Exports in Albania - 2025 Guide to Documents, VAT 0%, Logistics and Payments

Exports in Albania

Everything you need to start or scale exports from Albania: what to sell, which documents to use, how VAT zero rating works, the best routes and how to get paid. ✨

VAT on exports

Most exports are zero rated. Keep proof of shipment and place-of-supply notes on invoices.

Main gateways

Durrës port for sea freight, Tirana airport for air cargo, land links to Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Greece.

What sells

Textiles and footwear, minerals and metals, machinery parts and wire harnesses, processed foods, olive oil, herbs and IT services.

Start with your profile

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Tip: choose several if they fit. We highlight only what you need.

What you can export

Goods • services • compliance

Goods

Assign the right HS code and check destination rules.
Meet product standards and labeling in the buyer country.
Use a certificate of origin where preferences apply, for example EUR.1 or an origin statement.

HS codeOriginStandards

Services

Typical exports include software and IT, design and engineering, BPO, consulting.
Check the place-of-supply and any withholding tax in the client country.
Contracts should define scope, IP, data and payment triggers.

ITEngineeringBPO

Food and drink

Need veterinary or phytosanitary certificates for meat, dairy, plants and plant products.
Watch labeling, allergens and shelf-life rules in the destination market.
Cold chain plans are often required by buyers and insurers.

PhytosanitaryLabelingCold chain

Documents you will use

Keep an audit file

Commercial set

Invoice

Zero VAT with export note and buyer identity.

Packing list

Itemized contents, weights and package count.

Contract

Price, Incoterms, payment method and dispute rules.

Customs and transport

Export declaration

Filed electronically via customs. Attach invoice and transport docs.

Transport doc

CMR for road, AWB for air, bill of lading for sea.

Origin

EUR.1 or origin statement where the buyer claims preferences.

Sanitary and phytosanitary

Veterinary

For animal products when required by the destination authority.

Phytosanitary

For plants, seeds, herbs, timber and related goods.

Quality

Analysis, test or conformity certificates if the buyer asks.

Store all files for at least five years. The same pack also proves VAT zero rating.

How an export works

Step by step

Quote the buyer with product specs, Incoterms and payment terms. Confirm the HS code and destination rules.

Prepare goods and documents. Book transport and cargo insurance if the Incoterms place risk on you.

Issue invoice with zero VAT and the export or place-of-supply note. For services, keep contracts and deliverables log.

File the export declaration at customs and attach supporting documents. Obtain origin or sanitary papers where needed.

Ship the goods. Keep CMR, AWB or bill of lading and buyer receipt.

Collect payment and archive the full pack. Claim VAT credit or refund if applicable.

VAT and taxes for exporters

Keep the evidence

Zero rated VAT

Exports of goods and many export services can be invoiced at 0% VAT.
Keep export declaration and transport documents for goods, or contracts for services.
Show the legal reference on invoices and the place-of-supply note where relevant.

Input VAT credit

Exporters may recover input VAT on purchases used for taxable activities.
Refunds or carry-forward options depend on filings and thresholds.

Duties and preferences

Use the correct origin documents to claim preferences in partner markets.
Check the buyer’s tariff and any product standards before you quote.

Routes and gateways

Plan the path

Durrës port ⚓

Main seaport with container, Ro-Ro and general cargo. Feeds road links to Tirana and the north. Good for EU and Mediterranean lanes.

Tirana airport ✈

Fast for high value and urgent cargo. Use AWB and make sure packing meets airline rules.

Land borders 🚚

Road corridors connect to Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Greece. Plan driver rest, TIR carnets where used and customs openings.

Get paid safely

Pick by risk

Advance or milestone

Best for new buyers or custom work. Split 30/70 or use milestones with escrow.

Letter of credit

Bank promise to pay against compliant documents. Use for large or higher risk destinations.

Open account with insurance

Offer terms to trusted buyers and cover with trade credit insurance or guarantees.

Incoterms in one minute

Who pays and who risks

E group

EXW Seller makes goods available at own site. Buyer handles all transport and export formalities.

F group

FCA, FAS, FOB Seller hands over to buyer’s carrier. Risk transfers early.

C group

CPT, CIP, CFR, CIF Seller pays main transport, risk passes when goods are handed to the first carrier.

D group

DAP, DPU, DDP Seller bears most costs and risks. DDP includes import duties and taxes at destination.

Who can help

Local touch points

Customs

Electronic export declaration, tariff lookups and border procedures.

Tax

VAT rules, refunds and export evidence checks.

Standards and food safety

Product conformity, testing and sanitary or phytosanitary certificates.

Investment and trade desks

Directories of logistics firms and export programs and fairs.

This page is informational. Laws, agreements and procedures change. Confirm details with the relevant authority and your adviser.