Bosnia And Herzegovina Post tracking

What is Bosnia And Herzegovina Post?

BH Pošta, officially registered as JP BH Pošta d.o.o. Sarajevo, is a state-owned limited liability company and the principal postal operator for the Bosniak-majority areas of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The company maintains 386 post offices with 822 active counters, all connected to a unified information system that supports both postal delivery and financial services at every location. This dual function reflects a model common in smaller European postal networks, where post offices serve as access points to basic banking services for communities with limited bank branch coverage.

The history of postal service in this region reaches back well before the modern state. A letter bearing the Sarajevo Post Office seal "Bosna Sarai" was documented as shipped in 1813 from Sarajevo to Lyon. The first telegraph station in Sarajevo, also functioning as a post office, was established in 1864 in a private residence. After the Austro-Hungarian occupation in 1878, the infrastructure expanded quickly. Telegraph and postal stations were opened within weeks in Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Mostar, Tuzla, Bihać, and other cities, all operating continuously from the day of opening. A total of 150 post offices were opened across the territory during the entire Austro-Hungarian period.

The iconic Central Post Office building in Sarajevo was designed by architect Josip Vancaš in 1891 and opened officially on 18 May 1913. After World War II, postal operations were conducted as part of the Yugoslav PTT community, with a Bosnia-Herzegovina directorate functioning within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. When Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence in early 1992, BH Pošta was established as an independent national operator. The main Sarajevo post office was destroyed by fire on 2 May 1992 during the war that followed independence, and the rebuilt structure was completed in 2001. Following the Dayton Peace Agreement in 1995, the postal network was formally divided into the three separate operators that exist today.

• Official name: JP BH Pošta d.o.o. Sarajevo
• Type: State-owned limited liability company (public enterprise)
• Headquarters: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Founded: 1992, upon Bosnia and Herzegovina's declaration of independence from the SFRY
• Post office network: 386 post offices with 822 active counters, all integrated into a single unified information system
• UPU membership: Member of the Universal Postal Union since 1993
• Postage stamps: First issued on 27 October 1993, initially inscribed "Republika Bosna i Hercegovina" and from 1996 onwards as "Bosna i Hercegovina"
• Customer service short code: 1312
• Related domestic operators: Pošte Srpske (Republika Srpska) and Hrvatska pošta Mostar (Croat-majority Federation areas)

BH Pošta's position within the national postal market is shaped by the country's unusual political structure. Bosnia and Herzegovina has three distinct postal operators, each tied to a political entity defined by the Dayton Agreement. BH Pošta's service territory is formally the Bosniak-majority Federation areas, but through cooperation with the other two operators, shipments can be routed to any address in the country. As a UPU member, BH Pošta participates in the global postal exchange system connecting all 192 member countries, which allows the operator to dispatch and receive parcels internationally across virtually every destination worldwide.

Which countries does Bosnia And Herzegovina Post deliver to?

BH Pošta's domestic coverage focuses on Bosniak-majority areas within the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The carrier does not independently cover Republika Srpska, which is served by Pošte Srpske, or the Croat-majority cantons of the Federation, which fall under Hrvatska pošta Mostar. Through bilateral cooperation agreements between all three national operators, a parcel or letter posted through any one of them can be routed to any domestic address in the country, regardless of which political entity that address falls within.

For international shipments, BH Pošta delivers to every country in the world in accordance with the Universal Postal Convention and UPU regulations. As a UPU member since 1993, the operator is part of the global postal exchange network connecting all 192 member countries. Regional ties are particularly strong with Serbia, Croatia, and Montenegro, with which BH Pošta has specific cooperative agreements. In March 2016, BH Pošta joined the Post of Serbia and the Post of Montenegro in launching a joint electronic money transfer service available at all branches of the three operators, with payment completed within 30 minutes of posting.

• Domestic coverage: Bosniak-majority areas of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with nationwide reach through inter-operator cooperation agreements
• Neighboring countries: Serbia, Croatia, and Montenegro, with dedicated bilateral postal and financial service agreements
• Europe: All European Union member states, including Germany, France, Italy, Austria, and the Netherlands, as well as Switzerland Norway, the United Kingdom, and other non-EU countries
• Worldwide: All 192 UPU member countries, covering North America, Asia-Pacific, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East

International shipments from Bosnia and Herzegovina follow the standard UPU exchange model. A parcel handled by BH Pošta is transferred to the postal service of the destination country once it exits Bosnian territory, and that national carrier takes responsibility for onward transit and final delivery. A shipment to the United States, for instance, is handed to USPS upon arrival in the country, while a parcel bound for Germany is transferred to Deutsche Post and one going to the United Kingdom is handled by Royal Mail. Customs processing by the destination country is independent of this handover and can add additional time beyond the standard transit estimates.

What are the Bosnia And Herzegovina Post services and delivery times?

BH Pošta's service portfolio covers both domestic and international postal needs across several product categories. Letter post services include letters, postcards, printed matter, cecogrammes for the blind, and small parcels up to 2 kg. These items can be sent as untracked regular mail or as registered shipments, which are fully tracked and require a delivery confirmation from the recipient. Postcards must meet specific dimension requirements, with a minimum of 90 by 140 mm and a maximum of 120 by 235 mm to be accepted as standard postal items.

The parcel service handles heavier domestic and international shipments containing goods or objects. All domestic parcels must carry a declared value. Standard domestic parcels with a declared value of up to 100 BAM can be submitted at any post office, while parcels with a declared value above 100 BAM are classified as value parcels, with the maximum declared value for a domestic parcel set at 10,000 BAM. International parcels may be sent with or without a declared value, and the maximum accepted weight is 31.5 kg across all destination zones.

BH PostExpress is the company's premium domestic courier service, targeting the fastest internal delivery within Bosnia and Herzegovina. Items accepted under this service can weigh up to 50 kg, with exceptions available for indivisible items by special approval. Orders are placed online through the official portal, by phone via short number 1312, or in person at any post office. EMS, the Express Mail Service, serves as the international counterpart to this domestic express offering, operated through the global UPU EMS network. Domestic EMS add-ons include insurance for a declared value, advice of delivery, and cash on delivery, with home or office pickup available upon request.

• Letter post (regular and registered): Letters, postcards, printed matter, cecogrammes, and small parcels up to 2 kg; registered items are fully tracked with delivery confirmation required
• Domestic parcels: Up to 31.5 kg; declared value mandatory; items above 100 BAM classified as value parcels with a 10,000 BAM maximum declared value
• BH PostExpress: Premium domestic courier up to 50 kg per item; orders placed online, by phone at 1312, or in person at any post office
• EMS: International and domestic express service via the UPU EMS network; home or office pickup on request; add-ons include insurance, advice of delivery, and cash on delivery
• Financial services: Gyro transfers, cash transfers, and electronic money transfers between Bosnia, Serbia, and Montenegro, with payment completed within 30 minutes of posting
• Philatelic services: Stamps, first day covers, maximum cards, annual programmes, and philatelic accessories available at dedicated counters within post offices

Delivery times within Bosnia and Herzegovina vary by service. Standard courier items arrive within 24 hours to 3 working days depending on origin and destination. BH PostExpress offers same-day delivery for items accepted before 11:00, with options for delivery by 14:00 or 20:00 on the same day, as well as next-day delivery by 14:00 or 20:00. Domestic EMS has a maximum delivery window of 2 working days. For international destinations, Serbia averages around 6 days, Croatia and Slovenia 3 to 4 days, Germany 6 days, France 7 to 9 days, and Switzerland around 8 days. Destinations further afield are estimated at up to 21 days, not counting any customs processing time in the destination country.

What are the Bosnia And Herzegovina Post rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

BH Pošta does not publish a single fixed rate schedule applicable to all shipments in advance. Instead, the operator makes a price calculator available on its official portal where customers can enter the destination, weight, service type, and declared value to receive an estimated cost. International rates are governed by UPU conventions and the bilateral postal agreements that Bosnia and Herzegovina has established with partner national services. All pricing calculations use the weight of the item as the primary input, with declared value as a secondary factor for insured or value-added parcel categories.

Weight and declared value limits differ by service type, with small parcels under the letter post category accepted up to 2 kg and standard parcels accepted up to 31.5 kg for both domestic and international service. BH PostExpress, the premium domestic courier, takes items up to 50 kg, with special approval available for indivisible items exceeding that limit. Electronic money transfers are charged at 3.66% of the transferred amount, with a minimum and a maximum cap set by the operator.

• Small parcels (letter post): Maximum weight 2 kg
• Standard parcels: Maximum weight 31.5 kg, domestic and international
• BH PostExpress: Maximum weight 50 kg per shipment; special approval available for indivisible items above the limit
• Domestic parcel declared value: Required on all domestic parcels; maximum 10,000 BAM for standard parcels and 5,000 BAM for BH PostExpress items
• Electronic money transfer fee: 3.66% of the transferred amount, with a minimum and maximum cap applied by the operator
• Price calculator: Available on the official portal for estimated costs based on destination, weight, service type, and declared value

What are the Bosnia And Herzegovina Post delivery options?

For inbound shipments, standard doorstep delivery is the default for both letter items and parcels. When a delivery attempt cannot be completed, the carrier leaves a notice at the address with instructions for collection from the nearest post office. The shipment status at that point becomes "Available for pickup," and the item is held at the local post office for a designated collection period. Items not retrieved within that period are processed for return to the original sender.

For outbound shipments, BH Pošta offers home and office pickup for EMS items, eliminating the need to visit a post office before sending. BH PostExpress provides the same convenience, with pickup orders placed online through the official portal, by phone at short number 1312, or in person at any post office. Several optional services are available for domestic EMS shipments, including insurance tied to a declared value, advice of delivery for confirmed receipt notification, and cash on delivery for businesses shipping goods to end customers.

• Standard delivery: Doorstep delivery as the default method for all letter post and parcel items
• Failed delivery: Notice left at address; item held at local post office for collection within a designated holding period
• Home and office pickup (EMS): Sender requests carrier collection from a specified address rather than attending a post office
• BH PostExpress pickup: Arranged online, by phone at 1312, or in person at any post office
• Cash on delivery (COD): Available as an add-on for domestic EMS shipments
• Advice of delivery: Confirmed receipt notification available as an add-on for domestic EMS items
• Declared value insurance: Available as an add-on for domestic EMS shipments

What should I do if my Bosnia And Herzegovina Post parcel is lost or damaged?

Complaints must be submitted within 6 months from the date of posting the original item. Claims can relate to transport delays, incorrect delivery method, damage to contents, content reduction, or complete loss. To file a claim, customers must use the official claim form, either paper form CN08 or form P-115, available through the complaints section of the official portal. BH Pošta is legally obligated to compensate senders in cases where loss, damage, content reduction, or missed delivery deadlines can be attributed to deliberate action or negligence by the postal operator.

Response deadlines differ depending on whether the shipment was domestic or international. For domestic postal items, BH Pošta must provide a written reply within 30 days of the complaint submission date. For international postal items, the response deadline extends to 60 days from submission. Customer support is available around the clock through a dedicated call centre at the Sarajevo headquarters, with separate contact points for regional offices in Bihać and Travnik. BH PostExpress customers can reach dedicated support directly via short code 1312.

• Complaint deadline: 6 months from the original date of posting
• Eligible claim types: Transport delays, delivery method errors, damage, content reduction, or total loss
• Required claim form: Paper form CN08 or P-115, available through the official complaints portal
• Domestic complaint response: Written reply within 30 days of submission
• International complaint response: Written reply within 60 days of submission
• 24/7 call centre: Available at the Sarajevo headquarters; BH PostExpress inquiries via short code 1312
• Regional contacts: Dedicated lines for regional offices in Bihać and Travnik

Does Bosnia And Herzegovina Post handle international shipments and customs formalities?

BH Pošta handles international shipments in full compliance with the Universal Postal Convention. All incoming postal items from abroad are subject to customs inspection by Bosnian customs authorities. Letter post items subject to customs examination must be sent as registered mail, insured mail, parcels, or EMS items to qualify for formal clearance. Import duties in Bosnia and Herzegovina are assessed at 0%, 5%, 10%, or 15% depending on the product category, with an additional 1% customs registration levy applied to the customs value. VAT at 17% is charged on goods placed in free circulation. Customs calculations use the CIF method, covering the cost of the goods plus insurance and freight charges.

A number of items are prohibited from international dispatch. Live animals cannot be mailed, with limited exceptions for bees, leeches, and silkworms. Explosive, flammable, or hazardous materials are banned, as are narcotics and controlled substances outside of licensed medical or scientific institutions, and publications banned from trade under national law. Restricted items that are permitted but require documentation include medicinal products needing health ministry approval, lithium batteries subject to safety certification and per-package quantity limits, and foodstuffs requiring veterinary or phytosanitary certificates. A temporary prohibition is in effect against receiving meats, meat products, milk, and dairy products through the postal system.

• Import duties: 0%, 5%, 10%, or 15% depending on product category, plus a 1% customs registration levy and 17% VAT on goods entering free circulation
• Customs valuation method: CIF (cost of goods plus insurance and freight)
• Prohibited items: Live animals (limited exceptions for bees, leeches, silkworms), explosive or hazardous materials, narcotics, and publications banned under national law
• Restricted items requiring documentation: Medicinal products, lithium batteries, and foodstuffs
• Temporary prohibition: Meats, meat products, milk, and dairy products cannot currently be received by post

For shipments originating in the United States and routed to Bosnia and Herzegovina through USPS, several service categories remain operational, including Priority Mail Express International with a maximum of 29.9 kg, Priority Mail International up to 20 kg, First-Class Package International Service up to 1.8 kg, and First-Class Mail International. Registered Mail and Certificate of Mailing are available as supplemental services on these shipments. Return Receipt, Restricted Delivery, and Delivery Duty Paid options are not available for this destination. Global Express Guaranteed service between the two countries was suspended as of 29 September 2024.

Understanding tracking statuses

BH Pošta provides real-time shipment tracking for international items through its official website and a mobile app, accessible around the clock. Tracking numbers follow the standard 13-character UPU alphanumeric format used by postal services worldwide. The format consists of one or two letters indicating the service type, followed by nine digits, followed by the country code "BA" at the end. Registered mail begins with the letter R, standard parcels begin with C, and EMS shipments begin with E. Two-letter prefix variants are also in use, such as RR for registered mail, EE for EMS, CP for parcels, and LM for letter mail.

When tracking a BH Pošta shipment online, different status messages appear at each stage of the journey, from initial acceptance at the post office to final delivery at the destination. These indications allow the shipper or recipient to follow the parcel's progress and understand what is happening at any given point in the routing chain. The table below describes each main status that can appear in the tracking system and explains what it means in practical terms.