Kosovo - Trade BarriersKosovo - Trade Barriers

Kosovo has no general restrictions on imports.  When applicable, products are required to undergo sanitary, phytosanitary, or veterinary inspections at border control.  The Food and Veterinary Agency (FVA), which functions under the Prime Minister’s Office, waived import permits for milk and dairy products in 2012, while still requiring them for imported meat, poultry, and live animals.  The permits are issued upon the importing companies’ presentation of health certificates from the exporting country and certificates of origin.

U.S. companies’ local distributors must complete an application form and health certificate to import animal food products, including poultry products.  Kosovo accepts USDA food-safety inspection service certificates.  The FVA’s Phytosanitary Division requires control certificates and certificates of origin for all imports.

Import licenses are required for pharmaceutical, live animals, and tobacco products.  An import license is required for production inputs and raw materials associated with manufacturing of pharmaceutical products.  Licenses can be obtained from the Kosovo Medicines Agency (KMA) for six months, with an additional six months in case the import was not completed as scheduled.  The KMA requires that the shelf-life of imported pharmaceutical products must be valid for at least one year from the date of entry into Kosovo.  Its quality and safety requirements for pharmaceutical products also demand every import is accompanied by the following:

• Business license issued by the Competent Authority;
• Marketing authorization for medicinal product issued by KMA;
• Importing authorization held by the importer granted by the KMA, or an
• Import license issued by KMA that should meet the Good Manufacturing Practice standards;
• Batch Certificate of Analysis for each batch of medicinal product imported.

• These procedures are subject to change; please contact the KMA for up-to-date guidance.  Information on sanitary requirements can be obtained from Kosovo Ministry of Health.  Information on phytosanitary and veterinary requirements can be obtained from the Kosovo Food and Veterinary Agency in the Office of the Prime Minister.