A small market with a high dependence on imports.
Kosovo is a small market with a high dependence on imported goods. According to the final results of ReKos 2024, the resident population was 1,602,515. In 2025 nominal GDP was €10.35 billion and inward remittances were €1.355 billion.
In 2025 merchandise imports were €7.056 billion and merchandise exports €0.942 billion. Exports covered 13.4% of imports — this is a UKCC calculation based on the official annual figures of ASK. Remittances remain a substantial component of the funds entering the country; these indicators are not in themselves a forecast of demand for a specific product.
| Indicator | Latest confirmed value |
|---|---|
| Resident population, ReKos 2024 | 1,602,515 people |
| Nominal GDP, 2025 | €10.35 billion |
| Inward remittances, 2025 | €1.355 billion |
| Merchandise imports, 2025 | €7.056 billion |
| Merchandise exports, 2025 | €0.942 billion |
| Export coverage of imports, 2025 | 13.4% — UKCC calculation |
Sources: final results of ReKos 2024; the Central Bank of Kosovo; ASK, “Turnover of goods in Kosovo international trade, 2001–2025”. Trade values are converted from the official unit of “thousand euro” and rounded to 0.001 billion. Data verified on 13 August 2026.
- Final results of the ReKos 2024 census
- Central Bank of Kosovo: Kosovo economy at a glance
- ASK: annual trade turnover of Kosovo, 2001–2025
Five years of official data by partner country.
The official ASK table by partner country confirms that in 2025 imports from Ukraine were €20.877 million. Ukraine ranked 37th among supplier countries, and its share of Kosovo’s merchandise imports was 0.296%. The import values are converted from thousand euro; the shares and ranks are UKCC calculations based on the full partner-country table.
A decision on a specific category must be taken on the basis of the HS code, the country of origin, the value and the composition of the goods, and not on the overall bilateral turnover alone. The ASK tables published by HS section and by HS chapter do not allow a simultaneous filter by partner country, and for that reason the product-group shares and the list of six recurring headings cited earlier are not published here as reproduced from those datasets.
| Year | Imports from Ukraine, € million | Share of Kosovo’s imports | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 36.662 | 0.783% | 26 |
| 2022 | 16.885 | 0.299% | 36 |
| 2023 | 32.080 | 0.542% | 27 |
| 2024 | 16.171 | 0.254% | 37 |
| 2025 | 20.877 | 0.296% | 37 |
Source of the table: ASK, “Export and Import by partner country, 2010–2025”. Share and rank are UKCC calculations. Data verified on 13 August 2026.
Transit through a third country does not in itself change the origin of the goods. The origin, the code and the accompanying documents must nevertheless be declared correctly by the importer or the customs broker.
- ASK: trade by partner country
- ASK: trade by HS section
- ASK: trade by HS chapter
Everything starts with the commodity code.
The first step is to confirm the commodity code against Kosovo’s Integrated Tariff 2026. The code is what determines the general rate of customs duty, the preferential columns available, VAT, excise and trade policy measures. The rate depends on the product: the outdated reference to a universal 10% duty should not be used as a general rule.
A zero rate cannot be assumed for goods of Ukrainian origin. A preference is claimed only where an applicable trade arrangement exists and proper proof of origin is provided. The participation of Ukraine and Kosovo in the PEM Convention does not in itself create a free trade area or an automatic tariff preference between them.
The standard rate of VAT in Kosovo is 18%; a reduced rate of 8% applies to the categories defined by law. The actual rate must be checked for the specific code and product.
The basic set of documents usually includes the invoice, the customs value data and the declaration, transport documents and other accompanying papers. Proof of preferential origin is required only where a preference applies. For food products, products of animal origin and veterinary and phytosanitary categories, the AUVK certificate forms, the list of controlled goods and the required clearance or authorisation must be checked in advance.
- Kosovo Customs: Integrated Tariff 2026
- Customs and Excise Code No. 08/L-247
- Kosovo Customs: import documents FAQ
- Tax Administration of Kosovo: general tax information
- AUVK: veterinary certificates for import
- AUVK: goods subject to veterinary and phytosanitary control
- AUVK: request for import of food products of animal origin
- European Commission: PEM Convention
Kosovo has no seaport.
Kosovo has no seaport. Carriage from Ukraine to Kosovo passes through one or more third countries; this should not be described as a direct supply.
Before a price is quoted, the parties must agree the route, the transit procedure, the border crossing point, the importer of record, the customs broker, the Incoterm, the place of delivery and responsibility for duty and VAT. There is no universal route or timeframe for all categories.
The practical route to market entry →Describe your task in two lines.
Name the product, the sector and the market you are interested in. Send a short description to the corporate address of UKCC.
Write to ukcc@ukcc.pro →- Office
- Pristina, Kosovo
- Meetings
- By prior appointment
- ukcc@ukcc.pro