croatia

THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA • 2003
GENERAL INFORMATION
STATE AUTHORITY
According to the Customs Act and the Istanbul Convention on the Temporary Admission of Goods, goods temporarily
imported into Croatia may be completely or partially exempt from customs duties and taxes. The goods
must be intended for temporary use (not for consumption), may remain in the territory of Croatia only for a limited
period of time and must be re-exported in an unaltered condition. The Customs Administration of the
Croatian Ministry of Finance has authorised the Croatian Chamber of Economy to issue ATA Carnets and to act
as guarantor for them.
CROATIAN CITIZENS RETURNING TO CROATIA AND FOREIGN CITIZENS IMMIGRATING TO CROATIA PERMAN-
ENTLY Persons who have lived abroad for at least five years and are returning/immigrating to Croatia permanently
are exempted from paying customs duty on household objects and appliances (except for personal cars),
provided that they have possessed and have been using those utensils for at least 12 months and that they
have not been exercising this privilege prior to returning/immigrating to Croatia. Household items may be imported
within a twelve-month period from the day of returning/immigrating to Croatia. The same rule applies
to commercial equipment, provided that it has been used abroad for at least 12 months for the same purpose
for which it will be used in Croatia.
ECONOMY
CULTURE
SPORTS
ADDRESSES
CROATIAN SPECIALTIES
The Companies Act regulates foreign investments in Croatia.
Foreign Investments
According to this Act, foreign investors have the same rights, obligations
and legal status within an enterprise as domestic investors, provided the condition of reciprocity is met.
Foreign investors also enjoy additional guarantees that are not given to domestic investors. The Croatian
Constitution states that no law or any other legal act shall reduce rights acquired through capital investments.
It also insures free repatriation of profits and free repatriation of capital upon termination of investment. Total
foreign investments in Croatia from 1993 until September 2002 amounted to USD 7,432.21 m.
Types of Investment for Foreign Legal Entities Foreign legal entities in Croatia are allowed to:
• invest capital on a contractual basis
(in a company, bank or insurance company);
• start up as a sole trader or craftsman;