Bosnia Working on New Customs Regulations for Protection of IPR

The Draft Law on Customs Measures for Protection of Intellectual Property Rights recently prepared by the customs authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, aims to ease the burdens falling on the customs, such as the costs for storing and monitoring seized good, which are now solely covered by the customs authorities. It also establishes legal framework for certain customs procedures currently not formally regulated by law.

The Customs Sector of the Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina has prepared new monitoring request forms and changed the monitoring requirements. Namely, after the law is adopted, there will be a two-year time limit for the monitoring of seized goods, whereas previously it was indefinite. After the two years pass, the new request is to be submitted.

Under the new law, the IP rights holders and their legal representatives will be required to supply statements that they will cover all expenses in case the seized goods prove to be genuine or in case the IP rights holders or their legal representatives cancel the customs procedure.

PETOSEVIC office in Bosnia will be actively involved in all activities regarding the law adoption procedure. The Draft is currently undergoing revision and is expected to be submitted to the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina for further legislative procedure soon.

For more information, please contact Alma Vilic at our Bosnia and Herzegovina office.

Source: PETOSEVIC; The Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina