accordance with its WTO 
rights and obligations. WT/REG360/1 
 
- 21 - 
 
  3.4.4  Subsidies and State-aid 
3.44.  There are no specific provisions on subsidies in the Agreement. However, Article 2 of the 
Agreement on Agriculture, which provides for tari ff concessions, grants such concessions on the 
condition that no subsidies are paid for the export of these products to the other Party.  
3.45.  With regard to State-aid, while there are also no explicit references, Article 17 on State 
trading enterprises reaffirms the Parties' rights and obligations under Article XVII, and the Understanding on the Interpretation of Article XVII of the GATT 1994 which are incorporated into 
and made part of the Agreement, mutatis mutandis. In addition, Article 18 contains provisions on 
competition rules which have a bearing on public undertakings (see Section 4.10 below). 
3.4.5  Customs-related proced ures and trade facilitation 
3.46.  In addition to customs related procedures on rules of origin, Article 15 and Annex V refer to 
trade facilitation. Each Party agrees to simplify to the greatest extent possible, procedures for 
trade in goods and related services; promote cooperation with other Parties to enhance their participation in the development and implementation of international conventions and 
recommendations on trade facilitation; and to cooperate on trade facilitation within the framework 
of the Joint Committee. The rules on transparency  in Annex V require the prompt publication on 
the Internet (in English as far as practicable) of all laws, regulations and administrative decisions 
of general application relevant to trade in goods between the Parties. The Parties are to establish 
enquiry points for customs and other matters who may be contacted via the Internet. The Parties indicate that this has not been done so far but will be done shortly.  Provisions are also made for 
consultations with the business community, publication on the Internet of proposed laws so that 
interested persons may have an opportunity to comment, and a reasonable interval between the 
publication of such laws and their application.  
3.47.  Article 4 of Annex V provides for binding advance rulings upon request including tariff 
classification and rules of origin applying to a product and such other matters as may be agreed by 
the Parties. The Parties in Article 5 agree to apply trade and border procedures that are simple, reasonable and impartial. They shall limit controls, formalities, and the number of documents 
required in the context of trade in goods between the Parties to those necessary and appropriate 
to ensure compliance with legal requirements, thereb y simplifying, to the greatest extent possible, 
the respective procedures. The Parties also agr ee to use efficient trade procedures, based as 
appropriate, on international standards with the aim to reduce costs and unnecessary delays in 
trade between them and to adopt and maintain pr ocedures that provide for advance electronic 
submission and processing of information before the physical arrival of goods and allow importers to obtain the release of goods prior to meeting all import requirements, provided the importer 
gives sufficient guarantees and where it is de cided that no further examination is needed. 
3.48.  Any Party operating an authorized economic operator system shall afford another Party the 
possibility of negotiating a mutual recognition agreement on authorization and security measures 
for facilitating trade while ensuring effective cust oms control and draw on international standards, 
particularly the WCO Framework (Article 8 of A nnex V). The customs systems and procedures of 
each Party shall enable exporters and importers to submit their customs declarations without recourse to customs brokers (Article 9). Fees and charges other than import duties and other than 
taxes within the purview of Article III of the GATT 1994 shall be limited to the approximate cost of 
services rendered and shall not represent an indirect protection to domestic products or a taxation of exports or imports for fiscal purposes (Article 10). They shall not be calculated on an ad valorem  
basis. They shall be officially published and ma de available on the Internet and, as far as 
practicable, in English (Article 10). The Parties shall ensure cooperation between their border authorities and agencies, and coordinate their proced ures to facilitate trade (Article 14) and ensure 
that exporters, importers and producers have the right to at least one level of independent 
administrative and judicial appeal in accordance with domestic legislation (Article 15). WT/REG360/1 
 
- 22 - 
 
  3.5  Sector-Specific Prov isions of the Agreement 
3.5.1   Agriculture 3.49.  In addition to tariff concessions grante d under the Agreement on Agriculture, the Parties 
undertake to continue their efforts with a view to achieving further liberalization of their trade in 
agricultural products, taking account of the pattern of such trade between them, the particular 
sensitivities of such products and the development of their agricultural policies. At the request of either Party, consultations will be held to achi eve this objective, including through improvements 
in market access by reduction or elimination of customs duties on agricultural products and by 
extending the scope of agricultural products covered by the Agreement. 
3.50.  The Parties also agree to examine any di fficulties that might arise in their trade in 
agricultural products and shall endeavour to seek appropriate solutions (Article 4 of the Agreement 
on Agriculture). 
4  GENERAL PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT 4.1  Transparency 
4.1.  In addition to transparency requirements fo r specific issues, for instance trade facilitation, 
Article 6 calls for the Parties to publish or otherwise make publicly available their laws, regulations, judicial decisions, administrative rulings of general application and the international agreements to 
which they are party that may affect the operation of the Agreement. Any Party shall also respond 
promptly to specific questions and provide, upon request, information to another Party on any of these matters but they are not required to disclose confidential information. 
4.2  Current payments and capital movements 
4.2.  Except for cases of balance of payments difficulties, the Parties undertake to allow all 
payments for current transactions to be carried out in a freely convertible currency (Article 29) and will ensure that capital for investment in companies formed in accordance with their respective 
laws, any returns stemming therefrom and the amounts resulting from liquidation of investments 
are freely transferrable (Article 30). The Parties also agree to hold consultations to facilitate the movement of capital between the EFTA States and Bosnia and Herzegovina and achieving its 
complete liberalization as soon as conditions permit. 
4.3  Exceptions 4.3.  Article 24 of the Agreement incorporates Articles XX and XXI of the GATT 1994 for general 
and security exceptions into the Agreement, mu tatis mutandis. Furthermore, with regard to 
payments and capital movements, subparagraphs (a) – (c) of Article XIV and paragraph 1 of 
Article XIV bis of the GATS are also incorpor ated into the Agreement, mutatis mutandis. 
4.4  Accession and Withdrawal 
4.4.  Any State that becomes a member of the EFTA may accede to the Agreement, subject to 
approval by the Joint Committee, and on terms and conditions to be agreed upon by the Parties. The instrument of accession shall be deposited wi th the Depository (Government of Norway). The 
Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the third month following the deposit of its 
instrument of accession for the acceding State, or  the approval of the terms of accession by the 
existing Parties, whichever is later (Article 51). 
4.5.  A Party may withdraw from the Agreement through written notification to the Depositary, 
with the withdrawal taking effect six months after receipt of the notification by the Depositary. If 
Bosnia and Herzegovina withdraws, the Agreemen t will expire when its withdrawal becomes 
effective. If any EFTA State withdraws from the EF TA Convention, it shall, on the same day as the 
withdrawal takes effect, cease to be a Party to the Agreement (Article 52). WT/REG360/1 
 
- 23 - 
 
  4.5  Institutional framework 
4.6.  The Agreement establishes the EFTA-Bosnia and Herzegovina Joint Committee under 
Chapter 7. It shall be composed of representatives of the Parties and headed by Senior Officials. Besides the Sub-Committee on Rules of Origin, Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation, 
established by Article 16, the Joint Committee may decide to set up such sub-committees and 
working groups as it considers necessary to assist it in accomplishing its tasks. In this regard, except where provided otherwise by the Agreemen t, the sub-committees and working groups shall 
work under a mandate established by the Joint Committee.  
4.7.  Its role is to inter alia, supervise and review implementation of the Agreement including 
through a comprehensive review of the application of its provisions with due regard to any specific reviews provided for by the Agreement; keep under  review the possibility of further removal of 
trade barriers and other restrictive measures in bilateral trade; oversee further development of the 
Agreement; supervise the work of any sub-commi ttees and working groups established under the 
Agreement; endeavour to resolve disputes that may arise regarding the interpretation or 
application of the Agreement; and consider any other matter that may affect the operation of the 
Agreement. The Committee may also decide to amend the Annexes and the Protocol on Rules of Origin to the Agreement, including their Appendices. If a representative of a Party in the Joint 
Committee has accepted a decision subject to the fulfilment of constitutional requirements, the 
decision shall enter into force on the date the last Party notifies that its internal requirements have been met unless the decision specifies a later date. The Committee may decide that the decision shall enter into force for those Parties that have fulfilled their internal requirements, provided that 
Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of those Parties. A Party may apply a decision of the Joint 
Committee provisionally until the decision enters into force subject to its constitutional requirements. 
4.8.  The Committee may take decisions as provided for in the Agreement and recommendations 
on other matters by consensus. It shall meet whenever necessary upon mutual agreement but 
normally every two years. Its meetings shall be chaired jointly by one of the EFTA States and 
Bosnia Herzegovina. Each Party may also request in writing a special meeting of the Joint 
Committee, which shall be held within 30 days of receipt of the request, unless the Parties agree otherwise. The Joint Committee shall establish its rules of procedure. 
4.6  Dispute settlement 
4.9.  Chapter 8 of the Agreement sets out the dispute settlement framework with regard to the 
interpretation, implementation and application of  the Agreement. The Parties shall make every 
attempt through cooperation and consultations to arrive at a mutually satisfactory solution. A 
Party may request consultations in writing with any other Party regarding any actual or proposed 
measure or any other matter that it considers may affect the operation of the Agreement. It shall also notify the other Parties in writing and supply all relevant information. 
4.10.  Consultations shall take place in the Joint Committee if any of the Parties so requests, 
within 20 days of receipt of the notification and a view to finding a commonly acceptable solution. If the requested Party does not reply within 10 days or does not enter into consultations within 20 days from the date of receipt of the request, the Party making the request is entitled to request 
the establishment of an arbitral panel (Article 44). 
4.11.  Establishment of an Arbitral Panel may be requested through a written request to the Party 
complained against for disputes which have not been settled through consultations or within 60 
days from the date of receipt of the request for co nsultations. A copy of the request shall also be 
communicated to the other Parties so they may decide whether to participate in the arbitration or not. Where more than one Party requests a panel for the same issue, or where the request 
involves more than one Party complained against, a single panel shall be established, whenever 
feasible. Non-parties to the dispute are also entitled, on delivery of a written request to the parties to the dispute, to make and received written subm issions to the panel and from the parties, attend 
hearings and make oral statements. The Chapter also permits the parties to settle disputes 
regarding the same matter arising under the Agreement and the WTO Agreement in either forum 
at the discretion of the complaining party. However, once the forum is selected, it shall be used to WT/REG360/1 
 
- 24 - 
 
  the exclusion of the other. Before the Party raises the dispute under the WTO DSU, it shall notify 
all the other Parties of its intention to do so. 
4.12.  The panel shall comprise three members wh o shall be nominated in accordance with the 
Optional Rules for Arbitrating Disputes between Two States of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, 
effective 20 October 1992. It shall examine the matter referred to it in the request, in light of the 
provisions of the Agreement, applied and interprete d in accordance with the rules of interpretation 
of public international law. The hearings of the panel shall be open to the public unless the Parties 
to the dispute agree otherwise. 
4.13.  The panel ruling shall be made within 180 days of the date on which the presiding arbitrator 
of the panel was appointed. The period can be extended for up to 90 days if the parties to the dispute agree. The ruling shall be final and binding upon the parties to the dispute. Any ruling by 
the panel shall be made public, unless the parties to the dispute agree otherwise.  
4.14.  The party complained against shall promptly comply with the ruling of the panel. If it is 
impractical to comply immediately, the parties to the dispute shall endeavour to agree on a 
reasonable period of time to do so. In the absence of an agreement within 30 days from the date 
of the ruling, either party to the dispute may, within 10 days from the expiry of this period, 
request the original arbitration panel to determine the length of the reasonable period of time. The 
Party concerned shall notify in writing the other pa rty to the dispute, of the measure adopted, in 
order to implement the ruling. Failure to comply with the ruling in the reasonable period of time and if the parties to the dispute have not agreed on any compensation, the other party to the dispute may, until the ruling has been properly implemented, or the dispute has not been 
otherwise resolved, and subject to prior notification  of 30 days, suspend the application of benefits 
granted under the Agreement, but only equivalent to those affected by the measure found to be in violation of the Agreement (Article 46). 
4.15.  If there is a dispute regarding the implementa tion of the ruling or the notified suspension, it 
shall be settled by the original arbitration panel up on request by either party to the dispute before 
benefits are suspended. The panel may also rule on the conformity with the ruling of any 
implementing measures adopted after the suspensi on of benefits and whether the suspension of 
benefits should be modified or terminated. Any ruling in both cases shall normally be made within 45 days from the receipt of the request.  
4.7  Relationship with other agreements concluded by the Parties 
4.16.  Under Article 3 of the Agreement, the Part ies confirm their rights and obligations under the 
WTO Agreement, and other agreements negotiated thereunder to which they are party, as well as any other international agreements to which they are party. The provisions of the Agreement shall 
be without prejudice to the interpretation or application of rights and obligations under any other 
international agreement on investment to which Bosnia and Herzegovina and one or several EFTA States are parties. If a Party considers that the maintenance or establishment of a customs union, 
a free trade area, an arrangement for frontier trad e or another preferential agreement by another 
Party has the effect of altering the trade regime provided for by the Agreement, it may request consultations. The Party concluding such an agreement shall afford adequate opportunity for consultations with the requesting Party.  
4.17.  Table 4.1 below lists all other notified and non-notified RTAs involving the Parties. 
Table 4.1. EFTA and Bosnia and Herzegovina: Participation in other RTAs (notified and 
non-notified in force), as of 20 October 2015 
RTA Name Date of 
entry into 
force Coverage GATT / WTO Notification 
Year WTO Provision 
EFTA STATES – COLLECTIVELY 
EFTA - Central America 
(Costa Rica and Panama) 19-Aug-14 Goods & Services 2014 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
EFTA - Hong Kong, China 01-Oct-12 Goods & Services 2012 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
EFTA - Montenegro 01-Sep-12 Goods 2012 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Ukraine 01-Jun-12 Goods & Services 2012 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V WT/REG360/1 
 
- 25 - 
 
  RTA Name Date of 
entry into 
force Coverage GATT / WTO Notification 
Year WTO Provision 
EFTA - Colombia 01-Jul-11 Goods & Services 2011 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
EFTA - Peru 01-Jul-11 Goods 2011 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Albania 01-Nov-10 Goods 2011 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Serbia 01-Oct-10 Goods 2010 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Canada 01-Jul-09 Goods 2009 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - SACU 01-May-08 Goods 2008 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Egypt 01-Aug-07 Goods 2007 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Lebanon 01-Jan-07 Goods 2006 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Korea, Republic of 01-Sep-06 Goods & Services 2006 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
EFTA - Tunisia 01-Jun-05 Goods 2005 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Chile 01-Dec-04 Goods & Services 2004 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
EFTA - Singapore 01-Jan-03 Goods & Services 2003 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
EFTA - Jordan 01-Sep-02 Goods 2002 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Former Yugoslav 
Republic of Macedonia 01-May-02 Goods 2000 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Mexico 01-Jul-01 Goods & Services 2001 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
EFTA - Morocco 01-Dec-99 Goods 2000 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Palestinian Authority 01-Jul-99 Goods 1999 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Israel 01-Jan-93 Goods 1992 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Turkey 01-Apr-92 Goods 1992 GATT Art. XXIV 
European Free Trade 
Association (EFTA) 03-May-60 
01-Jun-02 Goods  
Services 1959 
2002 GATT Art. XXIV 
GATS Art. V 
EFTA-Gulf Cooperation 
Council 1 July 2014 
for EFTA Goods & Services Not notifieda 
INDIVIDUAL EFTA STATES 
Switzerland - China 01-Jul-14 Goods & Services 2014 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Iceland - China 01-Jul-14 Goods & Servic es 2014 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Japan - Switzerland 01-Sep-09 Goods & Services 2009 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Iceland - Faroe Islands 01-Nov-06 Goods & Services 2008 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Faroe Islands - Switzerland 01-Mar-95 Goods 1996 GATT Art. XXIV 
Faroe Islands - Norway 01-Jul-93 Goods 1996 GATT Art. XXIV 
EU - Norway 01-Jul-73 Goods 1973 GATT Art. XXIV 
EU - Iceland 01-Apr-73 Goods 1972 GATT Art. XXIV 
EU - Switzerland - 
Liechtenstein 01-Jan-73 Goods 1972 GATT Art. XXIV 
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 
EU - Bosnia and 
Herzegovina 01-Jul-08 Goods 2008 GATT Art. XXIV 
Central European Free 
Trade Agreement (CEFTA) 2006 01-May-07 Goods 2007 GATT Art. XXIV 
Turkey - Bosnia and 
Herzegovina 01-Jul-03 Goods 2003 GATT Art. XXIV 
Bosnia and Herzegovina - 
Iran 30-Dec-09 Goods Not notified 
a The EFTA States indicate that the date of entry into force for all the parties to the EFTA-GCC is not 
clear.  
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
 
4.8  Government procurement 
4.18.  The Parties agree to enhance their mutual understanding of each others' government 
procurement laws and regulations with a view to progressively liberalizing their respective procurement markets on the basis of non-discrimination and reciprocity (Article 28). In this regard 
they will publish or otherwise make public their laws, regulations, and administrative rulings of 
general application as well as their respective international agreements that may affect their WT/REG360/1 
 
- 26 - 
 
  procurement markets. They also agree to respon d promptly to specific questions and provide, 
upon request, information to another Party on such matters. 
4.19.  Following the entry into force of the Agreement, if a Party grants to a non-party, additional 
benefits for access to its government procurement markets, it shall agree to enter into 
negotiations with a view to extending these benefits to another Party on a reciprocal basis. 
4.9  Intellectual Property Rights 4.20.  The protection of intellectual property ri ghts (IPRs) is covered by Article 25 and Annex VII 
of the Agreement. In Article 25 the Parties commi t to granting and ensuring adequate, effective 
and non-discriminatory protection of IPRs and provide for measures for the enforcement of infringement of such rights, counterfeiting and piracy, in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement and the international agreements referred to in Annex VII.
13  
4.21.  The Parties in Annex VII agree to comply with the substantive provisions of the TRIPS 
agreement. They shall grant each other national and MFN treatment and any exemptions must be in accordance with the substantive provisions of Articles 3 and 5 (for national treatment) and 
4 and 5 (for MFN treatment) of the WTO TRIPS Ag reement. They agree to promptly hold expert 
meetings upon request of any Party on conventions referred to in the Agreement or to future international conventions on harmonization, administration and enforcement of IPRs and on 
activities in international organizations such as the WTO and WIPO as well as relations with non-
parties on IPRs. They also agree to review the provisions on the protection of IPRs in the 
Agreement with a view to further improving the leve ls of protection and to avoiding and remedying 
trade distortions caused by current levels of IPR protection. 
4.22.  The IPRs covered are: copyright, including for computer programmes and compilations of 
data, and related rights; trademarks for goods an d services; geographical indications including 
appellations of origin for goods and indications of source for goods and services; industrial 
designs; plant varieties; topographies of integrated circuits; as well as undisclosed information. 
With regard to copyright the general term of protec tion for works shall be the life of the author and 
70 years after death (50 years in the TRIPS Agreement). For computer programmes protection is 
provided for the life of the author plus 50 years af ter death (Article 3). With regard to patents, the 
Agreement requires a minimum level of protection which ensures (a) adequate and effective patent protection in all fields of technology in accordance with protection provided in the Convention on the Grant of European Patents; and (b) a compensatory term of protection for 
pharmaceuticals and plant protection products whic h shall be calculated from the expiry of the 
maximum protection for patents of 20 years for a period equal to that which lapsed between the 
filing of the patent and date of market authoriz ation of the product reduced by five years. The 
compensatory protection will be for a maximum of five years and subject to certain conditions 
(Article 5).
14 For trademarks the Parties shall grant each others' goods and services rights holders 
adequate and effective protection. They also rea ffirm the importance of, and shall be guided by 
WIPO Joint Recommendation Concerning Provisions on the Protection of Well-Known Marks, and 
the WIPO Joint Recommendation Concerning Provisions on the Protection of Marks and other Industrial Property Rights in Signs, on the Internet (Article 4). 
4.23.  Other protected rights include undisclosed information where the Parties shall prevent 
applicants for marketing approval from relying on, or referring to, undisclosed test or other data 
submitted to the competent authority for at least eight years (from the date of marketing approval) for pharmaceutical products and at least ten years for agrochemical products 
(Article 6).
15 Industrial designs are protected for at least 25 years, with shorter periods for designs 
of component parts used in the repair of a product (Article 7). Geographical indications (GIs) shall 
                                               
13 These are listed in Article 2 of Annex VII. 
14 The conditions are: that the product is protected by a patent in force; there has been an official 
marketing authorization for the medicinal or plant prot ection product; the right conferred by the patent has 
been postponed by administrative proc edures regarding authorization of market access, so that the effective 
use of the patent amounts to less than 15 years; and the protection by the patent and the compensatory protection together not exceed 15 years. 
15 The 10 years can be extended to 11 years if at leas t during the first eight of ten years the marketing 
authorization holder obtains authorization for one or more new therapeutic indications, which during the 
scientific evaluation prior to authorization, are held to bring a significant clinical benefit compared to existing therapies. WT/REG360/1 
 
- 27 - 
 
  be given adequate and effective means of protection in national legislation (Article 8). Enforcement 
of IPRs shall be of the same level as at in the TRIPS Agreement (Articles 41-61). The Parties shall enable their competent authorities, including on their own initiative, to suspend release of goods when they have valid grounds for suspecting that  import or export of the goods would infringe 
IPRs; the Parties will also provide for civil and criminal remedies for infringement of IPRs. 
4.10  Other 4.10.1  Trade in services 
4.24.  While not making specific commitments in services, the Parties shall aim at achieving 
gradual liberalization and the opening of their mark ets for trade in services in accordance with the 
provisions of the GATS. If after the entry into fo rce of the Agreement, a Party grants additional 
benefits to a non-party with regard to access to its services markets, it shall agree to enter into 
consultations with a view to extending those benefits to another Party on a reciprocal basis. These 
commitments will be kept under review with a view to establishing an agreement liberalizing trade in services in accordance with Article V of the GATS (Article 27). 
4.10.2  Investment 
4.25.  Under Article 26, the Parties agree to endeavour to provide in their territories, stable, 
equitable and transparent investment conditions for investors of the other Parties that are making 
or seeking to make investments in their territories. Investment by investors of the other Parties 
will be subject to a Party's laws and regulations. In this regard the Parties recognize that it is 
inappropriate to encourage investment by relaxing health, safety or environmental standards. They also recognize the importance of promotin g investment and technology flows for economic 
growth and development and they agree to coop erate, including by identifying investment 
opportunities and information channels on investment regulations, exchanging information on measure to promote investment abroad and the furthering of a legal environment to increase 
investment flows. 
4.26.  The Parties commit to review issues related to investment in the Joint Committee no later 
than five years after the entry into force of the Agreement, including the right of establishment of 
investors of one Party in the territory of another Party. Furthermore all the Parties except Norway 
agree to refrain from arbitrary or discriminatory measures regarding investments by investors of any of the other Parties mentioned and shall observe their obligations with regard to specific investments by investors of any of the other Parties mentioned they have entered into.  
4.10.3  Trade and Sustainable Development 
4.27.  Chapter 6 on trade and sustainable developm ent covers measures adopted or maintained by 
the Parties affecting trade- and investment-related aspects of labour and environmental issues 
(Article 34). The Parties recognize that economic and social development and environmental 
protection are interdependent and mutually su pportive components of sustainable development 
and underline the benefit of cooperation on these issu es as part of a global approach to trade and 
sustainable development. They reaffirm thei r commitment to promote the development of 
international trade so as to contribute to the ob jective of sustainable development and to ensure 
that it is integrated and reflect in their trade relationship.  
4.28.  Article 35 recognizes the right of each Party,  subject to the provisions of the Agreement, to 
establish its own levels of environmental and labour protection, and to adopt or modify, 
accordingly, its relevant laws and policies. Each Party shall seek to ensure that its laws, policies and practices provide for and encourage high le vels of environmental and labour protection, 
consistent with standard, principles and agreemen ts referred to in the Agreement and shall strive 
to further improve the levels of protection provided for in those laws and policies. In particular, a Party shall not (a) weaken or reduce the levels of environmental or labour protection provided by 
its laws, regulations or standards with the sole intention to encourage investment from another 
Party or to seek or to enhance a competitive trade advantage of producers or service provides operating in its territory; or (b) waive or otherwise derogate from or offer to waive or otherwise derogate from, such laws, regulations or standard to encourage investment from another Party or 
to seek or to enhance a competitive trade advantag e of producers or service providers operating in WT/REG360/1 
 
- 28 - 
 
  its territory (Article 36). In Articles 37 and 38 the Parties reaffirm their commitments to 
international standards and agreements, including the ILO principles on fundamental rights, and 
other conventions relating to labour rights; as we ll as multilateral environmental agreements to 
which they are party.  
4.29.  The promotion of trade and investment favouring sustainable development is encouraged by 
Article 39, including by facilitating and promoting foreign investment, trade in and dissemination of goods and services beneficial to the enviro nment, including environmental technologies, 
sustainable renewable energy, energy efficient and eco-labelled goods and services, including 
through addressing related non-tariff barriers and that contribute to sustainable development, including those related to schemes such as fair  and ethical trade. The Parties shall encourage 
cooperation between enterprises in relation to goods, services and technologies that contribute to 
sustainable development and are beneficial to the environment. They will also strive to strengthen 
cooperation on trade and investment related labour and environmental issues of mutual interest in relevant bilateral, regional and multilateral fora in which they participate (Article 40).  
4.30.  Contact points will be established for im plementation of the Chapter and the Parties may 
request expert consultations or consultations in the Joint Committee through the contact points on any matter arising under the Chapter. The Parties will make every attempt to reach a mutually 
satisfactory resolution of the matter under consul tation, including, as relevant, by seeking the 
advice of relevant international organizations or bodies. They will also have recourse to consultations under the Dispute Settlement Chapter of the Agreement (Article 41). The Chapter envisages periodic reviews in the Joint Committee of progress achieved and consideration of 
relevant international developments to identify areas where further action could promote the 
objectives of the Chapter. 
4.10.4  Competition 
4.31.  Article 18 specifies that the following practi ces are incompatible with the proper functioning 
of the Agreement insofar as they may affect trade between an EFTA State and Bosnia and 
Herzegovina: (a) all agreements between undertaki ngs, decisions by associations of undertakings 
and concerted practices between undertakings which have as their object, or effect, the 
prevention, restriction or distortion of competition; and (b) abuse by one or more undertakings of a dominant position in the territory of a Party as a whole or in a substantial part thereof. These provisions shall apply to the activities of public undertakings and undertakings for which a Party 
grants special or exclusive rights, insofar as the application of such provisions does not obstruct 
the performance, in law or in fact, of the particular public tasks assigned to them. These provisions shall not be construed to create any direct obligations for undertakings. 
4.32.  If a Party considers that a given practice is incompatible with this Article, it may request 
consultations within the Joint Committee. The Parties concerned shall provide all the assistance required to examine the case and where appropriat e, eliminate the practice objected to. If the 
Party concerned fails to end the practice objected to within the period set by the Joint Committee 
or if the Joint Committee fails to reach an agreement after consultations or after 30 days following referral for such consultations, the Party requesting consultations may adopt appropriate measures to deal with the difficulties resulting from the practice. WT/REG360/1 
 
- 29 - 
 
  ANNEX 1 
1. A comparison between the scheduled elimination of tariffs by the Parties and their average 
duties applied to all non-parties is shown in Tables A1.1-3 for the EFTA States and A.2 for Bosnia and Herzegovina below, by total, agricultural (WTO definition) and non-agricultural products. 
2. Before entry into force of the Agreement, Ic eland's overall applied MFN average duty was 
4.4%. It was 2.5% for non-agricultural products, and considerably higher at 11.4% for non-agricultural products. Some 70%  of its tariff was duty free of which 74.3% for non-agricultural 
products and 55.6% for agricultural products. As a result of the Agreement, the share of duty free 
tariff lines increased to 93.3% overall for impo rts from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The share was 
100% for non-agricultural products and 70% for ag ricultural products. The relative margin of 
preference for exporters from Bosnia and Herzeg ovina was 59% overall, 100% for non-agricultural 
products and 29% for agricultural products. 
3. Norway's average applied MFN duty in 2015 was 2.7% overall, 0.4% for non-agricultural 
products and considerably higher at 20% for agricultural products. Around 85% of the tariff was 
duty free on an MFN basis (95.1% for non-agri cultural products and 48% for agricultural 
products). As a result of the entry into force of the Agreement, 89.7% of the tariff overall became duty free for imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The share of duty free lines rose to 100% for 
non-agricultural products and 48% for agricultural products. The relative margin of preference for 
exporters from Bosnia and Herzegovina was 26% overall, 100% for non-agricultural products and 16% for agricultural products. 
4. In 2015 19.2% of the Swiss tariff was duty free on an MFN basis, with 18.8% of non-
agricultural tariffs and 20.1% of agricultural tari ffs being duty free. As a result of the Agreement 
entering into force 84.4% of the tariff overall became duty free for imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 100% of non-agricultural impo rts and 39.6% of agricultural imports becoming 
duty free. As the Swiss tariff is based on specific rates of duty for which no ad valorem  equivalents 
are available, it is not possible to calculate the average tariff or average margin of preference for 
exporters from Bosnia and Herzegovina.  
Table A1.1 Iceland: Indicators of MFN tariff rates and preferential rates for imports from 
Bosnia and Herzegovina  
Origin of 
goods Year ALL PRODUCTS  Agricultural products a Non-agricultural products  
Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) 
MFN 2015 4.4  15.0 70.0  11.4 26.6 55.6 2.5 9.5 74.3  
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina 2015 1.8 31.1 93.3 8.1 31.1 70.0 0.0 10.0 100.0  
a WTO Definition. 
Note: For the calculation of averages, sp ecific rates are excluded and only the ad valorem part of alternate 
rates is included. Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO Secretariat estimates based on data provided by Iceland. 
 WT/REG360/1 
 
- 30 - 
 
  Table A1.2 Norway: Indicators of MFN tariff ra tes and preferential rates for imports from 
Bosnia and Herzegovina  
Origin of 
goods Year ALL PRODUCTS  Agricultural products a Non-agricultural products  
Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) 
MFN 2015 2.7  45.3 85.0  20.0 131.2  43.7 0.4 9.1 95.1  
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina 2015 2.0 164.6 89.7 16.8 164.6  48.0 0.0 0.0 100.0  
a WTO Definition. 
Note: For the calculation of averages, sp ecific rates are excluded and only the ad valorem part of alternate 
rates is included.  
Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO Secretariat estimates ba sed on data provided by Norway. 
Table A1.3 Switzerland: Indicators of MFN ta riff rates and preferential rates for imports 
from Bosnia and Herzegovina  
Origin of 
goods Year ALL PRODUCTS  Agricultural products a Non-agricultural products  
Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) 
MFN 2015 …  … 19.2  … … 20.1 … … 18.8  
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina 2015 … … 84.4 … … 39.6 … … 100.0  
a WTO Definition. 
…  Not available: Switzerland's tariff is subject to specific duties for which ad valorem equivalents are 
not available. 
Note: Calculation excludes specific and in-quota rates. 
 Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO Secretariat estimates based on data provided by Switzerland. 
 
5. Table A1.4 below shows market access for Bosnia and Herzegovina's top 25 exports in the 
EFTA States which accounted for 42.7% of its global exports during 2012-2014 and were covered 
by 51 tariff lines in Iceland, 93 in Norway and 57 lines in Switzerland. Of these lines 37 were 
already duty free on an MFN basis in Iceland and 24 in Switzerland; all of Norway's tariffs concerning these products were duty free. When the Agreement entered into force in 2015, all the 
remaining duties were eliminated. WT/REG360/1 
 
- 31 - 
 
  Table A1.4 EFTA States: Market access oppo rtunities under the agreement for Bosnia 
and Herzegovina's top 25 exports to the world 
Bosnia and Herzegovina's 
top export products in 
2012-2014 Iceland Norway  Switzerland  
MFN 2015 
Duty-free in 2015 MFN 2015  
Duty-free in 2015 MFN 2015  
Duty-free in 2015 HS heading 
Share in 
global 
exports (%) 
Average (%) No of 
lines 
Average (%) No of lines  
Average (%) No of lines  Duty-
free 
Dutiable Duty-
free Dutiable 
Duty-
free 
Dutiable 
940190 5.2 10.0 1 1  0.0 2  2 - 1 5  5 
760120 4.9 0.0 2 0.0 2  2 -  1 1 
271600 3.8 0.0 1 0.0  1  1 0.0 1   
271019 1.8 0.6 8 1 1 0.0 20  20 0.0 9   
721391 1.7 0.0 2 0.0  1  1 -  2  2 
640391 1.7 15.0 3 3 0.0 1  1 -  1 1 
640399 1.7 15.0 1 1  0.0 1  1 -  4  4 
721420 1.6 0.0 2 0.0 1  1 -  3 3 
440710 1.5 0.0 2 0.0  6  6 - 1 2  2 
940360 1.4 10.0 4 4 0.0 6  6 0.0 1   
760429 1.3 0.0 1 0.0  1  1 -  1  1 
270400 1.3 0.0 1 0.0 3  3 -  1 1 
840999 1.3 0.0 1 0.0  2  2 -  4  4 
283620 1.3 0.0 1 0.0 1  1 -  1 1 
940161 1.3 10.0 1 1  0.0 9  9 0.0 1   
640610 1.2 0.0 1 0.0 2  2 -  1 1 
720449 1.2 0.0 1 0.0  1  1 0.0 1   
271012 1.2 0.0 6 0.0 11  11 0.0 6   
720711 1.2 0.0 1 0.0  1  1 0.0 1   
730890 1.1 5.0 3 3 0.0 8  8 -  1 1 
281820 1.1 0.0 1 0.0  1  1 0.0 1   
440792 1.1 0.0 2 0.0 1  1 -  2 2 
271320 0.9 0.0 1 0.0  1  1 -  1  1 
854449 0.9 0.0 2 0.0 9  9 - 1 2 2 
480421 0.9 0.0 1 0.0  1  1 -  1  1 
Total of above 42.7   37 14  14  93 0 93  24 33  33 
- contains specific duties. 
Note: Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by  the EFTA States and UNSD, Comtrade database. 
 
6. Table A1.5 below shows a comparison between the scheduled elimination of tariffs by Bosnia 
and Herzegovina for imports from the EFTA States an d average duties applied to all non-parties. In 
2015 Bosnia and Herzegovina's overall applied tari ff average is 6.1% (8.4% for non-agricultural 
products and 7% for agriculture). Around 29.5% of the tariff is duty free; 31.3% and 23.1% of 
non-agricultural and agricultural tariff lines are duty free. Following entry into force of the Agreement, the share of duty free tariffs increased to 72.7% for Iceland, 72.8% for Norway and 73.8% for Switzerland. The corresponding increase in the share of duty free lines for 
non-agricultural products was 84.1% for all EFTA  States and 30.7%, 31% and 35.8% respectively 
for agricultural imports from Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. Once the Agreement is fully implemented in 2018 the share of duty free lines over all will increase to 86.1% overall for imports 
from Iceland and Norway and to 87.2% for imports from Switzerland. At the end of 
implementation 99.8% of non-agricultural tariffs w ill be duty free for imports from all EFTA States, 
while 35.7%, 35.9% and 40.8% of agricultural im ports from Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, 
respectively will become duty-free. 
7. As a result of the Agreement exporters from Iceland and Norway benefited from a relative 
overall margin of preference of 67%, and resp ectively 85% and 13% for non-agricultural and 
agricultural products. Exporters from Switzerland benefited from a relative overall margin of 
preference of 71% and respectively 85% and 21% for non-agricultural and agricultural products. WT/REG360/1 
 
- 32 - 
 
  Table A1.5 Bosnia and Herzegovina: Indica tors of overall applied tariff rates and 
preferential rates for imports from the EFTA States  
Origin of 
goods Year ALL PRODUCTS Agricultural products a Non-agricultural products 
Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) 
Overall 
applied  
2015 6.1 8.6 29.5 7.0 9.1 23.1 5.8 8.4 31.3 
Iceland 2015 2.0 7.2 72.7 6.1 8.8 30.7 0.9 5.4 84.1 
 2016 1.4 8.2 82.5 6.0 8.6 30.9 0.2 5.7 96.6 
 2017 1.2 9.0 86.0 5.8 9.0 35.7 0.0 7.2 99.7 
 2018 1.2 9.0 86.1 5.8 9.0 35.7 0.0 8.1 99.8 
Norway 2015 2.0 7.2 72.8 6.1 8.8 31.0 0.9 5.4 84.1 
 2016 1.4 8.2 82.6 5.9 8.7 31.2 0.2 5.7 96.6 
 2017 1.2 9.0 86.1 5.8 9.0 35.9 0.0 7.2 99.7 
 2018 1.2 9.0 86.1 5.8 9.0 35.9 0.0 8.1 99.8 
Switzerland 2015 1.8 7.0 73.8 5.5 8.5 35.8 0.9 5.4 84.1 
 2016 1.3 7.9 83.6 5.3 8.4 36.0 0.2 5.7 96.6 
 2017 1.1 8.7 87.1 5.2 8.7 40.8 0.0 7.2 99.7 
 2018 1.1 8.7 87.2 5.2 8.7 40.8 0.0 8.1 99.8 
Note:  Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature.  
Source: WTO estimates based on data pr ovided by Bosnia and Herzegovina.  
 
8. Tables A1.6-A1.8 below show market access for the top 25 exports of Iceland, Norway and 
Switzerland respectively in Bosnia and Herzegov ina. Iceland's top 25 exports accounted for 79.8% 
of its global exports during 2012-2014 and were covered by 98 tariff lines at the HS eight-digit 
level in the tariff of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Of these lines 59 were already duty free for imports 
from all sources. The Agreement liberalized 28 lines on entry into force in 2015. A further 10 lines are to be liberalized in 2016 and one line in 2017. Upon full implementation, all of Iceland's top 25 
exports will be duty free in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 
9. Norway's top 25 exports accounted for 77.8% of its global exports in 2012-2014 and were 
covered by 91 tariff lines at the HS eight-digit level in the tariff of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Of these, 42 lines were already duty free for impo rts from all sources. A further 32 lines were 
liberalized in 2015 when the Agreement entered into  force. Bosnia and Herzegovina will liberalize 
12 lines in 2016 and 5 lines in 2017. Upon full impl ementation, all of Norway's top 25 exports to 
Bosnia and Herzegovina will be duty free. 
10. Switzerland's top 25 exports accounted for 51.7% of its global exports in 2012-2014 and 
were covered by 46 tariff lines at the HS eight-digi t level in the tariff of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 
Of these lines 25 were already duty free for imports from all sources. Upon entry into force of the Agreement in 2015 15 lines were liberalized. A further two lines will be liberalized in 2017. Once 
the Agreement is fully implemented four lines relati ng to non-alcoholic beverages (at MFN duties of 
10%) will remain dutiable for imports from Switzerland. WT/REG360/1 
 
- 33 - 
 
  Table A1.6 Bosnia and Herzegovina: Market  access opportunities under the agreement 
for Iceland's top 25 exports to the world 
Iceland: 2012-2014 
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Access conditions to Bosnia and 
Herzegovina's import market 
Applied (2015) Duty-free in  
Average 
applied 
rate No. of tariff 
lines 
2015 
2016 
2017 Duty-
free 
Dutiable  
760110 - aluminium, not alloyed 31.1 5.0  1 1   
230120 - flours, meals and pellets of fish or 
crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic 
invertebrates 3.5 0.0 1     
030354 -- mackerel (scomber scombrus, scomber 
australasicus, scomber japonicus) 3.4 0.0 2     
720221 -- containing weight of over 55% silicon 3.2 0.0 1     
030471 -- cod (gadus morhua, gadus ogac, gadus 
macrocephalus) 3.1 5.0  2 2   
030389 Frozen fish, n.e.s. 2.9 0.8 12 1 1   
030453 -- fish (bregmacerotidae, euclichthyidae, 
gadidae, macrourida e, melanonidae, 
merlucciidae, moridae, muraenolepididae)  2.9 0.0 1     
030444 -- fish (bregmacerotidae, euclichthyidae, 
gadidae, macrourida e, melanonidae, 
merlucciidae, moridae, muraenolepididae)  2.5 0.0 3     
030562 -- cod  2.3 5.0  1 1   
030495 -- fish (bregmacerotidae, euclichthyidae, 
gadidae, macrourida e, melanonidae, 
merlucciidae, moridae, muraenolepididae, 
other than alaska pollack (theragra 
chalcogramma)) 2.0 0.6 8 1 1   
150420 - fats and oils and their fractions, of fish, 
other than liver oils 1.9 0.0 2     
271019 Medium oils and preparations, of 
petroleum or bituminous minerals, not 
containing biodiesel, n.e.s. 1.9 4.2 18 13 2 10 1 
300490 Medicaments consisting of mixed or 
unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes 1.8 5.0 1 1 1   
760719 Aluminium foil, not backed, rolled and 
further worked, of a thickness of <= 2mm  1.8 5.0  2 2   
030572 -- fish heads, tails and maws 1.8 5.0  1 1   
760511 -- of which the maximum cross-sectional 
dimension exceeds 7 mm 1.7 5.0  1 1   
160521 Shrimp and prawn, prepared/preserved, 
not in airtight containers (excl. smoked) 1.6 5.0  2 2   
030532 -- fish (bregmacerotidae, euclichthyidae, 
gadidae, macrourida e, melanonidae, 
merlucciidae, moridae, muraenolepididae)  1.5 5.0  3 3   
030499 Frozen fish meat n.e.s. (excl. fillets) 1.5 1.3 6 2 2   
760120 - aluminium alloys 1.5 5.0  2 2   
030331 -- halibut  1.4 0.0 3     
030473 -- coalfish (pollachius virens) 1.2 5.0  1 1   
890200 Fishing vessels, factory ships, vessels for 
processing/preserving fish products. 1.2 2.5 1 1 1   
760429 Bars, rods and solid profiles, of aluminium 
alloys, n.e.s. 1.1 10.0  2 2   
030390 - livers and roes 1.0 5.0  2 2   
Total of above 79.8  59 39 28 10 1 
Note: Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Bosnia and Herzegovina and UNSD, Comtrade database. WT/REG360/1 
 
- 34 - 
 
  Table A1.7 Bosnia and Herzegovina: Market  access opportunities under the agreement 
for Norway's top 25 exports to the world 
Norway: 2012-2014 
HS number and description of the product Share 
in 
global 
exports 
(%) Access conditions to the Bosnia and 
Herzegovina's import markets 
Applied (2015) Duty-free in 
Average 
applied 
rate No. of tariff 
lines 
2015 
2016 
2017 Duty-
free 
Dutiable  
270900 Petroleum oils and oils obtained from 
bituminous minerals, crude. 32.2 0.0 3     
271121 -- natural gas 25.3 0.0 1     
030214 -- atlantic salmon (salmo salar) and danube 
salmon (hucho hucho) 3.2 0.0 1     
271012 -- light oils and preparations 3.0 5.4 5 7 1 2 4 
271019 Medium oils and preparations, of petroleum 
or bituminous minera ls, not containing 
biodiesel, n.e.s. 2.4 4.2 18 13 2 10 1 
760120 - aluminium alloys 2.0 5.0  2 2   
271112 -- propane 1.2 5.0  6 6   
271111 -- natural gas 1.2 5.0  1 1   
271113 -- butanes 1.0 5.0  4 4   
750210 - nickel, not alloyed 1.0 0.0 1     
843143 -- parts for boring or sinking machinery of 
subheading 8430.41 or 8430.49 0.6 2.5 1 1 1   
271600 Electrical energy. (optional heading) 0.5 0.0 1     
890190 - other vessels for transport of goods and 
for transport of persons and goods 0.5 2.5 1 1 1   
292429 Cyclic amides, incl. cyclic carbamates, and 
their derivatives; salts thereof  0.4 0.0 2     
030441 -- pacific salmon  0.4 5.0  1 1   
030354 -- mackerel (scomber scombrus, scomber 
australasicus, scomber japonicus) 0.3 0.0 2     
847989 Machines and mechanical appliances, n.e.s. 0.3 3.8 2 2 2   
730890 Structures and parts of structures, of iron 
or steel, n.e.s 0.3 5.0  3 3   
280469 Silicon containing < 99,99% by weight of 
silicon 0.3 5.0  1 1   
847990 Parts of machines and mechanical 
appliances, n.e.s. 0.3 2.5 2 2 2   
030481 -- pacific salmon  0.3 5.0  1 1   
030551 -- cod (gadus morhua, gadus ogac, gadus 
macrocephalus) 0.3 5.0  2 2   
903290 Parts and accessories for regulating or 
controlling instruments and apparatus, n.e.s. 0.2 0.0 1     
720230 - ferro-silico-manganese 0.2 0.0 1     
480261 Uncoated paper and paperboard, of a kind 
used for writing, printing or other graphic purposes, and non-perforated punchcards and punch-tape paper, in rolls of any size, of which > 10% by weight of the total fibre content consists of fibres obtained by a 
mechanical or chemi-mechanical process, 
n.e.s. 0.2 10.0  2 2   
Total of above 77.8  42 49 32 12 5 
Note: Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Bosnia and Herzegovina and UNSD, Comtrade database. 
 WT/REG360/1 
 
- 35 - 
 
  Table A1.8 Bosnia and Herzegovina: Market  access opportunities under the agreement 
for Switzerland's top 25 exports to the world 
Switzerland: 2012-2014 
HS number and description of the product Share 
in 
global 
exports 
(%) Access conditions to the Bosnia and 
Herzegovina's import markets 
Applied (2015) Duty-free in 
Remain 
Dutiable Average 
applied 
rate No. of 
tariff lines  
2015 2017 Duty-
free 
Dutiable  
300490 Medicaments consisting of mixed or 
unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes, put up in measured doses "incl. those in the form of transdermal administration" or in forms or packing for retail sale 
 12.3 5.0 1 1 1   
300210 - antisera, other blood fractions and 
immunological products, whether or 
not modified or obtained by means 
of biotechnological processes 10.2 5.0  3 3   
910221 Wrist-watches, whether or not 
incorporating a stop-watch facility, with automatic winding  4.2 10.0  1 1   
711319 -- of other precious metal, whether 
or not plated or clad with precious 
metal 4.0 15.0  1  1  
910121 Wrist-watches of precious metal or 
of metal clad with precious metal, whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, with automatic winding  2.2 10.0  1 1   
271600 Electrical energy. (optional heading) 1.6 0.0 1     
910211 Wrist-watches, whether or not 
incorporating a stop-watch facility, electrically operated, with mechanical display only  1.5 10.0  1 1   
293399 Heterocyclic compounds with 
nitrogen hetero-atom[s] only 1.5 0.0 3     
710813 Gold, incl. gold plated with platinum, 
in semi-manufactured forms, for non-monetary purposes 1.3 0.0 2     
293719 Polypeptide hormones, protein 
hormones and glycoprotein 
hormones, their derivatives and 
structural analogues, used primarily 
as hormones  1.1 0.0 1     
292429 Cyclic amides, incl. cyclic 
carbamates, and their derivatives; salts thereof  0.9 0.0 2     
711011 Platinum, unwrought or in powder 
form 0.9 0.0 1     
910129 Wrist-watches of precious metal or 
metal clad with precious metal, whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, with hand winding only 0.9 10.0  1 1   
300439 Medicaments containing hormones 
or steroids used as hormones but 
not antibiotics, in measured doses 
"incl. in the form of transdermal 
administration" or in forms or 
packing for retail sale  0.9 2.5 1 1 1   
902110 - orthopaedic or fracture appliances 0.9 0.0 2     WT/REG360/1 
 
- 36 - 
 
  Switzerland: 2012-2014 
HS number and description of the product Share 
in 
global 
exports 
(%) Access conditions to the Bosnia and 
Herzegovina's import markets 
Applied (2015) Duty-free in 
Remain 
Dutiable Average 
applied 
rate No. of 
tariff lines  
2015 2017 Duty-
free 
Dutiable  
300420 Medicaments containing antibiotics, 
in measured doses "incl. in the form 
of transdermal administration" or in 
forms or packing for retail sale  0.9 2.5 1 1 1   
090121 -- not decaffeinated 0.8 10.0  1 1   
710239 Diamonds, worked, but not mounted 
or set  0.8 15.0  1  1  
841199 Parts of gas turbines, n.e.s. 0.8 0.0 1     
220290 Non-alcoholic beverages  0.8 10.0  4   4 
294190 Antibiotics (excl. penicillins and their 
derivatives) 0.7 0.0 1     
901890 - other instruments and appliances 0.7 1.9 6 2 2   
910111 Wrist-watches of precious metal or 
of metal clad with precious metal, whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, electrically operated, with mechanical display only  0.6 10.0  1 1   
970110 - paintings, drawings and pastels 0.6 5.0  1 1   
293499 Nucleic acids and their salts, 
whether or not chemically defined; heterocyclic compounds  0.6 0.0 2     
Total of above 51.7  25 21 15 2 4 
Note: Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Bosnia and Herzegovina and UNSD, Comtrade database. 
__________