Importing Personal Effects into Serbia: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2024 · Download the Serbia Import Guide (PDF)

Diplomatic Removals

• Copy of passport (page with photo and personal data).
• Packing list (on English or Serbian).
• List of books (title and author’s name) in word or excel file.
• List of paintings (title, author’s name and technique used) in word or excel file.
• Diplomatic protocol from the embassy/organisation (number of items and gross weight must be same as on travel documents).
• LNPDV certificate from the embassy/organisation.
• Power of attorney for import customs clearance (on name of destination agent’s custom agent) from the embassy/organization (letterhead, stamped and signed).
• Cost of transport to Serbia.

• Import is duty/tax free.
• Food and alcohol are duty/tax free (small amount).

• Diplomatic removals apply for clients employed in embassy or other diplomatic organisations (such as UN, US AID projects, OSCE ….).

Temporary Import

• Copy of passport.
• Packing list (on English or Serbian).
• Detailed list of goods with quantity of each type of items (to be prepared as per destination agent’s instructions).
• List of books (name and author, typed in word or excel) to be prepared as per destination agent’s instructions.
• List of paintings (name, author and technique used, typed in word or excel) to be prepared as per destination agent’s instructions. With this we need to arrange paintings value expertise
• (same apply for any other cultural items or instruments like violine, piano, pianino…).
• List of electrical items (with brand, model and serial number, typed in word or excel) to be prepared as per destination agent’s instructions.
• Certificate from police station for foreigners (document called “uverenje”) indicating that the client is allowed for import of household goods:
• Will be obtained based on business visa/temporary residence.
• To obtain the certificate, the temporary resident visa must be valid for more than 3 months.
• Power of attorney for import customs clearance on name of custom agent from clients’ company (on company letterhead, signed and stamped).
• Cost of transport (from origin to destination in Serbia).

• Import is tax-free.
• Food, alcohol and all consumables are not allowed to be imported on temporary basis.

• Apply for foreign citizens with a temporary working contract in Serbia.
• Shipment will be unloaded from the transport unit into the customs warehouse. Import procedure usually takes approx. 5 working days.
• All shipment imported on temporary base must be extended at the time of the client visa extension. This used to be every year or up to when temporary residence is granted from police.
• Client is obliged to close the temporary import
• by exporting the same goods he imported when he leaves the country.

Returning Serbian Citizens

• Copy of passport.
• Copy of personal ID card (with the address in the city where delivery should take place).
• Packing list (in English or Serbian).
• Detailed list of goods with quantity & value of each type of items (to be prepared as per destination agent’s instructions).
• Total number of books in the shipment.
• List of paintings (title, author’s name and technique used) in word or excel file (to be prepared as per destination agent’s instructions).
• Photos of each painting.
• Paintings value expertise (if there are paintings in the shipment). Also apply for any other cultural item or instruments like violine, piano, pianino…for which we also need details and photos)
• List of electrical items (type, brand, model and serial number) in word or excel file (to be prepared as per destination agent’s instructions).
• Power of attorney for import customs clearance on name of the destination agent’s custom agent (client should sign this document).
• Cost of transport (from origin to destination in Serbia).
• Certificate from Serbian embassy (at country of origin) proving that the client worked abroad for more than 2 years.

• If the client worked abroad for more than 2 years (and if he can prove it with a certificate from the Serbian embassy):
• Import is tax free for up to 10000 EUR of value of the goods).
• The destination agent will need the original passport on day of import and the client must show the last stamp of entrance in Serbia – not older than 1 year.
• If client didn’t work abroad for more than 2 years (or he cannot prove it with certificate from Serbian embassy):
• Import will be taxable.
• Taxes and duties are calculated based on the value of the shipment + cost of transport.
• Contact your local agent for more information before completing the documents.
• Food products, alcohol and consumables are not allowed.

• Shipment will be unloaded in custom warehouse for import customs clearance (except if client worked for Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs abroad).
• Import procedure usually takes approx. 5 working days.

Firearms

• Permits for import:
• One from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
• One from the Police.

• Do not start taking documents for import before checking up with your destination agent, always check much before actual move

• For temporary import, the client must be in the country for more than 1 year before he can ask for import documents.
• Very difficult import procedure.
• Import licenses are valid for very short periods.

Plants

• 2 phytosanitary exams are necessary:
• One at Serbian border.
• One at destination city of residence.

• Subject to examination.

• Always check the procedure with the destination agent.
• Not all custom offices have the phytosanitary equipment. This may cause delay in transport and delivery.

Serbia Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Serbia Country Guide (PDF)

Documents

Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.

• Copy of passport
• Packing list in English or Serbian
• Detailed inventory with quantity of each item type
• List of books (title and author, in Word or Excel format)
• List of electrical items (brand, model, and serial number, in Word or Excel format)
• List of paintings (title, author, and technique used, in Word or Excel format) with photographs of each painting sent separately; appraisals required where applicable; same requirements apply to musical instruments, violins, pianos, and other cultural items
• Original bill of lading (OBL) or air waybill (AWB)
• Certificate from a local police station for foreigners (*uverenje*) confirming the client is authorized to import household goods -- can only be obtained if the temporary resident visa is valid for more than 3 months
• Power of attorney for customs clearance, on company letterhead, signed and stamped, in the name of the destination agent's customs representative
• Cost of transport to Serbia (from origin)
• Letter of employment / copy of work contract

• Copy of passport (original must be available on the day of import; most recent entry stamp into Serbia must not be older than 12 months)
• Copy of personal ID card with the address for delivery
• Packing list in English or Serbian
• Detailed inventory with quantities and values of each item type
• List of books (total number plus title/author for any books of value)
• List of electrical items (brand, model, serial number)
• List of paintings (title, author, technique) with photographs; appraisals where applicable
• Power of attorney for customs clearance, signed by the client
• Cost of transport to Serbia
• Certificate from the Serbian embassy in the country of origin confirming that the owner worked abroad for more than 2 years (required to claim duty-free threshold -- see Specific Information)

• Copy of passport (page with photo and personal data)
• Packing list in English or Serbian
• Diplomatic protocol from the embassy or organization (number of items and gross weight must match shipping documents)
• LNPDV certificate from the embassy or organization
• Power of attorney for customs clearance, on embassy/organization letterhead, stamped and signed

Specific Information

Foreign nationals (temporary import): Goods are imported on a temporary, tax-free basis tied to the owner's visa/temporary residence. When the visa is extended, the temporary import must be extended simultaneously by obtaining a new police certificate. If the client leaves Serbia permanently, the temporary import must be formally closed -- either by re-exporting the goods or by paying the applicable duties and taxes at that time. Food, alcohol, and all consumables cannot be imported on a temporary basis. The shipment is unloaded into a customs warehouse; the clearance process typically takes approximately 5 working days.

Returning Serbian citizens: If the owner worked abroad continuously for more than 2 years and provides the certificate from the Serbian embassy, the following duty-free thresholds apply: up to EUR 20,000 in total goods value for persons who worked abroad up to 10 years; unlimited duty-free value for persons who worked abroad for more than 10 years. These thresholds are confirmed by the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, though some sources cite a lower EUR 10,000 threshold. Members should verify the current applicable limit with the destination agent and the Serbian Customs Administration at the time of booking, as the threshold may depend on specific regulatory interpretation.

Foreign nationals with passenger vehicle transport: For household goods transported in a passenger vehicle with a total value not exceeding EUR 3,000, a simplified customs procedure applies at the border using a 10% flat rate plus VAT, without a full customs declaration.

The certificate from the police station (*uverenje*) requires that the temporary resident visa be valid for more than 3 months at the time of application. Members should advise clients to begin the certificate application process well before the shipment departs origin, as timing is critical.

If the owner cannot provide proof of working abroad for more than 2 years, the import is fully taxable. Duties and taxes are assessed on the CIF value (goods value plus transport cost).

The shipment is unloaded into a customs warehouse for clearance unless the client worked for the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs abroad (in which case direct delivery applies). Clearance typically takes approximately 5 working days, but can range from 3 working days to several weeks.

All solid wood packing materials must comply with ISPM 15 phytosanitary standards.

Duties & Taxes

Serbia processes household goods shipments under three distinct categories -- temporary import (foreign nationals on work visa), permanent import by returning Serbian citizens, and diplomatic import. The applicable category determines the documents required and the duty/tax treatment.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

The following items are prohibited from import into Serbia:

• Illegal drugs and narcotics
• Weapons and ammunition (without authorization) [PERMIT REQUIRED for authorized imports]
• Pornographic materials
• Pesticides
• Toxic and harmful materials
• Counterfeit and pirated goods
• Products from endangered species protected under CITES [CITES]
• Consumable goods (food, alcohol, tobacco, etc.) in unaccompanied household goods shipments on temporary import basis

Accompanied baggage allowances (duty-free):

Alcohol: 1 litre of spirits, or 1 litre of sparkling or liqueur wines, or a combination, plus 1 litre of other wines. Tobacco: 50 cigarettes, 25 cigarillos, 10 cigars, or 50 g of tobacco, or a proportional combination. Perfume: 50 ml; eau de toilette: 25 ml.

Currency: Any amount of foreign currency may be brought into Serbia. Amounts of EUR 10,000 or more (in any currency or combination of currencies) must be declared to Customs on arrival. This reporting requirement applies to both entry and exit from Serbia.

Cultural artifacts and artworks: Require a permit from the Serbian Ministry of Culture. Paintings must be accompanied by photographs and professional appraisals. Detailed lists are required for all cultural items, musical instruments, and similar goods.

Medications: A prescription or letter from a physician is required for personal-use medications. Customs may request the prescription at clearance.

Plants: Two phytosanitary inspections are required -- one at the Serbian border and one at the destination city. Not all customs offices have phytosanitary inspection equipment, which may cause transport delays. Always confirm plant import procedures with the destination agent in advance.

Radios and radio communication equipment: May require a license from the Republic Agency for Electronic Communications (RATEL). [PERMIT REQUIRED]

Firearms (hunting): May be imported with a permit from the Ministry of Interior, or when the owner is on an organized hunting trip through the Hunting Association of Serbia. [PERMIT REQUIRED]

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air and sea/road shipments.

Serbia's household goods customs procedures are document-intensive and vary significantly by importer category (foreign national, returning citizen, diplomat). Members must identify the correct category for each client before preparing documentation. All document preparation should be done in close coordination with the destination agent.

The police certificate (*uverenje*) for foreign nationals is time-sensitive and must be obtained after arrival in Serbia with a valid temporary resident visa of more than 3 months. This means the client must be in Serbia, with visa in hand, before the certificate can be obtained -- and the certificate must be obtained before the shipment can clear customs. Plan shipment timing around this constraint.

For returning Serbian citizens claiming the duty-free exemption, the embassy certificate must be issued by the Serbian diplomatic mission in the country where the client worked. This certificate confirms continuous employment abroad for 2+ years and must be presented to customs along with the original passport on the day of clearance.

Shipments are unloaded into a customs warehouse for clearance (except for returning Ministry of Foreign Affairs employees). Clearance typically takes 5 working days but can be significantly longer. Storage/demurrage charges accrue during this time; members should advise clients accordingly.

All lists (books, paintings, electrical items) must be prepared in advance as Word or Excel files and sent to the destination agent for formatting to Serbian customs requirements. These should not be prepared at the last minute.