Foreign Trade Regulations
Albania applies a liberal trade regime while its foreign trade has been liberalized since 1990 and follows the guidelines set by the European Union and World Trade Organization. Albania has been a member of WTO since 2000 and applies WTO rules on import
licensing. As a result of this liberalization and an on-going process of harmonization of Albanian customs rules with the EU system, imports and exports of commodities are not generally subject to special authorization requirements. Exceptions apply to quotas
or control requirements imposed through different bilateral or multilateral agreements 24signed by Albania. Licenses are also required for specific commodities with restricted circulation within the country such as military or strategic goods, radioactive materials
and psychotropic substances, drugs etc.
Exports are not subject to any export taxes, fees or other barriers. Imports are not subject to any import duty taxes other than customs duties. Imports are subject to VAT and some items, such as tobacco, alcoholic beverages and fuel are also subject to an excise tax.
Trade Developments
Trade volume in 2011 rose by 23.9 % compare to 2010, with imports rising by 12.4% and exports by 20 %. During 2011 total imports amounted to 544,004 million ALL (3,867.09 million euro) and exports amounted to 197,459 million ALL (1,404.16 million euro).
The EU remains the main trading partner of Albania, providing 64.1 % of imports and receiving 72.5 % of Albania’s exports. Albania imports mainly from Italy, Greece, China, Germany and Turkey, and exports to Italy, Kosovo, Turkey, Greece, Spain and Germany. Italy and Greece represent respectively 47.7 % and 16.6 % of imports, and 73.3% and 7.1% of exports.