Customs

Origin definition

The Origin of goods, for customs purposes, is the place where goods were manufactured or the place where goods underwent substantial transformation.

The Origin of goods is defined based on Articles 29-32 of the Customs Code of the Republic of Albania and Articles 44-53 of the Implementation Provisions of the Customs Code.

For customs purposes, the origin of goods is defined as:
1. Preferential origin; and
2. Non-preferential origin.

Preferential origin results on lower or zero customs tariffs, in line with the preferential measures schemes, agreed between Albania and specific economy or group of economies.

Non-preferential origin does not result on  tariff benefits, but  applies under other non tariff trade regimes, such as the most-favored-nation regime, antidumping duties and other countervailing levies,  application of protective measures, contingency on import and export, and quantity and quality restrictions on goods from specific economy.

Proof of origin
(Certificate of Origin)

The list of processes acquiring the Albanian origin is given in the attached Annex.

The origin of goods is proved in front of Customs authorities by presentation of the Certificate of Origin.

The Certificate of Origin must meet the following conditions:

a) it must be issued by an authorized authority or agency;
b) It must contain all data required to identify the products it refers to, in particular: type, marks and numbers, type of product, gross and net weight, and name of the consignor.
c) it must clearly prove the origin of the products it refers to;
d) it must be in formats compliant with the approved templates and forms.

Based on the definition of the origin, the certificate of origin is issued as: preferential or non-preferential.

Documents

The non-preferential certificate or origin for products originating from Albania is issued by the Chamber of Commerce under which jurisdiction goods are manufactured.

In Export, Preferential certificate of origin is issued by the customs office which accept the export declaration. The preferential certificate of origin is issued only by a written request submitted by the exporter.

On Import to Albania, goods will benefit from preferential tariff treatment, upon mandatory submission of one of the following documents:
1. EUR.1 Certificate.
2. Invoice Declaration
3. Non of the above.

1.EUR 1 is an international declaration of preferential origin. Its form is given attached.

2. An invoice declaration is issued by the exporter. The Invoice Declaration is issued only by:
- An Authorized Exporter. Each Authorized Exporter has a Customs Authorization Number, issued by the Exporting Customs Authority.
- An exporter of a shipment the total amount of which does not exceed EUR 6,000.

3. Goods will benefit from the Free Trade Agreements without submission of any documents in the case when goods are originating, but they are shipped in small packaging by private individuals to private individuals; or are part of the passenger’s personal luggage; or the total value of goods must not exceed EUR 500 in case of small parcels; or as part of personal luggage their total value may not exceed EUR 1,200.

In order to get the Authorized Exporter Status, it has to apply to the Customs General Directorate (see attached application form), in comply with the requirements in the Authorized Exporter Regulation (Regulation attached).

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