Logistics Consortium of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Bureaucracy has defeated politics, transport companies are the lifeblood of BiH's economy

(Patria) - The Logistics Consortium of Bosnia and Herzegovina was born as an idea of gathering – an idea of dignity, fairness and unity. From the Drina to the Una, from the Sava to the sea, transport companies, logistics operators, drivers and all those who make up the lifeblood of the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered.

Ahead of the protest on March 23, they explain that over the past 14 months they have acted responsibly, patiently and institutionally.

"We participated in meetings, working groups, submitted proposals and offered concrete solutions. We gave the system a chance to show that it works. We gave a chance to finally regulate road transport in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Unfortunately, today we must clearly and unequivocally state: in the past 14 months, not a single key problem of the sector has been solved. A system in which: a customs officer says: 'I am the state', the inspection decides as if by roulette, bureaucracy has been ruining the road transport sector for 30 years, permits depend on informal rules, not the law," state from the Logistics Consortium of BiH.

The question that demands an answer: Who is responsible? Who analyzed the damage? Who controlled the officials? Who was sanctioned? The answer is: no one.

"We must say what everyone knows but no one says: Bureaucracy has defeated the political system. Neither governments nor ministers have managed to implement decisions. Not because they didn't want to — but because the system does not function," they warn.

INTERNAL SYSTEM – MEASURES FOR SURVIVAL

We demanded: a crackdown on bureaucracy in the ministries of transport of the Governments of RS and FBiH
implementation of agreed measures with the Ministry of Communications and Transport of Bosnia and Herzegovina (18 points), concrete reforms in the interest of the economy. We got nothing. Therefore, we present a package of measures without which the sector cannot survive:

I. Refund of excise duties

- refund of part of excise duties on fuel
- calculation based on CMR and international kilometers
- the model already exists in the EU (Slovenia, Poland, Montenegro) Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only country without this mechanism

Excise duty refund = basis of competitiveness

II. Interstate tax agreements

- signing agreements on VAT and taxes with EU countries
- elimination of discrimination against domestic carriers
- Transport costs higher by up to 22%

III. Infrastructure costs

discount of at least 50% on highways in RS and FBiH

IV. Reform of the customs system

Demands towards the Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina:

- full implementation of NCTS (without fee)
- reduction of delays by at least 75%
- "green lane" for at least 50% of vehicles
- digitalization (e-CMR, ASYCUDA)
- implementation of all 18 measures submitted in 08/2025

Today's reality: delays of up to 15.5 hours

V. Work of services at borders

- 24/7 operation of veterinary, phytosanitary and sanitary services
- coordination with neighboring countries

A driver loses 206 hours per year (one salary)

VI. Interchangeable transport courts

- application of the ATA and Istanbul Conventions
- semi-trailer = "customs warehouse on wheels" use of EU semi-trailers without additional duties
- alignment with Regulation (EC) 1072/2009

BiH discriminates against its own carriers

VII. Standardization of procedures: uniform application of customs rules, elimination of subjective decision-making.

VIII. Driver reform

B category up to 4.25 t work from 18 years of age with training amendments to licensing regulations

IX. Registration and insurance

- registration via technical inspection
- price of semi-trailer max 150 KM
- alignment of insurance with the EU

X. Permits and monopoly

- abolition of monopoly
- transparent system (North Macedonia model)
- report for the last 10 years

XI. Parafiscal levies

abolition of multiple memberships (15+ obligations)
optimization of all contributions

XII. Payment deadlines: mandatory payment within 35 days late payment: double claim
payment from guarantee fund

XIII. Waiting costs

hour of waiting: 40 EUR
truck-day: 400 EUR
EU standard

XIV. Green agenda

subsidies for vehicles
access to EU funds
preparation for CO₂ taxes

What is additionally concerning is that we have reached a situation where, instead of systemic solutions, partial and unsustainable solutions are being offered.

In the public space, initiatives about "special visas" from third countries, including Hungary, are appearing as a supposed response to the problems of domestic carriers.

At the same time, some representatives of employer unions state that: they have no jurisdiction nor responsibility towards the road transport sector, that the transport sector is not a priority
and even that carriers are not key to the economy. Such an approach is unacceptable.

Road transport carries over 90% of goods flows, represents the basis of supply chains
directly affects prices, production and exports.

"Ignoring transport means ignoring the state's economy. Replacing domestic drivers with 'imported solutions' or shifting the problem to other countries is not a strategy, not a reform, but a direct abandonment of the domestic economy. All these measures are already known. They are all already agreed upon. Not a single one has been implemented. This is no longer a sector issue. This is a matter of survival of the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The time for promises is over. The time for accountability has begun. We consider any further delay as the direct responsibility of institutions and competent persons. We will: document, publicly announce and present everything to the domestic and international public. We no longer seek talks without results. We demand implementation. Immediately," state from the Consortium.