Customs

Geo-blocking refers to the practice of restricting access to online content or services based on a user’s location. This can involve blocking access to websites, displaying different content, or offering different prices to users from specific regions. In 2024, the CEFTA Joint Committee adopted Decision No.4/2024 on the Prevention of Unjustified Geo-blocking, which aims at combating unjustified geo-blocking within CEFTA, ensuring that consumers can access goods and services online without discrimination based on their location. This Decision pursues this objective by means of the following obligations:

• Prohibition of geo-blocking: Traders are prohibited from blocking or limiting access to their online interfaces based on the customer’s provenance or residence, ensuring equal access to services across CEFTA Parties;
  
• Non-discriminatory access conditions: The Decision mandates that general conditions of access to goods and services must not contain discriminatory provisions related to the customer’s provenance or residence, promoting fair competition;
  
• Transparency requirements: Traders must provide clear explanations to customers regarding any necessary blocking or redirection of access, enhancing transparency and consumer trust; and
  
• Consumer assistance mechanisms: Each CEFTA Party is required to designate bodies responsible for assisting consumers in disputes, ensuring that consumer rights are upheld and fostering a more secure trading environment.