Imports in Albania - 2025 Guide to Documents, Duties, VAT 20%, Logistics and Costs

Imports in Albania

Bring goods into Albania with confidence. See the documents you need, how customs works, how duties and VAT are calculated, the best routes, and use a clean estimator for landed cost. ✨

Documents

Commercial invoice, packing list, transport document, import declaration and origin or sanitary papers where required.

Duties and VAT

Duties depend on HS code and origin. Standard VAT is 20% applied on the VAT base defined by law.

Main gateways

Durrës port for sea freight, Tirana airport for air cargo and major land borders to neighbors.

Who are you

Tap to highlight

Select more than one if they fit. Matching cards will glow.

What you can import

Goods, rules and checks

Goods and HS codes

Every product has a tariff code that decides duty rate, controls and documents.
Classify correctly before you buy and add the code to the contract and invoice.
Ask the supplier for specs to support the code and origin.

Tariff codeSpecsOrigin

Food and agricultural goods

Some goods need veterinary or phytosanitary certificates.
Labels must meet language and nutrition rules.
Cold chain plans may be required for higher risk items.

VeterinaryPhytosanitaryLabeling

Machinery, chemicals and tech

Check conformity and safety standards for equipment and devices.
Hazardous chemicals can need licenses and special handling.
Keep manuals, declarations of conformity and test reports.

StandardsLicensesDocumentation

Documents you will use

Keep an audit file

Commercial pack

Invoice

Seller, buyer, terms, currency and HS codes where agreed.

Packing list

Contents, weights and package counts for inspection.

Contract

Price, Incoterms, delivery place, payment method and dispute rules.

Customs and transport

Import declaration

Filed electronically. Attach invoice and transport documents.

Transport doc

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

Origin

EUR.1 or origin statement if preferences apply based on agreements.

Regulatory and safety

Sanitary

Veterinary or phytosanitary certificates for specified goods.

Conformity

Declarations, markings and test reports for equipment and devices.

Licenses

Import permits for restricted items where required.

Keep all documents for at least five years. The same pack supports VAT and duty calculations.

How an import works

Step by step

Get a quote from the seller with product specs, HS code and Incoterms. Confirm any licenses or certificates early.

Book logistics and cargo insurance. Align packing and labeling with rules and buyer needs.

File the import declaration with invoice and transport docs. Provide origin and regulatory papers where required.

Pay duties and VAT. Customs may inspect. Resolve any holds by providing additional documents.

Goods are released. Close the file and store all paperwork for audits and after sales support.

Import cost estimator

CIF + duty + VAT

Enter your numbers

Goods value (FOB or ex works)

Freight

Insurance

Duty rate %

Other taxable costs (excise/fees)

VAT rate %

This is a simple estimator. Real declarations can include other items in the customs value or VAT base according to the rules and your Incoterms.

What the math does

CIF = goods value + freight + insurance.
Customs duty = CIF × duty rate.
VAT base = CIF + customs duty + other taxable costs.
VAT = VAT base × VAT rate (default 20%).

CIFDutyVAT 20%

Duties, VAT and origin

Plan before you buy

Duty rate

Set by the HS code and the product description.
Preferential rates may apply based on trade agreements and proof of origin.
Ask for written classification help if your code is complex.

Origin and preferences

Rules of origin decide if a product gets a lower duty rate.
Use an EUR.1 or an origin statement where the agreement allows it.
Keep supplier declarations and production records where needed.

VAT treatment

VAT at the standard rate applies on the VAT base at import.
VAT registered businesses can often recover input VAT on taxable activities.
File on time to avoid interest or penalties.

Routes and gateways

Pick the best path

Durrës port ⚓

Main seaport with container, Ro-Ro and general cargo. Connects quickly to Tirana and the north.

Tirana airport ✈

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

Land borders 🚚

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

Incoterms for buyers

Who pays and who risks

EXW or FCA

You arrange most transport and export formalities. Good when you control logistics.

CIF or CIP

Seller arranges main transport and insurance. Risk still transfers early, check the point of handover.

DAP or DDP

Seller takes costs to your place. DDP includes import duties and taxes. Check who is the declarant of record.

Who can help

Local touch points

Customs brokers

They file declarations and advise on codes, origin and documents.

Logistics firms

Forwarders and carriers for ocean, air and road, plus cargo insurance.

Standards and food safety

Testing, certification and sanitary or phytosanitary controls.

Tax advisers

VAT recovery and planning for import intensive businesses.

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