The Law Enforcement Sector of Indirect Taxation Authority conducts investigative and intelligence activities coming within the competence of the Sector, as well as  everyday exchange of information with other institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and customs and tax administrations of other countries (on the basis of signed agreements of cooperation). Here you can find some information on already completed activities that are approved for publication.

October 16, 2007 - The officers of the Indirect Taxation Authority – Banja Luka Regional Center, Anti-smuggling Department, found with the exporter "XING LONG doo" from Sarajevo the following goods: hidden 68,800 pieces of the NIKE emblems of different sizes, 71 reels of foil with the NIKE emblems and 500 pieces of glue. Those goods were tried to be smuggled to Bosnia and Herzegovina but after having been found they were seized temporarily because of a suspected misuse of the NIKE trademark. The proceedings will be instituted against the importer.

September 26, 2007 - The officers of the Indirect Taxation Authority temporarily seized a new shipment of 13,368 pairs of counterfeit PUMA and NIKE sports shoes in the Banja Luka Customs Branch Office. The counterfeit goods were imported from China. The total market value of the temporarily seized goods was estimated to be BAM 500,000.
During the customs clearance procedure conducted in the Banja Luka Customs Branch Office, the officers of the Customs and Law Enforcement Sectors of the Indirect Taxation Authority detected a new shipment of counterfeit sports shoes: 13,368 pairs of the PUMA and NIKE sports shoes with the market value estimated to be BAM 500,000. Having suspected that the goods were counterfeit, the Indirect Taxation Authority officers contacted the authorized agents for the importation of PUMA and NIKE brands into Bosnia and Herzegovina who confirmed that the concerned goods were counterfeit. Afterwards the Indirect Taxation Authority officers notified the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina and by its warrant there were seized 13,368 pairs of counterfeit sneakers. The proceedings will be instituted against the importer.
Photos of seized goods:

Seized sports shoes (photo 1)

Seized sports shoes (photo 2)

September 07, 2007 - The officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority – Regional Centre Mostar, together withthe officers from the State Investigation and Protection Agency and Ministry of Interior of the West-Herzegovina Canton, have successfully carried out the action on busting the organized crime ring of illegal manufacturing and selling the "Marlboro" brand cigarettes in the area of Grude, in Herzegovina.
A large quantity of manufactured cigarettes with the total market value estimated to be BAM one million was temporarily seized at the car dump on the road Ljubuški-Grude. The cigarettes were loaded on the truck with the stolen registration plates.
The illegal cigarette factory with six machines of the total value over BAM one million was located in Drinovci, near Grude. There were also found a few tones of tobacco, tens of thousands of the counterfeit cigarette stamps originating from the neighbouring Republic of Serbia, as well as other materials needed for cigarette manufacturing and packaging.
The officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority are going to submit the Report against a few individuals to the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Photos of seized goods:

Seized cigarettes (photo 1)

Seized cigarettes (photo 2)

July 06, 2007. - The authorized officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority Law Enforcement Sector conductedseveral actions in the Herzegovina area that resulted in a temporary seizure of 13,6 kilos of gold, a large quantity of wrist-watches and mobile phones. The total market value of those goods was estimated to be BAM 750,000. Those goods were intended for the black market in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority Law Enforcement Sector conducted several well-organized actions in Mostar, Međugorje, Široki Brijeg, Grude, and Ljubuški. The actions resulted in the temporary seizure of the large quantity of gold jewelry, wrist-watches, mobile phones and foreign currency cash. There were neither evidence nor certificates of origin of the goods. The total value of the seized goods intended for the black market in Bosnia and Herzegovina was estimated to be BAM 750,000.
Those activities also resulted in detection of many criminal offences and minor offences based on which there will be submitted reports to the competent prosecution authorities against five persons, as well as requests to the minor offence courts for instituting minor offence court proceedings. All activities are supervised by the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Indirect Taxation Authority seeks the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to report totally anonymously and free of charge any suspicions of illegal trade by using the Law Enforcement Sector Hotline  080 05 06 07.
Photos of seized gold:

Seized Gold (photo 1)

Seized Gold (photo 2)

June 13, 2007 - The authorized officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority Law Enforcement Sector conductedtwo separate actions resulting in temporary seizure of goods worth over BAM 1 million. The goods were intended for the black market in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority at the Izačić border crossing point prevented an attempted illegal importation of 13,000 pairs of counterfeit Nike and Adidas sneakers, as well as 41,000 trademarks of these brands, with the total market value estimated to be BAM 600,000.
In the Herzegovina area the officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority prevented an attempted smuggling of 693 mobile phones and 10 navigation devices into Bosnia and Herzegovina. The market value of those goods was estimated to be BAM 540,000.
At the Izačić border crossing point the officials of the Law Enforcement Sector temporarily seized 13,000 pairs of counterfeit NIKE and ADIDAS sneakers during an attempt of their importing into Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the same time there were detected 41,000 trademarks of the world-renowned brands, as well as a certain quantity of scissors and glue. The total value of the temporarily seized goods was estimated to be BAM 600,000. The authorized officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority Law Enforcement Sector are going to submit the report to the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina against the responsible persons for the purpose of legal protection of industrial property.
The officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority have, together with the State Border Police, prevented and attempted smuggling of technical equipment into Bosnia and Herzegovina on the road Grude-Posušje, in the Herzegovina area. The counterfeit goods included: 693 mobile phones and 10 navigation devices with the market value estimated to be BAM 540,000. The officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority Law Enforcement Sector are going to submit the report to the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina against the responsible persons on the criminal offense of attempted smuggling.
The Indirect Taxation Authority seeks the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to report totally anonymously and free of charge any suspicions of tax evasion by using the Law Enforcement Sector Hotline 080 05 06 07.
Photos of seized goods:

Seized goods (photo 1)

Seized goods (photo 2)

Seized goods (photo 3)

May 21, 2007 - The officials of the Anti-smuggling Team of the Indirect Taxation Authority – Banja Luka Regional Centre seized temporarily at the Customs Branch Office Izačić a large quantity of counterfeited cosmetic products with the total value of BAM 600,000. Those products were attempted to be imported into Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The following items were among the seized goods: 7,000 pieces of perfumes and 1,000 pieces of different creams of the following trademarks: L’Oreal, Calvin Klein, Dior, Bvlgari, Burberry, Lancôme etc.. This attempt of smuggling caused the intellectual property right infringement and commitment of criminal offence from the stipulated area. There were also temporarily seized 2,900 pairs of sneakers, as well as a large quantity of other non-declared goods. The market value of those counterfeited goods that were seized is estimated to be BAM 600,000. The goods were imported from China and the importer is a legal entity whose owner is a Chinese citizen.
The Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina was informed about the action. Currently the officials of Indirect Taxation Authority are taking measures following the order issued by the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The holders of industrial property right were also informed about it and they are taking measures pursuant to the Law on Industrial Property.
The Indirect Taxation Authority seeks the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to report totally anonymously and free of charge any suspicions of customs or tax evasion by using the Law Enforcement Sector Hotline  080 02 06 07.

May 16, 2007 - The officials of the Anti-smuggling Team – Indirect Taxation Authority, and the officers of thePolice Security Centre Trebinje temporarily seized 4,220 packs of cigarettes attempted to be smuggled for illegal sale in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The cigarettes were detected in a vehicle "VW Golf" with B&H license plates, in Berkovići on the road Bileća-Stolac.  After thorough search of the vehicle, there were found 4,220 packs of "Memphis" and "Ronhill" cigarettes marked with stamps of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Montenegro. Those cigarettes, intended for illegal sale in Bosnia and Herzegovina, were temporarily seized. The offense procedure against the offender will be initiated at the Basic Court in Trebinje which is competent in this matter.
This is the last attempt in the series of attempts of illicit trafficking of cigarettes in this part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Recently, the officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority – Mostar Regional Centre have submitted six reports on the criminal offences of illicit trafficking of cigarettes committed by six individuals. The value of the seized goods in these six cases was estimated to be BAM 50,000.
The Basic Court in Trebinje has already brought five decisions, fined the offenders with  BAM 11,500 and issued a precautionary measure of cigarette seizure.
So far some 16 claims for initiating offense procedures were filed to the competent courts against 17 individuals. A total of 31,902 packs of cigarettes were seized from those individuals.

April 18, 2007 - Based on the collected information and the Doboj Court Order the Anti-smuggling Team of theIndirect Taxation Authority carried out a search of the private facility in Banja Vrućica owned by the person whose initials are M.Č., and temporarily seized five motocultivators with additional equipment. The total value of the temporarily seized equipment is estimated to be over BAM 40,000. The equipment, for which there was no valid documentation, was being illegally sold at the market in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The inspection results indicate that the person whose initials are M.Č. was, for some time, involved in illicit trade (Article 281 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Srpska) of the above mentioned machinery.
The temporarily seized goods were stored in the warehouse of the Indirect Taxation Authority. The report against the responsible person will be submitted to the competent Prosecutor's Office.

April 12, 2007 - The Anti-smuggling Team of the Indirect Taxation Authority seized 180 mobile phones after theinspection of 11 retail outlets selling mobile phones and after carrying out the search of a house in the Municipality of Novo Sarajevo. Those goods, with the market value estimated to be approximately BAM 42,500, were smuggled to the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to avoid paying of the import duties stipulated by the law.
The officials of the Law Enforcement Sector from the Sarajevo Regional Centre of the Indirect Taxation Authority carried out the inspection of a private facility in the Municipality of Novo Sarajevo, as well as  the inspection of 11 retail outlets on various locations in the Sarajevo Canton and East Sarajevo areas. During the inspection there was identified improper management causing temporary seizure of a large quantity of mobile phones on many inspected locations.
After the search of the private facility in the Municipality of Novo Sarajevo had been completed, there were seized some 88 mobile phones and accessories with the market value estimated to be over BAM 17,200. The inspection carried out in 11 retail outlets on various locations in the Canton Sarajevo and East Sarajevo resulted in temporary seizure of 92 mobile phones for which there were no supporting documentation, invoices and certificates of origin, while the total market value was estimated to be BAM 25,300.
The temporarily seized goods are subject to customs offence due to reasonable suspicion that the goods were smuggled to Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to avoid paying the import duties stipulated by the law.  There will be filed seven criminal charges and one report on committed criminal act of illicit trafficking to the competent courts against the offenders, both legal and natural persons.
This action was carried out successfully in cooperation with the Canton Sarajevo Prosecutor's Office and with the help of the officers from the Canton Sarajevo Ministry of Interior and Novo Sarajevo Police Station.
The Indirect Taxation Authority seeks the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to report totally anonymously and free of charge any suspicions of customs or tax evasion or illicit trafficking by using the ITA Hotline  080 02 06 07.

April 09, 2007 - After thorough inspection of the shipment of used vehicle parts, the officials of the Anti-smuggling Team from the Mostar Regional Centre of the Indirect Taxation Authority seized temporarily a large quantity of new vehicle parts that were attempted to be smuggled to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The smuggled goods, with the market value estimated to be over BAM 50,000, were imported from Italy for the company with its headquarters in Mostar whose owner is the person with the initials H.S.
The vehicle parts were temporarily seized. The Indirect Taxation Authority is going to initiate the proceedings at the competent court against this legal person and the responsible person in the company that was importing those goods.

April 01, 2007 - The officials of the Investigation Group and Anti-smuggling Team from the Mostar Regional Centre of the Indirect Taxation Authority temporarily seized over 20,000 pieces of music CDs, DVDs, DIVX movies, and PC games that were being illegally sold, as well as other additional equipment used for manufacturing unauthorized copies. The total value of the temporarily seized goods intended for the black market in Bosnia and Herzegovina is estimated to be over BAM 75,000.
By the Order from the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina the authorized officials of the Investigation Group and Anti-smuggling Team from the Mostar Regional Centre of the Indirect Taxation Authority carried out a search of the office space belonging to the company "HELI" d.o.o. from Mostar, the shop number 1 known by the name of "Shupa Shop", owned by J.S., under the suspicion  that there was committed a criminal act under the Article 243 of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina: abuse of copyrights. During the search there were seized large quantities of: music CDs, DVDs, DIVIX movies, PC games, blank CDs, blank DVD and  DIVX covers, as well as various additional equipment, without indicated origin of goods, for which there was no documentation but it was used for making unauthorized copies. The total market value of the temporarily seized goods is estimated to be approximately BAM 75,000. The report on those activities will be submitted to the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

March 24, 2007 - Today the Anti-smuggling Team of the ITA temporarily seized 3,222 pieces of DVD movies on theroad Trebinje - Stolac. Those were illegal copies of the movies with the market value estimated to be over BAM 15,000. This action was carried out in cooperation with the officers from the Trebinje Police Station. During the inspection of vehicles, persons and goods, the ITA'a officers found the illegal DVDs intended for the black market in Bosnia and Herzegovina with a person whose initials are Z.P. and who comes from Trebinje.
The report on the committed felony will be submitted against Z.P. to the competent Public Prosecutor's Office.
The Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina seeks everyone's cooperation by using the Hotline 080 02 06 07 in order to report totally anonymously and free of charge any suspicions of trafficking.
Photos of seized DVDs:

Seized DVDs (photo 1)

Seized DVDs (photo 2)

March 23, 2007 - Today the Anti-smuggling Team of the ITA's Regional Centre in Tuzla temporarily seized 6,441litres of alcoholic drinks that were labelled with the counterfeited control stamps. The total market value of the seized goods is estimated to be approximately BAM 60,000. The action was carried out in cooperation with the officers from the Ministry of Interior of the Tuzla Canton.
The warehouse where the goods were located belongs to a company from Tuzla that also owns a coffee bar, which operates without the necessary permit, where the seized alcoholic drinks were being sold illegally. The following alcoholic drinks were seized: 1,145 bottles of the  "JOCK SCOT" whiskey, 1,516 bottles of the "BURTI" sparkling wine and 3,780 bottles of other kinds of wine.
The responsible persons will be prosecuted under the Law.
Photos of seized goods:

Seized goods (photo 1)

Seized goods (photo 2)

March 01, 2007 - At  4.15 a.m. this morning the officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority in cooperation with the officers of the Police Administration of Trebinje detected an attempt of people smuggling on the road Trebinje-Ljubinje. While performing their previously planned activities on combating the smuggling of excise goods, the officials of the ITA intercepted a VW van some 25 kilometres away from Trebinje, in the Žakovo village area. The van was driven by B.M. from Trebinje. A group of 11 individuals, citizens of the Republic of Albania, was detected near the van.
The officers of the Police Administration of Trebinje arrested the above mentioned individuals and brought them in the Police Administration (of Trebinje). According to the preliminary information, the citizens of the Republic of Albania should have been transferred to Mostar and afterwards to Italy via the Republic of Croatia.

February 23, 2007 - In the territory of the Municipality of Kiseljak the officers of the Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina temporarily seized a large quantity of the spare parts for vehicles made by different manufacturers. The total market value of the seized goods intended for the black market in Bosnia and Herzegovina is estimated to be approximately BAM 250,000.
Today, following the intelligence collection, the officers of the Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ITA) – Law Enforcement Sector of the Regional Centre in Sarajevo temporarily seized, from a private building in the territory of the Municipality of  Kiseljak, a large quantity of the spare parts for vehicles made by different manufacturers. The seizure was carried out upon the consent of the Prosecutor’s Office of the Central-Bosnia Canton and by order of the Municipal Court in Kiseljak. The total value of the temporary seized goods intended for the illicit trafficking on the black market in Bosnia and Herzegovina is estimated to be approximately BAM 250,000.
The Law Enforcement Sector of the Regional Center in Sarajevo is going to take further activities, related to this action of the ITA’s officers, with a view to prevent, detect, investigate and, in cooperation with the competent prosecutor’s offices, prosecute the criminal activities related to indirect taxes. The legal actions will be taken against the responsible individuals.
The Indirect Taxation Authority seeks the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to report totally anonymously and free of charge any suspicions of customs or tax evasion or illicit trafficking by using the ITA Hotline 080 02 06 07.

January 02, 2007 - Officers of the BiH Indirect Taxation Authority-Regional Centre Sarajevo, in cooperation withmembers of the Police HQ Maglaj, temporarily seized 200,000 packs of smuggled Marlboro cigarettes today. These cigarettes were not marked with by law prescribed BiH tax stamps and were detected in the warehouse located near the main road M-17, in the territory of the Municipality of Maglaj. The total value of the sized cigarettes intended for sale on the black market in Bosnia and Herzegovina is estimated at around KM 650,000.
In Maglaj the BiH ITA-Regional Centre Sarajevo Anti-Smuggling Team and members of the Police HQ Maglaj sized today around 200,000 packs of Marlboro cigarettes which were not marked with by law prescribed BiH tax stamps for tobacco products and which were intended for further sale on the black market of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The total market value of these cigarettes, which were seized at the order of a preliminary proceedings judge is around KM 650,000. The cigarettes were found in a warehouse located near the man road M-17 in the territory of the municipality of Maglaj. The ITA Anti-Smuggling Team will carry out further activities related to this operation and legally prescribed measures will be undertaken against responsible persons.
The ITA invites all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to report any illegal trade in alcohol and cigarettes on the ITA hot-line 080 02 06 07 toll free and completely anonymously. Illegal sale of alcohol and cigarettes means any sale of such products that are not marked with valid BiH tax stamps, or that are marked with tax stamps of the neighbouring countries