Vehicles to be imported at zero custom fees

TIRANA, Dec. 4 – Starting December 1, all used and new vehicles produced in EU member countries have started to enter Albania free of custom tax. The General Customs department announced that given the implementation of the Interim Agreement. Albanian importers will pay only Value Added tax and Import Tax and will no longer be subjects to the Custom Tax. Domestic media reported this week that the Agreement has generated some illusions among Albanian traders that they would no longer pay any taxes to import vehicles. In a statement issued for this purpose, the Customs Authority clarifies that no changes will apply to VAT and import Taxes. From January of last year, all vehicles except those with null previous usage were subject to a 15 percent customs tax, independent of their production year. New vehicles were subject to a 2 percent tax value. With the new Interim Agreement in place all these is eliminated and Albanians ca benefit form an average of $ 300-400 estimated savings. In order to benefit form this new regulations, importers have to present to the custom authorities on the ground the certificate EURO1, that proves the vehicle’s origin from an EU member state. Vehicles imported from elsewhere will still be subject to the 15 percent customs tax. Hysni Sharra, from the Customs Authority clarified that for the port of Vlora, traders will have to present an export declaration issued by the Italian authorities in case the vehicle is brought from Italy. (Tirana Times Staff)