BiH requested US to reduce customs rates

(Patria) - The leadership of the Foreign Trade Chamber (VTK) of BiH held a meeting today in Sarajevo with the Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy in BiH John Ginkel and his associates.

The meeting discussed the improvement of trade exchange between BiH and the US, with a special focus on opportunities to increase the export of Bosnian-Herzegovinian products to the American market.



VTK BiH presented statistical data for the period 2020-2024, according to which the trade exchange between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States of America amounted to 1.04 billion euros.

Exports amounted to 430,941,988 euros, and imports to 611,393,675 euros, resulting in a negative trade balance of 180,451,687 euros and a coverage of imports by exports of 70.49%.

Exports recorded continuous growth during the observed period, from 35,158,283 euros in 2020 to 119,931,297 euros in 2024, with fluctuations in the total volume of exchange.

In the period January-March 2025, exports worth 92,526,164 euros and imports worth 34,745,547 euros were achieved, with a total trade exchange of 127,271,711 euros, a positive trade balance of 57,780,617 euros, and an extremely high coverage of imports by exports of 266.30%.



After presenting the exchange and the potential for improving cooperation, the leadership of VTK BiH pointed out the importance of creating more favorable conditions for BiH exporters, including the need to reduce customs rates for products from Bosnia and Herzegovina to at least the level of customs duties that the United States of America applies in trade with the European Union.

The meeting was assessed as constructive, with mutual readiness to continue dialogue and strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.