Trade Consultancy Service

Serbia ratified the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) in 2007. It also has Free Trade Agreements with Turkey (2010), the Russian Federation, and Belarus. The European Union, with which accession negotiations are ongoing, does not apply customs duties on products originating from Serbia. Additionally, Serbia has a preferential trade agreement with the United States. The main laws regulating foreign trade in Serbia are the Foreign Trade Transactions Law, the Customs Law, the Customs Tariff Law, and the Law on Classification of Products in Import and Export Regimes. This law generally indicate that foreign trade is liberal and not subject to restrictions. Compared to its predecessor, Serbia’s Foreign Trade Law was drafted with a more liberal approach. The Customs Law, which came into effect in 2010, forms the legal framework for foreign trade in Serbia. It was drafted based on European Union standards and customs laws. In regulating its foreign trade laws, Serbia takes into account the recommendations of the World Trade Organization and the World Customs Organization, and aims to align with the regulations established by GATT and the European Union. Serbian customs authorities continue to maintain control over imported goods, which can lead to various issues and delays in the import process. Although import procedures have been simplified by legislation, full alignment in practice has not yet been achieved. The Serbian Customs Administration is continuing its efforts to ensure that implementation complies with legal regulations. While there are no general restrictions on foreign trade under Serbian law, certain limitations apply to the import of specific products. For example, the import of certain pharmaceutical products, precious metals, weapons, and similar items requires a license.

Customs Tariffs

Serbia is a member of the World Customs Organization and a party to the Harmonized System Convention. It has also aligned its system with the EU’s Combined Nomenclature.  Customs duties are calculated based on the customs value of the imported product. The Serbian Customs Law adopts the GATT principles for customs valuation.  Customs policy aims to protect the following sectors: -Agriculture -Leather industry -Furniture industry -Textile industry -Electrical household appliances. Besides, semi-finished products and raw materials that cannot be produced in Serbia, products used by sectors producing for export and with high domestic demand, and other products offered for import are offered at lower customs tariffs.

The main sectors include:

– Metallurgy

– Non-ferrous metals

– Aluminum

 – Wood products

– Textile industry

Current import tax rates can be accessed on the website of the Serbian Ministry of Finance, Customs Administration: https://www.carina.rs/en/Pages/default.aspx“

Public Holidays and Working Hours

January 1–2: New Year’s Day

January 7: Religious Holiday

February 15: State Day

May 1–2: Labor Day

April (or May), 3 days: Easter Holiday

Holidays (Non-Official)

January 27: School Day

May 9: Victory Day

June 28: Vidovdan Day

Our Trade Consultancy Services

• Market research
• Product sourcing
• Business meetings
• Finding customers for your products

To benefit from our trade consultancy services, all you need to do is contact us.