Includes information on average tariff rates and types that U.S. firms should be aware of when exporting to the market.
Last Published: 6/25/2019

Albania enjoys a liberal trade regime. Foreign trade was liberalized in 1990 and follows guidelines set by the European Union (EU) and World Trade Organization (WTO). Albania has been a member of the WTO since 2000. The Customs Tariff Nomenclature is based on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS).

The Directorate General of Customs is the institution responsible for the management of customs in Albania. Major pieces of legislation regulating customs activity include:

  • Law no. 102/2014, “Customs Code of the Republic of Albania” and bylaws.
  • Law no. 8474 of April 14, 1999, “On the Combined Nomenclature of Goods.” The nomenclature of goods in Albania changes every year because of the fulfillment of WTO requirements and free trade agreements. For 2019 nomenclature please visit the following link: Combined Nomenclature of Goods.
  • Free Trade Agreements (SAA, CEFTA, FTA with Turkey, and FTA with EFTA countries.)


Albania implements preferential tariffs on products originating from member countries of the European Community, CEFTA, EFTA, and Turkey. The following link has the complete 2019 list: Preferential Tariffs.

Albania is also a signatory to the International Technology Agreement under the WTO umbrella, which provides free import of information technology equipment.

Commodities coming from the U.S. market are generally at a competitive disadvantage as they incur customs duties, which are generally higher compared to goods originating from countries with which Albania has signed FTA-s.

All customs declarations with a value of more than 1,000 euros pay a scanning fee of 22 euros per declaration, while fewer than 1,000 euros incurs a 5 euro scanning fee. Generally, the VAT for imported commodities is 20%, with a few exceptions.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.