WIPO - PCT Applicant's Guide BA - Bosnia & Herzegovina
Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Applicable as from 1 October 2025
    (published on 17 July 2025)

    Summary of latest changes in this version
    RO: Electronic filing, RO fees
    List of changes

    All available versions

    Useful information

    The PCT Applicant’s Guide is updated almost every week with information received by the International Bureau.
    In case of question, please contact the Office or the International Bureau: pct.guide@wipo.int.
    List of abbreviations used in this document:
    Office: Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina
    IPL: Bosnian Patent Law
    APL: Bosnian Law on Administrative Procedures
    List of currencies used in this document:
    BAM (Convertible mark), EUR (Euro)
    Countries and Offices information:
    The list of acronyms used for Offices is no longer shown as it has been integrated in the mouseover functionality for each ST.3 code shown in this document.
    Refer to List of WIPO Standards, Recommendations and Guidelines formerly Annex K, List of country names and two-letter codes. It includes a list of short names and two-letter codes accepted for use in indicating States, other entities and intergovernmental organizations and their Offices in documents relating to international applications under the PCT. The list is as set out in WIPO Standard ST.3.
    Also refer to PCT Contracting States formerly Annex A.
    Office profile
    For more technical information about the Office, refer to ePCT Office profile.
    PCT Reservations, Declarations, Notifications and Incompatibilities
    The Office does not have any reservations, declarations, notifications or incompatibilities.
    Refer to the full list.
    Office Closed dates
    The Office is closed weekly on Saturday and Sunday
    Additional closed dates can be consulted on the Office Closed dates page

    International Phase

    Annex B - Information on Contracting States or Intergovernmental Organization

    Contracting State:
    Bosnia & Herzegovina
    Two-letter code:
    BA
    Name of Office:
    Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Location:
    Mostar (Head Office):
    Kneza Domagoja bb
    88000 Mostar
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Banja Luka Office:
    Akademika Jovana Surutke 13/III
    78000 Banja Luka
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Sarajevo Office:
    Bulevar Meše Selimovića 95
    Lamela C
    3 sprat
    71000 Sarajevo
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Mailing address:
    Same as above
    Telephone:
    Mostar:
    (387-36) 33 43 81
    Banja Luka:
    (387-51) 22 68 40
    Sarajevo:
    (387-33) 65 27 65
    E-mail:
    info@ipr.gov.ba
    Website:
    Facsimile:
    Mostar:
    (387-36) 31 84 20
    Banja Luka:
    (387-51) 22 68 41
    Sarajevo:
    (387-33) 65 27 57
    Does the Office accept the filing of documents by facsimile or the like means (PCT Rule 92.4)?
    Yes, by e-mail or facsimile
    Which kinds of documents may be so transmitted?
    All kinds of documents
    Must the original of the document be furnished in all cases?
    Yes, within 15 days from the date of the transmission
    Would the Office accept evidence of mailing a document, in case of loss or delay, where a delivery service other than the postal authorities is used (PCT Rule 82.1)?
    Yes, provided that the delivery service is a recognized delivery service
    Is the Office prepared to allow applicants to make applications available to the WIPO Digital Access Service for Priority Documents (DAS) (PCT Rule 17.1(b-bis)?
    More information about WIPO DAS is available at: https://www.wipo.int/en/web/das.
    No
    Competent receiving Office(s) for international applications filed by nationals or residents of this State:
    BA,
    IB
    Does national legislation restrict the filing of international applications with foreign Offices?
    Refer to the Office
    Competent designated (or elected) Office(s) for this State:
    National protection: BA
    Extension of European patent: EP
    Types of protection available via the PCT:
    National:
    Consensual patents,
    Patents
    European:
    Extended European patents
    Payment methods accepted by the Office:
    Fees payable in EUR:
    Intermediary bank/Correspondent bank
    SWIFT/BIC: DEUTDEFF
    Name: Deutsche Bank AG
    City, Country: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
    Account with institution/Beneficiary's bank
    SWIFT/BIC: CBBSBA22
    Account number: 100935962100
    Name: Centralna Banka Bosne I Hercegovine
    Address: Maršala Tita 25
    City, Country: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Beneficiary
    IBAN: BA39 000 003 0000000145
    Account reference: 06411
    Name: Ministarstvo Financija I Trezora BIH
    Address: TRG BIH 1
    City, Country: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Fees payable in USD through FRNYUS33:
    Intermediary bank/Correspondent bank
    SWIFT/BIC: FRNYUS33
    Name: Federal Reserve Bank of New York
    City, Country: New York, United States of America
    Account with institution/Beneficiary's bank
    SWIFT/BIC: CBBSBA22
    Account number: 021081710
    Name: Centralna Banka Bosne I Hercegovine
    Address: Maršala Tita 25
    City, Country: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Beneficiary
    IBAN: BA390000030000000145
    Reference number: 06411
    Name: Ministarstvo Financija I Trezora BIH
    Address: TRG BIH 1
    City, Country: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Availability under the national law for an international-type search (PCT Article 15):
    None
    Provisional protection after international publication:
    None
    Information of interest if this Contracting State is designated (or elected)
    For national protection
    Time when the name and address of the inventor must be given:
    Must be in the request. If the data concerning the inventor are missing at the expiration of the time limit under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit fixed in the invitation.
    Are there special provisions concerning the deposit of microorganisms and other biological material?
    Yes, refer to Annex L.
    For extension of a European patent

    Annex C - Receiving Office

    Competent receiving Office for nationals and residents of:
    Bosnia & Herzegovina
    Language in which international applications may be filed:
    English
    Language in which the request may be filed:
    English
    Number of copies required by the receiving Office if the international application is filed on paper:
    1
    Does the receiving Office accept the filing of international applications in electronic form?
    Where the international application is filed in electronic form in accordance with and to the extent provided for in Part 7 and Annex F of the Administrative Instructions, the total amount of the international filing fee is reduced (refer to “Fees payable to the RO”).
    Where the international application contains a sequence listing as a separate part of the description, this should be furnished in accordance with Annex C of the Administrative Instructions, that is, in compliance with WIPO Standard ST.26 XML format; no fees are due for sequence listings filed in this format.
    For the relevant notification by the Office, refer to the Official Notices (PCT Gazette) dated 17 July 2025, pages 112 et seq.
    Yes, the Office accepts electronic filing via ePCT-Filing
    Does the receiving Office accept the submission of pre-conversion documents and, if yes, in which format (Section 706 of the PCT Administrative Instructions)?
    Yes, any format
    Does the receiving Office accept incorporation by reference (PCT Rule 20.6)?
    Yes
    Does the receiving Office accept the submission of color drawings on an informal basis and transmit them to the International Bureau?
    Yes
    Does the receiving Office accept requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 26bis.3)?
    Yes, please refer to the Office for the applicable criteria and/or any fee payable for such requests
    Competent International Searching Authority:
    EP
    Competent International Preliminary Examining Authority:
    EP
    Fees payable to the RO:
    Transmittal fee:
    50 BAM
    International filing fee:
    This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
    1,417 EUR
    Fee per sheet in excess of 30:
    This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
    16 EUR
    Reductions (under Schedule of Fees, item 4):
    Electronic filing (the request in character coded format):
    213 EUR
    Electronic filing (the request, description, claims and abstract in character coded format):
    320 EUR
    Search fee:
    Refer to
    Annex D(EP)
    Fee for priority document (PCT Rule 17.1(b)):
    40 BAM
    Is an agent required by the receiving Office?
    No, if the applicant resides in Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Yes, if the applicant is a non-resident
    Who can act as agent?
    Any person registered to practice before the Office
    Waiver of power of attorney:
    Has the Office waived the requirement that a separate power of attorney be submitted?
    Refer to the Office
    Has the Office waived the requirement that a copy of a general power of attorney be submitted?
    Refer to the Office

    Annex L - Deposits of Microorganisms and Other Biological Material

    Requirements of designated and elected Offices
    Only Offices whose applicable national law contains provisions concerning the deposits of microorganisms and other biological material are listed in Annex L. Unless otherwise indicated, deposits may be made for the purposes of patent procedure before these Offices with any depositary institution having acquired the status of international depositary authority under the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure.
    For a list of these institutions refer to:
    http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/budapest/pdf/idalist.pdf (and the detailed requirements for each institution at: https://www.wipo.int/budapest/en/guide/section_d/subsection_c.html)
    Notifications related thereto may be consulted under:
    http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/budapest/
    Further information concerning the requirements of international depository authorities under the Budapest Treaty is available at:
    http://www.wipo.int/budapest/en/guide/index.html
    Time (if any) earlier than 16 months from priority date by which applicant must furnish:
    — the indications prescribed in Rule 13bis.3(a)(i) to (iii):
    At the time of filing, either in the description or separately
    — any additional indications:
    At the time of filing, either in the description or separately
    Additional indications (if any) which must be given besides those prescribed in Rule 13bis.3(a)(i) to (iii) pursuant to notifications from the Office:
    To the extent available to the applicant, relevant information on the characteristics of the microorganism
    Additional information
    Deposits may be made for the purposes of patent procedure before the Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina with any depositary institution having acquired the status of international depositary authority under the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure (these institutions are indicated further in this Annex and notifications related thereto may be consulted under https://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/budapest/).

    National Phase

    Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase

    If grant of a national patent by the Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina is desired:
    Time limits applicable for entry into the national phase:
    Under PCT Article 22(3): 34 months from the priority date
    Under PCT Article 39(1)(b): 34 months from the priority date
    Does the Office permit reinstatement of rights (PCT Rule 49.6)?
    Yes, the Office permits reinstatement of rights under the “due care” criterion.
    Fee for reinstatement
    300 BAM
    Translation of international application required into (one of) the following language(s):
    Must be furnished within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    Bosnian,
    Croatian,
    Serbian
    Required contents of the translation for entry into the national phase:
    Under PCT Article 22: Description, claims (if amended, both as originally filed and as amended, together with any statement under PCT Article 19), any text matter of drawings, abstract
    Under PCT Article 39(1): Description, claims, any text matter of drawings, abstract (if any of those parts has been amended, both as originally filed and as amended by the annexes to the international preliminary examination report)
    Is a copy of the international application required in particular circumstances?
    Yes
    Does the Office accept color drawings under its national law?
    No. Lines must be uniformly thick, black, clearly visible and indelible, and the surfaces between the lines must not be colored or tinted.
    National fees:
    Filing and publication fee
    260 BAM
    — for each page of the application over 30
    plus 3 BAM
    — for each claim over 10
    plus 11 BAM
    Publication fee for granted patent
    60 BAM
    Exemptions, reductions or refunds of fees:
    The filing fee is reduced by 50% where the applicant is also the inventor
    Special requirements of the Office (PCT Rule 51bis):
    If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit fixed in the invitation.
    Appointment of an agent if the applicant is not resident in Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Who can act as agent?
    Any person registered to practice before the Office
    Does the Office accept the effect of restoration of the right of priority by the receiving Office (PCT Rule 49ter.1)?
    Yes
    Does the Office accept requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 49ter.2)?
    Yes, please refer to the Office for the applicable criteria and/or any fee payable for such requests
    If extension of a European patent is desired: Refer to Annex B(EP) and National Chapters EP and BA (only for BA)

    The procedure in the national Phase

    BA.01 TRANSLATION (CORRECTION)
    Errors in the translation of the international application can be corrected with reference to the text of the international application as filed (refer to National Phase, paragraphs NP 6.002 and NP 6.003).
    BA.02 FEES (MANNER OF PAYMENT)
    The manner of payment of the fees indicated in the Summary and in this Chapter is outlined in Annex BA.I.
    BA.03 AMENDMENT OF THE APPLICATION; TIME LIMITS
    PCT Article 28,
    PCT Article 41

    The applicant may amend or correct the international application up to the grant of a patent, provided that the scope of the subject matter of the application is not broadened thereby.
    BA.04 MAINTENANCE FEES
    After a patent has been granted, maintenance fees must be paid for maintaining the patent in force. The first maintenance fee is payable for the third year following the international filing date. Payment of the maintenance fees for subsequent years must be made before the anniversary of the international filing date. If payment is not made within this time limit, the Office will invite the applicant to pay the maintenance fee, together with a 50% surcharge, within six months after the due date. The amounts of the maintenance fees are indicated in Annex BA.I.
    BA.05 EXCUSE OF DELAYS IN MEETING TIME LIMITS
    PCT Article 24(2),
    PCT Article 48(2),
    PCT Rule 82bis

    Reference is made to paragraphs NP 6.022 to NP 6.027 of the National Phase. Where, during the international phase or before the Office, the applicant has missed a time limit for performing any act in relation to the international application, such time limit may be extended by the Office. The procedure for excusing a delay is available to: (1) parties which have been delayed in performing certain actions due to justifiable reasons; (2) parties which have failed to submit the application in time because it was submitted to an unauthorized authority due to lack of awareness or obvious mistake; and (3) parties which have missed prescribed deadlines due to lack of awareness or obvious mistake but submit the application or relevant papers to the competent authority within three days after the deadline and where delay would mean that the party would lose rights.
    BA.06
    The request for excusing a delay shall explain the circumstances which caused the delay and include the paper(s) sought to be submitted late. The request for excusing a delay must be submitted within eight days from the day on which the circumstances which caused the delay ceased to exist, or, where the party learned about its cessation only later, from the day the party learned of it. Requests for excusing a delay are acceptable only up to three months from the day when the delayed paper or action was due.
    BA.07 REVIEW UNDER ARTICLE 25 OF THE PCT
    PCT Article 25,
    PCT Rule 51

    The applicable procedure is outlined in paragraphs NP 6.018 to NP 6.021 of the National Phase. In the case of a negative decision of the Office during the national phase (including in case of a request for review under Article 25), an appeal may be submitted to the Board of Appeal of the Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina within one month from the date of receipt of the decision.

    Annexes

    Annex BA.I - Fees
    Filing and publication fee
    260 BAM
    Publication fee for granted patent
    60 BAM
    Maintenance fees:
    — for the 3rd year, counted from the international filing date
    90 BAM
    — for the 4th year, counted from the international filing date
    110 BAM
    — for the 5th year, counted from the international filing date
    130 BAM
    — for the 6th year, counted from the international filing date
    190 BAM
    — for the 7th year, counted from the international filing date
    250 BAM
    — for the 8th year, counted from the international filing date
    310 BAM
    — for the 9th year, counted from the international filing date
    370 BAM
    — for the 10th year, counted from the international filing date.
    480 BAM
    — for the 11th year, counted from the international filing date.
    600 BAM
    — for the 12th year, counted from the international filing date.
    720 BAM
    — for the 13th year, counted from the international filing date.
    940 BAM
    — for the 14th year, counted from the international filing date.
    1,060 BAM
    — for the 15th year, counted from the international filing date.
    1,180 BAM
    — for the 16th year, counted from the international filing date.
    1,400 BAM
    — for the 17th year, counted from the international filing date.
    1,620 BAM
    — for the 18th year, counted from the international filing date.
    1,840 BAM
    — for the 19th year, counted from the international filing date.
    2,060 BAM
    — for the 20th year, counted from the international filing date.
    2,280 BAM
    How can payment of fees be effected?
    All fees must be paid to the Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina via a registered patent agent
    Exceptionally, foreign natural persons and legal entities may make the payment directly without a representative if the payment is made in the local currency (BAM). Foreign natural persons and legal entities shall submit to the Office the address for correspondence which must be in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In that case, upon request, the Office will issue an invoice with all the necessary information for payment
    Forms
    Please refer to the Office.
    Current version applicable from 1 Oct 2025 , printed on 4 Nov 2025
    2.2 #31 - 2025-10-15T11:58:01.602+02:00