Bosnia and Herzegovina plans temporary 30% duty on steel imports

Bosnia and Herzegovina plans to impose a 30% import duty on steel and steel products for a period of 200 days, according to eKapija.

The proposal was prepared by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations at the request of Nova Zeljezara Zenica. It must be approved by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina after public consultations. The reason for this step is to protect local production.

According to the ministry, the total growth of imports of reinforcing mesh to Bosnia and Herzegovina last year increased by 192.87% compared to the average for four years, with Serbia being the main importer, importing more than 9,000 tons.

Imports of reinforcing steel in coils from Turkey in 2025 increased by 885% compared to the four-year average, while imports of bars increased by 229.56%.

The ministry sees this as clear pressure from foreign producers selling their products in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while local capacity remains unused. The ministry notes that this practice threatens the overall stability of the construction sector, as consumers become dependent on imports, while such products are already available on the domestic market.

Earlier, the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina called on the authorities to file a complaint with Serbia and the joint committee of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) regarding new Serbian quotas on imports of certain steel products, which were introduced in January this year for a period of six months.