Describes bilateral and multilateral trade agreements that this country is party to, including with the United States. Includes websites and other resources where U.S. companies can get more information on how to take advantage of these agreements.

Albania joined the WTO in 2000 and applies WTO rules on import licensing. From 1999 to 2006, Albanian exports to EU countries benefited from an asymmetric regime in the form of autonomous measures. Therefore, Albanian exports were subject to various reductions and discounts on duties when entering the EU market. The regime was applicable to agricultural and industrial goods.

In 2006, Albania signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU. The agreement, which was ratified in 2009, liberalized trade relations between the EU and Albania in terms of tariff barriers for agricultural and industrial goods.

Treaties Office Database
Albania is a member of the multilateral Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), along with North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Moldova, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

CEFTA Legal Documents
Albania also has an FTA with Turkey, which was signed in 2006 and entered into force in 2008.

FTA with Turkey
In 2009, Albania signed an FTA with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). EFTA member states include Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The agreements with Liechtenstein and Switzerland entered into force in 2010, and the agreements with Iceland and Norway entered into force in 2011.

 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.