SERBIAN CUSTOMS REGULATION FOR FOREIGN PHYSICAL PERSONS

Foreign nationals staying on a temporary basis in Serbia can?temporarily import items?they require for the duration of their stay.

Foreign nationals with residence in Serbia can, when travelling abroad, beside items of personal baggage,?temporarily export items?they need for the duration of their stay abroad.

Foreign currency, credit and debit cards and foreign currency cheques may be freely brought into Serbia. Debit and credit cards and securities obtained in line with regulations may be freely taken out of the country.

Foreign nationals?may bring in an unlimited sum of foreign currency and take out a sum of up to 10,000 EUR(Dinars or another foreign currency besides EUR may be brought in and taken out to an equivalent value of 10,000 EUR). Larger sums may only be brought in if purchased from a foreign bank and accompanied by a receipt from that bank. Foreign citizens living and working in Serbia for longer than one year?may take out up to 10,000 EUR or traveler’s cheques to the same amount.

Foreign travelers can also bring some personal baggage. What constitutes personal baggage is decided on a case-by-case basis and depends on the season of the year, the traveler’s occupation, purpose and duration of travel etc. In line with common customs practice, personal baggage comprises uncommercial goods as?items of clothing, personal jewelry, personal hygiene, foodstuffs, various technical goods, sporting equipment needed for the trip, medicines and similar items.

Some items, such as artistic or cultural value, hunting weapons and ammunition, game and hunting trophies, animals?may only be taken out or brought into Serbia with the permission of the appropriate authorites.

For example, foreign nationals who are planning to travel to the Republic of Serbia and to bring their pet along, need to previously get acquainted with the respective regulations in force. In this way they will obtain the necessary documents on time and ensure that their pet meets all the necessary requirements for entry into the territory of the Republic of Serbia.

The customs authorities at the customs border shall temporarily seize from residents and non-residents, against a receipt, any amount of dinars, foreign cash, cheques, and securities denominated in foreign currency exceeding the amount of 10.000 EUR. Some of the seized gods can be brought back to the suspect with the appropriate procedure.

The case is then brought up to the Misdemeanor court(most likely Misdemeanor courts in border cities). It is very important to mention that foreign national will have a translator in court proceedings so he or she can actively involve in the case in their own language, but there is no obligation for the Court to assign attorney by the line of duty for the suspect.

Sanction could be fine, which can variable for this type of misdemeanor and, a much difficult part for client, a safeguard measure. Safeguard measure of seizing the items used in, intended for, or resulting from the perpetration of a misdemeanor, shall be pronounced.

The defendant has eight days to appeal. The appeal can be helpful for the defendant as a smaller fine can be issued and even a partial seizure of items instead of complete seizure.

The proceeding is short and without proper actions, you can lose all your seized items.