From 12 to 16 May 2025, the World Customs Organization (WCO), with financial support from the Customs Cooperation Fund/Germany (CCF/Germany), successfully conducted a National Workshop on Rules of Origin for the Customs Administration of the Indirect Taxation Authority of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The event marked a significant step forward in strengthening the technical capacity and operational knowledge of Customs officials, particularly in light of the ongoing transition between the 2012 and 2023 versions of the Regional Convention on Pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin (PEM Convention). It provided a valuable platform for exchanging experiences, fostering regional collaboration, and promoting harmonized application of origin procedures across the country.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Branko Dujmović, Head of the Department for Tariff, Value and Origin, emphasized the importance of the workshop as a forum for knowledge-sharing, practical learning, and professional development. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the WCO and the CCF/Germany for their continued support in enhancing Customs capacity in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The five-day workshop brought together eighteen (18) experienced mid- to senior-level Customs officials from the four regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina Customs of Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Tuzla, and Mostar. Designed to expound the guiding principles of application of rules of origin and blend these with discussions on their real-world application, the workshop addressed key topics, including origin determination including the concepts of absorption, cumulation and tolerance, preferential and non-preferential rules of origin, advance rulings, certification and verification procedures, and best practices for addressing origin irregularities. Particular emphasis was placed on the role that the uniform application of Rules of Origin plays in facilitating trade, as Customs delivers on its commitments to efficiency, security, and prosperity of BiH.

The sessions, which combined expert-led presentations, case studies, and interactive group discussions, deepened the participants' understanding and shared experiences, leading to the identification of areas where divergences existed in the application of rules of origin provisions and procedures across different regions. By the end of the workshop, these divergences had been discussed and culminated in the development of a harmonised application roadmap, which was proposed to the Head of Department for Tariff, Value and Origin for implementation. Participants also visited the Banja Luka Customs Office, where they observed firsthand how origin provisions are applied in routine clearance operations, an experience that underscored the value of integrating policy and practice.

Closing the workshop, Mr. Dujmović, Head of the Department for Tariff, Value and Origin, commended the participants for their dedication, professionalism, and active engagement throughout the week. He reaffirmed the Administration's commitment to addressing the identified inconsistencies and promoting a unified approach to origin procedures. Reflecting on the achievements of the five-day workshop, he also encouraged continued collaboration among regional offices to build on its momentum.

For more information, please contact: ori@wcoomd.org