Pool at a guesthouse in Republika Srpska: lifeguard, pool rules, inspection and fines
A host who offers guests a pool must have a lifeguard service (unless a specific regulation or the risk assessment provides otherwise), pool rules, a risk assessment and enough showers, toilets and changing cabins. Pools over 170 m² need two or more lifeguards. Without equipment or a risk assessment the market inspector closes the pool. The fine is 1,000 to 5,000 KM for a sole trader or a company.
Selling meat in Republika Srpska: approved slaughterhouse, stamp and declaration
Meat for butcher shops, restaurants and other catering establishments may come only from an animal slaughtered in an approved slaughterhouse, examined by a vet and stamped with the control number. At home you may slaughter pigs, sheep, goats, poultry and rabbits only for your own household, and that meat may not be sold.
Importing a tractor or equipment into BiH: customs duty, VAT, origin and who files
When you import equipment from the EU or Serbia, you pay customs duty under the tariff and 17% VAT. No duty is charged on industrial goods originating in the EU or a CEFTA country with proof of origin, and some equipment can be exempted. VAT is usually still due, except on equipment of a business moving to BiH from abroad. The importer or a customs representative files the declaration.
Health checks and hygiene training for food workers in Republika Srpska
Anyone working in food production, processing or sale needs a sanitary examination on taking the job and every six months after that, plus special hygiene training with an exam every four years. The employer pays. In Trebinje, go to the Public Health Institute's regional centre or the Health Centre.
Food from East Herzegovina to Montenegro and Croatia: what you may carry and sell
Travellers may not bring meat, meat products, milk or dairy into Croatia (the EU); honey and eggs are limited to 2 kg and fish to 20 kg. Montenegro exempts non-commercial goods from duty up to EUR 300 by road. Commercial shipments of animal products need a veterinary certificate, and for the EU also a border check.
Labelling and selling wine in Republika Srpska: label and sales to guests
Wine is, as a rule, sold only in original packaging, correctly labelled and with a Ministry decision allowing it onto the market. A producer entered in the Wine Register (a company or entrepreneur) may offer and serve its own wines to guests. The BiH state law sets the mandatory label elements.
Exporting animal-origin food from BiH to the EU: what is allowed and which papers
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.
Records for rural accommodation in Republika Srpska: guest book and tourist tax
Anyone providing accommodation in Republika Srpska must keep a guest book for domestic guests (foreigners go into a separate book of foreign guests), enter them on arrival and keep the book at least two years. Since 1 January 2025 rural tourism objects also collect the tourist tax per night, show it on the invoice, report by the 15th and pay it.
Fire safety in small accommodation facilities in Republika Srpska
Companies and entrepreneurs running an accommodation facility must file a fire-risk categorisation request within 15 days of starting work, have extinguishers tested at least every six months and train workers. Fines: 1,000 to 10,000 KM for a legal entity, 500 to 5,000 KM for an entrepreneur. Natural persons should ask the inspector.
Proof of origin for exports to the EU: EUR.1 or origin declaration
To get preferential treatment (lower or zero duty) on goods imported into the EU, the shipment needs a proof of origin: an EUR.1 certificate issued by customs, or an origin declaration on the invoice. Any exporter may make the declaration up to EUR 6,000 per consignment; above that only an approved exporter may. The proof is valid for 10 months.
Packaging waste in Republika Srpska: duties for small food and hospitality businesses
A business that first places packaging or packaged goods (bottled rakija, cheese, honey) on the Republika Srpska market reports to the Fond by 20 February for the previous year. For small yearly quantities (up to 100 kg paper, 300 kg glass, 30 kg metal, 80 kg plastic, 100 kg wood, 50 kg other) fee coefficients and targets do not apply; ask the Fond if a report is still needed.
Allergens in food you serve guests in BiH: the 14 allergens and how to inform guests
The Rulebook on providing food information to consumers (Official Gazette of BiH 68/13) also covers food served by catering establishments. You must know which of the 14 allergens are in each dish and be able to tell the guest: the information must be available and easily accessible (Art. 12). The rulebook does not say outright whether oral information is enough, so a written list is safer.
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