Checklist: How to start e-sales in Kosovo?

What is required to open an e-commerce for a businessman (trader)?

For the bank as an e-commerce platform provider to allow its customer to engage in e-commerce, it requires the fulfillment of several conditions, including the submission of a business plan. The bank checks and evaluates the e-trader to immediately prevent fake and non-serious customers from opening an online store.

The Bank does not open a separate account for the e-commerce trader to carry out electronic commerce. Nevertheless, if he has already been a customer of that bank, he is allowed to use it for entries made through online payment and if he has not been a customer of that bank, then he shall open a single transaction account.

The bank and the online trader shall conclude a contract to regulate mutual rights and obligations more precisely. International card organizations impose the general procedure for control and conclusion of contracts (agreements), to handle situations of possible subsequent transaction disputes.

It can be done on the seller’s website, but the website shall be built on “open source” platforms such as WordPress, Magenta and similar websites

E-commerce platform customized for the seller, which is the best quality type but has a higher cost.

Use ready-made platforms in which you do not need technical knowledge to create your online store that accepts payments from credit and debit cards. But there is a monthly maintenance and usage fee on such platforms (for example Shopify) there is a monthly maintenance and usage fee.

Online markets are common web-based e-commerce platforms where many independent sellers sell their products.

There are several types of online markets, the most common being the general market (marketplace) and the auction markets. The most popular market is Amazon and the most famous auction market is eBay. While Amazon’s retailers sell everything from needles to locomotives, eBay is more likely to attract sellers who, in addition to consumer goods, also offer rare and antiques goods to collectors.

Other examples of popular international online markets, are:, Etsy, Aliexpress, etj.

Dropshipping is a form of retailing in which the e-trader does not have products in stock, i.e. order from a supplier/manufacturer that ships directly to the customer who has completed the order. It allows any dropshipper to open its online store without significant initial capital.

The most significant disadvantages of this online commerce are the shallow sales margins and the competitive market, with little (or no) control over the quality of the goods delivered.

An online advertiser is a website on which private and business users have the opportunity to place advertisements for the sale of a product, for which they usually charge.

Direct selling without verification and control is a virtue and a more significant obstacle of this platform because there is no possibility to control the product’s seller of buyer.

Social networks, especially Facebook and Instagram, offer the possibility of selling products through Facebook Store or Instashop. It is about the possibility of connecting an online store and social networks, which is a good strategy for selling on more channels.

Although it is technically possible to sell a product exclusively through social networks, it is not recommended for businesses as it does not meet the basic legal requirements for online sales in the Republic of North Macedonia.

Did you know?

77% of online shoppers in Kosovo are buying clothes. (Eurostat)

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Legal disclaimer: This geographical map is for informational purposes only and does not constitute recognition of international boundaries or regions; GIZ makes no claims concerning the validity, accuracy or completeness of the maps nor assumes any liability resulting from the use of the information therein.

North Macedonia

Population 2057680
Population ages 16-64 13992.22
Internet use 85.3%
Internet shoppers 53.5%
Currency Macedonian denar
GDP per capita, PPP 21304.5

Albania

Population 2777690
Population ages 16-64 1861052
Internet use 83.1%
Internet shoppers 38.5%
Currency Albanian lek
GDP per capita, PPP 19496.20

Serbia

Population 6664450
Population ages 16-64 43318.93
Internet use 85.36%
Internet shoppers 64.18%
Currency Serbian dinar
GDP per capita, PPP 25061.9

Kosovo

Population 1761980
Population ages 16-64 11981.46
Internet use 90%
Internet shoppers 51%
Currency European euro
GDP per capita, PPP 14971.20

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Population 3233530
Population ages 16-64 21664.65
Internet use 83.38%
Internet shoppers 41.31%
Currency Bosnia and Herzegovina convertible mark
GDP per capita, PPP 20950.20

Moldova

Population 2538890
Population ages 16-64 17264.45
Internet use 76%
Internet shoppers 34%
Currency Moldovan leu
GDP per capita, PPP 15719

Montenegro

Population 617210
Population ages 16-64 4011.87
Internet use 88.36%
Internet shoppers 32.13%
Currency European euro
GDP per capita, PPP 28324.6

Resource and information center on key aspects of e-commerce for all CEFTA members.

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* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

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