In support of its successful efforts to gain accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Montenegro implemented significant trade policy reforms, bringing the country’s practices in compliance with WTO and EU requirements.  Reforms have included the reduction of import quotas, licensing requirements and prohibitions, streamlining customs procedures, and a reduction of tariff and non-tariff barriers.  Montenegro became the 156th member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2011.

The 2003 Customs Law simplifies import-export procedures and is in line with WTO and EU requirements.  The customs territory of Montenegro comprises the territory of Montenegro, including its territorial waters, inland maritime waters, and its airspace.  Goods enter and/or leave the customs territory through border crossings.  There is a customs inspection point at Porto Montenegro, a coastal tourism and boating facility in Tivat to facilitate visa and goods checks for the new tourism complexes built there.

Customs “goods” mean: (i) any good introduced into the customs territory that has not been released for free circulation and (ii) any good declared for export from the customs territory.  Duties on goods imported into the customs territory are based on the Law on Custom Tariffs and on rules laid down in the law.  All goods that are brought into or taken out of the customs territory must be declared to the customs office at the border, or to other competent custom offices.  Any person importing or exporting goods may request information concerning the application of custom rules from the custom authorities without being charged.  For more information, please see the Customs Law: https://www.gov.me/upravaprihoda  

Montenegro’s Foreign Trade Law decreases the barriers for doing business and executing foreign trade transactions in accordance with WTO Agreements.  However, the law still provides for some restrictive measures, such as quotas and discretionary government intervention in a small number of areas.

These laws also provide the government with the authority to implement temporary measures to regulate trade.  In almost all cases, the government has phased-out quantitative restrictions although certain goods require a license from the government.  New laws are being promulgated to improve the custom and trade regimes.