21 years since Albania became part of WTO, Kosovo still unmembered

Foreign trade has been liberalised since 1990 and follows standards set by the European Union and the World Trade Organization.

For 21 years, Albania has been a member of the WTO and applies the WTO regime on the import license procedure.

As a result of market liberalisation and the ongoing process of linking the customs regulatory framework with EU system standards, import and export of goods, as a general rule, do not depend on any particular authorisation.

Bilateral or multi-racial agreements in which Albania is a party can set quotas, or search requirements. Also, the need for license devices exists in the case of specific items with limited circulation within the country, such as military and strategic goods, radioactive materials and psychotrope substances, medicines, and so on.

Albania has committed to liberalising its tax regime by implementing a process of lowering tariffs, commitments stemming from agreements on Technical Barments in the Exchange (TBT) and the Sanitarian and Win-Sanitary Standards (SPS).

The Albanian Customs Code stresses that the customs assessment will take place in accordance with WTO requirements and that Albania is a member of the OBPI (World Intellectual Property Organization) since 1992 and that it has recognised several international agreements in this area.

Albania commits to implementation of T Agreement RIPS and all copyright legislation. Albania has also signed the relevant memorandum on the Regime of Intellectual Property.

Exporting goods does not subject to any particular export, tarifa or other barrier. Also, import of goods is not subject to any tax import obligation except to customs duties. Import of goods is subject to T SUCH and such products as tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and fuels are subject to excises.

The World Trade Organization has headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and has over 160 member states. Its function is to promote and implement international trade laws and regulations.