Country profile
Croatia
HR · HRVAs of: 7/21/2026EU Adriatic transit country / seaport gateway
Croatia is an EU, Schengen and Eurozone member on the Adriatic, serving as a gateway between Central and South-Eastern Europe. The seaports of Rijeka and Ploče and the A1 motorway link the Adriatic with the hinterland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. As part of the EU customs union, intra-EU trade has no customs formalities; third-country imports follow the Union Customs Code and 25 percent import VAT.
Overview
Croatia (HR) is an EU, Schengen and eurozone member on the Adriatic, acting as a seaport gateway and transit country between Central and South-Eastern Europe. Within the EU customs union, the Carinska uprava clears third-country imports electronically under the Union Customs Code (UCC), including ICS2 and NCTS; intra-EU trade moves without customs formalities. Import VAT (PDV) is 25 percent (reduced rates 13 and 5 percent). The main gateways are the ports of Rijeka (container gateway with the new deep-sea terminal), Ploče (access for Bosnia and Herzegovina), Split and Zadar, plus Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport (ZAG). Key axes are the A1 Zagreb–Split–Ploče, the A3 along Corridor X and the Mediterranean rail corridor Rijeka–Zagreb–Hungary; Vukovar serves as the Danube port. Trade centres on machinery, vehicles, petroleum products and food; the main partners are Italy, Germany, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Austria.
Mentioned countries
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Carinska uprava (Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance)Import system
EU customs union with the Union Customs Code (UCC). Import clearance is electronic via EU systems (ICS2, national import/AIS system). Intra-EU trade without customs formalities.
Export system
EU export procedure via AES/ECS, dispatch with NCTS Phase 6. Intra-EU supplies without customs declaration, only Intrastat reporting.
Import VAT
- Import VAT (PDV) 25 percent standard rate
- reduced rates 13 and 5 percent (Porezna uprava). Confirmed 2026-07
- temporary 5-percent rates for gas/heat expired on 31.3.2026 unless extended.
Import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Consignment note (CMR/CIM/B-L)
- Customs declaration (third countries)
- Proof of preference
Export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Export declaration (AES)
- Transit accompanying document (NCTS)
- Proof of origin
Origin proofs / FTA
EU free trade agreements applicable; preference proofs via REX, EUR.1 or origin declaration. No proof of origin needed for intra-EU trade.
Restricted & prohibited goods
EU-wide restrictions: weapons, dual-use goods, drugs, CITES species, cultural goods. Excise duties on alcohol, tobacco and energy.
Export controls & sanctions
EU Dual-Use Regulation 2021/821 and EU sanctions regimes (CFSP) apply directly, including against Russia and Belarus.
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (EU) — General process
Quick operational overview for shipments to the EU. The EU is a customs union; for imports from non‑EU countries, customs clearance and import VAT are typically key topics.
Documents (typical)
- Commercial invoice (description, value, Incoterms)
- Packing list (weights, dimensions, packages)
- HS code / tariff classification (duties/taxes and restrictions)
- Importer EORI and (where relevant) origin/preference documents
- Transport documents (AWB / Bill of Lading) depending on mode
Process (simplified)
- Prepare export (docs, HS code, origin/preference)
- Import clearance at the EU entry customs office (declaration, possible checks)
- Release and delivery; import VAT/duties based on classification and value
Common pitfalls
- Incoterms unclear → who clears customs/pays import VAT?
- Missing/wrong HS code/classification → delays and cost risk
- Origin/preference not properly documented → preference may not apply
- Inconsistent documents (invoice vs packing list vs shipment data)
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Official links
Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.
Trade
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Transport relevance
Cargo airports
- Zagreb Franjo Tuđman (ZAG)
- Split (SPU)
- Dubrovnik (DBV)
Inland ports & terminals
- Vukovar (Danube)
- Osijek (Drava)
- Sisak (Sava)
Road corridors & border crossings
- A1 Zagreb–Split–Ploče
- A3 Bregana–Zagreb–Lipovac (Corridor X)
- Mediterranean TEN-V corridor
Rail corridors
- Mediterranean corridor (Rijeka–Zagreb–Hungary)
- Corridor X (Slovenia–Zagreb–Serbia)
Top trade lanes
- HR–DE
- HR–IT
- HR–SI
- HR–BA
- HR–AT
Risk & Operational Notes
Risk notes
Stable EU/Schengen environment. Seasonal strain on Adriatic ports and roads during summer tourism; bottlenecks at times at Rijeka container terminal.
Seasonal & weather risks
Bora katabatic winds on the Adriatic can briefly disrupt port and road traffic in winter; otherwise moderate risk.
Current logistics notes
No nationwide disruption verified; new Rijeka Gateway container terminal in operation, port expansion ongoing. Seasonal summer strain on Adriatic routes. (As of 2026-07-21)
As of: 2026-07-21
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Public holidays
| Date | Holiday | Type | Customs closed | Transport affected | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | New Year's Day | National | |||
| Jan 6, 2026 | Epiphany | National | |||
| Apr 5, 2026 | Easter Sunday | National | |||
| Apr 6, 2026 | Easter Monday | National | |||
| May 1, 2026 | Labour Day | National | |||
| May 30, 2026 | Statehood Day | National | |||
| Jun 4, 2026 | Corpus Christi | National | |||
| Jun 22, 2026 | Anti-Fascist Struggle Day | National | |||
| Aug 5, 2026 | Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day | National | |||
| Aug 15, 2026 | Assumption Day | National | |||
| Nov 1, 2026 | All Saints' Day | National | |||
| Nov 18, 2026 | Remembrance Day for Homeland War Victims | National | |||
| Dec 25, 2026 | Christmas Day | National | |||
| Dec 26, 2026 | St. Stephen's Day | National |
New Year's Day
Jan 1, 2026
Epiphany
Jan 6, 2026
Easter Sunday
Apr 5, 2026
Easter Monday
Apr 6, 2026
Labour Day
May 1, 2026
Statehood Day
May 30, 2026
Corpus Christi
Jun 4, 2026
Anti-Fascist Struggle Day
Jun 22, 2026
Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day
Aug 5, 2026
Assumption Day
Aug 15, 2026
All Saints' Day
Nov 1, 2026
Remembrance Day for Homeland War Victims
Nov 18, 2026
Christmas Day
Dec 25, 2026
St. Stephen's Day
Dec 26, 2026
Airports in this country
Seaports in this country
Latest News
Sources & Data Confidence
Official sources
- carina.gov.hr
- porezna-uprava.gov.hr
- dzs.gov.hr
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
FAQ
Which import VAT applies in Croatia?
The standard VAT rate (PDV) is 25 percent, with reduced rates of 13 and 5 percent. Import VAT is charged on imports from third countries.
Is a customs declaration required for deliveries from the EU?
No. Croatia is part of the EU customs union; intra-EU deliveries are duty-free and are reported only via Intrastat.
Which ports are most important for freight?
Rijeka is the largest port and the container gateway; Ploče mainly serves Bosnia and Herzegovina; other ports include Split, Zadar and Šibenik.
Is Croatia part of Schengen and the eurozone?
Yes, since 1. January 2023. There are no border controls with EU neighbours, and the national currency is the euro.
Which customs authority is responsible?
The Carinska uprava (Customs Administration) in the Ministry of Finance, online at carina.gov.hr.
Which export controls apply?
The EU Dual-Use Regulation 2021/821 and EU sanctions regimes (CFSP) apply, including against Russia and Belarus.
What are the main transport connections?
The A1 motorway connects Zagreb with Split and Ploče; the Mediterranean rail corridor runs from Rijeka via Zagreb to Hungary; the main air cargo airport is Zagreb (ZAG).
Which trade partners are important for Croatia?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Croatia?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
Next steps
Matching tools and partners