Table of Contents
1. Regulations and Policies
1.1 Trade Regulations and Policies
1.1.1 Principal Authority Governing Trade
1.1.2 Trade Regulations
1.1.3 Relevant Provisions on Trade Administration
1.1.4 Inspection and Quarantine of Imported and Exported Commodities
1.1.5 Customs Administration Rules and Regulations
1. Regulations and Policies
1.1 Trade Regulations and Policies
1.1.1 Principal Authority Governing Trade
The government agency responsible for foreign trade in Montenegro is the Ministry of Economic Development. The trade-related functions of the Ministry of Economic Development include formulating and implementing foreign trade policies, proposing legislative recommendations on foreign trade, safeguarding Montenegro’s trade interests, coordinating with international economic organizations such as the WTO, participating in and overseeing the implementation of agreements like the Central European Free Trade Agreement and the European Free Trade Agreement, and developing bilateral economic relations.
Website of the Ministry of Economic Development: www.gov.me/mek
1.1.2 Trade Regulations
Montenegro is a candidate for European Union (EU) membership, and its trade regulations are progressively aligning with those of the EU. The most significant trade-related laws in Montenegro are the Foreign Trade Law, the Customs Law, and the Law on Customs Tariffs.
Table 5-1 Main Laws and Regulations in the Field of Trade in Montenegro
| Laws and Regulations |
Website |
| Foreign Trade Law |
www.gov.me/dokumenta/572a7dc2-744a-4bc9-805f-83f47b2473b2 |
| Customs Law |
www.gov.me/dokumenta/87cba607-7aa1-43eb-8715-920651f69f2e |
| Customs Tariff Law |
www.gov.me/dokumenta/71467549-4d85-4f42-b8ac-23bdacb5b4b8 |
1.1.3 Relevant Provisions on Trade Administration
All economic entities in Montenegro enjoy equal rights to engage in foreign trade. Except for a few commodities that are subject to licensing restrictions, most of the commodities are open to operation.
1.1.4 Inspection and Quarantine of Imported and Exported Commodities
Montenegro imposes quarantine requirements on the importation of various animal and plant products, necessitating inspections of the characteristics of imported goods and the relevant information of importers. The primary authority currently responsible for animal and plant quarantine is the Directorate for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Affairs.
[Agricultural Products and Food Management] The Food Safety Law is the primary legislation governing the agricultural products and food sector in Montenegro. This law establishes food safety standards, delineates the obligations and responsibilities of enterprises engaged in the food business, and addresses other food safety matters. It regulates the entire process of food production, processing, transportation, and sales, and includes regulatory and penalty provisions to safeguard public health, protect the environment, ensure consumer welfare, and facilitate the effective operation of the market.
[Animal and Plant Quarantine] The import and export of animals and plants require the application for relevant certificates or licenses from the Directorate for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Affairs of Montenegro.
1.1.5 Customs Administration Rules and Regulations
The Customs Administration in Montenegro is regulated by the Customs Law.
The Law on Customs Tariffs of Montenegro stipulates that each November, the Government of Montenegro determines the tariff levels for the following year in accordance with WTO obligations and other international treaties. Typically, in December, a government decree on the Customs tariff is issued. This decree includes the Customs tariff schedule, a list of duty-free pharmaceuticals, a list of import quota commodities, and a list of least developed countries eligible for tariff preferences. The Customs tariff schedule comprises standard rates and preferential rates.
The Montenegro import and export commodity tax rate can be accessed at: taric.carina.co.me/TariCG/public/Sections.jsp
Table 5-2 Standard Import Customs Duties for Principal Commodities in Montenegro
(Unit: %)
| Commodity Name |
Tariff Rate |
Commodity Name |
Tariff Rate |
| Garment and related accessories |
10 |
Electric motors and electrical equipment |
0-7 |
| Footwear |
3-12 |
Vehicles and their parts and accessories |
0-8 |
| Leather products and luggage |
12.5-15 |
Optical instruments |
0-10 |
| Plastics and their products |
0-6.5 |
Furniture |
0-15 |
| Iron and steel products |
0-10 |
Mechanical appliances and parts |
0-10 |
| Meat and meat products |
0-30 |
Toys |
0-10 |
| Rubber and rubber products |
0-10 |
|
|
Source: Montenegro Customs Administration
Table 5-3 Export Duties on Montenegro's Special Commodities
(Unit: %)
| Commodity Name |
Tariff Rate |
| Tobacco and its substitutes |
10-15 |
| Beverages and liquor |
0-30 |
| Petroleum and other mineral fuels |
0-5 |
| Medicine |
0-1 |
Source: Montenegro Customs Administration
Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China. The Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China version shall prevail.