Bosnia to impose 30% duty on steel imports: reports
Bosnia plans to impose a 30% duty on steel imports for 200 days
The Bosnian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations has prepared a proposal in response to a request from local steel producer Nova Zeljezara Zenica. "It is subject to approval by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina after consultations with the public. The reason for this step is to protect local production," the authorities said in a statement.
The Ministry's data shows that the total increase in rebar mesh imports to Bosnia last year was 192.87% compared to the four-year average. Serbia was the main supplier, providing more than 9,000 tons, which is 408% more than in the period 2021-2024, according to the ministry.
The import of rebar in rolls from Turkey in 2025 increased by 885% compared to the four-year average, while the import of bars increased by 229.56%.
Italy took the second place with imports of 7,794 tons, which is twice as much as in the previous period, Kallanish notes.
The Ministry sees this as obvious pressure from foreign manufacturers selling their products in Bosnia, while local capacities remain unused. "This practice threatens the overall stability of the construction sector, as consumers become dependent on imported products already present on the domestic market," the ministry said.
The Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina (VTK/STKBiH) has called on the Bosnian authorities to file a complaint with Serbia and the Joint Committee of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) in connection with Serbia's new steel import quotas.
The quotas come into force on January 1 and apply to rebar, wire rod, and hot-rolled and cold-rolled cold-rolled steel, with a 50% duty levied on imports in excess of the prescribed volume (see Kallanish passim). This measure is valid for six months.
Author: Svyatoslav Abrosimov Bulgaria