BiH is on the EU list for milk and dairy, eggs, honey and farmed fish, and under conditions for poultry meat. It is not listed for fresh meat of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. The establishment must be approved for EU export, and each consignment needs an EU certificate from a veterinary inspector via TRACES NT.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a third country for the EU. Animal-origin food may enter the EU market only if the country is on the EU list for that product, the producer's establishment is approved for export (where approval is required), and each consignment carries the prescribed veterinary health certificate. This article covers animal products (milk and dairy, eggs, honey, fish, meat), not fresh fruit and vegetables.
In short
- The rules are in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/405. The text described is the consolidated version of 03.09.2026, which includes Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1189.
- In Annex -I (read "Annex minus I", countries with an approved residue control plan) BiH is listed for: bovine, ovine/caprine, porcine, poultry, aquaculture (finfish only, no crustaceans), milk, eggs and honey. It is not listed for equine, rabbit, game (wild and farmed) and casings.
- Since 03.09.2026 the EU also requires a listing in Annex XVIa (no antimicrobials for growth promotion and none reserved for human treatment, Article 118(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/6). BiH is listed there for the same categories as in Annex -I.
- BiH currently cannot export fresh meat of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs to the EU: it is not on the animal health list (Annex XIII of Regulation (EU) 2021/404) and meat products are not authorised. For poultry meat BiH appears in Annex XIV of that regulation.
- Every consignment is certified by a veterinary inspector on the certificate model from TRACES NT (new models apply since 21.08.2021).
Who it applies to
Dairies and cheese makers, beekeepers and honey packers, egg producers, fish farmers and poultry slaughterhouses who want to sell in the EU. Slaughterhouses of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs have no export route to the EU for now.
Annex -I means the EU accepts the residue control plan of BiH. Other lists apply to specific products: for milk and dairy of ungulates Annex XVII of Regulation 2021/404 (BiH is listed), for eggs its Annex XIX, for poultry meat its Annex XIV. Annex X of Regulation 2021/405 concerns milk of solipeds only. For aquaculture BiH is in Annex IX for finfish only. Before investing, confirm with the Veterinary Office of BiH that your specific product is approved.
What to do
- Check that your product type is in the list above and confirm it with the Ured za veterinarstvo BiH (Veterinary Office of BiH).
- Bring the establishment up to EU hygiene requirements (Annex III to Regulation (EC) 853/2004). The competent authorities of BiH check and guarantee compliance.
- Request approval of the establishment for EU export. The BiH authority proposes it and the Commission publishes it in TRACES NT. The Commission keeps lists for dairy, eggs, fishery products, meat and other categories. For honey, ask the Veterinary Office of BiH whether listing of the establishment is required. Check whether you are listed in the EU establishments list.
- For each consignment, contact the competent veterinary inspection, which issues the certificate on the EU model available in TRACES NT. Confirm the procedure with the Veterinary Office of BiH.
- For customs formalities contact the Uprava za indirektno oporezivanje BiH (Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH).
Deadlines and amounts
Check fees for inspection and certificates with your veterinary inspection. A proposal to extend the BiH entry in Annex IX to finfish products was notified to the WTO and its consultation closed on 26.06.2026. It is not adopted in the consolidated text of 03.09.2026, so BiH remains listed only for farmed fish.
Where to go
- Veterinary Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Maršala Tita 9a/II, 71000 Sarajevo: certificate models and exports.
- In East Herzegovina: the competent veterinary inspection, and the Veterinary Office of BiH to confirm the procedure.
Laws and sources
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/405, consolidated text of 03.09.2026
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404, consolidated text of 08.09.2026
- Veterinary Office of BiH: new models of veterinary health certificates for EU and EFTA countries (02.08.2021)
- European Commission: non-EU countries authorised establishments
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