WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
4 September  2019 
(19-5657) Page: 1/62 
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements   
 
FACTUAL PRESENTATION  
CENTRAL EUROPEAN FRE E TRADE AGREEMENT  
(GOODS ) 
Report by the Secretariat  
Revision  
This report, prepared for the consideration of the Agreement on Amendment of and 
Accession to the Central European Free Trade Agreement  between Albania, Bosnia and 
Herzegovina, Kosovo1, the Republic of Moldova , Republic of Montenegro,  
North  Macedonia  and the Republic of Serbia and 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. The 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 judg ement by the Secretariat regarding the contents of the 
Agreement.  
Any technical questions arising from this report may be addressed to Alberto Osnago 
(tel: +41 22 739 6969). Any statistical questions arising from this report may be 
addressed to  Rowena Cabo s (tel: +41 22 739 5185). 
 
 
                                                
1 All references to Kosovo in this factual presentation should be understood to be in the context of  the 
United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) . WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS  
Page 
1   TRADE ENVIRONMEN T ................................ ................................ ................................ . 4 
2   CHARACTERISTIC E LEMENTS OF THE AGREE MENT  ................................ ....................  14 
2.1   Background Information  ................................ ................................ .............................. 14 
3   PROVISIONS ON TR ADE IN GOODS  ................................ ................................ ...........  16 
3.1   Import duties and charges, and quantitative restrictions ................................ .................. 16 
3.1.1    General provisions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...16 
3.1.2    Liberalization of trade and tariff  lines ................................ ................................ ......... 16 
3.1.3    Liberalization schedule  ................................ ................................ ............................. 17 
3.1.3.1   Albania  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 17 
3.1.3.2    Bosnia and Herzegovina  ................................ ................................ ......................... 20 
3.1.3.3    Kosovo  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 21 
3.1.3.4    Republic of Moldova  ................................ ................................ .............................. 23 
3.1.3.5    Montenegro  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 25 
3.1.3.6    North Macedonia  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...26 
3.1.3.7    Serbia  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................. 28 
3.1.4    Tariff rate quotas  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....30 
3.2   Rules of origin  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 30 
3.3   Export duties and charges, and quantitative restrictions  ................................ .................. 32 
3.4   Regulatory Provisions of the Agreement  ................................ ................................ ........ 32 
3.4.1    Standards  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 32 
3.4.1.1    Sanitary and phytosanitary measures  ................................ ................................ ......32 
3.4.1.2    Technical barriers to trade  ................................ ................................ ..................... 32 
3.4.2    Safeguard mechanisms  ................................ ................................ ............................ 33 
3.4.2.1   Global safeguards  ................................ ................................ ................................ .33 
3.4.2.2    Bilateral safeguards  ................................ ................................ ............................... 33 
3.4.2.3    Special safeguards  ................................ ................................ ................................ 34 
3.4.2.4    Balance of payments safeguards  ................................ ................................ ............. 34 
3.4.3    Anti-dumping and countervailing measures  ................................ ................................ .34 
3.4.4    Subsidies and State -aid ................................ ................................ ............................ 34 
3.4.5    Customs -related procedures ................................ ................................ ...................... 34 
3.4.5.1    Trade facilitation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...35 
3.4.6    Other regulations  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....37 
3.5   Sector -Specific Provisions of the Agreement  ................................ ................................ ..37 
4   GENERAL PROVISIO NS OF THE AGREEMENT  ................................ .............................  37 
4.1   Transparency  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 37 
4.2   Current payments and capital movements  ................................ ................................ .....37 
4.3   Exceptions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................. 37 WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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  4.4   Accession and Withdrawal ................................ ................................ ............................ 38 
4.5   Institutional framework  ................................ ................................ ............................... 38 
4.6   Dispute settlement  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....39 
4.7   Relationship with other agreements concluded by the Parties  ................................ ........... 40 
4.8   Government procurement  ................................ ................................ ............................ 42 
4.9   Intellectual Property Rights  ................................ ................................ .......................... 42 
4.10   Other  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................... 43 
4.10.1    Services  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 43 
4.10.2    Investment  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 43 
4.10.3    Competition  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 44 
4.10.4    E-commerce  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 45 
ANNEX 1  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  46 
 WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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Key Facts  
 
Parties to the Agreement:  Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina , 
Kosovo, Republic of Moldova, 
Montenegro, North Macedonia and 
Serbia  
 
Date of Signature:   19 December 2006  
 
Date of Entry into Force:  26 July 2007 (Albania,  Kosovo,  Republic 
of Moldova, Montenegro and North 
Macedonia )  
24 October 2007 (Serbia) and 
22 November 2007  (Bosnia and 
Herzegovina)  
 
Date of Notification:   26 July 2007  
 
Full implementation :  1 January 2015 (end of tariff  
implementation)  
 
1  TRADE ENVIRONMENT  
1.1.  Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,  Kosovo,  the Republic of Moldova,  Montenegro , North 
Macedonia and  Serbia  are the current signatories of the Central European Free Trade Agreement 
(CEFTA). Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina  are signatories of 4 notified agreements including 
CEFTA. CEFTA is Kosovo's  only notified  agreement. The Republic of Moldova is a pa rty of 8 notified 
RTAs. Montenegro and North Macedonia signed and notified 5 RTAs while Serbia has 6 notified 
RTAs.2  
1.2.  Serbia is the largest economy among the Parties with a GDP of USD 41,471  million in 2017 
followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina ( USD 18,058  million) , Albania ( USD 13,181 million) and North  
Macedonia  (USD 11,366  million).3 The GDP of the Republic of Moldova and Montenegro were 
USD 8,085  million and USD 4,764 million respectively in 2017. Montenegro had the highest GDP 
per capita, equal t o USD 7,064  on average in the period 2014 -2016. Serbia's and North 
Macedonia 's respective average GDP per capita were USD 5,520 and USD 5,175 in the same 
period while Bosnia  and Herzegovina , Albania and the Republic of Moldova  had a GDP per capita 
equal to  USD 4,848, USD 4,215 and USD 2,005  respectively.   
1.3.  In 2016, Serbia ranked 71st in the world both in terms of total exports and total imports. The 
ranking in world exports (imports) of the other Parties in the same year were as follows: Bosnia 
and Herzegovina 102nd (99th), North Macedonia  107th (111th), the Republic of Moldova  130th 
(129th), Albania 131st (126th) and Montenegro 169th (146th). The largest import sector for all 
Parties was manufacturing with shares between 65.6% (Bosnia and Herzegovin a) and 58.6% 
(Albania). Manufacturing was the main export sector for all Parties except Montenegro with shares 
ranging from 82% ( North Macedonia ) to 51.1% ( Republic of Moldova) in 2015. Montenegro's 
largest export sector in the same year was fuels and mini ng products (46.2%).   
1.4.  The European Union is the main trading partner of all the Parties in terms of both exports and 
imports. Serbia is the second largest destination market for goods from Albania (7.8%), Bosnia 
and Herzegovina (9.8%), Montenegro (17.8%) a nd North Macedonia  (8.4%). The second largest 
market for exports from the Republic of Moldova  is the Russian Federation (10.5%) and for Serbia 
is Bosnia and Herzegovina (8%). Serbia is also the second largest country of origin of imports for 
Bosnia and Herzegovina (11.2%), Montenegro ( 21.5%) and North Macedonia  (7.6%). Turkey, the 
Russian Federati on and China are the largest countries of origin after the European Union of 
Albanian, Moldovan and Serbian imports respectively.  
                                                
2 WTO RTA Database (rtais.wto.org).  
3 GDP and GDP per capita data is taken from the 2017 WTO trade profiles.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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  1.5.  Chart 1.1 and Chart 1.2 show the Parties ' global and bilateral balance of trade in goods 
during the period 2006 -2017. A lmost all Parties have recorded a relatively stable global trade 
deficit over the period . Bosnia and Herzegovina , Kosovo  and Montenegro had a trade deficit with 
the other Parties on aggregate for the whole period, whereas Albania had a decreasing trade 
deficit with the other Parties in all years until 2016 . The Republic of Moldova  had a trade deficit 
with the other Parties on aggregate in all years except for  2007 and 2008. Such patterns tend to 
be driven by the bilateral t rade balance of each Party with Serbia. The initial trade surplus of North 
Macedonia  with respect to Serbia became a trade deficit starting in 2013; the same pattern can be 
seen in the aggregate trade balance. Serbia is the only Party that presented an agg regate trade 
surplus with the other Parties for the entire period 2006 -2017 and a bilateral surplus with all  
individual  Parties except the Republic of Moldova . WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 6 - 
 
  Chart 1.1 Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,  Kosovo , Republic of  Moldova: Merchandise 
trade with world and CEFTA partners, 200 6-2017 
050100150200250300350400450
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2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017Albania trade with CEFTA and world, 2006 -2017
Bosnia Herzegovina Republic of Moldova Montenegro North Macedonia
Serbia  Total exports (left axis)  Total imports (left axis)USD billion USD million
0.00.20.40.60.81.01.21.41.6
02468101214
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2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017BillionsBosnia and Herzegovina trade with CEFTA and world, 2006 -2017
Albania Republic of Moldova Montenegro North Macedonia
Serbia  Total exports (left axis)  Total imports (left axis)USD billion USD billion
05101520253035
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2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017Republic of Moldova trade with CEFTA and world, 2006 -2017
Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina Montenegro North Macedonia
Serbia  Total exports (left axis)  Total imports (left axis)USD billion USD million
0.00.20.40.60.81.01.2
0.00.51.01.52.02.53.03.54.0
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2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017Kosovo trade with CEFTA and world, 2006 -2017
Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina Republic of Moldova Montenegro
North Macedonia Serbia  Total exports (left axis)  Total imports (left axis)USD billion USD billion
 
Albania:  no trade data with Montenegro in 2006 and 2010, no export data to the Republic of Moldova  in 
2007, 2008, 2011 and 2014.  
Bosnia and Herzegovina: no trade data with Montenegro in 2006.  
Kosovo:  Exchange rate EUR per USD are: 0.80 (2006), 0.73 (2007), 0.68 (2008), 0.72 (2009), 0.76 (2010), 
0.72 (2011), 0.78 (2012), 0.75 (2013), 0.75(2014), 0.90 (2015), 0.90 (2016), 0.89 (2017).   
Republic of Moldova: no trade data with Montenegro in 2006 and 2010 -2012.  
Source:  Kosovo Customs authorities and UNSD, Comtrade database.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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  Chart 1.2 Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia: Merchandise trade with world and 
CEFTA partners, 200 6-2017 
No data on FDI outflow
0100200300400500600700800900
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2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017Montenegro trade with CEFTA and world, 2006 -2017
Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina Republic of Moldova North Macedonia
Serbia  Total exports (left axis)  Total imports (left axis)USD billionUSD million
0.00.51.01.52.02.53.03.5
0510152025
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2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017BillionsSerbia trade with CEFTA and world, 2006 -2017
Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina Republic of Moldova Montenegro
North Macedonia  Total exports (left axis)  Total imports (left axis)USD billion USD billion
02004006008001,0001,200
0123456789
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2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017North Macedonia trade with CEFTA and world, 2006 -2017
Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina Republic of Moldova Montenegro
Serbia  Total exports (left axis)  Total imports (left axis)USD billion USD million
 
Montenegro:   no export data to the Republic of Moldova  in 2006 -2013 and 2017.  
North Macedonia:  no export data in 2008, no trade data with Montenegro in 2006.  
Source:    UNSD, Comtrade database . WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 8 - 
 
  1.6.  The product composition of merchandise trade of each Party is shown in Chart 1.3 to Chart 
1.8. Albania's largest global imports were machinery, minerals, base metals and textiles  with 
shares respectively equal to 16%, 12%, 11% and 10% in the period 2004 -2006 and 15%, 13%, 
10% and 11% in 2015-2017 (Chart 1.3). In the period 2004 -2006, the largest import from Bosnia 
and Herzegovina was w ood and articles of wood (62%) b ut its importance has decreased over time 
due to the increase in imports of base metals (26%), minerals (12%) and prepared foods (9%) in 
2015-2017. The composition of imports from the Republic of Moldova  has changed over time: 
imports of base metals (47%) and live animals (22%) in 200 4-2006 were replaced by imports of 
vegetables (31%), articles of stone, plas ter and cement (30%) and textiles (13%) in 2015 -2017. 
Also imports from Montenegro have changed in recent years moving from precious stones (47%) 
and w ood pulp (9%) in 200 7-2009 to minerals (38%), vegetables (15%) and base metals (12%)  
in 2015 -2017. Except for the increase of imports of animal or vegetables fats and oils (from 3 to 
12%) and the decrease in the share of vegetables (from 16% to 7%), the co mposition of imports 
from North Macedonia has remained relatively stable over time with base metal (23% in 2015 -
2017), prepared foods and plastics (11%) and chemicals (9%) being the most important products. 
The share of imports of minerals from S erbia decr eased  from 50% in 2006 -2008 to 22% in 2015 -
2017 while, in the same period, the shares of vegetables and prepared foods increased from 12% 
to 21% and from 5% to 13% respectively. The largest products exported to the world by Albania 
are textiles (31% in 200 4-2006 and 21% in 2015 -2017), footwear (27% and 20%), minerals (6% 
and 20%) and base metals (15% and 14%).   
Chart 1.3 Albania: product composition of merchandise trade, annual average  
50
2012531122
20
211346337Albania imports from 
Serbia
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 144
2015 -2017: USD Million 157 47 
22 16 14 
0.4 31 
30 13 11 6 3 4 Albania imports from 
the Republic of 
Moldova
Total: 
2004 -2006: USD Million 4.8 
2015 -2017: USD Million 0.5
16
12
11
10876643331115
13
10
11
8975433311Albania global imports
Total: 
2004 -2006: USD Million 2,657
2015 -2017: USD Million 4,93962 13971024
26
461295437Albania imports from 
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina
Total: 
2004 -2006: USD Million 4.3
2015 -2017: USD Million 2847
2097433820
6
15
12388Albania imports from 
Montenegro
Total: 
2007 -2009: USD Million 7 
2015 -2017: USD Million 26 
31
2715641721
20
1420520Albania global exports
Total: 
2004 -2006: USD Million 685
2015 -2017: USD Million 2,05125
16
121099743523
7
11
96811351233Albania imports from 
North Macedonia
Total: 
2004 -2006: USD Million 35
2015 -2017: USD Million 68
Animal or 
vegetable fats 
and oilsVegetablesLive animals
ChemicalsMineralsPrepared foods
Wood and articles of 
woodRaw hides and skinsPlastics
FootwearTextilesWood pulp
Base metalsPrecious stonesArticles of stone, 
plaster, cement
VehiclesMachinery
Other
 
Annual average:  2004-2006 (inner circle for all partners except Serbia and Montenegro); 2006 -2008 (inner 
   circle for Serbia); 2007 -2009 (inner circle for Montenegro); 2015 -2017 (outer circle).  
Note:  No trade data from Montenegro prior to 2007 and from Serbia prior to 20 06. 
Source:  UNSD Comtrade.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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  1.7.  As shown in Chart 1.4, Bosnia and Herzegovina's largest imports in 2015 -2017 were minerals 
and machinery (both 14%) followe d by base metals and textiles (both 10%) which were the 
largest imports in 2004 -2006 (23% and 16% respectively) together with prepared foods (27% in 
2004-2006 and 9% in 2015 -2017). The share of i mports of raw hides and skin from Albania 
decreased from 86% in 2004 -2006 to 21% in 2015 -2017 while the shares of imports of vegetables 
and footwear increased sharply  to 45% and 12% respectively. The composition of imports from 
the Republic of Moldova  has changed over time  too: imports of  base metals, the largest imports in 
2004-2006 with a share of 68%, decreased while imports of textiles (35% in 2015 -2017 from 25% 
in 2014 -2016), prepared foods (34% from less than 1%) vegetables (19% from 6%) and articles 
of stone, plaster and cement (9% from 0%)  increased . Imports of base metals, w hich were 
relatively low in 2007 -2009, were the largest imports from Montenegro in 2015 -2017 with a share 
of 41%; the shares of prepared foods and precious stones decreased from 41% and 19% to 19% 
and less than 0.1% respectively while the share of minerals increased from 8 % to 17%.  Apart 
from the increase of imports of chemicals (from 9% in 2004 -2006 to 20% in 2015 -2017), the 
structure of imports from North Macedonia did not change with prepared foods (29%) and b ase 
metals (23%) representing the largest imports in 2015 -2017. The product composition of imports 
from Serbia remained roughly stable over time with prepared foods (22%), vegetables (13%), 
base metals (10%) and minerals (10%) among the largest sectors in 2015-2017. The most 
important global exports of Bosnia and Herzegovina are base metals (24% in 2004 -2006 and 17% 
in 2015 -2017), machinery (13% and 11%), miscellaneous (7% and 11%), minerals (12% and 
9%) and wood and articles of wood (10% and 7%).  
Chart 1.4 Bosnia and Herzegovina: product composition of merchandise trade, annual 
average  
21
20
9876643331010
22
9
13561044359Bosnia and 
Herzegovina imports 
from Serbia
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 1,009
2015 -2017: USD Million 1,059 68 25 6 
2 35 
19 34 9 2 Bosnia and Herzegovina 
imports from the Republic 
of Moldova
Total: 
2004 -2006: USD Million 2.4 
2015 -2017: USD Million 2.2
27
2316119789
10
10
5
14
714763313Bosnia and Herzegovina 
global imports
Total: 
2004 -2006: USD Million 54
2015 -2017: USD Million 9,5278643721
5
45124336Bosnia and 
Herzegovina imports 
from Albania
Total: 
2004 -2006: USD Million 2.5
2015 -2017: USD Million 9.441 
19 9 8 5 4 3 3 3 5 19 
9 
17 41 3 10 Bosnia and 
Herzegovina imports 
from Montenegro
Total: 
2007 -2009: USD Million 25 
2015 -2017: USD Million 38 
24
13
12 10775431617
11
9
7
81157333339Bosnia and Herzegovina 
global exports
Total: 
2004 -2006: USD Million 2,576
2015 -2017: USD Million 5,59823
17
9976653312 29
2320635445Bosnia and Herzegovina 
imports from North 
Macedonia
Total: 
2004 -2006: USD Million 247
2015 -2017: USD Million 86
Animal or 
vegetable fats 
and oilsVegetablesLive animals
ChemicalsMineralsPrepared foods
Wood and articles of 
woodRaw hides and skinsPlastics
FootwearTextilesWood pulp
MachineryBase metalsArticles of stone, 
plaster, cement
OtherMiscellaneousVehicles
Precious stones
 
Annual average:  2004-2006 (inner circle for all partners except Serbia and Montenegro); 2006 -2008 (inner 
  circle for Serbia); 2007 -2009 (inner circle for Montenegro); 2015 -2017 (outer circle).  
Note:  No trade data from Montenegro prior to 2007 and from Serbia prior to 2006.  
Source:  UNSD Comtrade.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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  1.8.  Kosovo  largest global imports were minerals, prepared foods and machinery with shares 
respectively equal to 19%, 14% and 12% in the period 2006 -2008 and 14%, 13% and 12% in 
2015-2017 ( Chart 1.5). The largest import from Albania was base metals representing 55% of 
imports in 2006 -2008 and 39% in 2015 -2017. Imports of minerals and vegetables from Albania 
increased over time from 27% to 33% and from 3 to 10% resp ectively. In 2006 -2008, the largest 
import from Bosnia and Herzegovina was base metal (27%) and its importance has increased over 
time representing 44% of imports in 2015 -2017. The composition of imports from the Republic of 
Moldova  has changed over time: imports of chemicals ( 39%), base metals (31%)  and vegetables 
(27%) in 2006 -2008 were replaced by imports of prepared foods (41%), articles of stone, plaster 
and cement (30%) and textiles ( 8%) in 2015 -2017. The largest import  from Montenegro was 
wood and ar ticles of woods (42% in 2006 -2008) and its share increased (up to 72% in 2015 -
2017) while the shares of import of base metals (27% in 2006 -2008 and less than 1% in 2015 -
2017) and minerals (11% in 2006 -2008 and 1% in 2015 -2017) decreased. The share of impor t of 
minerals from North Macedonia decreased from 57% in 2006 -2008 to 21% in 2015 -2017 while the 
shares of prepared foods, base metals and plastics respectively increased from 13%, 11% and 2% 
to 18%, 19% and 10%. The share of imports of prepared foods and minerals from Serbia 
increased from 22% in 2006 -2008 to 24% in 2015 -2017 and from 7% to 19% respectively. In the 
same period, the shares of chemicals, vegetables and articles of stone de creased from 14% to 7%, 
from 14% to 11% and from 12% to 6% respectively. The largest products exported to the world 
by Kosovo are base metals (54% in 2006 -2008 and 40% in 2015 -2017)  and minerals ( 13% and 
18%). 
Chart 1.5 Kosovo: product composition of merchandise tra de, annual average  
22
14
14 1283124
7
11
91931Kosovo imports from 
Serbia
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 283
2015 -2017: USD Million 453 39 
31 27 
2 1 15 
8 
-
41 30 5 1 Kosovo imports from the 
Republic of Moldova
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD 104,000
2015 -2017: USD 185,000 
19
14
12
983814
13
12
10843Kosovo global imports
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Billion 2.2
2015 -2017: USD Billion 3.155
278325
39
3331059Kosovo imports from 
Albania
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 55
2015 -2017: USD Million 15642 
27 14 11 4 
2 
72 18 1 
2 4 4 Kosovo imports from 
Montenegro
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 21 
2015 -2017: USD Million 17 
54
13855015
40
1896919Kosovo global exports
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 219
2015 -2017: USD Million 37657
1311541121
18
1991023Kosovo imports from 
North Macedonia
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 386
2015 -2017: USD Million 17027
20
1812616
44
1876818Kosovo imports from 
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 40 
2015 -2017: USD Million 88
Prepared foodsVegetablesLive animals
PlasticsChemicalsMinerals
FootwearTextiles
Wood and 
articles of woodMachineryBase metalsArticles of stone, 
plaster, cement
OtherMiscellaneous
 
Annual average:  2006-2008 (inner circle); 2015 -2017 (outer circle).  
Exchange rate EUR per USD are: 0.80 (2006), 0.73 (2007), 0.68 (2008), 0.90 (2015), 0.90 (2016), 0.89 
(2017).  
Source:  Kosovo Customs authorities.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 11 - 
 
  1.9.  The Republic of Moldov a's global imports consist mainly of minerals (23% in 2004 -2006 and 
11% in 2015 -2017), machinery (14% in 2004 -2006 and 16% in 2015 -2017), chemicals (9% in 
2004-2006 and 12% in 2015 -2017) and textiles (8% in 2004 -2006 and 2015 -2017).  Chart 1.6 
also shows that more than half of the imports from Albania in 2004 -2006 were miscellaneous while 
the rest were base metals (26%) and vegetabl es (23%); vegetables became the largest Albanian 
imported product (47%) in 2015 -2017 followed by textiles (17%) and footwear (16%). Imports 
from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro are concentrated in chemicals with respective 
shares of 76% (in  2004-2006) and 82% (in 2015 -2017) and of 95% (in 2007 -2009) and 99.8% 
(in 2015 -2017). In 2015 -2017, the largest imported products from North Macedonia were 
miscellaneous, vegetables, chemicals and machinery with shares of 44%, 26%, 13%, and 10% 
respectively. Import s from Serbia are more diversified with textiles (24%), plastics (14%), 
chemicals (13%), machinery (13%) and wood pulp (12%) representing the most important 
imports in 2015 -2017.  Vegetables (12% in 2004 -2006 and 26% in 2015 -2017), prepared foods 
(33% in 20 04-2006 and 15% in 2015 -2017), machinery (4% in 2004 -2006 and 15% in 2015 -
2017) and textiles (19% in 2004 -2006 and 14% in 2015 -2017) represent the largest exported 
Moldovan products to the world.  
Chart 1.6 Republic of Moldova: product composition of merchandise trade, annual 
average  
31
2713655333314
13
4
13
241233122Republic of Moldova 
imports from Serbia
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 5
2015 -2017: USD Million 17 76158
1
82 9 9 Republic of Moldova 
imports from Bosnia and 
Herzegovina
Total: 
2004 -2006: USD Thousand 606 
2015 -2017: USD Thousand 1,994
23
14
9876663331111
16
12
877660343314Republic of Moldova global 
imports
Total: 
2004 -2006: USD Million 2,251
2015 -2017: USD Million 4,28051
2623
47
13171643Republic of Moldova 
imports from Albania
Total: 
2004 -2006: USD Thousand 8
2015 -2017: USD Thousand 32695 5 
99.8 0.2 Republic of Moldova 
imports from 
Montenegro
Total: 
2007 -2009: USD Thousand 5 
2015 -2017: USD Thousand 39 
33
19 12654431515
14
261536515Republic of Moldova 
global exports
Total: 
2004 -2006: USD Million 1,043
2015 -2017: USD Million 2,14636
2720754226
3
4413105Republic of Moldova imports 
from  North Macedonia
Total: 
2004 -2006: USD Thousand 131
2015 -2017: USD Thousand 4,938
Animal or 
vegetable fats 
and oilsVegetablesLive animals
ChemicalsMineralsPrepared foods
Wood pulpRaw hides and skinsPlastics
Articles of stone, 
plaster, cementFootwearTextiles
MachineryBase metals
OtherMiscellaneousVehicles
 
Annual average:  2004-2006 (inner circle for all partners except Serbia and Montenegro); 2006 -2008 (inner 
  circle for Serbia); 2007 -2009 (inner circle for Montenegro); 2015 -2017 (outer circle).  
Note:  No trade data from Montenegro prior to 2007 and from Serbia prior to 200 6. 
Source:  UNSD Comtrade.  
1.10.   Montenegro's largest global imports were machinery (17% in 2006 -2008 and 2015 -2017), 
minerals (17% and 13%), vehicles (13% and 7%) and base metals (10% and 8%). Chart 1.7 
indicates that minerals and base metals are the largest imported products from Albania with WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 12 - 
 
  shares of 40% and 20% respectively in 2015 -2017; imports of articles of stone, plaster and 
cement and vegetables incr eased and reached shares of 10% and 16% respectively. Base metals 
are also the largest import from Bosnia and Herzegovina (43% in 2006 -2008 and 32% in 2015 -
2017). In 2006 -2008, t he largest import from the Republic of Moldova  was textiles amounting to 
51% of imports (31% in 2015 -2017), while vegetables are the largest imports in 2015 -2017 with a 
share equal to 44%. The product composition of imports from North Macedonia remained relatively 
stable over time with prepared foods (25% in 2006 -2008 and 34% in 201 5-2017), base metals 
(22% and 15%), chemicals (12% and 13%) and vegetables (8% and 13%) being the largest 
imported products. Imports from Serbia are relatively diversified and consist mainly of prepared 
foods ( 20% in 2006 -2008 and 25% in 2015 -2017), base m etals ( 13% in 2006 -2008 and 6% in 
2015-2017), live animals (8% in 2006 -2008 and 10% in 2015 -2017), chemicals (8% in 2006 -
2008 and 10% in 2015 -2017) and minerals (7% in 2006 -2008 and 10% in 2015 -2017). The most 
important export of Montenegro to the world is  represented by base metals (73% in 2006 -2008 
and 30% in 2015 -2017) followed by minerals whose share increased noticeably from 3% in 2006 -
2008 to 24% in 2015 -2017.  
Chart 1.7 Montenegro: product composition of merchandise trade, annual average  
20
13
8
8 76655544825
6
10
101065375337Montenegro imports from 
Serbia
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 690
2015 -2017: USD Million 548 43 
10 8 6 6 6 4 4 3 3 6 32 
7 
4 4 4 8 15 3 12 3 8 Montenegro imports 
from Bosnia and 
Herzegovina
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 110 
2015 -2017: USD Million143
17
17
131086444331017
12
7
8
11107434448Montenegro global 
imports
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 2,813
2015 -2017: USD Million 2,3085926438
40
20101687Montenegro imports 
from Albania
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 15
2015 -2017: USD Million 3551 
26 12 11 
1 31
4413742Montenegro imports 
from the Republic of 
Moldova
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Thousand 131 
2015 -2017: USD Thousand 337 
7374331030
10
96245439Montenegro global 
exports
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 600
2015 -2017: USD Million 37625
22
128777436
34
151313434546Montenegro imports 
from North Macedonia
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 32
2015 -2017: USD Million 31
Prepared 
foodsVegetablesLive animals
PlasticsChemicalsMinerals
TextilesWood pulpWood and articles of 
wood
Articles of 
stone, 
plaster, 
cementFootwear
VehiclesMachineryBase metals
OtherMiscellaneous
 
Annual average:  2006-2008 (inner circle); 2015 -2017 (outer circle).  
Note:  Montenegro has no trade data prior to 2006.  
Source:  UNSD Comtrade.  
1.11.   The largest global imports of North Macedonia were minerals (19% in 2004 -2006 and 11% 
in 2015 -2017), base metals (14% and 9%), machinery (12% and 16%), textiles (19% and 8%) 
and chemicals (8% and 9%). Chart 1.8 shows that imports of minerals from Albania decreased 
from 58% in 2004 -2006 to 33% in 2015 -2017 while, in the same period, imports of base metals 
increased from 7% to 40%. Live animals are among the largest imports from Bosnia and WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 13 - 
 
  Herzegovina (19% in 2004 -2006 and 13% 2015 -2017) together with prepared foods (13% and 
30%), wood and articles of wood (13% and 10%) and base metals (5% and 17%). The 
composition of imports from the Republic of Moldova  radically changed moving from base metals 
(78% in 2004 -2006) to vegetables and articles of stone, plaster and cement and live animals 
(respectively 34%, 36% and 20% in 2015 -2017). Also, the products imported from Montenegro 
changed over time with a decrea se in the shares of base metals (from 30% in 2007 -2009 to 5% in 
2015-2017) and machinery (from 23% to 5%) and an increase in imports of wood and articles of 
wood (from 11% to 60%). The structure of imports from Serbia remained relatively stable 
between 200 6-2008 and 2015 -2017: base metals, prepared foods, minerals and vegetables are 
the largest imported products with shares of 21%, 15%, 12% and 9% respectively in 2006 -2008 
and of 16%, 18%, 18% and 9% in 2015 -2017. Global exports of North Macedonia moved fro m 
base metals (29% in 2004 -2006 and 13% in 2015 -2017), textiles (26% and 12%), prepared foods 
(11% to 7%) and minerals (10% to 5%) towards machinery and chemicals (from 4% each to 23% 
and 22% respectively).  
Chart 1.8 North Macedonia: product composition of merchandise trade, annual average  
30
23 1511543955
15
60734North Macedonia 
imports from 
Montenegro
Total: 
2007 -2009: USD Million 1.4
2015 -2017: USD Million 5.6 19
13
13
1210106643513
30
10764174334North Macedonia 
imports from Bosnia 
and Herzegovina
Total: 
2004 -2006: USD Million 22
2015 -2017: USD Million 70
19
14
12
1086653331211
9
16
8
9565331259North Macedonia global 
imports
Total: 
2004 -2006: USD Billion 3
2015 -2017: USD Billion 75821763633
3
4037311North Macedonia 
imports from Albania
Total: 
2004 -2006: USD Million 9
2015 -2017: USD Million 5278993
234
362047North Macedonia 
imports from the 
Republic of Moldova
Total: 
2004 -2006: USD Million 0.2 
2015 -2017: USD Million 2.2 
29
2611104443913
12
7
5
3
2223446North Macedonia global 
exports
Total: 
2004 -2006: USD Billion 2
2015 -2017: USD Billion 521
15
129766541316
18
18 9576344335North Macedonia imports 
from Serbia
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 421
2015 -2017: USD Million 550
Animal or vegetable 
fats and oilsVegetablesLive animals
ChemicalsMineralsPrepared 
foods
Wood pulpWood and 
articles of woodPlastics
Articles of stone, 
plaster, cementFootwearTextiles
MachineryBase metalsPrecious 
stones
OtherMiscellaneousVehicles
 
Annual average:  2004-2006 (inner circle for all partners except Serbia and Montenegro); 2006 -2008 (inner 
circle for Serbia); 2007 -2009 (inner circle for Montenegro); 2015 -2017 (outer circle).  
Note:  No trade data from Montenegro prior to 2007 and from Serbia prior to 2006.  
Source:  UNSD Comtrade.  
1.12.   Serbia's largest global imports were minerals, machinery, base metals, chemicals and 
vehicles with shares respectively equal to 21%,  19%, 11%, 10% and 9% in the period 200 6-2008 
and 12%, 16%, 9%, 10% and 10% in 2015 -2017 ( Chart 1.9). The product composition of imports 
from Albania c hanged over time: the shares of minerals and base metals decreased from 38% and 
34% respectively in 2006 -2008 to 23% and 4% respectively in 2015 -2017 while the shares of WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 14 - 
 
  vegetables and footwear increased from 5% to 39% and from 7% to 21% respectively. Half of the 
imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina are represented by minerals (26% in 2006 -2008 and 28% in 
2015-2017) and base metals (24% and 22%). Moldovan imports changed remarkably with 
decreases in imports of base metals (from 40% in 2006 -2008 to 8% in 2015 -2017) and prepared 
foods (from 22% to 9%) and the sharp increase of imports of machinery from less than 1% to 
48%.  In 2006 -2008, base metals, minerals and prepared foods represented 39%, 25% and 13% 
of imports from Montenegro while in 2015 -2017 they repre sented 14%, 13% and 17%. The 
structure of imports from North Macedonia remained relatively constant with base metals, 
prepared foods and vegetables accounting for 36%, 15% and 13% of imports in 2006 -2008 and 
29%, 19% and 10% in 2015 -2017. Serbia mainly exported base metals (27% in 2006 -2008% and 
13% in 2015 -2017), machinery (10% and 18%), plastics (10% and 9%) and prepared foods (9% 
and 8%) to the world.  
Chart 1.9 Serbia: product composition of mercha ndise trade, annual average  
39
2513753814
13
17
14910443310Serbia imports from 
Montenegro
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 162
2015 -2017: USD Million 62 26 
24 14 7 6 6 5 3 9 28 
22 
8 3 7 6 4 -4 3 3 310 Serbia imports from 
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 502 
2015 -2017: USD Million 485
21
19
11 10965331212
16
9
10
10754325Serbia global imports
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Billion 18
2015 -2017: USD Billion 2038
341175323
4
3
213937Serbia imports from 
Albania
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 10
2015 -2017: USD Million 3040 
22 21 12 4 8
9
18
4817Serbia imports from 
the Republic of 
Moldova
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 15 
2015 -2017: USD Million 21 
27
10
1097764331313
18
9
89653113311Serbia global exports
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Billion 9
2015 -2017: USD Billion 1536
15 13954443529
19
10934334314Serbia imports from North 
Macedonia
Total: 
2006 -2008: USD Million 296
2015 -2017: USD Million 219
Animal or vegetable 
fats and oilsVegetablesLive animals
ChemicalsMineralsPrepared 
foods
Wood pulpWood and 
articles of woodPlastics
Articles of stone, 
plaster, cementFootwearTextiles
VehiclesMachineryBase metals
OtherMiscellaneous
 
Annual average:  2006-2008 (inner circle); 2015 -2017 (outer circle).  
Note:  Serbia has no trade data prior to 2005.  
Source:  UNSD Comtrade.  
2  CHARACTERISTIC ELEME NTS OF THE AGREEMENT  
2.1  Background Information  
2.1.  The Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) was originally signed by the members  
of the Visegrad group ( i.e. Czechoslovakia , Hungary and  Poland) on 21 December 1992 and has WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 15 - 
 
  been effective since July 1994.4 Later, Slovenia ( in 1996), Romania ( in 1997) , Bulgaria ( in 1999)  
and Croatia ( in 2003) joined CEFTA, but subsequently left the CEFTA w hen they became Member  
States  of the E uropean Union.5 
2.2.  The Agreement on Amendment of and Accession to the CEFTA was originally signed by the 
Republic of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, the Republic of Moldova , 
Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania  and Serbia and on 19 December 2006.6 The consolidated 
version of  CEFTA , as amended and referred to as CEFTA 2006 (hereinafter "the Agreement") , is 
attached as Annex 1 to the Agreement  on Amendment of and Accession to the CEFTA . Following 
ratification by the respective parties, the Agreement  entered into force on 26 July 2007 for five 
signatories - Albania, Kosovo, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro and North Macedonia , for Croatia 
on 22 August 2007, for Serbia on 24 October 2007 and for Bosnia and Herzegovina on 
22 November 2007. It was notified to the WTO on 26 July 2007 under Article XXIV:7(a) of the 
GATT 1994.7 The text of th e Agreement and its respective A nnexes and Protocols are available on  
the CEFTA Secretariat's website: http://cefta.int/legal -documents/   
2.3.  In addition to t he Agreement , the Agreement  on Amendment of and Accession to the CEFTA 
contains another Annex  and four Additional Protocols. The CEFTA Joint Committee manage s and 
advance s the implementation of the Agreement  through its Decisions . Details of the structure of 
the Agreement are given  in Box 2.1. 
Box 2.1 Structure of the Agreement  
Agreement on Amendment of and Accession to the Central European Free Trade Agreement  
 
ANNEX 1 : Consolidated Version of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA 2006)  
CHAPTER I    General Obligations Applicable to Trade in All Goods  
CHAPTER II    Industrial Products  
CHAPTER III    Agricultural Products  
CHAPTER IV    Technical Barriers to Trade  
CHAPTER V    General Provisions  
CHAPTER VI    New Trade Issues  
CHAPTER VII    Functioning Rules  
Annexes  to CEFTA 2006  
Annex 1  Product Lines Falling within Chapters 25 to 97 Considered Agricultural Products in this 
Agreement  
Annex 2  Industrial Products not Liberalized on Date of Entry into Force of the Agreement  
Annex 3  Agricultural Concessions  
Annex 4  Protocol Concerning the Definition of the Concept of "Originating Products" and Methods 
of the Administrative Cooperation  
Annex 5  On Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters  
Annex 6  Existing Bilateral Investment Agreements Between Parties  
Annex 7  Agreements and Conventions Relating to the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights  
Annex 8  Appointment of a Mediator  
Annex 9  Constitution and Functioning of the Arbitral Tribunal  
                                                
4 The original CEFTA Agreement was amended by the Agreement Amending the Central European Free 
Trade Agreement on 11 September 1995 and the Agreement Amending the Central European Free  Trade 
Agreement on 4 July 2003.  
5 Bulgaria and Romania are EU members since 1 January 2007, and Croatia since 1 January 2013.  
6 The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo signed the Agreement on behalf of 
Kosovo in accordance with United  Nations Security Resolution 1224.  
7 WT/REG233/N/1/Rev.1.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 16 - 
 
  ANNEX 2: Bilateral Free Trade Agreements to be Terminated upon Entry into Force of CEFTA 2006  
ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL  
Annex 10  Agricultural Products not Liberalized on  the Date of Entry into Force of the Additional Protocol  
ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL 3   
ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL 4  
ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL 58 
 
2.4.  The objectives of the Agreement are, inter alia , to expand trade in goods and services and 
foster investment by means of fair, stable and predictable rules, eliminate barriers to trade 
between the Parties,  to gradually liberalize Government procurement and to  provide appropriate 
protection of intellectual property rights in accordance with international standards .  
2.5.  The Agree ment is set up to achieve  further liberalization and integration through the inclusion 
of a general evolutionary clause (Article 45) and specific evolutionary clauses in services 
(Article  29), investment (Article 33), Government procurement (Article 36) and intellectual 
property rights (Article 39).  
3  PROVISIONS ON TRADE IN GOODS  
3.1  Import duties and charges, and quantitative restrictions  
3.1.1   General provisions  
3.1.  Chapters I, II and III of the Agreement cover trade in goods. Originally, the free trade a rea 
was to be established by 31 December 2010 in line with Annex es 2 and 3. Since 2006 the 
Agreement has been supplemented by additional protocols and t rade in goods was fully liberalized  
as of 2015 . 
3.2.  The Parties shall not introduce new customs duties on im ports and charges having equivalent 
effect and shall not increase applied duties and charges having equivalent existing on the day 
preceding the signature of the Agreement (Article  5). Also, the Parties eliminate all customs fees 
as in GATT Article VIII (A rticle 6). The Parties also agree to eliminate all quantitative restrictions 
and measures having equivalent effect on imports and exports between them and not to introduce 
new quantitative restrictions and measures as from the entry into force of the Agree ment 
(Article  3). 
3.3.  They shall refrain from imposing any measure or practice of  an internal fiscal nature 
establishing directly or indirectly discrimination between products originating in the  other  Parties 
and they shall abolish any such existing  measure upon entry into force of the Agreement . When 
exported to the territory of one of the Parties , products may not benefit from repayment of 
domestic taxation in excess of the amount of indirect taxation imposed on them (Article 15) . 
3.1.2   Liberalization of  trade and tariff lines  
3.4.  Preferential trade in agricultural products is regulated under Chapter III. In addition to 
products in HS Chapter s 1 to 24, Annex 1 defines the lines in HS Chapters 25 to 97 that are 
considered to be  agricultural products.9 This de finition is equivalent to the WTO definition of 
agricultural products. Customs duties, charges having equivalent effect and import duties of a 
fiscal nature are eliminated or reduced on several  agricultural products as scheduled in Annex 3 
(Article 10). In  line with Article 10.3 and the Parties' commitment to examine the possibility of 
granting to each other further concessions no later than 1 May 2009, trade in agricultural products 
was gradually liberalized as envis aged by the Additional Protocol  and Addi tional Protocols 3 and 4 
                                                
8 Additional Protocol 5 has been ratified by all Parties except Kosovo. In line with Article 35 of the 
Protocol, it entered into force on 18 April 2018 for the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro and No rth Macedonia, 
on 14 May 2018 for Albania, on 18 July 2018 for Bosnia and Herzegovina and on 2 December 2018 for Serbia.  
9 The following product lines are agricultural products: 2905.43, 2905.44, 33.01, 35.01 to 35.05, 
3809.10, 3824.60, 41.01 to 41.03, 43 .01, 50.01 to 50.03, 51.01 to 51.03, 52.01 to 52.03, 53.01 and 53.02.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 17 - 
 
  signed in 2011, 2013 and 2015 respectively.10 The Parties are to promptly inform the Joint 
Committee on changes in their respective agricultural policies affecting the conditions of trade as 
provided for in the Agreement, and on the  request of a Party prompt consultations shall be held to 
examine the situation.  
3.5.  For industrial products under HS chapters 25 -97, with the exception of the products listed in 
Annex 1, all customs duties, all charges having equivalent effect and all import  duties of a fiscal 
nature between the Parties are abolished at entry into force of the Agreement, except for products 
listed in Annex 2 to the Agreement which were subject to bilateral concessions.11 Trade in goods 
listed in Annex 2 was progressively liber alized by 31 December 2008, in line with timetables 
provided in the Annex (Article 8.2).  
3.6.  The base rates of customs duty set out in each Party's schedules reflect the duty rates 
applied between the Parties on the day before the entry into force of the Agreement (Article 2). If 
after the day of signature of the Agreement a Party reduced tariffs on an MFN basis because of  the 
accession to or tariff negotiations within the WTO, such duties are  to be used as the base rates.  
3.1.3   Liberalization schedule  
3.1.3.1   Albania  
3.7.  Albania's tariff in 2007 consisted of 10,175 lines at the eight-digit level, all of which had 
ad valorem  rates. 36% of lines were already duty free on an MFN basis.  Under the Agreement, 
Albania eliminated all duties on all lines by 2014. 
3.8.  Table 3.1 shows Al bania's tariff elimination commitments with respect to the other Parties 
under the Agreement. In 2007 , 76.5% of  the MFN tariff corresponding to  imports from Bosnia and 
Herzegovina, at a value of USD 3.3 million, w as duty free. With the entry into force of the 
Agreement, an additional 48% of lines became duty free in 2007 for imports from Bosnia and 
Herzegovina, with the remaining 3.7% becoming duty free under the Agreement by 2013.  Almost 
half of the value of imports from Kosovo was duty free on an MFN basi s while the remaining lines 
became duty free under the Agreement in 2007. Only 14% of the value of imports from the 
Republic of Moldova  were free of duties under MFN  trade ; the Agreement eliminated tariffs on an 
additional 46% of the value of imports in 20 07 and almost 40% in 2011. More than 81% of the 
value of imports from Montenegro were duty free on an MFN basis while the remaining lines 
became duty free on a preferential basis in 2007 (9.6%) and 2011 (8.7%). 20% of imports from 
North Macedonia and around 19 % from Serbia enter ed Albania duty free on an MFN basis. At the 
entry into force of th e Agreement, an additional 53% and 49% of tariff lines corresponding to 64% 
and 71% of imports respectively from North Macedonia and Serbia became duty free while the 
remaining lines are duty free under the Agreement since 2011.  
Table 3.1 Albania: Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement and 
corresponding average trade  
CEFTA 
Partners  Duty 
phase -out 
period  Number 
of lines  % of total 
lines in 
Albania's tariff 
schedule  Value of Albania's 
imports from CE FTA 
partners  
2004 -2006a 
USD million  % of 
Albania's 
total imports 
from CEFTA 
partners  
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina  MFN duty 
free (2007)  3,675  36.1 3.3 76.5 
2007 4,882  48.0 0.8 19.8 
2008 238 2.3 0.0 0.6 
2014 1,380  13.6 0.1 3.1 
Total  10,175  100.0  4.3 100.0  
                                                
10 The Additional Protocol was signed by Albania, Croatia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia and 
Serbia; Additional Protocol 3 was signed by Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Add itional Protocol 4 was 
signed by the Republic of Moldova and North Macedonia . 
11 Annex 2.1 referred to customs duties on import to North Macedonia  for the products originating in the 
Republic of Moldova. Annex 2.2 referred to customs duties on import to the  Republic of Moldova  for the 
products originating in North Macedonia . Annex 2.3 referred to customs duties applied by Kosovo  for the 
products originating in North Macedonia . WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 18 - 
 
  CEFTA 
Partners  Duty 
phase -out 
period  Number 
of lines  % of total 
lines in 
Albania's tariff 
schedule  Value of Albania's 
imports from CE FTA 
partners  
2004 -2006a 
USD million  % of 
Albania's 
total imports 
from CEFTA 
partners  
Kosovo  MFN duty 
free (2007)  3,675  36.1 4.4 48.3 
2007 6,500  63.9 4.7 51.7 
Total  10,175  100.0  9.2 100.0  
Republic of 
Moldova  MFN duty 
free (2007)  3,675  36.1 0.7 14.2 
2007 4,872  47.9 2.2 46.1 
2008 238 2.3 0.0 0.0 
2011 1,390  13.7 1.9 39.6 
Total  10,175  100.0  4.8 100.0  
Montenegro  MFN duty 
free (2007)  3,675  36.1 5.7 81.7 
2007 4,884  48.0 0.7 9.6 
2011 1,616  15.9 0.6 8.7 
Total  10,175  100.0  7.0 100.0  
North 
Macedonia  MFN duty 
free (2007)  3,675  36.1 7.1 20.4 
2007 5,398  53.1 22.2 63.6 
2011 1,102  10.8 5.6 16.0 
Total  10,175  100.0  34.9 100.0  
Serbia  MFN duty 
free (2007)  3,675  36.1 22.9 18.6 
2007 4,989  49.0 87.1 70.7 
2011 1,511  14.9 13.2 10.8 
Total  10,175  100.0  123.2  100.0  
a Period covered for the average imports of Montenegro and Serbia is 2007-2009.  
Note:  Based on the HS 2002 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement and the WTO -IDB. 
3.9.  Table 3.2  shows Albania's tariff elimination by HS s ection. All Sections except for  
Sections  I-IV, VI, VIII and XI , were liberalized at the entry into force for all Parties. The 
liberalization of Sections I -IV tend ed to be back loaded with most of the lines liberalized in the last 
year (i.e. 2013 for Bosnia and Herzegovina and 2011 for the Republic of Moldova , Montenegro, 
North Macedonia  and Serbia). Most of the lines of Sections VI, VIII and XI were instead liberaliz ed 
in 2007 while the relatively few remaining lines (between 26 and 61 lines) were liberalized in the 
last year of the implementation of the Agreement.   
  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 19 - Table 3.2 Albania: Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by HS Section  HS Section  MFN No. of duty -free lines  Average 
(%) 
No. of  
lines  
Duty -free 
lines Bosnia and 
Herzegovina  Kosovo  Republic of Moldova  Montenegro  North Macedonia  Serbia  2007  
2008  
2014  
2007  
2007  
2008  
2011  
2007  
2011  
2007  
2011  
2007  
2011  
I 5.5 805 328 21 27 429 477 21 27 429 33 444 145 332 27 450 
II 8.2 560 33 150 7 370 527 140 7 380 154 373 188 339 189 338 
III 2.2 125 92 10 3 20 33 10 3 20  33 17 16 12 21 
IV 10.1 843 135 69 201 438 708 69 201 438 65 643 381 327 129 579 
V 4.4 248 28 220   
220 220   220  220  220  
VI 1.6 1,284  633 590  
61 651 590  61 590 61 625 26 590 61 
VII 5.6 368 46 322   
322 322   322  322  322  
VIII 8.6 155  
127  
28 155 127  28 127 28 127 28 127 28 
IX 1.0 189 163 26   
26 26   26  26  26  
X 0.0 226 226    
          
XI 9.7 1,288   
1,254   
34 1,288  1,254   34 1,254  34 1,254  34 1,254  34 
XII 14.3 111  
111   
111 111   111  111  111  
XIII 10.1 255 6 249   
249 249   249  249  249  
XIV 6.1 63  
63   
63 63   63  63  63  
XV 5.8 1,020  226 794   
794 794   794  794  794  
XVI 1.3 1,679  1,339  340   
340 340   340  340  340  
XVII 2.8 292 132 160   
160 160   160  160  160  
XVIII 3.5 392 191 201   
201 201   201  201  201  
XIX 15.0 28  
28   
28 28   28  28  28  
XX 8.6 237 90 147   
147 147   147  147  147  
XXI 0.0 7 7    
          
Total 5.3 10,175  3,675  4,882  238 1,380  6,500  4,872  238 1,390  4,884  1,616  5,398  1,102  4,989  1,511  
Note:  Based on the HS 2002 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement and the WTO -IDB. WT/REG233/1/Rev .1 
 
- 20 - 
 
  3.1.3.2   Bosnia and Herzegovina  
3.10.   Bosnia and Herzegovina's tariff in 2007 consisted of 10,604 lines at the ten-digit level, 
9,836 (or 93%) of which had ad valorem  rates.12 Almost 26% of lines had an applied rate of zero . 
Under the Agreement, Bosnia and Herzegovina eliminated all duties on a ll lines on entry into force 
of the Agreement for imports from all Parties except Albania for which the liberalization was 
completed by 2013 ( Table 3.3).  
Table 3.3 Bosnia and Herzegovina: Tariff elimination c ommitments under the Agreement 
and corresponding average trade  
CEFTA 
Partners  Duty 
phase -out 
period  Number of 
lines  % of total lines in 
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina's 
tariff schedule  Value of  
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina's 
imports from 
CEFTA partners  
2004 -2006a 
USD million  % of Bosnia and 
Herzegovina's 
total imports 
from  
CEFTA partners  
Albania  Applied 
rates duty 
free (2007)  2,719  25.6 2.2 89.4 
2007 6,213  58.6 0.2 9.4 
2008 252 2.4 0.0 0.0 
2013 1,420  13.4 0.0 1.3 
Total  10,604  100.0  2.5 100.0  
Kosovo  Applied 
rates duty 
free (2007)  2,719  25.6 - - 
2007 7,885  74.4 - - 
Total  10,604  100.0  - - 
Republic of 
Moldova  Applied 
rates duty 
free (2007)  2,719  25.6 0.0 0.2 
2007 7,885  74.4 2.4 99.8 
Total  10,604  100.0  2.4 100.0  
Montenegro  Applied 
rates duty 
free (2007)  2,719  25.6 6.0 24.0 
2007 7,885  74.4 19.2 76.0 
Total  10,604  100.0  25.2 100.0  
North 
Macedonia  Applied 
rates duty 
free (2007)  2,719  25.6 8.4 15.5 
2007 7,885  74.4 45.7 84.5 
Total  10,604  100.0  54.1 100.0  
Serbia  Applied 
rates duty 
free (2007)  2,719  25.6 158.7  15.1 
2007 7,885  74.4 892.2  84.9 
Total  10,604  100.0  1,050.9  100.0  
 - no import from Kosovo for the period 2004 -2006.  
a Period covered for the average imports of Montenegro and Serbia are 2007-2009.  
Note:  Based on the HS 2002 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from  the Agreement and the WTO -IDB. 
3.11.   Tariff elimination under the Agreement by HS Section is shown in Table 3.4. Of the lines not 
liberalized in 2007 for im ports from Albania, 252 in Sections I -IV were liberalized in 2008 while the 
remaining 1,420 lines (across sections I -IV, VI and VIII) were completely liberalized in 2013.  
                                                
12 Of the 768 non ad valorem  lines, 6 were specific duties and 762 were compound du ties. WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 21 - 
 
  Table 3.4 Bosnia and Herzegovina: Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by 
HS Section  
HS 
Section  Applied rates  No. of duty -free lines  
Average 
(%) No. of lines  Duty -free 
lines  Albania  Rest of CEFTA 
partnersa 
2007  2008  2013  2007  
I 5.8 844 276 13 36 519 568 
II 3.6 565 248 36 6 275 317 
III 2.5 125 63 17 3 42 62 
IV 9.9 863 48 62 207 546 815 
V 1.1 260 217 43   
43 
VI 2.7 1,349  720 601  
28 629 
VII 7.2 379 95 284   
284 
VIII 6.5 159 21 128  
10 138 
IX 3.7 190 85 105   
105 
X 6.0 273 62 211   
211 
XI 10.5 1,301  73 1,228    
1,228  
XII 13.8 114  
114   
114 
XIII 7.9 265 15 250   
250 
XIV 5.4 67 28 39   
39 
XV 5.7 1,122  284 838   
838 
XVI 6.6 1,710  245 1,465    
1,465  
XVII 6.0 340 80 260   
260 
XVIII 4.4 401 146 255   
255 
XIX 11.5 31 6 25   
25 
XX 9.4 239 3 236   
236 
XXI 2.1 7 4 3   
3 
Total 6.4 10,604 2,719  6,213  252 1,420  7,885  
a  Kosovo, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, and North Macedonia.  
Note:  Based on the HS 2002 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement and the WTO -IDB. 
 
3.1.3.3   Kosovo  
3.12.   Kosovo's tariff in 2007 consisted of 10,242 lines at the ten-digit level, all of which had ad 
valorem  rates. The applied rate was zero on 20% of lines in 2007 . Under the Agreement, Kosovo 
eliminated all duties at entry in to force in 2007 on all lines for imports from all Part ies except 
North Macedonia for which 149 lines were liberalized in 2008 ( Table 3.5). These lines concern ed 
HS Sections I, II, IV and V ( Table 3.6). 
Table 3.5 Kosovo: Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement  
CEFTA 
Partners  Duty phase -out period  Number of lines  % of total lines in Kosovo's tariff 
schedule  
Albania  Applied rates  
duty free (2007)  2,006  19.6 
2007 8,236  80.4 
Total  10,242  100.0  
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina  Applied rates  
duty free (2007)  2,006  19.6 
2007 8,236  80.4 
Total  10,242  100.0  WT/REG233/1/Rev .1 
 
- 22 - 
 
  CEFTA 
Partners  Duty phase -out period  Number of lines  % of total lines in Kosovo's tariff 
schedule  
Republic of 
Moldova  Applied rates  
duty free (2007)  2,006  19.6 
2007 8,236  80.4 
Total  10,242  100.0  
Montenegro  Applied rates  
duty free (2007)  2,006  19.6 
2007 8,236  80.4 
Total  10,242  100.0  
North Macedonia  Applied rates  
duty free (2007)  2,006  19.6 
2007 8,087  79.0 
2008 149 1.5 
Total  10,242  100.0  
Serbia  Applied rates  
duty free (2007)  2,006  19.6 
2007 8,236  80.4 
Total  10,242  100.0  
Note:  Based on the HS 2007 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement and the Market Access Map, ITC.  
Table 3.6 Kosovo: Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by HS Section  
HS 
Section  Applied rates  No. of duty -free lines  
Average 
(%) No. of lines  Duty -free 
lines  North Macedonia  Rest of CEFTA 
partnersa 
2007  2007  2008  
I 9.9 804 12 791 1 792 
II 8.8 537 64 468 5 473 
III 9.7 125 4 121  121 
IV 9.3 834 55 685 94 779 
V 9.8 254 5 200 49 249 
VI 8.9 1,292  146 1,146   1,146  
VII 5.9 374 153 221  221 
VIII 4.9 150 77 73  73 
IX 8.7 214 28 186  186 
X 5.9 223 92 131  131 
XI 8.5 1,190  178 1,012   1,012  
XII 10.0 113  
113  113 
XIII 8.9 264 30 234  234 
XIV 10.0 63  
63  63 
XV 8.5 1,067  160 907  907 
XVI 5.7 1,768  753 1,015   1,015  
XVII 7.5 310 78 232  232 
XVIII 5.9 396 161 235  235 
XIX 10.0 27  
27  27 
XX 9.6 230 10 220  220 
XXI 10.0 7  
7  7 
Total 8.0 10,242  2,006  8,087  149 8,236  
a Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,  Republic of  Moldova, Montenegro, and Serbia.  
Note:  Based on the HS 2007 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement and the Market Access Map, ITC.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 23 - 
 
  3.1.3.4   Republic of Moldova  
3.13.   Republic of Moldova's tariff in 2007 consisted of 10,626 lines at the nine-digit level, 10,201 
(or 96%) of which had ad valorem  rates.13 46.7% of lines were already duty free on an MFN basis 
covering shares of between 19% ( North Macedonia) and 98% (Montenegro) of imports from CEFTA 
partners.  Table 3.7 shows that all imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo became duty 
free under the Agreement in 2007, from Albania, Montenegro and Serbia in 2011 and from North 
Macedonia in 2015.  
Table 3.7 Republic of Moldova: Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement and 
corresponding average trade  
CEFTA 
Partners  Duty phase -
out period  Number 
of lines  % of total lines in 
Republic of  
Moldova's tariff 
schedule  Value of Republic 
of Moldova's 
imports from 
CEFTA partners  
2007 -2009  
USD thousand  % of Republic 
of Moldova's 
total imports 
from CEFTA 
partners  
Albania  MFN duty free 
(2007)  4,966  46.7 8.3 25.9 
2007 3,845  36.2 15.1 47.0 
2008 320 3.0 0.0 0.0 
2011 1,495  14.1 8.7 27.1 
Total  10,626  100.0  32.1 100.0  
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina  MFN duty free 
(2007)  4,966  46.7 1,381.5  95.7 
2007 5,660  53.3 61.7 4.3 
Total  10,626  100.0  1,443.2  100.0  
Kosovo  MFN duty free 
(2007)  4,966  46.7 6.8 81.3 
2007 5,660  53.3 1.6 18.7 
Total  10,626  100.0  8.3 100.0  
Montenegro  MFN duty free 
(2007)  4,966  46.7 4.7 97.9 
2007 5,407  50.9 0.1 2.1 
2011 253 2.4 0.0 0.0 
Total  10,626  100.0  4.8 100.0  
North 
Macedonia  MFN duty free 
(2007)  4,966  46.7 41.1 19.1 
2007 3,347  31.5 18.4 8.6 
2008 279 2.6 70.0 32.6 
2011 1,903  17.9 79.0 36.8 
2015 131 1.2 6.4 3.0 
Total  10,626  100.0  214.9  100.0  
Serbia  MFN duty free 
(2007)  4,966  46.7 2,629.7  43.5 
2007 5,407  50.9 3,410.0  56.5 
2011 253 2.4 0.0 0.0 
Total  10,626  100.0  6,039.7  100.0  
Note:  Based on the HS 2002 nomenclature.   
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement and the WTO-IDB. 
3.14.   Table 3.8 shows Republic of Moldova's tariff elimination by HS section. With respect to 
imports from Albania, 1,815 tariff lines in HS Sections I -IV, VI and XI were still subject to duties 
after 2007 and became  duty free in 2008 (320 lines in Sect ion I-IV) and in 2011 (1,495 lines). 253 
lines in HS  Section IV for imports from Montenegro and Serbia became duty free under the 
Agreement in 2011. Several HS Sections contained lines subject to positive tariffs for imports from 
North Macedonia after entr y into force in 2007 : Sections I -IV, VI and XI were mainly liberalized by 
2011 although some lines in Section IV became duty free in 2015; all the other Sections including 
lines with an implementation period were fully liberalized by 2009 .  
                                                
13 Of the 425  non ad valorem  lines, 223 were specific duties, 165 compound  duties and 37 other duties .  
  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 24 - Table 3.8 Republic of Moldova: Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by HS Section  HS Section  MFN No. of duty -free lines  Average 
(%) 
No. of 
lines  
Duty -free 
lines  Albania  Bosnia and 
Herzegovina, 
and Kosovo  Montenegro, and Serbia  North Macedonia  
2007  2008  2011  2007  2007  2011  2007  2009  2011  2015  
I 9.3 838 274 28 97 439 564 564  11  553  
II 9.9 605 93 129 4 379 512 512  19  493  
III 6.1 129 44 48 3 34 85 85  6  79  
IV 11.8 933 61 52 216 604 872 619 253 2  739 131 
V 1.4 256 195 61   
61 61  57 4   
VI 2.8 1,313  661 624  
28 652 652  621 3 28  
VII 4.2 380 125 255   
255 255  240 15   
VIII 8.0 162 35 127   
127 127  109 18   
IX 0.7 190 170 20   
20 20  20    
X 4.9 261 71 190   
190 190  189 1   
XI 6.2 1,303  433 859  
11 870 870  711 148 11  
XII 11.9 114 11 103   
103 103  83 20   
XIII 6.9 258 54 204   
204 204  185 19   
XIV 3.3 63 42 21   
21 21  21    
XV 1.1 1,119  983 136   
136 136  136    
XVI 1.5 1,700  1,253  447   
447 447  420 27   
XVII 2.6 333 160 173   
173 173  162 11   
XVIII 3.2 395 229 166   
166 166  160 6   
XIX 10.0 30  
30   
30 30  30    
XX 6.2 237 70 167   
167 167  160 7   
XXI 7.1 7 2 5   
 5  5    
Total 4.9 10,626  4,966  3,845  320 1,495  5,660  5,407  253 3,347  279 1,903  131 
Note:  Based on the HS 2002 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement and the WTO -IDB. WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 25 - 
 
  3.1.3.5   Montenegro  
3.15.   Montenegro's tariff in 2007 consisted of 9,816 lines at the ten-digit level, 9, 505 (or 97%) of 
which had ad valorem  rates.14 Only 485 lines (5%) were duty free on an MFN basis. Under the 
Agreement, Montenegro eliminated all duties on all lines on entry into force of the Agreement for 
imports from all Parties except Albania and the Republic of Moldova  for which libe ralization was 
completed by 2011 ( Table 3.9). The shares of imports entering Montenegro duty free on an MFN 
basis in 2007 ranged between 0% for Moldovan products to 13.5% for Serbian products .  
Table 3.9 Montenegro: Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement and 
corresponding average trade  
CEFTA 
Partners  Duty phase -
out period  Number 
of lines  % of total 
lines in 
Montenegro's 
tariff schedule  Value of 
Montenegro's 
import s from 
CEFTA partners  
2007 -2009  
USD million  % of 
Montenegro's 
total imports 
from CEFTA 
partners  
Albania  MFN duty free 
(2007)  485 4.9 0.1 0.6 
2007 7,691  78.4 17.5 97.8 
2011 1,640  16.7 0.3 1.6 
Total  9,816  100.0  17.9 100.0  
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina  MFN duty free 
(2007)  485 4.9 14.0 10.4 
2007 9,331  95.1 120.3  89.6 
Total  9,816  100.0  134.3  100.0  
Kosovo  MFN duty free 
(2007)  485 4.9 - - 
2007 9,331  95.1 - - 
Total  9,816  100.0  - - 
Republic of 
Moldova  MFN duty free 
(2007)  485 4.9 0.0 0.0 
2007 9,137  93.1 0.1 100.0  
2011 194 2.0 0.0 0.0 
Total  9,816  100.0  0.1 100.0  
North 
Macedonia  MFN duty free 
(2007)  485 4.9 1.0 2.8 
2007 9,331  95.1 33.5 97.2 
Total  9,816  100.0  34.5 100.0  
Serbia  MFN duty free 
(2007)  485 4.9 99.9 13.5 
2007 9,331  95.1 640.4  86.5 
Total  9,816  100.0  740.3  100.0  
 - no import data from Kosovo for the period 2007 -2009.  
Note:  Based on the HS 2007 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement and the WTO -IDB. 
 
3.16.   Tariff elimination under the Agreement by HS Section is shown in Table 3.10. Of the lines 
not liberalized in 2007 for imports from Albania, 1,640 in Sections I -IV, VI, VII and XI were 
liberalized in 2011; 194 lines in Section IV were liberalized in the sam e year for imports from the 
Republic of Moldova . 
                                                
14 Of the 311  non ad valorem  lines, 14 were specific duties and 297 compound  duties . WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 26 - 
 
  Table 3.10 Montenegro: Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by HS Section  HS Section  MFN No. of duty -free lines  Average 
(%) 
No. of 
lines  
Duty -
free 
lines  Albania  Republic of Moldova  Rest of CEFTA 
partnersa 
2007  2011  2007  2011  2007  
I 15.0 833 40 138 655 793  793 
II 8.7 552 115 201 236 437  437 
III 2.4 125 75 44 6 50  50 
IV 18.3 843 35 152 656 614 194 808 
V 1.9 249 9 240  240  240 
VI 2.0 1,272  18 1,194  60 1,254   1,254  
VII 4.2 353 61 292  292  292 
VIII 5.8 151 1 126 24 150  150 
IX 3.0 213  
213  213  213 
X 4.1 226 3 223  223  223 
XI 5.4 1,192  44 1,145  3 1,148   1,148  
XII 5.6 113 1 112  112  112 
XIII 4.9 258  
258  258  258 
XIV 4.4 63  
63  63  63 
XV 5.3 1,000  36 964  964  964 
XVI 2.7 1,479  4 1,475   1,475   1,475  
XVII 2.2 301 42 259  259  259 
XVIII 2.2 341  
341  341  341 
XIX 25.0 27  
27  27  27 
XX 8.8 218 1 217  217  217 
XXI 5.0 7  
7  7  7 
Total 6.3 9,816  485 7,691  1,640  9,137  194 9,331  
a Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia, and North Macedonia.  
Note:  Based on the HS 2007 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement and the WTO -IDB. 
 
3.1.3.6   North Macedonia  
3.17.   North Macedonia's tariff in 2007 consisted of 9,933 lines at the ten -digit level, 9,623 (or 
97%) of which had ad valorem  rates.15 Almost 35% of the tariff (3,423 lines) was duty free on an 
MFN basis in 2007. Under the Agreement, all duties on all lines were elimi nated on entry into force 
of the Agreement for imports from all Parties except Albania and the Republic of Moldova  for which 
the liberalization was completed by 2011 and 2015 respectively (Table 3.13). The shares of 
imports entering North Macedonia duty free on an MFN basis in 2007 ranged between 38% for 
products from Bosnia and Herzegovina to 81% for Moldovan products.  
Table 3.11 North Macedonia: Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement and 
corresponding average trade  
CEFTA 
Partners  Duty phase -
out period  Number 
of lines  % of total lines 
in North 
Macedonia's 
tariff schedule  Value of  
North Macedonia's 
imports from 
CEFTA partners  
2004 -2006a 
USD million  % of North 
Macedonia's 
total imports 
from CEFTA 
partners  
Albania  MFN duty free 
(2007)  3,423  34.5 5.4 59.3 
2007 5,212  52.5 3.4 38.0 
2011 1,298  13.1 0.2 2.7 
Total  9,933  100.0  9.0 100.0  
                                                
15 Of the 310  non ad valorem  lines, 246 were compound duties and 64 mixed duties . WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 27 - 
 
  CEFTA 
Partners  Duty phase -
out period  Number 
of lines  % of total lines 
in North 
Macedonia's 
tariff schedule  Value of  
North Macedonia's 
imports from 
CEFTA partners  
2004 -2006a 
USD million  % of North 
Macedonia's 
total imports 
from CEFTA 
partners  
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina  MFN duty free 
(2007)  3,423  34.5 8.3 37.6 
2007 6,510  65.5 13.8 62.4 
Total  9,933  100.0  22.1 100.0  
Kosovo  MFN duty free 
(2007)  3,423  34.5 0.01 35.8 
2007 6,510  65.5 0.02 64.2 
Total  9,933  100.0  0.03 100.0  
Republic of 
Moldova  MFN duty free 
(2007)  3,423  34.5 0.19 80.8 
2007 4,121  41.5 0.03 10.7 
2009 729 7.3 0.0 1.5 
2011 471 4.7 0.02 6.9 
2015 1,189  12.0 0.0 0.0 
Total  9,933  100.0  0.24 100.0  
Montenegro  MFN duty free 
(2007)  3,423  34.5 0.6 45.3 
2007 6,510  65.5 0.8 54.7 
Total  9,933  100.0  1.4 100.0  
Serbia  MFN duty free 
(2007)  3,423  34.5 186.5  41.2 
2007 6,510  65.5 266.5  58.8 
Total  9,933  100.0  453.0  100.0  
a Period covered for the average imports of Montenegro and Serbia are 2007 -2009.  
Note:  Based on the HS 2007 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement and the WTO -IDB. 
3.18.   Tariff elimination under the Agreement by HS Section is shown in Table 3.14. 
HS Sections  I-IV contained 1,298 lines that were liberalize d in 2011 for imports from Albania. The 
liberalization of the lines in the same Sections for imports from the Republic of Moldova  started in 
2011 and finished in 2015.16 Sections V -XIII, XV -XVII and XX were largely liberalized in 2007 but 
729 lines were sti ll subject to duties until 2009 and 9 lines in Section VI until 2015.  
Table 3.12 North Macedonia : Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by HS Section  HS Section  MFN No. of duty -free lines  Average 
(%) 
No. of 
lines  
Duty -free 
lines  Albania  Republic of Moldova  Rest of 
CEFTA 
partnersa 
2007  2011  2007  2009  2011  2015  2007  
I 9.1 809 359 100 350   18 432 450 
II 15.0 565 123 107 335 1  54 387 442 
III 2.4 125 90 17 18    35 35 
IV 20.9 877 152 130 595   399 326 725 
V 5.7 246 88 158  
113 45   158 
VI 3.1 1,292  554 738  
713 16  9 738 
VII 5.8 365 95 270  
222 48   270 
VIII 11.5 151 17 134  
99 35   134 
IX 3.0 217 165 52  
48 4   52 
                                                
16 Only one line in Section II was liberalized in 2007.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 28 - 
 
  
HS Section  MFN No. of duty -free lines  Average 
(%) 
No. of 
lines  
Duty -free 
lines  Albania  Republic of Moldova  Rest of 
CEFTA 
partnersa 
2007  2011  2007  2009  2011  2015  2007  
X 1.5 222 192 30  
12 18   30 
XI 13.2 1,191  140 1,051   
919 132   1,051  
XII 20.2 115  
115  
45 70   115 
XIII 11.8 262 5 257  
206 51   257 
XIV 11.0 63 5 58  
58    58 
XV 4.2 1,007  605 402  
374 28   402 
XVI 6.9 1,527  537 990  
791 199   990 
XVII 7.3 303 67 236  
193 43   236 
XVIII 3.2 343 194 149  
149    149 
XIX 20.3 27  
27  
27    27 
XX 10.3 219 35 184  
144 40   184 
XXI 7.0 7  
7  
7    7 
Total 8.8 9,933  3,423  5,212  1,298  4,121  729 471 1,189  6,510  
a Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia.  
Note:  Based on the HS 2007 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement and the WTO -IDB. 
 
3.1.3.7   Serbia  
3.19.   Serbia's tariff in 2007 consisted of 10,270 lines at the ten-digit level, all of which were 
ad valorem . Only 119 lines (around 1%) had applied rates of zero  in 2007 . Under the Agreement, 
Serbia eliminated all duties on all lines on entry into force of the Agreement for imports from all 
Parties except Albania and the Republic of Moldova  for which liberalization was completed by 2011 
(Table 3.11). The shares of imports  entering Serbia duty free before the entry into force of the 
Agreement  ranged between 0. 01% for Moldovan products to 26% for Montenegrin products.  
Table 3.13 Serbia: Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement and 
corresponding average trade  
CEFTA 
Partners  Duty phase -
out period  Number 
of lines  % of total 
lines in 
Serbia's tariff 
schedule  Value of Serbia's 
imports from 
CEFTA partners  
2007 -2009  
USD million  % of Serbia's 
total imports 
from CEFTA 
partners  
Albania  Applied rates 
duty free 
(2007)  119 1.2 0.0 0.1 
2007 8,098  78.9 9.4 93.8 
2011 2,053  20.0 0.6 6.2 
Total  10,270  100.0  10.1 100.0  
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina  Applied rates 
duty free 
(2007)  119 1.2 19.2 3.7 
2007 10,151  98.8 506.3  96.3 
Total  10,270  100.0  525.5  100.0  
Kosovo  Applied rates 
duty free 
(2007)  119 1.2 - - 
2007 10,151  98.8 - - 
Total  10,270  100.0  - - WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 29 - 
 
  CEFTA 
Partners  Duty phase -
out period  Number 
of lines  % of total 
lines in 
Serbia's tariff 
schedule  Value of Serbia's 
imports from 
CEFTA partners  
2007 -2009  
USD million  % of Serbia's 
total imports 
from CEFTA 
partners  
Republic of 
Moldova  Applied rates 
duty free 
(2007)  119 1.2 0.0 0.01 
2007 9,952  96.9 15.6 99.87  
2011 199 1.9 0.0 0.12 
Total  10,270  100.0  15.7 100.0  
Montenegro  Applied rates 
duty free 
(2007)  119 1.2 43.8 26.2 
2007 10,151  98.8 123.5  73.8 
Total  10,270  100.0  167.3  100.0  
North 
Macedonia  Applied rates 
duty free 
(2007)  119 1.2 2.5 0.8 
2007 10,151  98.8 296.6  99.2 
Total  10,270  100.0  299.0  100.0  
- no import data from Kosovo for the period 2007 -2009.  
Note:  Based on the HS 2002 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement and the WTO-IDB. 
3.20.   Tariff elimination under the Agreement by HS  Section is shown in Table 3.12. Of the lines 
not liberalized in 2007 for imports from Albania, 2,053 in Sections I -IV, VI, VII and XI were 
liberalized in 2011; 199 lines in Section IV were liberalized in the same year for imports from the 
Republic of Mold ova. 
Table 3.14 Serbia: Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by HS Section  
HS 
Section  Applied rates  No. of duty -free lines  
Average 
(%) No. of 
lines  Duty -
free 
lines  Albania  Republic of Moldova  Rest of CEFTA 
partnersa 
2007  2011  2007  2011  2007  
I 17.1 835  
30 805 835  835 
II 12.9 575  
190 385 575  575 
III 6.7 125  
57 68 125  125 
IV 21.2 850  
156 694 651 199 850 
V 1.9 255 11 244  244  244 
VI 2.8 1,294  15 1,210  69 1,279   1,279  
VII 5.7 376  
376  376  376 
VIII 6.4 156  
128 28 156  156 
IX 3.3 189  
189  189  189 
X 4.6 227  
227  227  227 
XI 12.2 1,233  47 1,182  4 1,186   1,186  
XII 13.8 111  
111  111  111 
XIII 9.3 259  
259  259  259 
XIV 9.7 63  
63  63  63 
XV 4.9 1,038  34 1,004   1,004   1,004  
XVI 5.5 1,682  1 1,681   1,681   1,681  
XVII 5.9 336 11 325  325  325 
XVIII 2.6 394  
394  394  394 
XIX 24.1 28  
28  28  28 
XX 9.6 237  
237  237  237 
XXI 5.0 7  
7  7  7 
Total 8.7 10,270  119 8,098  2,053  9,952  199 10,151  
a Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.  
Note:  Based on the HS 2002 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement and the WTO -IDB. WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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  3.1.4   Tariff rate quotas  
3.21.   All tariff rate quotas between the Parties have been eliminated under the Additional Protocol 
and Additional Protocol 4.17  
3.2  Rules of origin  
3.22.   Rules of Origin are covered by Article 14 of the Agreement  which refers to Annex 4 – 
Protocol concerning the definition of the concept of originating pr oducts and methods of 
administrative co-operation . The Protocol was amended in 2009  and 2013. The Joint Committee 
Decision No. 4/2013, implemented on 1 April 2014, created the legal link between CEFTA and 
Appendix I and the relevant provisions of Appendix II to the Regional Convention on pan -Euro-
Mediterranean preferential rules of origin  (hereinafter PEM Convention) .18 All the Parties  except 
Kosovo  are contracting parties to the PEM Convention.19 
3.23.   According to Article 2 of Appendix I of t he PEM Convention, a good is considered originating 
when:20 
a. the product is wholly obtained in the contracting parties of the PEM Convention, within 
the meaning of Article 4,  
b. the non -originating materials incorporated in a product have undergone "sufficient 
working  or processing" in the contracting parties of the  PEM Convention, according to 
specific requirements laid down in Article 5, or  
c. the goods originate in the European Economic Area ( hereinafter EEA) within the meaning 
of Protocol 4 to the Agreement on the EEA.21 These goods are considered as originating 
in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway ( hereinafter the EEA parties) when exported 
respectively from the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway to a contracting 
party of the PEM Convention other t han the EEA parties, provided a free trade 
agreement is in force between the importing contracting party and the EEA parties.  
3.24.   Annex II of the PEM Convention lists the working or processing required to be carried out on 
non-originating materials for the product to obtain originating status. The rules are generally 
chapter -specific with exceptions at the tariff heading level.22 Origin is conferred according to four 
main criteria applied either independently or in combination with each other. Th ese are: the 
"wholly obtained"  criterion requiring that "all the materials of the chapter are wholly obtained"; the 
"change of tariff heading"  criterion requiring non -originating materials to fall under headings other 
than that of the pr oduct; the import content test requiring the value of the non -originating 
materials not to exceed a given percentage of the ex -works price of the produc t; and th e technical 
test rule which sets out the working processes that non -originating materials have to undergo. In 
some instances, a combination of different rules or choice between different rules is used. 
3.25.   Article 5 (sufficiently worked or processed products) provide s for an "absorption principle"  
i.e. when a non -originating material acquires originating status by meeting the corresponding 
processing requirement, this material is considered to be 100% originating once incorporated into 
a final product.  The de m inimis  rule in Article 5.2 provides that non -originating materials which 
would otherwise not be accepted may nevertheless be used, provided that (i) their value does not 
                                                
17 Preferential t ariff rate quotas were mostly liberalized under the Additional Protocol  except for a 
reciprocal quota of 1000 hl for wine (HS code 2204) between the Republi c of Moldova and North Macedonia 
which was eliminated with Additional Protocol  4. 
18 A process of modernisation of  the PEM rules is ongoing.  
19 Kosovo communicated that a request to become a contracting party was under review.  
20 Unless otherwise specified, all articles in the remaining of this section refer to articles in Appendix I of 
the PEM Convention.  
21 Protocol 4 of the European Economic Agr eement establishes that for origin purposes, EEA countries 
are treated as a single territory. EEA members are the European Union countries, Norway, Iceland and 
Liechtenstein. Ceuta and Melilla are excluded from this provision; special conditions regarding goods originating 
therein are detailed in Articles 37 and 38.  
22 In Annex II to Protocol 4 most Chapters are preceded by an "ex" signifying that their corresponding 
rule(s) in columns three and four to the Annex apply to the Chapter "except for" the tariff headings as listed 
directly below the Chapter. In the absence of an "ex" the rule applies to the Chapter without exceptions.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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  exceed 10% of the ex -works price of the product, and (ii) any of the percentages provi ded for in 
Annex II.C are not exceeded by virtue of the de minimis  rule. This rule applies to all products 
except textiles and clothing (HS  Chapters 50 -63).23  
3.26.   Article 6 lays down a list of insufficient working or processing operations that do not confer 
origin, even if the product met the relevant rule. Article 7 defines the unit of qualification for the 
application of  the provisions of the Protocol.  Articles 8 , 9 and 10 deal with how certain materials 
(accessories, spare parts or tools; sets; and neutral e lements) are to be treated/valued when 
determining the origin of the goods. Article 11 establishes that outward processing outside the 
Pan-Euro-Med area is not allowed unless certain conditions are fulfilled. The non -respect of those 
conditions will result  in the loss of originating status.24 
3.27.   The principle of territoriality is recognized in Article 11  where , unless indicated otherwise, 
the conditions for acquiring originating status must be fulfilled without interruption in the exporting 
contracting party.25 Where materials are exported by a contracting party and re -imported after 
being worked and processed abroad, their originating status will not be affected if the materials 
concerned are wholly obtained in the exporting contracting party or have undergone w orking or 
processing beyond simple operations before being exported, and it can be demonstrated to the 
satisfaction of the customs authorities that the re -imported goods have been obtained by working 
or processing the exported materials and the total value  acquired outside the exporting contracting 
party by applying the provisions of Article 11 does not exceed 10% of the ex -works price of the 
end product for which originating status is claimed. These provisions do not apply to products 
which do not fulfil t he specific conditions mentioned in  the product specific rules or which can be 
considered sufficiently worked or processed only if the gener al tolerance fixed in Article 5. 2 is 
applied and to products in HS  Chapters  50-63. 
3.28.   Article 12 requires direct tra nsportation between the Parties. Tr anshipment or temporary 
warehousing is permitted provided that the goods remain under the surveillance of the customs 
authorities of the country of transit or warehousing and do not undergo operations other than 
loading, reloading or any operation designed to preserve them in good condition.  
3.29.   Drawback is not permitted for non -originating materials used in the manufacture of products 
originating in a contracting party  for which a proof of origin is issued or completed  (Article 14) . 
Decision No. 3/2015 of the Joint Committee amended the Annex 4 to the Agreement to derogate 
from the PEM Convention.26  
3.30.   In case of disputes regarding verifications which cannot be resolved between the customs 
authorities, they will be submitted to the Joint Committee. Settlement of disputes between the 
importer and the customs authorities of the importing party shall take place under the legislation 
of that party  (Article 2 of  Protocol A in the Annex  to Decision No. 3/201 5).  
3.31.   If any of the Parties withdraws from the Convention, the remaining Parties shall 
immediately enter into negotiations to determine new rules of origin for the purpose of 
implementing the Agreement. Until such rules enter into force, the rules of origin of t he PEM 
Convention shall continue to apply allowing only bilateral cumulation between the Party that 
withdrew and the other CEFTA parties (Article 4 of Protocol A in the Annex  to 
Decision  No. 3/2015 ). 
3.32.   The Customs Sub -Committee was established by Article 39 of the original Annex 4 to the 
Agreement and oversees  the correct and uniform application of the Protocol on rules of origin. In 
2015 the Joint Committee introduced new institutional bodies of the Agreement, including a Sub -
                                                
23 Special "tolerance rules" apply to certain textile products made of a mixture of materials (see notes 5 
and 6 of Annex I to the P EM Convention).  
24 Temporary admission of goods, inward and outward processing are regulated under Article 11 of the 
Additional Protocol 5 on trade facilitation.  
25 The exceptions relate to Article 2(1)(c) of Appendix I of the PEM Convention on goods origina ting in 
the EEA, Article 3 on Cumulation of origin, and paragraph 3 of Article 11 which relates to re -imports of exports 
from the contracting party which are subject to reworking or processing abroad.  
26 Article 5 of Protocol A contained in the Annex to Dec ision No. 3/2015 provides that the rules on 
cumulation in Annex 4 to the Agreement apply for CEFTA Parties in which the PEM Convention is not yet in 
force.  Montenegro noted that i n accordance with the agreement between all CEFTA Parties, the implementation  
of Decision No. 3/2015 will start on 1 July 2019.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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  Committee on Customs and Rules o f Origin, to ensure the simplification and facilitation of customs 
procedures. The mandate of the Sub -Committee is provided in the Joint Committee Decision No. 
1/2015.  
3.3  Export duties and charges, and quantitative restrictions  
3.33.   Under Article 4  customs duties  on export s and charges having equivalent effect and export 
duties of a fiscal nature will not be introduced in trade between the Parties following the entry into 
force of the Agreement.  
3.4  Regulatory Provisions of the Agreement  
3.4.1   Standards  
3.4.1.1   Sanitary and phytosanitary measures  
3.34.   Under Article 12 of the Agreement the rights and obligations of the Parties on sanitary and 
phytosanitary (SPS) measures shall be governed by the WTO Agreement on SPS Measures. The 
Parties agree to cooperate in the field of SPS, including veterinary matters , with the aim of 
applying the relevant regulations in a non -discriminatory manner, and to provide information on 
the measures upon request by another Party. Where appropriate, the Parties shall enter into 
negotiations to conc lude agreements on harmonization and mutual recognition  in accordance with 
relevant provisions of the WTO Agreement on SPS measures and other relevant international 
agreements .27 All SPS related issues are examined in the Sub -committee on Agriculture  and SP S 
established under a Joint Committee Decision.  
3.4.1.2   Technical barriers to trade  
3.35.   Except as otherwise provided for in Article  13, the rights and obligations of the Parties 
relating to the application of technical barriers to trade shall be governed by the WTO Ag reement 
on Technical Barriers to Trade  (TBT) . The Parties shall identify and eliminate unnecessary existing 
technical barriers to trade within the meaning of the respective WTO Agreement and not to 
introduce new ones. They agree to cooperate on different issues including facilitation and 
harmonization of technical regulations, standards , and mandatory conformity assessment 
procedures under the aegis of the Joint Committee.  
3.36.   The Parties are encouraged , without prejudice to the WTO Agreement on TBT, to harmonize 
their technical regulations, standards, and procedures for assessment of conformity with those in 
the European Union provided that their use is in line with the pursued objective . They also 
undertook to enter into negotiations to conclude plu rilateral agreements on harmonization of their 
technical regulations and standards, and the mutual recognition of conformity assessment 
procedures before 31 December 2010.  
3.37.   Article 24.3 of Additional Protocol 5 stipulates that, for imports and goods in tra nsit, the 
Parties recognise the legislation and procedures related to the inspections carried out and the 
documents drawn up by the competent authorities of the other Party, which certify that the goods 
comply with the legal requirements of the Party of im port or equivalent requirements in the Party 
of export, provided that these legislation and procedures, and their implementation, are fully in 
line with the relevant EU acquis. The validation of the status of EU harmonisation shall be 
undertaken in accorda nce with the relevant procedures for the validation of EU alignment. The 
procedures of validation shall be adopted by the CEFTA Joint Committee. No recognition of the 
inspections and documents are possible before this validation, as foreseen by this Paragr aph 
without prejudice to any bi -lateral legal instrument between CEFTA Parties.  
                                                
27 Albania reported that discussions with North Macedonia led to an agreement on the reduction of the 
frequency of samples for vegetables. Bosnia and Herzegovina informed that it signed protocols on mutual 
recognition and acceptance of documents with North Macedonia and Serbia. Montenegro noted that it joined 
the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization on 27 July 2018. Montenegro also applies 
bilateral agreements related to veterinary cooper ation (with Bosnia and Herzegovina), phytosanitary 
cooperation (with North Macedonia), cooperation on plant health protection (with Serbia), on mutual 
recognition and recognition of evidence of fulfilment of the requirements on food and feed for plant, 
mixed/combined animal origin food (with Serbia) and cooperation in veterinary matters (with Serbia).  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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  3.38.   The Sub-Committee on Non -Tariff Measures, established by the Joint Committee Decision 
No. 1/2015, shall be informed of any draft text for a new technical regulation , including  any 
mandatory conformity assessment procedures,  or standard at least ninety days prior  to its 
adoption,28 unless a Party proposes to transpose a European or international technical regulation 
or standard , for which the  period is thirty days  before adoption . If a Party considers that any other 
Party has adopted , or is in the process of adopting , a measure constituting an unnecessary 
technical barrier to trade, it shall notify the Joint Committee  (or a special committee ) to decide on 
the action to be taken.   
3.4.2   Safeguard mechanisms  
3.39.   Article 24 provides for conditions and procedures for taking global and bilateral safeguard 
measures.29  
3.40.   If a Party considers resorting to global or bilateral safeguard measures, it shall promptly 
notify any concerned Party and the Joint Committee and supply all relevant information. The Joint 
Committee examines the case without delay and makes any recommenda tion needed to put an 
end to the difficulties notified. In the absence of such recommendation within 30 calendar days or 
if the measure is not abolished within the period fixed by the Joint Committee, and if the problem 
persists, the complaining Party may adopt appropriate measures necessary to remedy the 
situation. In the selection of measures, priority is to be given to those which least disturb the 
functioning of the Agreement. Measures shall be restricted with regard to their extent and duration 
to that strictly necessary to remedy the problem and to be in excess of the injury caused by the 
practice.  
3.4.2.1   Global safeguards  
3.41.   Under Article 23, the Parties confirm their rights to take a safeguard measure in accordance 
with Article XIX of GATT and the WTO Agreemen t on Safeguard Measures provided that they have 
issued detailed internal regulations laying down rules and procedures and determining technical 
issues relating to the application of the measure (Joint Declaration on Articles 21, 22 and 23 ).30  
3.4.2.2   Bilateral saf eguards  
3.42.   If, as a result of the Party's obligations  under the Agreement,  any product is being imported 
in such increased quantities and under such conditions from another Party as to cause or threaten 
to cause: i) serious injury to domestic producers of lik e or directly competitive products, or ii) 
serious disturbances in any sector of the economy which could bring about serious deterioration in 
the economic situation of the importing Party, the importing Party may take appropriate bilateral 
safeguard measur es.31  
3.43.   Before initiating the procedure for the application of the measures, the Parties shall 
endeavour to resolve any differences between them through direct consultations.  
3.44.   Bilateral safeguard measure s may be imposed as an increase in the corresponding ra te of 
duty not exceeding the lesser of the MFN applied rate of duty in effect at the time the action was 
taken, and the MFN applied rate of duty in effect on the day immediately preceding the date of 
entry into force of the Agreement. The imposed measure, containing clear elements progressively 
leading to its elimination, shall not exceed one year and can be renew ed twice at most. No 
measure shall be imposed on a product that has previously been subject to such measure for a 
two-year period following its ex piry. 
                                                
28 Except in case of urgency as referred to in the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade.  
29 Article 24 also applies to measures relating to Rules of Com petition Concerning Undertakings (Article 
20) and to State Aid (Article 21).  
30 Under the same Declaration the Parties are to ensure full conformity of their internal regulations with 
the relevant WTO provisions including Article VI and XIX of the GATT and the Agreement on the 
Implementation of Article VI, the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures and the Agreement of 
Safeguards. After such legislation has been implemented, the Parties shall apply any anti -dumping duties, 
countervailing duties a nd safeguard measures in full conformity with the relevant WTO provisions.  
31 Under the conditions and in accordance with the relevant procedures laid down in Article 24.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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  3.45.   Provisional measures are permitted by the Agreement under exceptional and critical 
circumstances requiring immediate action prior to examination or information. Such measures 
shall be notified without delay, and consultations within the Joint Committ ee shall take place as 
soon as possible. They may only apply for 200 calendar days at most.  
3.46.   All measures taken shall be notified immediately to the other Parties and the Joint 
Committee, which shall monitor the implementation with a view to their relaxati on or abolition as 
soon as possible.  
3.4.2.3   Special safeguards  
3.47.   Given the sensitivity  of the agricultural market, if imports of one Party's products subject to 
concessions granted pursuant to Annex 3 cause serious disturbance to the markets or to their 
regulatory mechanisms  in another Party, both Parties shall enter  consultations immediately to find 
an appropriate solution. Pending such solution, the Party concerned may take the measures it 
deems necessary (Article  23 bis).  
3.4.2.4   Balance of payments safeguards  
3.48.   Under Article 25 , when a Party is in serious balance of payments difficulties, or under 
imminent threat thereof, it may , in accordance with WTO provisions , adopt restrictive import 
measures on an erga omnes  basis. Such measures shall be of limited duration, not go beyond 
what is n ecessary to remedy the balance o f payments situation, be progressively relaxed as 
conditions improve and eliminated when conditions no longer justify their maintenance. Other 
Parties shall be promptly informed of the measur es introduc ed and, whenever practicable, of a 
time schedule for their removal.   
3.4.3   Anti-dumping and countervailing measures  
3.49.   Under Article 22, if a Party finds that dumping is taking place in trade with another  Party 
within the meaning of Article VI of the GATT, it may take appropriate measures against the 
practice in accordance with the WTO Agreement on the Implementation of Article VI of the GATT .32 
The Party will promptly notify an y concerned Party and the Joint Committee on the actions and 
measures it takes and promptly supply all relevant information.  
3.50.   Any Party may take countervailing measures in accordance with the relevant Articles of the 
GATT and the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures or related internal 
legislation  (Article 21) .  
3.4.4   Subsidies and State -aid 
3.51.   Under Article 21, any aid granted by a Party or through State resources in any form which 
distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain goods, except for agricultural 
products, shall be incompatible with the proper functioning of the Agreement. The Parties 
undertake to apply their respective laws with a view to ensur ing application of those principles. 
Any contrary practice shall be assessed on the basis of Article 87 of the Treaty establishing the 
European Co mmunity. As for trade in agricultural products, the parties shall refrain from using and 
shall abolish any existing export subsidies in their mutual trade (Article  11.3).  
3.52.   The Parties commit to ensure transparency around  State aid, inter alia, by reporting 
annually to the Joint Committee on the total amount and the distribution of the aid given and by 
providing to the other Parties, upon request, information on aid schemes and on individual  cases 
of State aid.  
3.4.5   Customs -related procedures  
3.53.   Under Article 14 the Parties commit to simplify and facilitate customs procedures and 
reduce trade formalities, as far as possible. Annex 5 to the Agreement  lays down the common 
rules on mutual administrative assistance in customs matters. In line with the Annex the Parties 
                                                
32 And under the conditions laid down in the Joint Declaration  on Articles 21, 22 and 2 3.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 35 - 
 
  shall assist each other to ensure the correct application of customs legislation, in particular by 
preventing, investigating and combating operations in breach of that legislation .  
3.4.5.1   Trade facilitation  
3.54.   Considering  the above -mentioned provisions, including on SPS and TBT measures, the 
Parties concluded n egotiations on Additional Protocol  5 (hereinafter AP5) in 2016. The AP5 was 
adopted in Belgrade on 26 May 2017. The AP5 has been ratified by all Parties except Kosovo. In 
line with Article 35 of the AP5, it entered into force on 18 April 2018 for the Republic of Moldova , 
Montenegro  and North Macedonia , on 14 May 2018 for Albania,  on 18 July 2018 for Bosnia and 
Herze govina and on 2 December 2018 for Serbia.  
3.55.   The Protocol is built upon the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement  (hereinafter TFA), in 
particular category A commitments of the Parties according to their self -assessments . The AP5 
goes beyond the TFA and ensures co ordination at the regional level to promote investment and 
trade primarily for the benefit of the private sector.  
3.56.   The g eneral objectives of the Protocol are to: i) simplify inspections related to all clearance 
procedures and reduce formalities , ii) exchang e data between customs authorities and iii) mutually 
recognise the national authorised economic operators' programmes in each Party, provided that 
both the legislation and implementation of each national programme is fully in line with the 
relevant EU acquis  (Article 3) .33  
3.57.   The Protocol shall apply to the simplification  of inspections, reduction of formalities to  the 
maximum possible extent, exchange  of data concerning the carr iage of goods between the Parties 
and cooperation of trade partnership programmes  in line with their national legislation  (Article 2) . 
It shall also apply to vehicles and goods carried by road but not to inspections or formalities 
concerning ships and aircraft as a means of transport .  
3.58.   The Parties shall exchange  pre-arrival  data including data contained in customs 
declarations, documents accompanying customs declarations and certificates, and  any other 
relevant information required for the clearance of goods  (Article 4) .  
3.59.   Under Article 5 , the Parties agree to adopt  (or maintain)  a risk management system for 
inspection by all competent authorities at all stages of customs clearance  and to report annually to 
the Committee o n Trade Facilitation on the review of the state -of-play. Furthermore, the Parties 
agree to confirm , at the latest three years upon entr y into force of the AP5, i) that the competent 
authorities involved in the clea rance of goods have a team or unit tasked with designing, regularly 
reviewing and updating the risk management systems , ii) the contact points responsible for risk 
management within each competent authority and iii) the common or compatible risk management  
system, for their customs territory. The Parties shall exchange data electronically  to strengthen  
and improv e the quality of their risk analysis and the effectiveness of security -related controls , 
establish a common framework for risk management, common r isk criteria and priority control 
area for CEFTA at the regional level , and to  set up an electronic system to implement joint risk -
management among CEFTA Parties.  
3.60.   The Parties , where appropriate, endeavour to accept paper or electronic copies of 
supporting  documents required by customs and other competent authorities  (Article 8) . Also,  the 
competent authorities of a Party shall accept, where applicable, paper or electronic copies from the 
competent authority holding the original in lieu  of the original documents. Each Party shall review 
the formalities and documentation requirements with a view to minimizing the incidence and 
complexity of formalities and to decreasing and simplifying documentation requirements, while 
considering  the legitimate policy objectives and other factors such as changed circumstances, 
relevant new information, business practices, availability of technique s and technology, 
international best practices and inputs from interested parties. The first review is to be conducted 
not later than one year after the AP5 enter ed into force, while the next reviews shall be conducted 
every two years.  Based on the results  of the review the Parties agree  to ensure, as appropriate, 
that formalities  and documentation requirements are  adopted and/or applied with a view to a rapid 
release and clearance of goods, particularly perishable goods  and in a manner that aims at 
                                                
33 Unless otherwise specified, all articles in the remaining of this section refer to articles in  the AP5.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 36 - 
 
  reducin g the time and cost of compliance for traders and operators . When alternative measures 
are reasonably available for fulfilling the policy objectives in question , the least restrictive measure 
shall be chosen. No measures shall be maintained  if no longer re quired. The Joint Committee is in 
charge of developing, within six months after the entry into force of the AP 5, procedures for the 
reviews and for sharing relevant information and best practices. The Parties are encouraged to use 
relevant international st andards or parts thereof as a basis for their formalities and procedures . 
The Parties shall review the standards  not later than one year after the AP5 enters into force . The 
Parties are also encouraged to take part and coordinate their positions in the preparation and 
periodic review of relevant international standards by international organizations.  
3.61.   Common customs procedures and uniform documentation requirements for the release and 
clearance of goods  shall be applied by each Party throughout its territory (Article 9) . However, the 
Parties are permitted to  differentiat e their procedures and documentation requirements i) based on 
the nature and type of goods, or their means of transport, ii) for goods based on risk 
manag ement, iii) to provide total or partial exemption from import duties or taxes , iv) to apply 
electronic filling or processing, or v) to differentiat e their procedures and documentation 
requirements in line with the WTO Agreement on SPS, as long as those are  not implemented in a 
way that  constitute s an arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised restriction between 
the Parties.  
3.62.   Each Party shall allow goods to be conditionally relieved, totally or partially, from payment 
of import duties and taxe s if the goods are brought into the customs territory of a Party for a 
specific purpose, are intended for re -exportation within a specific period, and have not undergone 
any change except normal depreciation and wastage due to the use made of them  (Article  11). 
Each Party shall also allow inward and outward processing of goods .34 Goods allowed  for outward 
processing may be re -imported with total or partial exemption from import duties and taxes in 
accordance with the Party's laws and regulations.  
3.63.   Freedom of transit is covered by Article 12. Products in transit trough the territory of any 
Party shall be accorded treatment no less favourable than that accorded to such products if they 
were being transported from their place of origin to their destination without going through the 
territory of that CEFTA Party. Formalities, documentation requiremen ts, and customs controls for 
traffic in transit shall not be more burdensome than necessary to identify the goods, and ensure 
fulfilment of transit requirements.  
3.64.   Under Article 13 , the Parties a gree to exchange electronically at national and international 
levels at least the  data specified in the minimum list of data set out in Annex I to the AP5. The list 
includes veterinary health certificates for products of animal origins and live animals , 
phytosanitary certificates for export and re -export, certificate s of pharmaceutical products and 
export permits for groups of medicines containing controlled substances.35 To begin processing 
prior to the arrival of goods, each Party shall adopt or maintain procedures allowing for the 
submission of import documentation and other required information in electronic format.36  
3.65.   The Parties shall allow the release of goods prior to the final determination of customs 
duties, taxes, fees, and charges provided that all other import/export requirements have been met  
(Article 20) .37 As a condition for such release  the Parties may require  the payment of customs 
duties, taxes, fees, and charges determined prior to, or upon arrival of goods and /or a guarantee 
for any amount not yet determined in the form of a surety, a de posit or another appropriate 
instrument provided for in their legislation .  
                                                
34 For the purpose of Article 11 the term "inward processing" means the customs procedure under which 
certain goods can be brought into a CEFTA Par ty's customs territory conditionally relived, totally or partially, 
from payment of import duties and taxes, or eligible for duty drawback, on the basis that such goods are 
intended for manufacturing, processing, or repair and subsequent exportation. The t erm "outward processing" 
means the customs procedure under which goods, which are in free circulation in a Party's customs territory, 
may be temporarily exported for manufacturing, processing, or repair abroad and then re -imported.  
35 For the exchange of in formation, EU and/or international model certificates shall be used.  
36 The Parties shall review the scope of data e xchanged in the framework of AP 5 not later than two 
years after it enters into force to assess whether the existing scope is sufficient for t he effectiveness of risk 
management systems of the Parties both for trade facilitation and for deterrent security and safety control 
purposes.   
37 However, nothing shall affect the right of the Parties to examine, detain, s eize or confiscate, or deal 
with g oods in any manner not otherwise inconsistent with the rules under the relevant WTO Agreement.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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  3.66.   The Parties also agree to recognise the relevant legislation and procedures a s regards the 
inspections carried out and the documents drawn up by the competent authorities certifyin g that 
the goods comply with the legal requirement in the country of export , provided that th is legislation 
and procedures, and their implementation, are fully in line with the relevant EU acquis  (Article 24) .  
3.4.6   Other regulations  
3.5  Sector -Specific Provisions of the Agreement  
3.67.   Without prejudice to the reduction or elimination of tariffs on agricultural products granted 
under Article 10, the provisions of Chapter III shall not restrict in any way the pursuance of the 
respective agricult ural policies of the Parties or the taking of any measures under such policies, 
including the implementation of agreements in the WTO framework . The Parties shall promptly 
inform the Joint Committee of any change  in their respective agricultural policies p ursued or 
measures applied, which may affect the conditions of agricultural trade among them . 
4  GENERAL PROVISIONS O F THE AGREEMENT  
4.1  Transparency  
4.1.  Article 44  requires the Parties to publish promptly  any law, regulation, judicial decision and 
administrative ruling of general application and procedure, i ncluding standard contract clauses or 
any modifications to these, regarding issues covered in the Agreement . Moreover, the Parties shall 
respond promptly to all request s by another Party for spec ific information on any measures of 
general application  or international agreements that pertain to or affect the Agreement, and 
establish a contact point to which such requests are to  be made .38  
4.2.  In 2013 the Joint Committee adopted the Decision on Advance Notification of Legislation No. 
2/2013 requiring the Parties to inform the Joint Committee on proposed legislation, in particular 
those which could have elements or effects of quantitative restrictions on imports and exports, 
before their adoption so the P arty concerned may take its decision in full knowledge of the 
consequences for the functioning of the Agreement . 
4.2  Current payments and capital movements  
4.3.  Under Article 16 payments  in freely convertible currencies  relating to trade in goods between 
the Partie s and the transfer of such payments to the territory of the Party  where the creditor 
resides shall be free from any restrictions. The Parties shall refrain from any exchange or 
administrative restrictions on the grant, repayment or acceptance of short and medium -term 
credits for financing trade in goods between the Parties in which a resident participates. All 
measures concerning current payments connected with the movement of goods shall be applied on 
a non -discriminatory basis and in conformity with the conditions laid down under Article VIII of the 
Articles of Agreement of the International Monetary Fund.  
4.3  Exceptions  
4.4.  Article 17  provides for the prohibit ion or restrict ion of  imports, exports, or transit of goods 
justified on grounds of public morality, public policy or public security, the protection of health and 
life of humans, animal s or plants, the prote ction of national treasures  possessing artistic, historic 
or archaeological value, protection of intellectual property or rules  relating to gold or silver or the 
conservation of exhaustible  natural  resources , if such measures are made effective in conjunct ion 
with restrictions on domestic production or consumption. However, such prohibitions or restrictions 
shall not constitute a means of arbitrary discrimination or a disguised restriction on trade .  
4.5.  As regards s ecurity exceptions , nothing in the Agreement shall prevent a Party from taking 
any measure which it considers necessary : i) to prevent the disclosure of information contrary to 
its essential security interests and  ii) for the protection of its essential security interests or for the 
implementation of international obligations or domestic policies relating to the traffic in arms, 
                                                
38 The list of current contact points is available online at: http://cefta.int/cefta -parties -2/. WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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  ammunition and implements of war ,39 the non -proliferation of biological and chemical weapons,  
nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices  or taken in time of war or other serious 
international tension constituting a threat of war (Article 18).  
4.4  Accession and Withdrawal  
4.6.  Under Article 49 , accession to the Agreement may take place with the con sent of all Parties , 
on terms and conditions determined in an accession agreement concluded between all the Parties 
to the Agreement on one side and the acceding Party on the other.   
4.7.  Article 51 permits each Party to denounce the Agreement by a written noti fication to the 
Depositary.40 The Agreement becomes inactive for the exiting Party on the first day of the seventh 
month after the date of receipt of the notification of denunciation . In the event of any eligible Party 
becoming a member of the European Unio n, that Party will withdraw from the Agreement. 
Withdrawal shall take place on the last  day before membership takes effect and without any 
compensation to the other Parties.  
4.5  Institutional framework  
4.8.  Article 40 sets up the Joint Committee , composed of representatives of the Parties , in charge 
of the supervis ion and administ ration of  the implementation of the Agreement with  the support  of 
the permanent Secretariat located in Brussels. With the purpose of the proper implementation of 
the Agre ement , the Parties shall exchange information and hold consultation s within the Joint 
Committee , while the Joint Committee review s the possibility of further removal of obstacles to 
trade.  
4.9.  The Joint Committee may take decisions (by consensus ) in the cases  provided for in the 
Agreement and make recommendations on other matters. It shall meet whenever necessary and 
at least once a year. In addition,  any Party may request through a written notice to the Chair that 
a meeting be held , not later than 45 days upo n the receipt of the request.41 When it comes to the 
fulfilment of domestic legal requirements a  representative of a Party in the Joint Committee may 
accept a decision with a reservation , except for the decision on amending the provisions of Annex 
4 to the Agreement  (Article 41). If no later date is contained therein, the decision shall enter into 
force on the day the lifting of the reservation is notified to the Depositary. Article 45 in troduces a 
general evolutionary clause under which, a Party can submit to other Parties a request for the 
development and the deepening of the relationship established by the Agreement. The Joint 
Committee may be instructed to examine the request and make recommendations with a view to 
opening negotiations.  
4.10.   The Joint Committee may set up other appropriate organs such as working groups, task 
forces, sub -committees and other bodies as it sees necessary to assist in its tasks. The Sub -
Committee on Trade in Ser vices and its working groups (i.e. the Negotiating Group on Trade in 
Services and the Working Group on Trade in Services Statistics, FATS and FDI Statistics) were 
established in 2014 while the Joint Working Group on Mutual Recognition of Professional 
Qualifications was established in 2015.42 In 2015 the Joint Committee adjusted the relevant 
structures to respond to new priorities related to the implementation of the Agreement and 
established the Committee on Trade Facilitation, the Committee on Contact Point s, the Sub -
Committee on Non -Tariff Measures and three working groups (on Technical Measures, Risk 
Management and Electronic Exchange of Information), the Sub -Committee on Agriculture including 
                                                
39 Provided that such measures do not impair conditions of competition in respect of products not 
intended for specifically military purposes, and to such traffic in other goods, materials and services as is 
carried on directly or indirectly for the purpose of supplying a military establishment.  
40 Under Article 52 of the Agreement the Government of the Republic of Croatia was the Depositary of 
the Agreement. Upon accession of Croatia to the European Union the Parties appointed the Republic of Albania 
as the n ew Acting Depositary of the Agreement (Decision of the Joint Committee No. 2/2012).  
41 The Rules of Procedure for the Joint Committee are stipulated by its Decision  No. 1/2007 in line with 
Article 41.4.  
42 The sub -committee and the working groups were estab lished in Decision No. 5/2014 and its 
amendment (Decision No. 2/2015). Previously the working group on trade in services was established in 
Decision No. 4/2010 and amended in 2014.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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  Sanitary and Phytosanitary Issues and the Sub -Committee on Cust oms and Rules of Origin were 
established.43  
4.11.   The role of t he Committee on Trade Facilitation is to develop and broaden  cooperation 
among CEFTA Parties  on rules of origin and c ustoms administration particularly to address issues 
related to facilitati ng regional trade in  the CEFTA with a view to reduc ing the cost of inefficient 
clearance procedures, while balancing trade facilitation with increasing requirements for safety and 
security measures in international and regional supply chain s. The CEFTA Committee o n Contact 
Points support s the smooth functioning of the Agreement and the fulfilment of the decisions, 
conclusions and recommendations of the Joint Committee both within the Party concerned and all 
CEFTA stakeholders. Both Committees are to report o n their work to the Joint Committee.  
4.12.   The Sub -Committee on Non -Tariff Measures is in charge of identify ing non-tariff measures44 
classified as technical , non-technical and export related measures, review ing them and propos ing 
the elimination of measures  which constitute non -tariff barriers to trade among the Parties. The 
Sub-Committee on Agriculture including Sanitary and Phytosanitary Issues  oversees the promotion 
of trade , the facilitation of trade in agricultural products withi n the region, the coordination,  to the 
maximum extent , of policies on agriculture , the protection of plant and animal health and food 
safety and other relevant issues.  Both s ub-committees are to report on their work to the 
Committee o n Trade Facilitation.   
4.13.   The role of the Sub-Committee on Trade in Services is to strengthen and deepen intra -
regional cooperation in trade in services by facilitating the implementation of commitments in 
Articles 26 –29 of the Agreement  though, inter alia : i) monitoring progress on liberalisation  of trade 
in services, ii) coordinating efforts by the Parties to increase transparency in their policies, laws 
and regulations and administrative practices affecting trade in services , iii) acting as a forum for 
exchange of exp eriences on adoption of the EU acquis in the context of the  relevant EU integration 
process, and iv) cooperation with other relevant regional and international structures with a view 
to deepen regional cooperation in investment and trade in services.  
4.14.   The task of the Sub -Committee on  Customs and Rules of Origin is to ensure the 
implementation of the simplification and facilitation of customs procedures in accordance with 
Article 14  of the Agreement. It report s to the Committee of Trade Facilitation and coordinate s the 
implementation o f Annex 4 of the Agreement on the implementation of common rules of origin . 
4.15.   When it comes to mediation proceedings, the Joint Committee adopt s a commonly agreed 
List of Mediators from persons qualified top mediate the dispute in line with UNCITRAL Concilia tion 
Rules.  The latest list of mediators is available in the Decis ion of the Joint Committee No. 2 /2017.  
4.6  Dispute settlement  
4.16.   Disputes between the Parties may be resolved through consultations  (including in the 
presence of a mediator) , arbitration and the WTO's Dispute Settlement Understanding . The Parties 
are to take  any measures necessary to fulfil their obligations and to achieve the  objectives set out 
in the Agreement. However, if any divergence on the interpretation and application of the 
Agreement arise s, the Parties concerned shall make all efforts to resolve differences through co -
operation and consultations, if necessary in the Joint Committee, to arrive at a mutually acceptable 
solution  (Article 42) . Consultations concerning any  actual or proposed measure or any other 
matter that a Party considers might affect the operation of the Agreement  may be requested in 
writing to the  Chair in Office  of the Joint Committee.45 The Joint Committee may recommend 
appropriate measures.  
4.17.   Whenever the Parties concerned agree, t he consultations may take place in the presence of 
a mediator . Unless they agree on a mediator  within ten days of the request for mediation , he/she 
is to be appointed by the Chair of the Joint Committee within 20  calendar days of receipt of the 
                                                
43 The bodies were established in Decision No. 1/2015 which also abrogated Decisions No. 2/2007, 
7/2014, 5/2007, 3/2007, 4/2007, 4/2010, 1/2012 and 6/2014.  
44 Defined as policy measures other than ordinary customs tariffs that can potentially have an economic 
effect on international trade in goods, changing quantities traded, or prices or both (Annex 3 of the Decision of 
the Joint Committee No. 1/2015).  
45 The o ther Parties shall also be informed of the request in writing along with relevant information.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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  initial written request .46 The mediator shall present a  final report to the Joint Committee  at latest 
60 calendar days after  being  appoint ed. If no solution can be found on the basis of the mediator's 
report, and the Joint Commit tee fails to find  a commonly acceptable solution, it shall recommend 
appropriate measures .  
4.18.   A Party may take provisional rebalancing measures i f, within 90 calendar days from the 
receipt of the written request for consultations, bilateral consultation s, mediation or the Joint 
Committee fail to arrive at a commonly acceptable solution and the Party still considers that the 
other  Party has failed to fulfil an obligation under the Agreement . Provisional measures  shall be 
notified immediately to the Parties and to the Joint Committee. Consequently, t he Joint Committee 
shall hold regular consultation s with a view to aboli shing  the measures . The measures  shall be 
abolished  when their maintenance can no longer be justified , or when an arbitral awar d has been 
made  and complied with  (if the dispute is submitted to arbitration) . 
4.19.   Additionally, i f within the same timeline , i.e. 90 calendar days from the receipt of request 
for consultations , the dispute has not been resolved  in the Joint Committee , any Party to the 
dispute may refer the dispute  to arbitration  by written request addressed to the other Party to the 
dispute, and a copy of the notification to all Parties of the Agreement.47 Such disputes  are to  be 
settled in accordance with the provisions  of the Agreement  and any other applicable rules of 
international law , while b riefs from Part ies which are not involved will be considered amicus curiae .  
4.20.   The arbitral award is to be made within six months of the date of appointing the President of 
the Arb itral Tribunal, with the possibility of extension by the Joint Committee for up to six months 
at the request of the Arbitral Tribunal. Any Party to the dispute can ask for clarification of the 
award within 60 days from its communication, in the event of a dispute over the meaning and 
scope of the award. The Arbitral Tribunal shall issue its clarification within 60 days from the day 
the issue was brought before it. The award of the Arbitral Tribunal is final and binding .  
4.21.   Disputes through  consultation or arb itration under the Agreement shall not be submitted to 
the WTO for dispute settlement, and vice versa.  
4.22.   Serbia remarked that in 2018 the Parties agreed to start negotiations on Additional Protocol 
7 on a dispute settlement mechanism that would regulate the dispute settlement procedures more 
thoroughly. Kosovo reported that the Parties were in the process of establishing the negotiating 
teams and the first round of negotiations would be in the beginning of 2019.    
4.7  Relationship with other agreemen ts concluded by the Parties  
4.23.   Under the Joint Declaration concerning the Application of WTO Rules and Procedures the 
Parties agree to apply the rules and procedures set out in Annexes 1A, 1B and 1C of the Marrakesh 
Agreement Establishing the World Trade Orga nization irrespective of their WTO Members hip.  
4.24.   The Parties are not prevent ed from the maintenance or establishment of customs unions, 
free trade areas or arrangements for frontier trade to the extent that these do not negatively 
affect the trade regime an d in particular the provisions containing rules of origin provide d for by 
the Agreement (Article 46).   
4.25.   Table 4.1 lists all the notified and non -notified RTAs in force for each Party.48  
                                                
46 If the Chair is a national or resident of one of the Parties concerned – then the first of his/her 
predecessors who is not  will be selected . 
47 The c onstitution  and functioning of the Arbitral Tribunal is governed by Annex 9  to the Agreement . 
When more than one Party  requests the submission to an Arbitral T ribunal of a dispute with the same Party 
relating to the same question , whenever feasible , a single Arbitral  Tribunal, comprising three members, should 
be established.  Three members must be designated or appointed within 75 days from the receipt of 
notification . The Optional Rules for Arbitrating Disputes between Two States of the Permanent Court of 
Arbitration at The Hague shall be applied.  
48 Kosovo noted that a free trade agreement with Turkey has been negotiated but not yet ratified and a  
Joint Declaration on Cooperation with EFTA was signed on 23 November 2018.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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  Table 4.1 Participation of CEFTA Parties in other RTAs (notified and non -notified in 
force), as of 1 October 2018  
RTA Name  Date of 
entry into 
force  Coverage  GATT/WTO Notification  
Year WTO Provision  
Albania  
EFTA - Albania  01-Nov-10 Goods  2011 GATT Art. XXIV  
Turkey - Albania  01-May-08 Goods  2008 GATT Art. XXIV  
EU - Albania  01-Dec-06 
01-Apr-09 Goods  
Services  2007 
2009 GATT Art. XXIV  
GATS Art. V  
Bosnia and Herzegovina  
EFTA - Bosnia and Herzegovina  01-Jan-15 Goods  2015 GATT Art. XXIV  
EU - Bosnia and Herzegovina  01-Jul-08 
01-Jun-15 Goods  
Services  2008 
2016 GATT Art. XXIV  
GATS Art. V  
Turkey - Bosnia and Herzegovina  01-Jul-03 Goods  2003 GATT Art. XXIV  
Bosnia and Herzegovina - Iran 30-Dec-09 Goods  Not notified  
Kosovo  
EU – Kosovo  01-Apr-16 Goods  Not notified  
Republic of Moldova  
Turkey - Republic of Moldova  01-Nov-16 Goods  2016 GATT Art. XXIV  
EU - Republic of Moldova  01-Sep-14 Goods & Services  2014 GATT Art. XXIV 
& GATS Art. V  
Treaty on a Free Trade Area between 
members of the Commonwealth of 
Independent States (CIS)a 20-Sep-12 Goods  2013 GATT Art. XXIV  
Ukraine - Republic of Moldova  19-May-05 Goods  2008 GATT Art. XXIV  
Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Republic of 
Moldova (GUAM)  10-Dec-03 Goods & Services  2017 GATT Art. XXIV 
& GATS Art. V  
Kyrgyz Republic - Republic of Moldova  21-Nov-96 Goods  1999 GATT Art. XXIV  
Armenia - Republic of Moldova  21-Dec-95 Goods  2004 GATT Art. XXIV  
Montenegro  
Ukraine - Montenegro  01-Jan-13 Goods & Services  2013 GATT Art. XXIV 
& GATS Art. V  
EFTA - Montenegro  01-Sep-12 Goods  2012 GATT Art. XXIV  
Turkey - Montenegro  01-Mar-10 Goods  2010 GATT Art. XXIV  
EU - Montenegro  01-Jan-08 
01-May-10 Goods & Services  2008 
2010 GATT Art. XXIV 
& GATS Art. V  
North Macedonia  
EFTA - North Macedonia  01-May-02 Goods  2000 GATT Art. XXIV  
Ukraine - North Macedonia  05-Jul-01 Goods  2008 GATT Art. XXIV  
EU - North Macedonia  01-Jun-01 
01-Apr-04 Goods  
Services  2001 
2009 GATT Art. XXIV  
GATS Art. V  
Turkey - North Macedonia  01-Sep-00 Goods  2001 GATT Art. XXIV 
Serbia  
EU - Serbia  01-Feb-10 
01-Sep-13 Goods  
Services  2010 
2013 GATT Art. XXIV  
GATS Art. V  
EFTA - Serbia  01-Oct-10 Goods  2010 GATT Art. XXIV  
Turkey - Serbia  01-Sep-10 Goods  2010 GATT Art. XXIV  
Russian Federation - Serbia  03-Jun-06 Goods  2012 GATT Art. XXIV  
Protocol on Trade Negotiations (PTN)  11-Feb-73 Goods  1971 Enabling Clause  
Kazakhstan - Serbia  10-Jan-12 Goods  Not notified  
Belarus - Serbia  31-Mar-09 Goods  Not notified  
a Parties are: Armenia; Belarus; Kazakhstan; Kyrgyz Republic; Republic of Moldova; Russian 
Federation; Tajikistan; Ukraine.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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  4.8  Government procurement  
4.26.   Gover nment Procurement is covered by Part C of Chapter VI of the Agreement . The 
Agreement applies to all laws, regulations, procedures o r practices regarding any procurement by 
central, sub -central or other relevant entities and the definitions of Article I of the WTO Agreement 
on Government Procurement are applied  (Article 34) . Measures concerning customs duties or 
other charges of any ki nd imposed on or in connection with importation, the method of levying 
such duties and charges, other import regulations, including restrictions and formalities, or 
measures affecting trade in services (other than measures specifically governing procuremen t) are 
not subject to the Government procurement provisions under the Agreement.   
4.27.   Under Article 35, the Parties ensure that as of the date of entry into force of the Agreement 
the procurement of its entities takes place in a transparent and reasonable mann er, treating al l 
suppliers  of the other Parties equally based on the principle of open and effective competition.  
4.28.   They agree to ensure the progressive and effective opening of their Government 
procurement market s no later than 1 May 2010, so that  with respect to any relevant laws, 
regulations, procedures and practices , goods, services  and supplier s of the other Parties are 
granted treatment no less favourable than that  accorded to domestic ones . In particular : i) the 
treatment of a locally -established supplier on the basis of the degree of foreign affiliation to, or 
ownership by, a person of another Party; and ii) discrimination against a locally -established 
supplier  on the basis of goods and services offered by tha t supplier for  procurement of goods or 
services from another Party.  Progress in the opening of Government procurement markets was to 
be reviewed in the Joint Committee on a regular basis, with the first review taking place no later 
than 1 May 2008 .  
4.29.   The Parties also agree  that if any Party in the future should grant a third -party an 
advantage  beyond that provided  in the Agreement, it sh all offer adequate opportunities to the 
other Parties to enter negotiations with a view to extending these advantages to them on a 
reciprocal basis.   
4.30.   Under the Joint Declaration on Co -operation and Assistance the Parties agree to endeavour 
to develop economic  and technical cooperation and assistance in , among others, government 
procurement.  
4.9  Intellectual Property Rights  
4.31.   Protection of intellectual property  is provided for under Articles 37 – 40 (Chapter VI .D) of 
the Agreement . Under Article 37 Intellectual Prope rty Rights ( IPRs) embody industrial property 
rights (patents, trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications), copyright and related 
rights, topographies of integrated circuits, as well as protection against unfair competition as 
referred to i n Article 10 bis of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and the 
protection of undisclosed information as referred to in Article 39 of the WTO Agreement on Trade -
Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).  
4.32.   The Partie s agree to grant and ensure adequate and effective protection of IPRs in 
accordance with international standards (TR IPS in particular), including effective means of 
enforcing such rights provided for in international conventions and treaties  (Article 38) . The Parties 
also agree to continue to ensure adequate and effective implementation of the obligations arising 
from the conventions listed in Annex 7 of the Agreement.49 Eligible Parties that are not members 
of the conventions listed in Annex 7 commit to accede to th em and undertake all necessary 
measures with a view to implement the obligations arising from them adequately and effectively 
no later than 1 May 2014.  
4.33.   If, after entry into force of this Agreement, any Party should offer a third party addition al 
advantages or preferences beyond what has been agreed under the Agreement , it shall enter 
consultations with the other Parties with a view to extending these advantages or preferences to 
all of them on a reciprocal basis (Article 39). Under the evolutio nary clause in Article 39, the 
                                                
49 The list of agreements and conventions in Ann ex 7 includes, among others, the WIPO Convention , the 
Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, the Trademark Law Treaty  and the Universal 
Copyright Convention . WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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  Parties were supposed to decide on including in Annex 7 in other multilateral conventions, and 
affirm their commitments to review Part D, no later than 1 May 2011. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 
Kosovo and Montenegro noted  that ther e were no developments under Annex 7.  
4.34.   Under the Joint Declaration on Co -operation and Assistance , the Parties agree to endeavour 
to develop economic and technical cooperation and assistance in , among others, intellectual 
property rights.   
4.10  Other  
4.10.1   Services  
4.35.   Measures affect ing trade in services are covered by Articles 26 – 29 (Chapter VI .A). Trade in 
services is defined in accordance with Article I and, if appropriate, Article XXVIII of the General 
Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). The Parties commit to g radually develop and broaden 
their co -operation with the aim of achieving progressive liberalization and mutual opening of their 
services markets, in the context of European integration,  and taking into account the relevant 
provisions of the GATS and the G ATS commitments of Parties that are  WTO Members. 
Furthermore, the Joint Committee shall review the results of that cooperation, on an annual basis 
and, if appropriate, recommend, following its rules of procedure, the launching of negotiations with 
the aim to achieve a progressively high level of liberali zation in accordance with Article V of the 
GATS. The commitments undertaken further to such negotiations shall be set out in schedules 
forming an integral part of the Agreement  (Article 29) .50 The Republic of Moldova  communicated  
that the Subcommittee on Tr ade in Services was established.51  
4.10.2   Investment  
4.36.   Part B of Chapter VI cover s investment . Under Article 30 the Parties confirm their existing 
rights and obligations under the bilateral investment agreements between them , listed  in Annex 6  
to the Agreement .52 The investment related provisions of the Agreement are without prejudice to 
the rights and obligations of the Parties arising from the Agreements in Annex 6, and the Parties 
agree that any dispute related to the interpretation of investment related provisio ns of the 
Agreement  shall not be submitted to the arbitral procedure set out in Article 43 of the Agreement  
if that dispute can be submitted to the arbitration procedu res provided for in the bilateral 
investment agreements  in Annex 6.  
4.37.   The Parties commit t o create and maintain stable, favourable and transparent conditions for 
investors of the other Parties that mak e or seek to make investments in their territories. Moreover, 
they shall promote as far as possible and admit such investments, as well as grant the necessary 
permits and administrative authorisations  in accordance with their domestic laws and regulations.  
Thus, the y shall exchange information about their laws and regulations regarding the 
establishment of investments  including  any investment oppor tunities, within the framework of the 
Joint Committee ( Article 31 ).  
4.38.   Each P arty shall ensure fair and equitable treatment and full protection and security to 
investments of the investors of other Parties. Moreover, each Party shall protect such investments  
and not impair , by unreasonable or discriminatory measures , the management, maintenance, use, 
enjoyment, extension, sale or liquidation, nor adopt any new regulations or measures which 
introduce discrimination towards  the establishment of any other Party's companies on their 
territory  (Article 32) .  
                                                
50 The Additional Protocol 6 (hereinafter AP6) on Trade in Services was techni cally concluded in 
December 2016 following ten rounds of negotiations. The negotiations brought a significant increase in market 
liberalization, in particular in sectors such as postal and courier, telecommunications, constructions and related 
engineering,  distribution, education, environmental, tourism and travel -related services. The AP6 will enter into 
force once procedures to adopt it are completed by three Parties.  
51 Three working groups were also established: a working group in services , a working group on trade in 
services statistics, FATS and FDI statistics and a joint CEFTA -RCC-ERISEE working group on mutual recognition 
of professional qualifications.  
52 Montenegro remarked that the Ministry of Economy of Montenegro is currently working on revising 
the existing list of BITs in force.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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  4.39.   Regarding the establishment and operation of another  Party's investments, each Party shall 
provide treatment no less favourable than that granted to investments made by its own investors, 
or that granted to the investment by investors of any third State, if this latter treatment is more 
favourable. However, the national  and MFN treatment provisions o f the Agreement  shall not apply 
to all actual or future advantages accorded by any Party by virtue of its membership of a  customs, 
economic or monetary union, a common market or a free trade area, nor shall such treatment 
relate to any advantage which eith er Party accords to investors of a third State by virtue of a 
double taxation agreement or other agreements on a  reciprocal basis regarding tax matters.  
4.40.   The Parties commit to consult within the Joint Committee to achieve  a gradual and broad 
coordination o f their investment policies and progressively to review their internal legal framework 
regarding investments, with the aim of facilitating the conditions for investment. The Parties are 
also to examine the possibilities of granting similar supplementary ad vantages to investors of 
other Parties or, as the case may be, to investors of third States .  
4.41.   Under the Joint Declaration on Co -operation and Assistance , the Parties agree to endeavour 
to develop economic and technical cooperation and assistance in, among others, investment.   
4.10.3   Competition  
4.42.   Competition rules are covered by part B of Chapter V.  Under Article 19 the Parties agree to 
adjust any State monopolies of a commercial character or State -trading enterprises to ensure that 
no discrimination exists between enterprises of the Parties regarding the conditions under which 
products are marketed .53 The Parties shall inform the Joint Committee of any measures  adopted . 
They also agree to refrain from introducing any new measure contrary to the se principles or 
restrict ing the scope of provisions  dealing with the prohibition on customs duties and quanti tative 
restrictions between the Parties.   
4.43.   All agreements between undertakings, decisions by associations of undertakings and 
concerted practices between undertakings with the object ive or effect of preven ting, restrict ing or 
distorting  competition , and the abuse of a dominant position by one or more undertakings in the 
territories of the Parties are incompatible with the functioning of the Agreement insofar as they 
may affect trade between the Parties  (Article 20) .54 The Parties commit to apply their respective 
competition laws with a view  to removing those practices . Practices contrary  to the relevant 
provisions of the Agreement are to  be assessed on the basis of the principles of competition rules 
applicable in the European Union .  
4.44.   The Parties shall exchange information and notify each other of relevant enforcement 
activities, but no Party shall be required to disclose information that is, according to its domestic 
legislation , considered to be  confidential  (Article 20.6) . Competition authorities and/ or other 
relevant authorities of the Parties concerned shall enter into consultation s to facilitate the removal 
of practices  that are  incompatible with the proper functioning of the Agreement upon request, and 
the Party addressed shall accord full consideration to that request. However, this coordination shall 
not prevent the Parties from taking autonomous decisions.  
4.45.   A Party may take a ppropriate measures if  it considers that a given practice is incompatible 
with the relevant provisions of the Agreement, and if such practice causes or threatens to cause 
serious prejudice to the interest of that Party or material injury to its domestic in dustry  
(Article  20.7) .  
                                                
53 The provision of Article 19 shall apply to any body through which the competent authorities of the 
Parties, in law or in fact, either directly or indirectly supervise, determine or influence imports or export 
between the Parties, as well as to monopolies delegated by the State to others.  
54 Agreements, decisions and practices that form an integral part of a domestic market o rganization 
relating to agricultural products  are not considered incompatible with the Agreement. The provisions on 
competition apply to the activities of all undertakings, including public undertakings and undertakings to which 
the Parties grant special o r exclusive rights by 1 May 2010 . Undertakings entrusted with the operation of 
services of general economic interest or having the character of a revenue -producing monopoly shall be 
subject to the said provisions insofar as the application of the provision s does not obstruct the performance, in 
law or fact, of the particular public tasks assigned to them.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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  4.46.   Under the Joint Declaration on Articles 20 and 21 the Parties agree to ensure the 
applicability of competition provisions in their domestic legislation . The operationally independent 
authorities in charge of the application of compe tition and State aid rules had to be established no 
later than 1 May 2010.  In this context, Albania communicated that the State Aid Commission was 
established in 2005 ; Bosnia and Herzegovina informed that the Competition Council of Bosnia and 
Herzegovina w as established in 2004 and the State Aid Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina was 
established in 2012 ; Kosovo remarked that the Competition Authority body and the Office of State 
Aid was already established;  the Republic of Moldova  confirmed that the Competit ion Council 
established in 2013 is in charge of competition policy and state aid ; Montenegro noted that the 
Agency  for Protection  of Competition  was established in 2012 ; Serbia noted that the Commission 
for Protection of Competition was established in 2005 and it is operational since 2006.  
4.10.4   E-commerce 
4.47.   The Parties agree to promote the development of electronic commerce between them, by 
cooperating on market access and regulatory issues raised by electronic commerce, recognizing 
that the use  of electronic means increases trade opportunities in many sectors (Article 28).55 
                                                
55 Kosovo noted  that, under its Chairmanship, a project on e -commerce was launched in 2018 with the 
objective to prepare a detailed report on legislation a nd policy measures in e -commerce in the CEFTA Parties, 
including the elimination of barriers and recommendations.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 46 - 
 
  ANNEX 1  
Albania  
1. Table A1. 1 shows tariff liberalization by Albania in relation to imports from the other Parties 
(by total, agricultural and no n-agricultural products).1 In 200 7, Albania 's average applied MFN rate 
was 5. 3% overall ( 8.7% for agricultural products and 4.4% for non-agricultural products)  while in 
2018 the av erage MFN rate was 4.1% overall (8.8% for agricultural products and 2.8% for 
non-agricultural products) . 36% of Albania 's tariff was duty free on an MFN basis  in 2007; this 
share increased over time and it reached 50% in 2018.   
2. In 2007, 10 % (11% in 2018) of agricultural products and 43% (61%)  of non-agricultural 
products were duty free  on an MFN basis . The share of duty -free tariff lines under the Agreement 
for agricultural products was at least twice as big as the share of MFN duty free lines. All tariff l ines 
for non-agricultural products became duty free under the Agreement in 2007 , while the share of 
duty-free lines for agricultural products was 22.7% for imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina, 
22.2% for imports from the Republic of Moldova , 22.8% for imports from Montenegro, 47.3% for 
imports from North Macedonia and 27.8% for imports from Serbia . By the end of implementation 
100% of tariff lines for agricultural products had been liberalized.  
3. At the time of entry into force of the Agreemen t, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic 
of Moldova 's exporters enjoyed a relative margin of preference of 74% (23% and 24% respectively 
for agricultural products) ; Kosovo's exporters enjoyed a 100% relative margin of preference  
overall ; Montenegro's exp orters enjoyed a relative margin of preference of 70% (10% for 
agricultural products and 100% for non -agricultural products); North Macedonia's exporters 
enjoyed a relative margin of preference of 79% (40% for agricultural products and 100% for non -
agricul tural products); and Serbia's exporters enjoyed a relative margin of preference of 72% 
(14% for agricultural products and 100% for non -agricultural products) .  
Table A1. 1 Albania: Indicators of MFN tariff rates and preferential rates for imports from 
CEFTA partners  
Origin of 
goods  Year ALL PRODUCTS  Agricultural productsa 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 2007 5.3 8.3 36.1 8.7 9.8 10.4 4.4 7.8 42.8 
2018 4.1 8.3 50.3 8.8 9.9 11.1 2.8 7.3 61.4 
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina  2007 1.4 8.7 84.1 6.7 8.7 22.7 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2008 1.3 9.5 86.4 6.2 9.5 34.0 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2009 1.3 9.5 86.4 6.2 9.5 34.0 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2010 1.3 9.5 86.4 6.2 9.5 34.0 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2011 1.3 9.5 86.4 6.2 9.5 34.0 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2012 1.3 9.5 86.4 6.2 9.5 34.0 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2013 1.3 9.5 86.4 6.2 9.5 34.0 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2014 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Kosovo  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Republic of 
Moldova  2007 1.4 8.5 84.0 6.6 8.5 22.2 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2008 1.3 9.5 86.3 6.3 9.5 33.6 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2009 1.3 9.5 86.3 6.3 9.5 33.6 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2010 1.3 9.5 86.3 6.3 9.5 33.6 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2011 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Montenegro  2007 1.6 10.2 84.1 7.8 10.2 22.8 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2008 1.6 10.2 84.1 7.8 10.2 22.8 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2009 1.6 10.2 84.1 7.8 10.2 22.8 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2010 1.6 10.2 84.1 7.8 10.2 22.8 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2011 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
                                                
1 The WTO definition of agricultural products is used in this and the following tables.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 47 - 
 
  Origin of 
goods  Year ALL PRODUCTS  Agricultural productsa 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 
(%) 
North 
Macedonia  2007 1.1 9.8 89.2 5.2 9.8 47.3 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2008 1.1 9.8 89.2 5.2 9.8 47.3 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2009 1.1 9.8 89.2 5.2 9.8 47.3 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2010 1.1 9.8 89.2 5.2 9.8 47.3 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2011 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Serbia  2007 1.5 10.3 85.1 7.5 10.3 27.8 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2008 1.5 10.3 85.1 7.5 10.3 27.8 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2009 1.5 10.3 85.1 7.5 10.3 27.8 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2010 1.5 10.3 85.1 7.5 10.3 27.8 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2011 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
a WTO Definition.  
Note:  Based on the HS 2017 nomenclature for MFN 2018 and HS 2002 nomenclature for the rest of the 
data.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement and the WTO -IDB. 
4. Table A1.2 and Table A1. 3 show the market access opportunities for Albania's top 25 global 
exports in the other Parties as a result of the Agreement.  Albania's top 25 global exports in 
2004-2006 accounted for 65% of its total exports and were covered by 65 tariff lines in Bosnia a nd 
Herzegovina, 60 in Kosovo, 62 in the Republic of Moldova , 59 in Montenegro and 60 in North 
Macedonia and Serbia's 2007 tariff. Most of these lines were subject to duties before the 
Agreement entered into force and they were all liberalized under the Agr eement  by 2013 .  
Table A1. 2 Market access opportunities under the agreement for Albania's top 25 
exports to the world  
HS No.  
Share in global  
exports (%)  Access Conditions to CEFTA parties'  import markets  
Bosnia and Herzegovina  Kosovo  Republic of Moldova  
Applied rate 
2007  Duty -
free 
under 
the 
Agree -
ment  Applied rate 
2007  
Duty -free 
lines in 2007  MFN rate 2007  Duty -
free 
under  
the 
Agree -
ment  Average (%)  
Duty free lines  
Dutiable  
lines  
Average (%)  
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable lines  
Average (%)  
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable lines  2007  
2014  
2007  
2011  
640610  17.7 15.0  3 3  10.0  3 3 0.0 3    
620342  7.9 15.0  7 7  10.0  7 7 12.0  7 7  
620520  3.7 15.0  1 1  10.0  1 1 12.0  1 1  
720241  2.8 0.0 3    10.0  2 2 0.0 3    
160416  2.6 10.0  1  1 10.0  1 1 10.0  1  1 
830140  2.4 10.0  3 3  10.0  3 3 10.0  3 3  
610910  2.4 15.0  1 1  10.0  1 1 12.0  1 1  
640359  2.3 15.0  8 8  10.0  9 9 15.0  8 8  
740400  2.2 0.0 3    10.0  3 3 0.0 3    
121190  2.1 - 4 2  2 10.0  3 3 5.0  4  4 
640510  2.0 15.0  2 2  10.0  1 1 15.0  2 2  
610610  1.8 15.0  1 1  10.0  1 1 12.0  1 1  
640351  1.6 15.0  6 6  10.0  7 7 15.0  6 6  
721420  1.4 10.0  1 1  10.0  1 1 0.0 1    
610821  1.4 15.0  1 1  10.0  1 1 12.0  1 1  
261000  1.4 0.0 1    10.0  1 1 0.0 1    
270900  1.4 0.0 3    10.0  2 2 0.0 2    
720449  1.3 0.0 4    10.0  3 3 0.0 4    
610711  1.2 15.0  1 1  10.0  1 1 12.0  1 1  
760200  1.1 0.0 3    10.0  3 3 0.0 3    
620690  1.0 15.0  2 2  10.0  2 2 12.0  2 2  
271320  1.0 0.0 1    10.0  1 1 0.0 1    
481940  0.9 10.0  1 1  0.0 1   11.0  1 1  
220210  0.8 10.0  1  1 10.0  1 1 15.0  1  1 WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 48 - 
 
  HS No.  
Share in global  
exports (%)  Access Conditions to CEFTA parties'  import markets  
Bosnia and Herzegovina  Kosovo  Republic of Moldova  
Applied rate 
2007  Duty -
free 
under 
the 
Agree -
ment  Applied rate 
2007  
Duty -free 
lines in 2007  MFN rate 2007  Duty -
free 
under  
the 
Agree -
ment  Average (%)  
Duty free lines  
Dutiable  
lines  
Average (%)  
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable lines  
Average (%)  
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable lines  2007  
2014  
2007  
2011  
621710  0.8 15.0  1 1  10.0  1 1 12.0  1 1  
Total  65.1  22 43 39 4  1 59 59  21 41 35 6 
- combination of ad valorem  and specific duties.  
Note:  Based on the HS 2002 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement, MacMap ITC, WITS, WTO -IDB and 
UNSD -Comtrade database . 
Table A1. 3 Market access opportunities under  the agreement for Albania's top 25 
exports to the world  
HS No.  
Share in global  
 exports (%)  Access Conditions to CEFTA parties'  import markets  
Montenegro  North Macedonia  Serbia  
Applied rate 2007  Duty -
free 
under 
the 
Agree -
ment  MFN rate 2007  Duty -free 
under 
the 
Agree -
ment  Applied rate 
2007  Duty -free 
under 
the 
Agree - 
ment  Average (%)  
Duty free lines  
Dutiable lines  
Average  
(%) 
Duty free lines  
Dutiable lines  
Average  
(%) 
Duty free lines  
Dutiable lines  2007  
2011  
2007  
2011  
2007  
2011  
640610  17.7 3.0  3 3  23.0  3 3  8.0  3 3  
620342  7.9 10.0  7 7  25.0  7 7  22.0  7 7  
620520  3.7 10.0  1 1  25.0  1 1  22.0  1 1  
720241  2.8 0.0 2    2.0  2 2  0.0 2    
160416  2.6 10.0  1  1 0.0 1    10.0  1  1 
830140  2.4 5.0  3 3  15.0  3 3  8.3  3 3  
610910  2.4 10.0  1 1  25.0  1 1  22.0  1 1  
640359  2.3 12.0  9 9  25.0  9 9  12.0  8 8  
740400  2.2 1.0  3 3  0.0 3    1.0  3 3  
121190  2.1 0.0 2    10.0  2  2 13.0  5  5 
640510  2.0 5.0  1 1  25.0  1 1  30.0  1 1  
610610  1.8 10.0  1 1  25.0  1 1  22.0  1 1  
640351  1.6 5.0  7 7  25.0  7 7  20.0  6 6  
721420  1.4 18.0  1 1  0.0 1    5.0  1 1  
610821  1.4 10.0  1 1  25.0  1 1  22.0  1 1  
261000  1.4 1.0  1 1  0.0 1    1.0  1 1  
270900  1.4 1.0  2 2  6.7 1 2 2  1.0  2 2  
720449  1.3 0.0 3    0.0 3    0.0 3    
610711  1.2 10.0  1 1  25.0  1 1  22.0  1 1  
760200  1.1 1.0  3 3  0.0 3    1.0  3 3  
620690  1.0 10.0  2 2  25.0  2 2  20.0  2 2  
271320  1.0 1.0  1 1  2.0  1 1  3.0  1 1  
481940  0.9 12.0  1 1  15.0  1 1  12.0  1 1  
220210  0.8 30.0  1  1 40.0  1 1  30.0  1  1 
621710  0.8 10.0  1 1  25.0  1 1  18.0  1 1  
Total  65.1  7 52 50 2  13 47 45 2  5 55 48 7 
Note:  Based on the HS 2002 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement, MacMap ITC, WITS, WTO-IDB, and 
UNSD -Comtrade database.  
 WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 49 - 
 
  Bosnia and Herzegovina  
5. Table A1. 4 shows tariff liberalization by Bosnia and Herzegovina in relation to imports from 
the other Parties (by total, agricultural and non -agricultural products). In 2007, Bosnia and 
Herzegovina 's average applied rate was 6.4% overall (7% for agricultural product s and 6.2% for 
non-agricultural products) while in 201 7 the average rate was 6% overall ( 7.1% for agricultural 
products and 5.7% for non-agricultural products). The share of overall applied  duty-free tariff lines 
was 26% (23% for agricultural goods and 26%  for non -agricultural products) in 2007 and 30% 
(23% for agricultural goods and 32% for non -agricultural products) in 2017. In 2007, upon entry 
into force of the Agreement a ll tariff lines became  duty free for all Parties except Albania. The 
share of duty-free lines for Albanian agricultural products under the Agreement in 2007 was 29% 
while for non -agricultural products was 98%. At the time of entry into force of the Agreement, 
Albania's exporters had a relative preference margin of 81% overall (19% for agricultural products 
and 98% for non -agricultural products). All duties were eliminated for imports from Albania in 
2013.  
Table A1. 4 Bosnia and Herzegovina: Indicators of applied  tariff rates and preferential 
rates for impor ts from CEFTA partners  
Origin of 
goods  Year ALL PRODUCTS  Agricultural productsa 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 
(%) 
Applied 
rates 2007 6.4 8.6 25.6 7.0 9.1 23.0 6.2 8.5 26.3 
2017 6.0 8.6 29.6 7.1 9.2 22.7 5.7 8.4 31.5 
Albania  2007 1.2 7.9 84.2 5.7 8.0 28.8 0.1 6.4 98.4 
2008 1.2 8.6 86.6 5.3 8.8 40.0 0.1 6.7 98.5 
2009 1.2 8.6 86.6 5.3 8.8 40.0 0.1 6.7 98.5 
2010 1.2 8.6 86.6 5.3 8.8 40.0 0.1 6.7 98.5 
2011 1.2 8.6 86.6 5.3 8.8 40.0 0.1 6.7 98.5 
2012 1.2 8.6 86.6 5.3 8.8 40.0 0.1 6.7 98.5 
2013 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Kosovo  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Republic of 
Moldova  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Montenegro  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
North 
Macedonia  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Serbia  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
a WTO Definition.  
Note:  Based on the HS 2017 nomenclature for applied rates in  2017 and HS 2002 nomenclature for the 
rest of the data.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement and the WTO -IDB. 
6. Bosnia and Herzegovina 's top 25 global exports in 2004 -2006 accounted for 5 2% of its total 
exports and were covered by 81 tariff lines in Albania and Republic of Moldova's 2007 tariff , 85 in 
Kosovo and North Macedonia , 86 in Montenegro and 81 in Serbia ( Table A1. 5 and Table A1. 6). 
Several of these lines were subject to duties before the Agreement entered into force and they 
were all liberalized under the Agreement.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 50 - 
 
  Table A1. 5 Market access opportunities under the agreement for Bosnia and 
Herzegovina's top 25 exports to the world  
HS 
number  
Shar e in global  
exports (%)  Access Conditions to CEFTA parties'  import markets  
Albania  Kosovo  Republic of Moldova  
MFN rate 2007  Duty -free 
lines under 
the 
Agreement  Applied rate 
2007  
Duty -free lines 
in 2007  MFN rate 2007  
Duty -free lines 
in 2007  Average 
(%) 
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  
Average 
(%) 
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  
Average 
(%) 
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  2007  
2013  
760120  8.6 0.0 3    10.0  3 3 0.0 3   
840999  6.4 2.0  1 1  10.0  1 1 0.0 1   
271600  4.5 2.0  1 1  0.0 1   0.0 1   
281820  4.1 2.0  1 1  10.0  1 1 0.0 1   
440710  2.8 0.0 7    8.6 1 6 6 0.0 7   
270400  2.5 8.0  4 4  10.0  4 4 0.0 4   
440792  2.1 0.0 1    10.0  1 1 0.0 1   
940190  2.1 0.0 3    10.0  3 3 0.0 3   
260111  1.9 2.0  1 1  10.0  1 1 0.0 1   
721420  1.9 5.0  1 1  10.0  1 1 0.0 1   
940360  1.4 0.0 3    10.0  3 3 10.0  3 3 
640399  1.2 15.0  10 10  10.0  11 11 15.0  10 10 
721391  1.2 5.0  6 6  10.0  6 6 0.0 6   
730890  1.2 5.0  4 4  10.0  4 4 0.0 4   
640610  1.1 10.0  3 3  10.0  3 3 0.0 3   
940161  1.0 0.0 1    10.0  1 1 10.0  1 1 
740400  1.0 10.0  3 3  10.0  3 3 0.0 3   
440791  1.0 0.0 4    10.0  4 4 0.0 4   
760110  0.9 0.0 1    10.0  1 1 0.0 1   
731420  0.9 5.0  2 2  10.0  2 2 0.0 2   
640391  0.9 15.0  8 8  10.0  9 9 15.0  8 8 
730840  0.8 5.0  2 2  10.0  2 2 0.0 2   
410150  0.7 2.0  4  4 0.0 4   0.0 4   
854459  0.7 10.0  3 3  10.0  5 5 5.0  3 3 
410120  0.7 2.0  4  4 0.0 4   0.0 4   
Total  51.6  23 58 50 8  10 75 75  56 25 25 
Note:  Based on the HS 2002 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement, MacMap ITC, WTO -IDB and UNSD -
Comtrade database . 
Table A1. 6 Market access opportunities under the agreement for Bosnia and 
Herzegovina's top 25 exports to the world  
HS 
number  
Share in global  
exports  (%) Access Conditions to CEFTA parties'  import markets  
Montenegro  North Macedonia  Serbia  
MFN rate 2007  
Duty -free 
in 2007  MFN rate 2007  
Duty -free in 
2007  Applied rate 2007  
Duty -free in 
2007  Average 
(%) 
Duty free  
lines  
Dutiable  
lines  
Average 
(%) 
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  
Average 
(%) 
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  
760120  8.6 3.0  3 3 0.0 3   1.0  3 3 
840999  6.4 1.0  1 1 5.0  1 1 1.0  1 1 
271600  4.5 0.0 1   0.0 1   1.0 1   
281820  4.1 1.0  1 1 0.0 1   1.0  1 1 
440710  2.8 1.0  7 7 0.0 7   16.7  7 7 
270400  2.5 1.0  4 4 0.0 4   1.0  4 4 
440792  2.1 1.0  1 1 0.0 1   5.0  1 1 
940190  2.1 10.0  3 3 6.7 1 2 2 20.0  3 3 
260111  1.9 1.0  1 1 0.0 1   20.0  1 1 
721420  1.9 18.0  1 1 0.0 1   6.0  1 1 
940360  1.4 10.0  3 3 12.0  3 3 4.0  3 3 WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 51 - 
 
  HS 
number  
Share in global  
exports  (%) Access Conditions to CEFTA parties'  import markets  
Montenegro  North Macedonia  Serbia  
MFN rate 2007  
Duty -free 
in 2007  MFN rate 2007  
Duty -free in 
2007  Applied rate 2007  
Duty -free in 
2007  Average 
(%) 
Duty free  
lines  
Dutiable  
lines  
Average 
(%) 
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  
Average 
(%) 
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  
640399  1.2 5.0  11 11 25.0  11 11 8.0  10 10 
721391  1.2 13.1  7 7 0.0 6   10.0  6 6 
730890  1.2 3.3 1 3 3 8.0  4 4 1.0  4 4 
640610  1.1 3.0  3 3 23.0  3 3 1.0  3 3 
940161  1.0 10.0  1 1 15.0  1 1 3.0  1 1 
740400  1.0 1.0  3 3 0.0 3   8.0  3 3 
440791  1.0 1.0  4 4 0.0 4   20.0  4 4 
760110  0.9 3.0  1 1 0.0 1   2.0  1 1 
731420  0.9 8.0  2 2 15.0  2 2 1.0  2 2 
640391  0.9 5.0  9 9 25.0  9 9 15.0  8 8 
730840  0.8 2.0  2 2 7.5 1 1 1 1.0  2 2 
410150  0.7 1.0  4 4 0.0 4   1.0  4 4 
854459  0.7 1.0  5 5 12.0 1 4 4 1.0  3 3 
410120  0.7 1.0  4 4 0.0 4   1.0  4 4 
Total  51.6  2 84 84  44 41 41  1 80 80 
Note:  Based on the HS 2002 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement, MacMap ITC, WITS, WTO-IDB, and 
UNSD -Comtrade database.  
Kosovo  
7. In 2007, Kosovo's average applied rate was 8% overall (9.2% for agricultural products and 
7.7% for non -agricultural products). The average rates remained essentially the same in 2018 
(Table A1. 7). The share of duty -free tariff lines was around 20% (8% for agricultural goods and 
23% for non -agricultural products) both in 2007 and 2018. All tariff lines became duty free under 
the Agreement on entry into force for all Parties except for North Macedonia whose exports 
enjoyed duty free preferential access one year later. The share of dut y-free lines for North 
Macedonia's agricultural products under the Agreement in 2007 was 95% while for non -agricultural 
products was 99%. At the time of entry into force of the Agreement, North Macedonia's exporters  
had a relative preference margin of 99% overall ( 97% for agricultural products and 100% for non -
agricultural products).  Data on Kosovo's exports are not available and the top 25 exports to the 
World could not be identified.  
Table A1. 7 Kosovo: Indicators of applied rates and preferential rates for imports from 
CEFTA partners  
Origin of 
goods  Year ALL PRODUCTS  Agricultural productsa 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 
(%) 
Applied 
rates 2007 8.0 10.0 19.6 9.2 10.0 7.9 7.8 10.0 22.5 
2018 8.0 10.0 20.0 9.2 10.0 8.0 7.7 10.0 23.1 
Albania  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Republic of 
Moldova  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Montenegro  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 52 - 
 
  Origin of 
goods  Year ALL PRODUCTS  Agricultural productsa 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 
(%) 
North 
Macedonia  2007 0.1 6.0 98.5 0.3 6.0 95.1 0.0 6.0 99.4 
2008 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Serbia  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
a WTO Definition.  
Note:  Based on the HS 2017 nomenclature for applied rates in  2018 and HS 2007 nomenclature for the 
rest of the data.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement and the Market Access Map, ITC.  
Republic of Moldova  
8. Republic of Moldova's average applied MFN rate in 2007 was 5% overall, 11% for 
agricultural products and 3.5% for non -agricultural products ( Table A1. 8). Over time, MFN rates 
increased to reach 6% overall, 13% for agricultural products and 4.3% for non -agricultural 
products in 2018. This is largely due to the reduction in the share of duty -free tariff lines from 
47% in 2007 to 35% in 2018. Under the Agreement, imports of all products from Bosnia and 
Herzegovina and Kosovo enjoyed free access on entry into force; imports from Albania, 
Montenegro, Serbia and North Macedonia became fully duty free in 2011 and 2015. In 2007, 
Albania's exporters enjoyed a relative margin of preference of 65% overall (22% for agricultural 
goods and 97% for non -agricultural goods); Montenegro and Serbia's exporters enjoyed close to 
100% relative margin of preference overall (99% for agricultural goods and 100% for n on-
agricultural goods); and North Macedonia's exporter had a relative margin of preference of 53% 
overall (1% for agricultural goods and 91% for non -agricultural goods).  
Table A1. 8 Republic of Moldova: Indicators of MFN tariff r ates and preferential rates for 
imports from CEFTA partners  
Origin of 
goods  Year ALL PRODUCTS  Agricultural productsa 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 2007 4.9 9.4 46.7 10.7 12.7 13.8 3.5 7.8 55.5 
2018 6.1 9.6 35.3 12.8 13.8 6.1 4.3 7.7 43.9 
Albania  2007 1.7 11.1 82.9 8.3 11.6 25.1 0.1 6.1 98.4 
2008 1.6 13.0 85.9 7.9 13.1 36.1 0.1 10.8 99.2 
2009 1.6 13.0 85.9 7.9 13.1 36.1 0.1 10.8 99.2 
2010 1.6 13.0 85.9 7.9 13.1 36.1 0.1 10.8 99.2 
2011 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Kosovo  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Montenegro  2007 0.0 6.8 97.6 0.1 6.8 88.7 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2008 0.0 6.8 97.6 0.1 6.8 88.7 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2009 0.0 6.8 97.6 0.1 6.8 88.7 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2010 0.0 6.8 97.6 0.1 6.8 88.7 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2011 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
North 
Macedonia  2007 2.3 11.6 78.2 10.6 12.8 15.5 0.3 6.9 95.0 
2008 2.3 11.5 78.2 10.6 12.8 15.5 0.3 6.2 95.0 
2009 2.2 12.6 80.9 10.6 12.8 15.5 0.2 10.4 98.3 
2010 2.2 12.6 80.9 10.6 12.8 15.5 0.2 10.4 98.3 
2011 0.0 0.0 98.8 0.0 0.0 94.2 0.0 0.0 100.0  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 53 - 
 
  Origin of 
goods  Year ALL PRODUCTS  Agricultural productsa 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 
(%) 
2012 0.0 0.0 98.8 0.0 0.0 94.2 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2013 0.0 0.0 98.8 0.0 0.0 94.2 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2014 0.0 0.0 98.8 0.0 0.0 94.2 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2015 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Serbia  2007 0.0 6.8 97.6 0.1 6.8 88.7 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2008 0.0 6.8 97.6 0.1 6.8 88.7 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2009 0.0 6.8 97.6 0.1 6.8 88.7 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2010 0.0 6.8 97.6 0.1 6.8 88.7 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2011 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
a WTO Definition.  
Note:  Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature for MFN 2018 and HS 2002 nomenclature for the rest of the 
data.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement and the WTO -IDB. 
9. Republic of Moldova's top 25 global exports in 2004 -2006 accounted for 54% of its total 
exports and were covered by 202 tariff lines in Albania's 2007 tariff, 222 in Bosnia  and 
Herzegovina, 208 in Kosovo, 209 in Montenegro, 60 in North Macedonia and 214 in Serbia 
(Table  A1.9 and Table A1. 10). Most of these lines were subject to duties before the Agreement 
entered into force and they were all liberalized under the Agreement.  
Table A1. 9 Market access opportunities under the agreement for Republic of Moldova's 
top 25 exports to the world  
HS 
number  
Share in global  
exports (%)  Access Conditions to CEFTA parties'  import markets  
Albania  Bosnia and Herzegovina  Kosovo  
MFN rate 2007  Duty -free 
under the 
Agreement  Applied rate 2007  
Duty -free lines  
 in 2007  Applied rate 
2007  
Duty -free lines  
 in 2007  Average (%)  
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  
Average (%)  
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  
Average (%)  
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  2007  
2008  
2011  
220421  15.6 15.0  51   51 15.0  59 59 10.0  51 51 
410120  3.4 2.0  4   4 0.0 4   0.0 4   
080232  3.0 10.0  1   1 5.0  1 1 10.0  1 1 
220430  2.9 15.0  5   5 15.0  5 5 10.0  5 5 
220429  2.7 15.0  34   34 15.0  38 38 10.0  34 34 
220820  2.7 0.0 11     15.0  15 15 10.0  11 11 
151219  2.2 0.0 2     5.0  2 2 10.0  2 2 
610910  2.1 15.0  1 1   15.0  1 1 10.0  1 1 
080810  1.9 10.0  4   4 10.0  2 2 10.0  2 2 
120600  1.7 0.0 3     5.0  3 3 6.7 1 2 2 
701090  1.7 2.0  17 17   8.8 2 15 15 0.0 17   
640399  1.5 15.0  10 10   15.0  10 10 10.0  11 11 
721391  1.4 5.0  6 6   5.0  6 6 10.0  6 6 
252020  1.3 2.0  2 2   0.0 2   10.0  2 2 
151211  1.3 0.0 3     5.0  3 3 6.7 1 2 2 
200979  1.2 15.0  6  6  15.0  6 6 10.0  6 6 
100590  1.0 2.0  1   1 8.0 1 4 4 10.0  1 1 
100300  1.0 2.0  2 2   3.3 1 2 2 5.0 1 1 1 
761699  0.9 0.0 2     10.0  2 2 10.0  2 2 
100190  0.9 2.0  3   3 2.5 2 2 2 3.3 2 1 1 
841370  0.8 0.0 12     9.2 1 11 11 5.8 8 11 11 
220410  0.8 15.0  4   4 15.0  4 4 10.0  4 4 WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 54 - 
 
  HS 
number  
Share in global  
exports (%)  Access Conditions to CEFTA parties'  import markets  
Albania  Bosnia and Herzegovina  Kosovo  
MFN rate 2007  Duty -free 
under the 
Agreement  Applied rate 2007  
Duty -free lines  
 in 2007  Applied rate 
2007  
Duty -free lines  
 in 2007  Average (%)  
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  
Average (%)  
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  
Average (%)  
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  2007  
2008  
2011  
620342  0.8 15.0  7 7   15.0  7 7 10.0  7 7 
620211  0.7 15.0  1 1   15.0  1 1 10.0  1 1 
240110  0.7 3.3  10   10 15.0  10 10 10.0  10 10 
Total  54.1  33 169 46 6 117  13 209 209  34 174 174 
Note:  Based on the HS 2002 nomenclature .  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement, MacMap ITC, WITS, WTO -IDB and 
UNSD -Comtrade database . 
Table A1. 10 Market access opportunities under the agreement for Republic of Moldova's 
top 25 exports to the world  
HS 
Number  
Share in global  
 exports (%)  Access Conditions to CEFTA parties'  import markets  
Montenegro  North Macedonia  Serbia  
MFN rate 2007  Duty -free 
under 
the 
Agree -
ment  MFN rate 2007  Duty -free  
under the  
Agree ment Applied 
rate 2007  Duty -free 
under  
the  
Agree -
ment  Average (%)  
Duty free lines  
Dutiable lines  
Average (%)  
Duty free lines  
Dutiable lines  
Average (%)  
Dutiable lines  2007  
2011  
2007  
2009  
2011  
2015  
2007  
2011  
220421  15.6 30.0  53  53 50.0  3    51 30.0 53  53 
410120  3.4 1.0  4 4  0.0  7     1.0 4 4  
080232  3.0 10.0  1 1  10.0  1   1  10.0 1 1  
220430  2.9 30.0  5  5 50.0  2    5 30.0 5  5 
220429  2.7 30.0  34  34 50.0 1     34 30.0 34  34 
220820  2.7 30.0  17  17 0.0  3     30.0 17  17 
151219  2.2 0.0 2    15.0  1    3 30.0 2 2  
610910  2.1 10.0  1 1  25.0  9 1    22.0 1 1  
080810  1.9 15.0  2 2  50.0 3     2 15.0 2 2  
120600  1.7 0.0 3    0.0  2     20.0 3 3  
701090  1.7 1.0  17 17  2.0  1 17    18.4 17 17  
640399  1.5 5.0  11 11  25.0  1  11   20.0 10 10  
721391  1.4 13.1  7 7  0.0  7     6.0 6 6  
252020  1.3 1.0  2 2  15.0 1   2   1.0 2 2  
151211  1.3 0.0 3    0.0  1     30.0 3 3  
200979  1.2 5.0  6 6  40.0 1    6  20.0 6 6  
100590  1.0 0.0 1    0.0 1 2     30.0 3 3  
100300  1.0 0.0 2    7.0 3    3  20.0 3 3  
761699  0.9 5.0  2 2  0.0  1     5.0 2 2  
100190  0.9 0.0 3    5.0 3    1  30.0 6 6  
841370  0.8 8.0  11 11  15.0  2 11    7.4 12 12  
220410  0.8 30.0  4  4 45.0  1    4 30.0 4  4 
620342  0.8 10.0  7 7  25.0  1 7    22.0 7 7  
620211  0.7 10.0  1 1  25.0  1  1   22.0 1 1  
240110  0.7 10.0  10  10 13.1  1    13 10.0 10  10 
Total  54.1  14 195 72 123  13 47 36 14 11 112  214 91 123 
Note:  Based on the HS 2002 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement, MacMap ITC, WITS, WTO-IDB, and 
UNSD -Comtrade database.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 55 - 
 
  Montenegro  
10. Table A1. 11 shows tariff liberalization by Montenegro in relation to imports from the other 
Parties (by total, agricultural and non -agricultural products). In 2007, Montenegro's average 
applied MFN rate was 6.3% overall (14.1% for agricultural products and 4.2% for non -agricultural 
products) while in 2017 the average MFN rate was 5.2% overall (12.7% for agricultural products 
and 3.1% for non -agricultural products). Only 5% of Montenegro's tariff was duty free on an MFN 
basis in 2007; this share increased over time and it reached 29% in 2017. In 2007, 14% (18% in 
2018) of agricultural products and 3% (32%) of non -agricultural products w ere duty free. All 
agricultural and non -agricultural tariff lines became  duty-free under the Agreement from entry into 
force for imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia  and Serbia . The share of 
duty-free lines under the Agreement was 8 3% and 98% for imports from Albania and the Republic 
of Moldova  respectively at the time of entry into force of the Agreement  and liberalized in 2011 . 
The shares of Albanian and Moldovan agricultural products entering Montenegro duty free were 
33% and 28% respectively while the share s of non -agricultural products were 97% and 100%. In 
2007, Albania's exporters enjoyed a relative margin of preference of 54% ( 11% and 93% 
respectively for agricultural products) and the Republic of Moldova 's exporters enjoyed a  relative 
margin of preference of 92% (82% for agricultural products and 100% for non -agricultural 
products) . 
Table A1. 11 Montenegro: Indicators of MFN tariff rates and preferential rates for imports 
from CEFTA partners  
Origin of 
goods  Year ALL PRODUCTS  Agricultural productsa 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 2007 6.3 6.6 4.9 14.1 16.4 13.6 4.2 4.3 2.6 
2017 5.2 7.3 29.0 12.7 15.4 17.8 3.1 4.5 32.2 
Albania  2007 2.9 17.6 83.3 12.6 18.9 33.4 0.3 10.5 96.8 
2008 2.9 17.6 83.3 12.6 18.9 33.4 0.3 10.5 96.8 
2009 2.9 17.6 83.3 12.6 18.9 33.4 0.3 10.5 96.8 
2010 2.9 17.6 83.3 12.6 18.9 33.4 0.3 10.5 96.8 
2011 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Kosovo  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Republic of 
Moldova  2007 0.5 27.5 98.0 2.6 27.5 90.7 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2008 0.5 27.5 98.0 2.6 27.5 90.7 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2009 0.5 27.5 98.0 2.6 27.5 90.7 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2010 0.5 27.5 98.0 2.6 27.5 90.7 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2011 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
North 
Macedonia  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Serbia  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
a WTO Definition.  
Note:  Based on the HS 2017 nomenclature for MFN 2017 and HS 2007 nomenclature for the rest of the 
data.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement and the WTO -IDB. 
11. Montenegro's top 25 global exports in 2007 -2009 accounted for 83% of its total exports and 
were covered by 172 lines in Albania's and North Macedonia's 2007 tariff, 184 in Bosnia and 
Herzegovina's, 190 in Kosovo's and Republic of Moldova's and 181 in Serbi a's and ( Table A1. 12 
and Table A1. 13). Most of  these lines were subject to duties before the Agreement entered into 
force and they were all liberalized under the Agreement.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 56 - 
 
  Table A1. 12 Market access opportunities under the agree ment for Montenegro's top 25 
exports to the world  
HS 
number  
Share in global exports 
(%) Access Conditions to CEFTA parties'  import markets  
Albania  Bosnia and Herzegovina  Kosovo  
MFN rate 2007  Duty -
free 
under  
the 
Agree -
ment  Applied rate 
2007  
Duty -free lines in 
2007  Applied rate 
2007  
Duty -free lines in 
2007  Average (%)  
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable lines  
Average (%)  
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable lines  
Average (%)  
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable lines  2007  
2011  
760110  46.5 0.0 1    5.0  1 1 10.0  1 1 
721499  4.6 5.0  7 7  10.0  8 8 10.0  7 7 
220421  4.4 15.0  51  51 15.0  59 59 10.0  51 51 
721391  3.7 5.0  6 6  5.0  6 6 10.0  6 6 
722490  3.1 5.0  9 9  4.4 1 8 8 10.0  9 9 
730630  2.4 4.4 1 7 7  8.8  8 8 5.0 7 7 7 
440710  2.2 0.0 7    0.0 7   8.6 1 6 6 
722410  2.1 2.0  2 2  5.0  1 1 10.0  2 2 
300490  2.0 0.0 4    5.0 2 2 2 10.0  4 4 
271011  1.4 4.5 5 7 7  5.0 6 6 6 10.0  12 12 
740400  1.3 10.0  3 3  0.0 3   10.0  3 3 
220300  1.3 0.0 3    15.0  3 3 10.0  3 3 
848330  0.9 0.0 4    5.0  4 4 5.0 3 3 3 
440792  0.7 0.0 1    5.0  1 1 10.0  1 1 
270210  0.7 10.0  1 1  5.0  1 1 10.0  1 1 
720449  0.7 1.3 1 2 2  0.0 4   10.0  3 3 
760120  0.6 0.0 3    5.0  3 3 10.0  3 3 
846221  0.6 0.0 3    5.0  3 3 0.0 2   
260600  0.6 2.0  1 1  0.0 1   10.0  1 1 
730890  0.6 5.0  4 4  5.0  4 4 10.0  4 4 
760200  0.5 0.0 3    0.0 3   10.0  3 3 
721420  0.5 5.0  1 1  10.0  1 1 10.0  1 1 
841830  0.5 1.3 1 2 2  10.0  3 3 5.0 2 2 2 
160249  0.5 11.4  7  7 10.0  7 7 10.0  7 7 
271019  0.5 4.0 11 14 14  3.2 19 9 9 10.0  35 35 
Total  82.9  48 124 66 58  46 138 138  15 175 175 
Note:  Based on the HS 2002 nomenclature  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement, MacMap ITC, WITS, WTO -IDB and 
UNSD -Comtrade database.  
Table A1. 13 Market access opportunities under the agreement for Montenegro's top 25 
exports to the world  
HS 
number  
Share in global 
exports (%)  Access Conditions to CEFTA parties'  import markets  
Republic of Moldova  North Macedonia  Serbia  
MFN rate 2007  Duty -
free 
under 
the 
Agree -
ment  MFN rate 2007  
Duty -free lines in 
2007  
 Applied rate 
2007  
Duty -free lines  
in 2007  
 Average (%)  
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable lines 
Average (%)  
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable lines  
Average (%)  
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable lines  2007  
2011  
760110  46.5 0.0 1    0.0 1   3.0  1 1 
721499  4.6 0.0 8    0.0 7   5.0  7 7 
220421  4.4 0.5 €/l   69  69 50.0  51 51 30.0  53 53 
721391  3.7 0.0 6    0.0 6   6.0  6 6 
722490  3.1 0.0 9    0.0 9   4.6  9 9 
730630  2.4 0.0 8    13.1 1 7 7 3.3  8 8 
440710  2.2 0.0 7    0.0 7   1.0  7 7 WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 57 - 
 
  HS 
number  
Share in global 
exports (%)  Access Conditions to CEFTA parties'  import markets  
Republic of Moldova  North Macedonia  Serbia  
MFN rate 2007  Duty -
free 
under 
the 
Agree -
ment  MFN rate 2007  
Duty -free lines in 
2007  
 Applied rate 
2007  
Duty -free lines  
in 2007  
 Average (%)  
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable lines 
Average (%)  
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable lines  
Average (%)  
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable lines  2007  
2011  
722410  2.1 0.0 1    0.0 2   5.0  2 2 
300490  2.0 0.0 4    5.0  4 4 3.5  4 4 
271011  1.4 0.0 11    18.8  12 12 2.2  13 13 
740400  1.3 0.0 3    0.0 3   1.0  3 3 
220300  1.3 0.0  3 3  0.0 3   30.0  3 3 
848330  0.9 0.0 4    5.3 1 2 2 5.3  4 4 
440792  0.7 0.0 1    0.0 1   1.0  1 1 
270210  0.7 0.0 1    0.0 1   5.0  2 2 
720449  0.7 0.0 4    0.0 3   0.0 3   
760120  0.6 0.0 3    0.0 3   3.0  3 3 
846221  0.6 0.0 3    15.0  2 2 10.0  3 3 
260600  0.6 0.0 1    0.0 1   1.0  1 1 
730890  0.6 0.0 4    8.0  4 4 4.0  4 4 
760200  0.5 0.0 3    0.0 3   1.0  3 3 
721420  0.5 0.0 1    0.0 1   5.0  1 1 
841830  0.5 6.7 1 2 2  15.0  4 4 7.0  3 3 
160249  0.5 15.0  7 7  10.0  7 7 30.0  7 7 
271019  0.5 0.0 25    15.0  26 26 1.0 7 23 23 
Total  82.9  109 81 12 69  53 119 119  10 171 171 
Note:  Based on the HS 2002 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement, MacMap ITC, WTO-IDB, and UNSD -
Comtrade database.  
North Macedonia  
12. North Macedonia's average applied MFN rate in 2007 was 8.8% overall, 16.2% for 
agricultural products and 6.8% for non-agricultural products ( Table A1. 17). The average overall 
MFN rate decreased to 8.2% in 2017 thanks to the reduction of the MFN tariffs on non -agricultural 
goods to 5.8% on average. Under the Agreement, imports of all products from Bosnia and 
Herzegovin a, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia enjoyed free access on entry into force; imports 
from Albania and the Republic of Moldova  became fully duty free in 2011 and 2015 respectively. In 
2007, the share of duty -free lines under the Agreement was 87% and 76% overall (40% and 23% 
for agricultural products and 99.8% and 90% for non -agricultural products) respectively for 
imports from Albania and the Republic of Moldova . Albania's exporters enjoyed a relative margin of 
preference of 65% overall (10% for agricultural goods and almost 100% for non -agricultural 
goods) while Republic of Moldova's exporters enjoyed a 53% relative margin of preference overall 
(0% for agricultural goods and 88% for non -agricultural goods).  
Table A1. 14 North Macedonia : Indicators of MFN tariff rates and preferential rates for 
imports from CEFTA partners  
Origin of 
goods  Year ALL PRODUCTS  Agricultural productsa 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 2007 8.8 13.4 34.5 16.2 20.7 21.8 6.8 11.0 37.9 
2017 8.2 13.6 40.1 16.4 21.8 24.8 5.8 10.4 44.6 
Albania  2007 3.1 23.8 86.9 14.5 23.9 39.5 0.0 15.0 99.8 
2008 3.1 23.8 86.9 14.5 23.9 39.5 0.0 15.0 99.8 
2009 3.1 23.8 86.9 14.5 23.9 39.5 0.0 15.0 99.8 
2010 3.1 23.8 86.9 14.5 23.9 39.5 0.0 15.0 99.8 
2011 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
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  Origin of 
goods  Year ALL PRODUCTS  Agricultural productsa 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 
(%) 
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Kosovo  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Republic of 
Moldova  2007 4.1 16.9 75.9 16.2 20.9 22.6 0.8 8.2 90.4 
2008 3.9 16.4 75.9 16.2 20.9 22.6 0.6 6.6 90.4 
2009 3.5 20.8 83.3 16.2 20.9 22.6 0.0 14.6 99.7 
2010 3.5 20.8 83.3 16.2 20.9 22.6 0.0 14.6 99.7 
2011 2.5 21.1 88.0 11.7 21.2 44.9 0.0 14.6 99.7 
2012 2.5 21.1 88.0 11.7 21.2 44.9 0.0 14.6 99.7 
2013 2.5 21.1 88.0 11.7 21.2 44.9 0.0 14.6 99.7 
2014 2.5 21.1 88.0 11.7 21.2 44.9 0.0 14.6 99.7 
2015 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Montenegro  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Serbia  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
a WTO Definition.  
Note:  Based on the HS 2017 nomenclature for MFN 2017 and HS 2007 nomenclature for the rest of the 
data.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement and the WTO -IDB. 
13. North Macedonia 's top 25 global exports in 2004 -2006 accounted for 52% of its total 
exports and were covered by 137 lines in Albania's 2007 tariff, 148 in Bosnia and Herzegovina's , 
162 in Kosovo's, 159 in the Republic of Moldova 's, 144 in Montenegro's and 148 in Serbia's 
(Table  A1.18 and Table A1. 19). Most of  these lines were subject to duties before the Agreement 
entered into force and they were all liberalized under the Agreement.  
Table A1. 15 Market access opportunities under the agreement for North Macedonia's top 
25 exports to the world  
HS  
No. 
Share in global  
exports (%)  Access Conditions to CEFTA parties'  import markets  
Albania  Bosnia & Herzegovina  Kosovo  
MFN rate 2007  Duty -free 
lines  
under the 
Agree -
ment  Applied rate 
2007  
Duty -free 
lines in 2007  Applied rate 2007  Duty -free 
lines  
under the 
Agree -
ment  Average (%)  
Duty free lines  
Dutiable lines  
Average  
(%) 
Duty free  
lines  
Dutiable lines  
Average (%)  
Duty free  
 lines  
Dutiable  
 lines  2007  
2011  
2007  
2008  
720260  6.2 2.0  1 1  10.0  1 1 10.0  1 1  
271019  4.8 4.0 11 14 14  3.2 19 9 9 10.0  35  35 
720851  4.0 2.0  3 3  5.0  5 5 0.0 3    
620520  3.9 15.0  1 1  15.0  1 1 10.0  1 1  
240110  3.9 3.3  10  10 15.0  10 10 10.0  10 10  
620630  2.5 15.0  1 1  15.0  1 1 10.0  1 1  
620640  2.3 15.0  1 1  15.0  1 1 10.0  1 1  
720221  2.3 2.0  1 1  0.0 2   10.0  1 1  
721049  2.2 2.0  1 1  5.0  2 2 10.0  1 1  
271011  2.2 4.5 5 7 7  5.0 6 6 6 10.0  12  12 
730660  2.2 4.3 1 6 6  8.8  4 4 10.0 6 6 6  
300490  1.8 0.0 4    5.0 2 2 2 10.0  4 4  
720852  1.8 2.0  2 2  3.3 1 2 2 0.0 3    
220429  1.4 15.0  34 34  15.0  38 38 10.0  34  34 
620463  1.3 15.0  5 5  15.0  5 5 10.0  5 5  
620462  1.1 15.0  7 7  15.0  7 7 10.0  7 7  
610610  1.0 15.0  1 1  15.0  1 1 10.0  1 1  
640610  1.0 10.0  3 3  15.0  3 3 10.0  3 3  
220210  0.9 15.0  1 1  10.0  1 1 10.0  1 1  
854459  0.9 10.0  3 3  10.0  3 3 10.0  5 5  
252329  0.9 10.0  1 1  3.3 1 2 2 10.0  1 1  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 59 - 
 
  HS  
No. 
Share in global  
exports (%)  Access Conditions to CEFTA parties'  import markets  
Albania  Bosnia & Herzegovina  Kosovo  
MFN rate 2007  Duty -free 
lines  
under the 
Agree -
ment  Applied rate 
2007  
Duty -free 
lines in 2007  Applied rate 2007  Duty -free 
lines  
under the 
Agree -
ment  Average (%)  
Duty free lines  
Dutiable lines  
Average  
(%) 
Duty free  
lines  
Dutiable lines  
Average (%)  
Duty free  
 lines  
Dutiable  
 lines  2007  
2011  
2007  
2008  
720916  0.9 2.0  2 2  5.0  2 2 0.0 2    
620433  0.8 15.0  2 2  15.0  2 2 10.0  2 2  
720917  0.8 2.0  2 2  5.0  2 2 0.0 2    
620342  0.8 15.0  7 7  15.0  7 7 10.0 14    
Total  51.8  21 116 106 10  31 117 117  30 132 51 81 
Note:  Based on the HS 2002 nomenclature .  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement, WITS, WTO -IDB and UNSD, 
Comtrade database . 
Table A1. 16 Market access opportunities under the agreement for North Macedo nia's top 
25 exports to the world  
Top export 
products in 
2004 -2006  Access Conditions to CEFTA parties'  import markets  HS number  
Share in global 
exports (%)  Republic of Moldova  Montenegro  Serbia  
MFN rate 2007  Duty -free lines 
under the 
Agreement  MFN rate 2007  
Duty -free 
lines in 2007  Applied rate 2007  
Duty -free 
lines in 2007  Average 
(%) 
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  
Average 
(%) 
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  
Average 
(%) 
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  2007  
2009  
2011  
2015  
720260  6.2 0.0 1      0.0 1   0.0 1   
271019  4.8 0.0 25      1.3 5 24 24 1.0 7 23 23 
720851  4.0 0.0 5      2.3  3 3 4.0  3 3 
620520  3.9 12.0  1  1   10.0  1 1 22.0  1 1 
240110  3.9 4.7 1 14   14  10.0  10 10 10.0  10 10 
620630  2.5 12.0  1  1   10.0  1 1 22.0  1 1 
620640  2.3 12.0  1  1   10.0  1 1 22.0  1 1 
720221  2.3 0.0 2      0.0 1   0.0 1   
721049  2.2 0.0 2      1.0  1 1 1.0  1 1 
271011  2.2 0.0 11      2.5  13 13 2.2  13 13 
730660  2.2 0.0 4      16.0  6 6 4.0  7 7 
300490  1.8 0.0 4      2.0  4 4 3.5  4 4 
720852  1.8 0.0 3      2.3  3 3 4.0  3 3 
220429  1.4 0.5 €/l   50    50 30.0  34 34 30.0  34 34 
620463  1.3 12.0  5  5   10.0  5 5 22.0  5 5 
620462  1.1 12.0  7  7   10.0  7 7 22.0  7 7 
610610  1.0 12.0  1  1   10.0  1 1 22.0  1 1 
640610  1.0 0.0 3      3.0  3 3 8.0  3 3 
220210  0.9 15.0  1   1  30.0  1 1 30.0  1 1 
854459  0.9 5.0  3  3   1.0  5 5 15.0  3 3 
252329  0.9 10.0  1 1    5.0  1 1 5.0  1 1 
720916  0.9 0.0 2      3.0  2 2 4.0  3 3 
620433  0.8 12.0  2  2   10.0  2 2 22.0  2 2 
720917  0.8 0.0 2      3.0  2 2 2.8  5 5 
620342  0.8 12.0  7  7   10.0 7   22.0  7 7 
Total  51.8  65 94 1 28 15 50  14 130 130  9 139 139 
Note:  Based on the HS 2002 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement, MacMap ITC, WITS, and UNSD, 
Comtrade database.  
 
 WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 60 - 
 
  Serbia  
14. Serbia's average applied rate in 2007 was 8.7% overall, 17.4% for agricultural products and 
6.4% for non-agricultural products (Table A1. 14). The applied rates remained constant over time. 
Under the Agreement, imports of all products from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro 
and North Macedonia enjoyed free access on entry into force; imports from A lbania and the 
Republic of Moldova  became fully duty free in 2011. In 2007, the share of duty -free lines under 
the Agreement was 80% and 98% overall (22% and 91% for agricultural products and 95% and 
100% for non -agricultural products) respectively for imp orts from Albania and the Republic of 
Moldova . Albania's exporters enjoyed a relative margin of preference of 59% overall (12% for 
agricultural goods and 94% for non -agricultural goods) while Republic of Moldova's exporters 
enjoyed close to 94% relative ma rgin of preference overall (85% for agricultural goods and 100% 
for non -agricultural goods).  
Table A1. 17 Serbia: Indicators of applied tariff rates and preferential rates for imports 
from CEFTA partners  
Origin of 
goods  Year ALL PRODUCTS  Agricultural productsa 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 
(%) 
Applied rates  2007 8.7 8.8 1.2 17.4 17.7 1.4 6.4 6.5 1.1 
2017 8.7 8.8 1.1 17.4 17.6 1.3 6.4 6.5 1.1 
Albania  2007 3.6 17.8 80.0 15.5 19.7 21.6 0.4 8.9 95.4 
2008 3.6 17.8 80.0 15.5 19.7 21.6 0.4 8.9 95.4 
2009 3.6 17.8 80.0 15.5 19.7 21.6 0.4 8.9 95.4 
2010 3.6 17.8 80.0 15.5 19.7 21.6 0.4 8.9 95.4 
2011 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Kosovo  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Republic of 
Moldova  2007 0.5 27.6 98.1 2.6 27.6 90.7 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2008 0.5 27.6 98.1 2.6 27.6 90.7 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2009 0.5 27.6 98.1 2.6 27.6 90.7 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2010 0.5 27.6 98.1 2.6 27.6 90.7 0.0 0.0 100.0  
2011 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
Montenegro  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
North 
Macedonia  2007 0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  0.0 0.0 100.0  
a WTO Definition.  
Note:  Based on the HS 2017 nomenclature for applied rates in 2017 and HS 2002 nomenclature for the 
rest of the data.   
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement and the WTO -IDB. 
15. Serbia's top 25 global exports in 2007 -2009 accounted for 30% of its total exports and were 
covered by 95 lines in Albania's 2007 tariff, 109 in Bosnia and Herzegovina's, 108 in Kosovo's, 102 
in the Republic of Moldova 's and Montenegro's and 103 in North Macedonia's (Table A1. 15 and 
Table A1. 16). Many of these lines were subject to duties before the Agreement entered into force 
and they were all liberalized under the Agreement.  WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 61 - 
 
  Table A1. 18 Market access opportunities under the agreement for Serbia's top 25 
exports to the world  
HS 
number  
Share in global  
exports (%)  Access Conditions to CEFTA parties'  import markets  
Albania  Bosnia and Herzegovina  Kosovo  
MFN rate 2007  Duty -free 
under the 
Agreement  Applied rate 2007  
Duty -free lines 
in 2007  Applied rate 2007  
Duty -free lines 
in 2007  Average 
(%) 
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  
Average 
(%) 
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  
Average 
(%) 
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  2007  
2011  
081120  2.1 10.0  7  7 10.0  7 7 10.0  7 7 
721012  1.9 2.0  2 2  5.0  3 3 10.0  2 2 
401110  1.7 15.0  1 1  10.0  1 1 10.0  1 1 
720837  1.7 2.0  1 1  5.0  2 2 0.0 1   
271600  1.6 2.0  1 1  0.0 1   0.0 1   
850300  1.6 2.0  3 3  5.0  3 3 10.0  3 3 
170199  1.6 10.0  2  2 10.0  2 2 10.0  2 2 
100590  1.5 2.0  1  1 8.0 1 4 4 10.0  1 1 
760612  1.4 0.0 5    5.0  5 5 10.0  5 5 
391810  1.3 6.0  2 2  15.0  2 2 10.0  2 2 
300490  1.2 0.0 4    5.0 2 2 2 10.0  4 4 
720449  1.1 1.3 1 2 2  0.0 4   10.0  3 3 
720852  1.1 2.0  2 2  3.3 1 2 2 0.0 3   
611511  1.1 15.0  1 1  15.0  1 1 10.0  1 1 
740911  1.0 10.0  1 1  5.0  1 1 0.0 1   
640610  0.9 10.0  3 3  15.0  3 3 10.0  1 1 
741110  0.9 0.0 3    5.0  3 3 10.0  3 3 
720839  0.9 2.0  1 1  5.0  2 2 10.0  3 3 
271019  0.9 4.0 11 14 14  3.2 19 9 9 0.0 1   
390120  0.9 0.0 2    5.0  2 2 10.0  35 35 
720838  0.8 2.0  1 1  5.0  2 2 0.0 2   
220300  0.7 0.0 3    15.0  3 3 0.0 1   
852812  0.7 9.4 1 15 15  5.0  17 17 10.0  3 3 
621040  0.6 15.0  1 1  15.0  1 1 10.0  11 11 
761290  0.6 0.0 4    10.0  4 4 10.0  11 11 
Total  29.7  34 61 51 10  28 81 81  10 98 98 
Note:  Based on the HS 2002 nomenclature . 
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement, MacMap ITC, WITS, WTO -IDB and 
UNSD -Comtrade database.  
Table A1. 19 Market access opportunities under the agreement for Serbia's top 25 
exports to the world  
HS 
number  
Share in global  
exports (%)  Access Conditions to CEFTA parties'  import markets  
Republic of Moldova  Montenegro  North Macedonia  
MFN rate 2007  
Duty -free lines 
in 2007  MFN rate 2007  
Duty -free lines 
in 2007  MFN rate 2007  
Duty -free lines 
in 2007  Average 
(%) 
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  
Average 
(%) 
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  
Average 
(%) 
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  
081120  2.1 10.0  7 7 17.1  7 7 20.0  7 7 
721012  1.9 2.0 3   3.0  2 2 0.0 2   
401110  1.7 15.0 1   10.0  1 1 13.0  1 1 
720837  1.7 2.0 2   5.0  1 1 0.0 2   
271600  1.6 2.0 1   0.0 1   0.0 1   
850300  1.6 2.0  3 3 1.0  3 3 3.0  3 3 
170199  1.6 10.0  2 2 0.0 2   25.0  2 2 
100590  1.5 2.0  1 1 0.0 1   0.0 1   WT/REG233/1/Rev.1  
 
- 62 - 
 
  HS 
number  
Share in global  
exports (%)  Access Conditions to CEFTA parties'  import markets  
Republic of Moldova  Montenegro  North Macedonia  
MFN rate 2007  
Duty -free lines 
in 2007  MFN rate 2007  
Duty -free lines 
in 2007  MFN rate 2007  
Duty -free lines 
in 2007  Average 
(%) 
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  
Average 
(%) 
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  
Average 
(%) 
Duty free 
lines  
Dutiable 
lines  
760612  1.4 0.0 5   9.0  5 5 0.0 5   
391810  1.3 6.0  2 2 8.0  2 2 18.3  2 2 
300490  1.2 0.0 4   2.0  4 4 5.0  4 4 
720449  1.1 1.3 4   0.0 3   0.0 3   
720852  1.1 2.0 3   2.3  3 3 0.0 3   
611511  1.1 15.0  1 1 10.0  1 1 25.0  1 1 
740911  1.0 10.0 1   10.0  1 1 0.0 1   
640610  0.9 10.0 3   3.0  3 3 23.0  3 3 
741110  0.9 0.0 3   10.0  3 3 0.0 3   
720839  0.9 2.0 2   5.0  1 1 0.0 2   
271019  0.9 4.0 25   1.3 5 24 24 15.0  26 26 
390120  0.9 0.0 2   3.0  2 2 0.0 2   
720838  0.8 2.0 2   5.0  1 1 0.0 2   
220300  0.7 0.0  3 3 30.0  3 3 0.0 3   
852812  0.7 9.4 1 16 16 3 4 11 11 4.2 3 16 16 
621040  0.6 15.0  1 1 10 1   25.0 1   
761290  0.6 0.0 4   8.75 4   0.0 4   
Total  29.7  66 36 36  21 78 78  38 65 65 
Note:  Based on the HS 2002 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on the information from the Agreement, WITS, WTO-IDB, and UNSD -
Comtrade database.  
__________