The Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ITA BiH) has initiated a public procurement process for establishing and maintaining the infrastructure for the NCTS (New Computerised Transit System) software platform, which represents a key step toward BiH’s accession to the European Union (EU) Common Transit Convention.
According to the published documentation, the deadline for submitting bids is December 29th, 2025, by 12:00 p.m., and the documentation can be downloaded until December 28th, 2025.
The estimated value of the procurement is 1.410.256.41 BAM, and the procedure will be conducted as an open public procurement process, using the lowest price criterion and the possibility of an e-auction.
NCTS is a modernized electronic system for processing customs transit declarations, enabling work in a paperless environment and compliance with EU customs legislation. ITA BiH already uses NCTS Phase 5, adapted to the national level, and this project aims to technically upgrade and build new infrastructure in accordance with European standards.
As stated in the technical specification, the system will allow for safer, faster, and more efficient processing of customs procedures, significantly improving trade and the flow of goods between BiH and EU member states.
The European Commission, through DG TAXUD, has set a deadline of November 1st, 2026, for BiH’s accession to the EU Common Transit Convention.
Financial framework and choice of infrastructure model
ITA emphasized that it currently does not have the financial resources required to purchase new equipment, which prevents the implementation of a direct purchase model. Furthermore, the public procurement, delivery, and installation process of new equipment would require additional time for planning, implementation, and testing, which could jeopardize meeting the obligations under the deadline for BiH’s accession to the EU Common Transit Convention (November 1st, 2026).
For this reason, it was decided to apply the IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) model – renting infrastructure from an external data center.
This approach enables: fast and efficient implementation without waiting for physical equipment installation; compliance with project-defined deadlines; lower initial financial burden, as large capital investments are avoided; flexibility in resource usage, with payment according to actual needs.
Such a model allows for a sustainable and rational approach to modernizing the customs system, reducing the risk of delays and ensuring the continuity of a project that is of strategic importance to BiH.
A step toward European integration of the customs system
The implementation of the modernized NCTS system is considered one of the key steps toward the European integration of BiH, as it brings simpler customs procedures, better goods control, and faster data flow between BiH and EU member states.
ITA states that the project will contribute to facilitating foreign trade operations, increasing efficiency and transparency of customs procedures, and creating a more favorable business environment for entrepreneurs in BiH.
