The Indirect Taxation Authority Management of Bosnia and Herzegovina sent a warning ahead of the announced signing of the agreement on border crossing between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. It was emphasized that Gradiška could be left without both crossings if the agreement is signed without the ITA Governing Board adopting a rulebook.
The ITA BiH emphasized that, if the new Agreement is signed on Monday, there is a realistic possibility that as of Tuesday, June 9, 2026, no border crossing will be operational in the north of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the Gradiška area.
“In this way, there will be no single border crossing in the entire north and northwest of BiH for the transit of goods requiring full inspection controls (so-called BIPs),” they emphasized.
As they emphasized in the statement, the ITA was verbally noticed that on Monday a new Agreement on Border Crossings between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be signed, which, as announced, should be signed by the Chair of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Borjana Krišto and the President of the Government of Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković.
“The ITA considers that before the implementation of the new Agreement begins, all necessary organizational and administrative prerequisites must be created for its smooth application. Otherwise, serious problems could arise in the functioning of border traffic in the Gradiška area, with significant consequences for the economy, carriers, and citizens,” the ITA emphasized.
They point out that if the new Agreement enters into force within the announced timeframe, there is a possibility that as of Tuesday, June 9, 2026, no border crossing will be operational in the Gradiška area for international passenger and freight traffic.
“The existing Gradiška border crossing cannot continue to operate due to ongoing rehabilitation work on the bridge over the Sava River, the damage to which has suspended international freight traffic. At the same time, the new Gradiška New Bridge border crossing will not be able to function in accordance with the provisions of the new Agreement, because the Gradiška New Bridge Customs Office organizational unit has not yet been systematized in the current Rulebook on Internal Organization of the ITA,” they pointed out.
They remind that the ITA, in order to ensure operational continuity following the suspension of traffic across the existing old bridge, had previously made a Decision on the Temporary Relocation of the Customs Office from the Gradiška Border Crossing to the location of the new bridge in Gradiška.
“Based on the aforementioned decision, the Gradiška Customs Office has been temporarily relocated to the new Gradiška New Bridge location for a period of three months as of May 19, 2026. However, the commencement of the implementation of the new Agreement requires the existence of a new ITA organizational unit at the location of the new border crossing in Gradiška. This is possible solely through amendments to the Rulebook on Internal Organization of the ITA, which would establish the Gradiška New Bridge Customs Office. The Management has repeatedly informed the public and all relevant institutions about this in the preceding period. The mentioned amendments to the Rulebook must be adopted by the Governing Board of the Indirect Taxation Authority,” they emphasized.
They emphasize that due to the failure to adopt this Rulebook by the Governing Board, “there is a realistic possibility that no border crossing will be operational in the Gradiška area on the very first day following the signing of the aforementioned international Agreement.”
“We particularly emphasize that such a situation would have direct and serious consequences for the economy, carriers, and citizens, who would be unable to use any border crossing in Gradiška. The ITA has already informed the business community about the potential consequences of such a development through the chambers of commerce, ensuring that economic entities are timely informed about potential difficulties in international freight traffic. The ITA expects all competent institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue acting in accordance with the current Agreement on Border Crossings between these two countries, until all necessary conditions are met for the full implementation of the new Agreement on Border Crossings between Croatia and BiH,” they state.
They consider it essential to ensure the operational continuity of border traffic until the rehabilitation work on the damaged bridge in Gradiška is completed and the amendments to the Rulebook on Internal Organization of the ITA, which would establish the Gradiška New Bridge Customs Office, are adopted.
“The ITA expresses its expectation that all competent institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Korea/Croatia are aware of the serious consequences that could arise if the new Agreement is signed on Monday and its implementation begins on the very next working day, without previously meeting all organizational and administrative prerequisites for its smooth application. Such a scenario could lead to massive difficulties in international passenger and freight traffic, with direct consequences for the economy, carriers, and citizens on both sides of the border,” the ITA BiH concluded.
