Hiring seasonal workers in Republika Srpska: contracts, registration, costs
Republika Srpska has no separate seasonal work law in force, so seasonal staff are hired under the Labour Law: a fixed-term employment contract or, under strict conditions, a temporary and occasional work contract (up to 90 working days a year). The worker must be registered in the Unified System before starting.
VAT for small farms and guesthouses in BiH: the 100,000 KM threshold and 5% flat-rate compensation
VAT in BiH is a state-level tax at 17%. You must register once taxable turnover passes 100,000 KM. A farmer whose household cadastral income is below 15,000 KM is not a VAT payer, and a VAT-registered buyer adds a 5% flat-rate compensation to purchases, if the Indirect Taxation Authority has approved the farmer for it.
Excise duty on rakija, wine and liqueurs in BiH: who pays, rates, stamps
Excise is paid per litre of pure alcohol: BAM 8.00 for natural fruit brandy (rakija) and BAM 15.00 for liqueurs and other spirits, and BAM 0.25 per litre of wine. The registered producer (company or sole trader) pays, and retail bottles need an excise stamp.
Food law in BiH and Republika Srpska: basic duties for food businesses
Anyone who produces, processes, stores, transports or sells food is responsible for its safety, must know who supplied them and whom they delivered to, and must pull food they suspect is unsafe. In Republika Srpska some facilities must be entered in the Central Register of Facilities, but not wine and spirits makers or food under veterinary supervision.
Protecting a regional product name in BiH: designations of origin and geographical indications
BiH has two routes to protect a product name: food goes to the Food Safety Agency of BiH (Rulebook, Official Gazette of BiH 90/18), other products go to the Institute for Intellectual Property of BiH in Mostar (Law, Official Gazette of BiH 53/10). At the Agency a producers' association normally applies; at the Institute a single producer may apply too. From East Herzegovina, Nevesinjski krompir is protected.
Collecting forest fruits, mushrooms and herbs in RS: permits and fees
In state-owned forests managed by the public company "Šume Republike Srpske", individuals may collect up to 2 kg per day of non-timber forest products for family needs. Selling requires a one-year permit from the forest user and a fee of 5% of the raw-material price. Yellow gentian and arnica may not be collected.
Agricultural cooperatives in Republika Srpska: founding and what they offer small producers
An agricultural cooperative in Republika Srpska needs at least five natural persons who farm and are not members of the same joint household. Founders sign a founding agreement, adopt the cooperative rules at a founding assembly, and apply to APIF for registration within 30 days.
Consumer protection in Republika Srpska: prices, receipts, complaints book
Under the new Law on Consumer Protection of Republika Srpska (Official Gazette RS 101/25), a trader must show the final price, issue a receipt free of charge, keep a complaints book in a visible place and answer each complaint in writing within eight days. Fines for entrepreneurs range from 500 to 7,000 KM.
Guest data in a guesthouse: what the law requires, what to keep and for how long
Accommodation providers in Republika Srpska must keep a guest book, enter guests into the central information system and report a foreigner within 12 hours. Keep the book of foreigners at least three years. The BiH data protection law adds: collect only what is needed and inform the guest.
Organic production in Republika Srpska: the new law and control
The Law on Organic Production was published in Official Gazette RS 62/25 on 18 July 2025. Selling a product as "organski" (organic) requires control and certification by an authorised control organisation. Conversion takes at least two years for arable land and meadows and three years for permanent crops, and labelling follows rulebook 93/20 until new rules are adopted.
Income tax in Republika Srpska: farmers and tourist accommodation
A small farmer with up to 12,000 KM income pays no tax, and up to 50,000 KM pays 200 or 400 KM a year, with a statement filed by 28 February. Tourist accommodation run as a hospitality business is taxed as independent activity (10%) or as a small entrepreneur (2%); the 13% rate applies to leases.
Fiscalisation in Republika Srpska: who issues fiscal receipts, farmer exemptions
Everyone registered to trade goods or services in Republika Srpska must record every sale on an electronic fiscal device, except exempt activities. Selling your own farm produce at the holding's premises and at stalls is exempt; accommodation and catering are not. The deadlines for switching from old fiscal cash registers expired on 17.12.2024 and 30.09.2025.
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