Import and Export in Slovenia

Since the 1st of May 2004 Slovenia is part of the single European internal market, with the main benefit of free movement of goods, services, individuals, monies and capital, fact that helps the import and export market in Slovenia.

However, there are certain categories of goods and products that need special permits and licenses in order to be imported and exported in Slovenia: narcotic drugs, coins, weapons and military equipment, seeds, livestock, gold and other items provided by the regulations in the field. Besides these, those trading goods here must apply for an EORI number. 

An important issue that must be known by legal representatives that are interested in import and export in Slovenia is that the customs duties are charged for goods upon their importation into the Community customs territory from third countries that are not part of the territory. These taxes are provided by the Common Customs Tariffs of the Community, in accordance to the common customs legislation of the European Union. For more details on the matter, our Slovenian attorneys will be happy to provide you with qualified advices.

In case you are interested in import and export in Slovenia you must know that, in case of imports, there is an import levy that must be paid for certain agricultural products and foodstuffs, but can be exempted for under certain provisions of the Customs Act and also in case of bilateral trade agreements (or can be paid at a smaller rate).

Customs export procedure is carried out for all Community goods to be exported and for goods to be exported after the temporary export processing.

Trade branches which are authorized to invest export declarations are set out in Regulation establishing branch offices as internal organizational units of the Customs Service of the Republic of Slovenia and their field of work.

The export declaration is lodged at the customs office responsible for supervising the place where the exporter of the goods is established (local competent authority) or at the place where the goods are packed or loaded for export.

The exporter is the person on whose behalf the customs declaration is lodged and who has the declaration of ownership for those goods or similar rights in order to dispose over them.

The export declaration shall be made on the prescribed form and completed in accordance with the rulings on compliance with the Single Administrative Document and Electronic Data Interchange.

This declaration shall be submitted to the customs authorities along with the goods.

Exported goods, in accordance with the Article no. 52 of the Law on Value Added Tax, are exempted from value added tax, when can be proved by the export declaration. The tax is chargeable for the import of goods and those importing goods in this country must also verify when they need to conduct the steps for VAT registration in Slovenia. 

In certain cases it is not necessary to submit the written declaration, but the goods may be exported with an oral declaration. This method of application may be granted for goods for non-commercial nature contained in travelers' personal luggage that do not exceed the sum of EUR 1,000, where this is approved by the customs authorities.

The Slovenian import and export markets are very dynamic, with values that show developed internal industries for cars, with an export rate of about 10%, medicament industry, with about 8% of exports value, electrical energy, petroleum oils, About 20% of the exported goods go to Germany, 12% go to Italy and about 8% go to France. Other important export markets are Croatia, Austria, Serbia, Poland, UK, Netherlands.

For further details and customized information, please contact our law firm in Slovenia. Our team of proffesional lawyers in Slovenia will be at your service for qualified consultancy and advices related to legal matters concerning import and export procedures.