Voluntary Report - public distribution

**Date:** 8/15/2005

**GAIN Report Number:** SR5008

SR5008

**Serbia**

**FAIRS Product Specific**

**Update**

**2005**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Hassan F. Ahmed

U.S. Embassy

**Prepared by:**

Tatjana Buric-Maslac

**Report Highlights:**

This report has been updated to reflect changes that took place in
Serbia and Montenegro since February 2004. These changes include the
introduction of the \"two separate tracks\" for Serbia and Montenegro to
negotiate their accession to WTO and the European Union. The report also
includes the list of new laws passed during 2004 and 2005; introduction
of a VAT system in Serbia; listing of changes in customs tariffs and
trade conditions for different commodities occurred in both Republics as
well as changes of contact information of relevant government agencies.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Unscheduled Report

Belgrade \[YU1\]

\[SR\]

###### Table of contents

[General 3](#general)

[Foreign Trade and Customs Policies
3](#foreign-trade-and-customs-policies)

[Food safety 4](#food-safety)

[Labeling requirements 6](#labeling-requirements)

[Packaging and container regulations
7](#packaging-and-container-regulations)

[Food additive regulations 7](#food-additive-regulations)

[Pesticide and other contaminants in foods
8](#pesticide-and-other-contaminants-in-foods)

[Other regulations and requirements
9](#other-regulations-and-requirements)

[Other specific standards 10](#other-specific-standards)

[Copyright and trademark laws 10](#copyright-and-trademark-laws)

[Import procedure 11](#import-procedure)

[APPENDIX I. Government regulatory agency contacts
12](#appendix-i.-government-regulatory-agency-contacts)

[APPENDIX II. Other important contacts for U.S. exporters
15](#appendix-ii.-other-important-contacts-for-u.s.-exporters)

The Office of Agricultural Affairs of the USDA/Foreign Agricultural
Service in Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro has prepared this report for
U.S. exporters of domestic food and agricultural products. While every
possible care was taken in the preparation of this report, information
provided may not be completely accurate either because policies have
changed since its preparation, or because clear and consistent
information about these policies was not available. It is highly
recommended that U.S. exporters verify the full set of import
requirements with their foreign customers, who are normally best
equipped to research such matters with local authorities, before any
goods are shipped.

FINAL IMPORT APPROVAL OF ANY PRODUCT IS SUBJECT TO THE IMPORTING
COUNTRY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS AS INTERPRETED BY BORDER OFFICIALS AT
THE TIME OF PRODUCT ENTRY.

NOTE:

Serbia and Montenegro have separate economic institutions and are linked
only by a small joint administration at the State Union level in charge
of defense and foreign affairs. In October 2004, both republics
proceeded to participate separately in most international organisations,
the so-called "the two-ways track" principle. Though Serbia technically
includes the province of Kosovo, the UN's Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK)
oversees all policies and regulations in Kosovo.

# General 

The basic responsibilities regarding food laws are practically separated
in the two republics of Serbia and Montenegro. Each republic, however,
still follows some federal (Yugoslav) laws on food safety though with
separate implementation and enforcement mechanisms. Serbia and
Montenegro have formed a working group involved in the preparation of a
new joint food safety law, but no significant work has yet been
achieved. It is expected, however, that the new law would be in
compliance with WTO regulations and would lay the groundwork for the
eagerly anticipated EU membership. Both Serbia and Montenegro are not
members of the WTO or the CODEX Almintarius. The two republics will
separately start the process of negotiating with the WTO in fall 2005.
Serbia and Montenegro became in 2004 members of the OIE with separate
representatives, unlike FAO where Serbia and Montenegro are represented
by the State Union as one member in organization. Serbia and Montenegro
are not members of the UPOV.

# Foreign Trade and Customs Policies 

In Serbia, the republic's Law on Foreign Trade (Official Gazette
23/2001) and the recently adopted Law on Customs Tariff (Official
Gazette 62/05) regulate issues regarding foreign trade and customs
tariffs. In Montenegro, the Law on Trade (Official Gazette 23/2001) and
the Law on Customs Tariff (Official Gazette RCG 21/2003) govern these
issues. The new Serbian law on customs tariffs adopted changes in a
number of tariff lines that are now in accordance with EU tariff
schedules. Customs tariffs for some agriculture commodities have been
changed while the majority of tariffs remained unchanged. With this new
Serbian law, previously harmonized tariff schedules between Serbia and
Montenegro, including tariffs for 56 agriculture commodities, became
invalid. The harmonization of Serbian customs tariffs was necessary to
facilitate customs clearance with EU countries that are among the main
Serbian trade partners and to assist future WTO negotiations. With this
new law, the number of tariff lines increased from 8,543 to 10,268.
Tariff lines for agriculture commodities increased from 1,082 to 2,511
(Chapter 1-24). Custom tariffs were increased for 142 of total 10,268
tariff lines, mainly agriculture commodities, and decreased for 164
tariff lines includes raw materials and semi-produced products. Other
measures of protection as levies and seasonal customs were not a subject
of recent changes and together with customs tariffs brings total custom
protection for agriculture commodities to 21 percent in average.

Serbia and Montenegro have separate customs, tax, veterinary,
phytosanitary and sanitary services. These differences were partially
harmonized under pressure from the EU as Serbia and Montenegro prepares
for a pre-accession agreement in 2003, but after receiving positive
assessment of the feasibility study for concluding the Stabilization and
Accession Agreement from the EU in April 2005, Serbia and Montenegro
were given option to continue EU and WTO negotiations on two separate
tracks.

The Law on Foreign Trade in both Serbia and Montenegro in principle is
designed to promote free trade of goods and services. Restrictions and
imports bans, however, are applied to protect public health and guard
the domestic market against subsidized or dumped products. Agreements on
free trade (FTAs) under the Stability Pact initiative strive to create
free trade areas in South East Europe. Serbia and Montenegro have signed
FTAs with Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR of Macedonia, Romania,
Bulgaria, Russia, Albania and Moldova. On January 1, 2004, many tariffs
fell for goods originating from South East Europe. There are several
disputes in applying FTA measures among countries, such as the dispute
between Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Serbia, when BiH announced the
suspension of FTA provisions concerning tariffs on agricultural imports
for a temporary period in 2005. The dispute was finally solved with
Serbia's decision to remove all export subsidies for Serbian commodities
exported to BiH. In June 2005, the U.S. Congress granted Serbia and
Montenegro the GSP status.

Although Serbia and Montenegro have their own Customs Administration,
they both apply the Harmonized System (HS) of commodity description and
coding. Customs tariffs for agricultural products range from 5 to 30
percent of imported values, with additional levies and seasonal taxes
for some agricultural products based on unit weight, in dinar or Euro/kg
(for product specific tariff information, please contact the Belgrade
FAS Office listed in Appendix II). Montenegro customs tariffs for
agriculture commodities are lower than Serbian. This is because
Montenegro is not a major agriculture producer and is mainly an
importer, while Serbia continues to protect its domestic agriculture
production with higher customs tariffs (agriculture production accounts
24 percent of GDP in Serbia).

Taxes are applied at the same rates for locally produced and imported
goods. As of January 1, 2005 Serbia is applying value-added tax (VAT) of
18 percent. For most of agriculture goods the VAT was reduced to 8
percent. Montenegro is also applying VAT of 17 percent on average, as of
January 1, 2003 on all products (including food and agricultural goods).

# Food safety

As with customs and foreign trade regulations, there are separate
authorities in Serbia and Montenegro regarding food safety. These
separate authorities apply identical laws on food safety, but
implementation details may vary.

In February 2004, Montenegro applied a new veterinary law (Official
Gazette of Montenegro No.11/2004). Serbian veterinary experts have
prepared a new veterinary law, which is expected to go through
Parliament's procedures at the beginning of September 2005. Following
the adoption of this new law, a number of rulebooks will be re-written
to reflect changes. In both Serbia and Montenegro, the EU started to
apply requirements for marking live animals for tracking and
requirements for implementing HACCP and other international standards
used in food production.

In accordance with the joint agreement for creating a union of Serbia
and Montenegro, both republics signed (April 2003) a "Protocol on
Harmonization of Actions and Procedures in Foreign Trade of Goods
Subject to Mandatory Veterinary-Sanitary and Phytosanitary Control at
the Border." The result is that the two republics agree to mutual
recognition of official actions taken on imported food items, including
when products enter one republic for transit to the other.
Responsibility for food safety is thus shared by the Serbian and
Montenegrin Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Trade.

The Ministries of Health in Serbia and Montenegro have both domestic and
border (import) Sanitary Inspection units responsible for the
wholesomeness of imported foods. Inspection takes place at border
crossings or at the customs clearance point. The Ministries of
Agriculture in Serbia and Montenegro issue import approvals for foods of
animal origin, veterinary drugs, seeds, planting materials and
pesticides. For other products, permits are not required. Ministries in
both republics have Veterinary and Phytosanitary Inspection units that
issue certificates. The inspections take place at border crossings. The
ministries of Trade and Economy in Serbia and Montenegro have distinct
"Market Inspection" units that charged with quality control for imported
foods. They inspect imported food products at the customs points and
inspect food in retail distribution.

The following laws and regulations are relevant both for locally
processed and imported foods:

-   The Law on Sanitary Control of Food and Goods of general use, both
    republics are applying the old Law of the Socialist Republic of
    Yugoslavia (Official Gazette No. 53/1991, re-published in the
    Official Gazette of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia No. 37/2002).
    This law applies to foods, spices, additives, processing equipment,
    packaging material as well as tobacco and products. It regulates
    both food hygiene (subject to specific ordinances, residues, changes
    in food quality due to the physical, chemical, microbiological and
    other processes, expiry date, original package and bulk-packaged
    foods labeling) and nutritive value (subject to the specific
    ordinances regulating quality of each type of food). Sanitary
    inspectors work in accordance to this law.

-   Enforcement is done in accordance with the laws on Market Inspection
    (Serbian Official Gazette No 80/2002 and Montenegro Official Gazette
    No. 56/92) and the Law on Quality Control Of Imported and Exported
    Goods (Federal Official Gazette No. 28/96). Quality control for all
    types of products is done by visual checks and for products listed
    in the above mentioned Laws (almost everything that is considered as
    food) additional safety checks are done, using laboratory testing on
    basic ingredients. Visual checks involve product identification
    (origin, type, quantity), determining if labeling and packaging
    requirements have been met, and checking for the necessary
    statements containing the importer's name and address, the product's
    general appearance, taste, flavor, presence of residues, color,
    structure, checking if the transportation requirements have been met
    and etc. Specific ordinances define sampling procedures.

Quality control of imported products can be done again after the import
procedure has been completed and prior to retail distribution on the
market. Inspection can be done also after the retail distribution in the
store. The quality of individual groups of products is subject to
specific ordinances (e.g. Quality of Poultry Meat and Meat Products,
Official Gazette No. 51/88 and 55/91; Quality of Swine Meat and Meat
Products, Official Gazette No. 24/86; Quality of Milk and Milk Products,
Official Gazette No. 26/02; Quality of Honey and other Bee Products,
Official Gazette No. 7/92; Quality of Beer, Official Gazette No. 88/94
etc.).

# Labeling requirements

The "Law on Sanitary Correctness of Food and Goods of General Use"
regulates labeling requirements for food. Accordingly, a label must be
present in both retail and bulk packaged foods and must indicate the
following: expiration date, type and content of food additives, type and
content of added vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients added to
enrich the product's nutritional value.

Labels on foods that have been changed nutritionally for special diets
must clearly indicate "dietetic food." The "Law on Quality Control of
Imported and Exported Goods" says that a label must clearly indicate the
name of the product, manufacturer's complete address, name and address
of the importer, and important information such as net weight in metric
units, ingredients, instructions for use (if necessary) and storage and
any important information and warnings. If an original label is in
English (e.g. standard U.S. label) or any other language, the seller is
obliged to prepare translated stick-on labels and deliver them together
with imported products. It is the importer's obligation to place those
translated labels on products prior to retail distribution.

For each type of food product a specific ordinance spells out labeling
requirements; for example, according to the ordinance for "Quality of
Edible Vegetables Oils and Fats, Mayonnaise and Related Products"
(Yugoslav Official Gazette No. 20/00 dated 12 May, 2000), a label must
clearly indicate the following:

1)  product's name and brand name if any,

2)  manufacturer's name and complete address,

3)  date of manufacturing (day/month/year),

4)  "use by" or "best before" date,

5)  product's net-weight (mass or volume),

6)  food additives,

7)  basic ingredients listed in order of their predominance and type and

8)  quantity of ingredients added to enrich product's nutritive value.

According to this ordinance the label must be noticeable, visible, clear
and legible. The product's and the manufacturer's names must be printed
in larger fonts (the size of font is not specified). Labels for
margarine and similar products must include the percentage of individual
components. If vitamins are added the label must indicate "enriched with
vitamins." If the manufacturing and packaging companies are not the
same, the label must indicate the company that did the packaging. Labels
for honey must include its origin and production method (e.g. comb,
liquid, strained honey). If it was imported, it must be labeled
"imported honey." Labels for roasted coffee must indicate its origin and
date of roasting.

Meat products must indicate "chilled, "frozen", "heat treated",
"sliced", "chopped" etc. and must provide instructions for use and
storage if necessary. According to the ordinance for Quality of Poultry
Meat (Yugoslavia Official Gazette No.51/88 and 55/91), a label on
imported poultry meat must also clearly indicate the following:

1)  importer's name and complete address,

2)  products name and brand name if any,

3)  country of origin of meat or/and meat products

If products were artificially colored and preserved by preservatives, it
must be indicated right below the product's name, e.g. "artificially
colored" or "preserved by preservative" as well include an indication as
to which chemicals were used. Claims such as "light" and "reduced" are
permitted. However, generally labels must not contain words, pictures
and drawings and health-related information that could mislead consumers
regarding product's origin, quantity and quality.

Food products produced through biotechnology (GMOs) in Serbia and
Montenegro are regulated by old Yugoslav "Law Governing Genetically
Modified Organisms" (Official Gazette No. 21/2001 dated May 8, 2001).
Each republic is applying the same federal law. The law and rulebooks
derived from the law have been designed to follow regulations adopted
and implemented by the European Union (EU directives 90/220 and 90/219).
The biotech law allows research or use of biotech events, but puts them
under strict supervision of the state. Permits for work, research,
contained use and marketing can be obtained by anyone who can meet the
regulated requirements. Shipments and imports of soybeans, soybean meal
and corn (and food byproducts) are tested for biotech content at the
border. Detection of GMOs is PCR based. Regulations on labeling for "GMO
content" were issued by the Serbian Ministry of Health in February 2003.
According to this regulation, all retail food labels on products with
biotech content (0.9 percent minimum) must include a yellow triangle,
framed with red border and containing the letters in English "GMO"
(black letters). All commercial and retail food and feed products must
be labeled, although it is not clear exactly how enforcement and control
will be regulated.

The "Law on Organic Agricultural Production" (Official Gazette
No.28/2000) and derived rulebooks (Official Gazette No. 51/2002) are
applied in both Serbia and Montenegro and are regulating production,
import, packaging, and transportation and labeling of organic food.

Food samples do not need to be labeled. If shipped to Serbia and
Montenegro, sample should be marked clearly on all packaging: "samples -
not for sale."

# Packaging and container regulations

Packaging requirements are subject to specific ordinances for each type
of food. For example, packaging material for raw coffee packed in ½ kg
units must weigh less than 50 g per square meter. Packaging requirements
for fresh seafood products are very comprehensive. However, in most
cases there are no special requirements concerning packaging material
and container size. Most Serbian and Montenegrin consumers prefer
smaller packages and are price sensitive. There are no legal
requirements regarding the collection and recycling of used packaging
materials.

# Food additive regulations

Food additives are regulated by the ordinance on "Quality of Foods
Additives" (Yugoslav Official Gazette No. 32/01 dated 28 June 2001).
According to that ordinance, additives are substances that are not foods
(regardless of their nutritive value) but are added to foods during
processing because of their effect on the food's organoleptic
characteristics. Substances added to enrich nutritive value and salt are
not considered as additives.

Additives can be added to foods if approved and listed in the so-called
"Positive List" provided in the above-mentioned ordinance (approx. 500
additives in total). The quantity used must be in accordance with
specific regulations for each group of products. Additives must not
affect/decrease a food product's nutritive value or change significantly
the taste and flavor of products, unless this is intent. They also must
not create toxins in products during the processing, storage or use.
They must be identifiable, which means that their type and quantity in
products can be tested, unless they were removed or destroyed during
processing. Additive usage generally must be justified from a technical
standpoint.

Additives are divided into 14 groups according to the "Positive List":

1)  antioxidants and synergists of antioxidants,

2)  preservatives,

3)  flavorings,

4)  flavor intensifiers,

5)  emulsifiers, stabilizers and coagulants,

6)  colorings,

7)  anticoagulants,

8)  acids,

9)  bases,

10) salts,

11) enzymes,

12) sweeteners,

13) processing accessory substances (against foaming, for filtration,
    catalysts)

For each of the above-mentioned groups there are specific requirements.

Additive labels must clearly indicate the following:

-   The additive's name according to the "Positive List", or mixture
    name, including its usage, and brand name if any,

-   The manufacturer's name and complete address,

-   The date of manufacturing (day/month/year) and "best before" date,

\- The product's net-weight (mass or volume) in metric units,

\- Basic ingredients:

\- For additives: The basic ingredient (active component) and its
quantity in units or

percentage compared to product's net-weight. An additive's basic
ingredient is its

active component. Additive carriers (e.g. ethanol) must be declared.

\- For additive mixtures: List additive names from the "Positive List"
in order of

their predominance compared to product's net-weight. If certain
additives can be

used only in limited quantity, the quantity must be declared.

\- Name of the country of origin-if imported

\- Printed indication that additive is GMO

\- Other information important to consumers

The product's name and the manufacturer's name must be printed in larger
fonts (size not specified). Labels must indicate the company that did
the packaging (name and address) if different from manufacturer.

Sodium nitrite, potassium and saltpeter mixtures used for pickling may
be sold but only in original packaging and must be marked as "warning --
poison" and "keep in dry place."

# Pesticide and other contaminants in foods

All imported food products must comply with domestic rules on pesticides
and other contaminants. Although Serbia and Montenegro is not a member
of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the CODEX; maximum residue limits
(MRLs) are generally recognized for imported foodstuffs. There is a
specific ordinance on residue limits for pesticides and other
contaminants, (e.g. hormones, antibiotics and mycotoxins) which can be
found in food. This is the ordinance on "Quantity of Pesticides, Metals,
Antibiotics, Hormones and other Contaminants in Food" published in the
Yugoslav Official Gazette No. 32/2002. Both Ministries of Agriculture
(Serbia and Montenegro) apply this ordinance. According to the
ordinance, pesticides are substances used for protection of agricultural
products against diseases and pests. Pesticides and their maximum
residue limits in foods are listed in a special attachment. The list
includes over 200 different pesticides, their names, chemical names and
maximum contents in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of food.

For concentrated and dehydrated products (e.g. milk powder, dried soups)
the maximum quantities are being calculated for a product that is used
for final consumption (on a liquid basis, e.g. liquid milk and soups).
Food contaminates are listed as lead, cadmium, mercury, zinc, tin,
cooper, arsenic, iron and other metals and nonmetals. The ordinance
provides a table with maximum residue limits for 47 different foods
(expressed in mg/kg). Hormones and antibiotics residues are generally
not allowed in food products.

Maximum residue limits of mycotoxins are also regulated for grains,
flour, legumes, beans, nuts, coffee, roasted cocoa and peanuts. The
above mentioned lists are available from the FAS office in Belgrade (see
Appendix II).

Trade, imports and sampling of pesticides are regulated by the ordinance
of "Trade, imports and sampling when importing pesticides" (Yugoslav
Official Gazette No. 59/01 dated 11/02/01). Import permits for plant
protection products must be obtained from the Serbian and Montenegro
Ministries of Agriculture, Phytosanitary Departments.

**[For Serbia:]{.underline}**

Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management

Phytosanitary Department/Import and registration of pesticides/:

Omladinskih Brigada 1,

11070 New Belgrade

Serbia

Contact person: Ms. Snezana Petric-Savcic

Tel: ++ 381 11 600 081

Fax: ++ 381 11 602 320

E-mail: <snezanasp@yubc.net>

**[For Montenegro:]{.underline}**

Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry

Phytosanitary Department

Rimski Trg

81000 Podgorica

Montenegro

Contact person: Mr. Spaso Popovic

Tel: ++ 381 81 621 007

Fax: ++ 381 81 621 008

E-mail: <spasop@mn.yu>

Serbia and Montenegro has a list of approved pesticides that can be
imported and traded.

This list can be obtained from the Phytosanitary Departments in the
Ministries of Agriculture (as above listed). The latest list of
pesticides approved for import and trade was published in the Federal
Official Gazette No. 6/03.

# Other regulations and requirements

Importers must request import approval from Serbian or Montenegro
Ministry of Agriculture for import of live animals and products of
animal origin (for contact details see Appendix I). Those requirements
are in accordance with the Office of International des Epizooties (OIE)
requirements. Serbia and Montenegro became a member of OIE in May 2003.

Food products must be tested for microbe levels at laboratories of the
Institutes for Public Health within each republic (see Appendix II). The
ordinance on "Microbiological Wholesomeness of Food" was published in
the Yugoslav "Official Gazette" no. 46/02 and provides maximum content
of different microorganisms in food products.

Following the outbreaks of FMD, BSE, and Avian Influenza in Europe,
Serbia and Montenegro have banned imports and transportation of live
domestic and wild animals and their products from a number of countries,
as well as banned feed containing proteins of animal origin. In 2001,
Serbia and Montenegro imposed an import ban on beef and beef products
from all origins. Montenegro has lifted this ban in April 2005 and
grouped exporting countries in three categories depending of the risk.
Serbia has lifted the ban only on import of live bulls and milking cows,
while still considering lifting the ban on beef meat and embryos. There
are specific requirements for importing semen, horses, bulls and milking
cows. They requirements may be obtained from the republics' Ministries
of Agriculture, Veterinary Department (see Appendix).

Certification and documentation: Live animals, meat and dairy products
require veterinary certification, while seeds, fruits and vegetables
require a phytosanitary certificate issued by the export country's
relevant authorities (e.g. USDA/APHIS). Special certification is need
for veterinary drugs, demonstrating the drugs have been approved and
used in the country of origin. Information can be obtained from the
Serbian and Montenegro Ministries of Agriculture (Appendix I).

Foods that are subject to veterinary and phytosanitary inspections can
enter on all border crossings where veterinary and phytosanitary border
inspection posts exist. Importers should always inform the relevant
Ministry of Agriculture at the point of entry in order to allow them to
fax import permits to the relevant border inspection post. Inspection
services are charged as per a published, official price list. Services
cost more if done after regular working hours and on weekends and
holidays.

# Other specific standards

Alcoholic beverages, nonalcoholic beverages and tobacco: Products are
subject to specific taxation rules and require import license issued by
the Ministry of Finance. The Ministry of Finance issues control excise
stamps, which are to include in the packaging prior to import to Serbia
and Montenegro.

# Copyright and trademark laws

The "Law on Trademarks" (Federal Official Gazette No.15/95) protects
trademark, service and brand names. It is applied in both republics.
Trade or service marks receive protection for a 10-year term from the
date of filing, with the term being extendable. A new law on trademarks
is currently being drafted to bring the law up to Trade Related
International Properties TRIPs standards.

Serbia and Montenegro also apply the Federal Law on patents (Federal
Official Gazette No. 28/96) that protects and regulates patents and the
Federal Law on copyrights (Federal Official Gazette No. 24/98) that is
regulating copyrights. Domestic and foreign applications must be
submitted to the Federal Intellectual Property Office (see Appendix II).
Serbia and Montenegro are members of the World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO) and signatory to a large number of conventions:
Paris Convention Treaty, the 1970 Patent Cooperation Treaty, Madrid
Agreement (International Registration of Marks), etc.

# Import procedure 

Foreign exporters can import food products into Serbia and Montenegro
using a locally registered office or a local company/shipping
agency/forwarding agent registered for import activities. It is common
for agents to help with food import regulations.

Import approvals for agriculture commodities should be obtained from the
Ministries of Agriculture. Import approvals are required for import of
live animals and all products of animal origin with more than 2 percent
of animal component, genetics, veterinary drugs, seeds and planting
materials or pesticides. Prior approval is not required for other food
products.

All food products must be accompanied with standard documents that
follow each shipment and by health certificates issued by relevant
authorities of exporting countries (e.g. veterinary certificate for meat
and meat products, phytosanitary certificates for fruits, vegetables,
seeds, planting material etc) and are subject to veterinary and
phytosanitary inspections at border crossings and sanitary and market
inspections at customs points.

Foods of animal origin and veterinary drugs: Import approvals are
processed at the Veterinary Departments of the Republics Ministries of
Agriculture. Forms are available from those departments (see Appendix
I).

**Seed and planting materials:** Import of seeds and planting materials
is regulated in Serbia by the new Law on Seeds, (Serbian Official
Gazette No. 45/05), Law on Planting Material (Serbian Official Gazette
No. 18/05) and Law on reproductive material (Serbian Official Gazette
No. 08/05). In Montenegro imports of seeds and planting material is
regulated by the Law on Seeds and Planting Material (Montenegro Official
Gazette No. 39/92) and Rulebook on Health Control of Plant Shipments in
Trade across the State Border (Federal Official Gazette No. 59/01).

Sanitary inspectors visually inspect all food for sanitary wholesomeness
prior to customs clearance visually and take samples for laboratory
tests (Appendix II). Imported goods are held at the customs point until
testing is complete.

If a market inspector rejects and importer's request, goods are stored
until the procedure is completed. When the required procedure is
completed the inspector can order the return or destruction of goods, if
necessary, at the cost of importer, or can order certain changes prior
to customs clearance.

### 

# 

# APPENDIX I. Government regulatory agency contacts

**Import of live animals and products of animal origin, veterinary
drugs:**

Serbian Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management

Veterinary Department (International Trade)

Omladinskih brigada 1,

11000 Belgrade

Serbia

Tel: ++ 381 11 602 634

Fax: ++ 381 11 602 498

<Sinisa.Kotur@minpolj.sr.gov.yu>

Montenegro Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry

Veterinary Department (International Trade)

Bul. Sv. Petra Cetinjskog 9,

81000 Podgorica

Montenegro

Tel: ++ 381 81 201 945

Fax: ++ 381 81 201 946

E-mail: <katarinat@mn.yu>

**Import of seeds and planting material:**

Serbian Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management

Phytosanitary Department

Omladinskih Brigada 1,

11070 New Belgrade

Serbia

Tel: ++ 381 11 604 576

Fax: ++ 381 11 604 576

E-mail: <upravabilje@yahoo.com>

Montenegro Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry

Phytosanitary Department

Rimski Trg

81000 Podgorica

Montenegro

Tel: ++ 381 81 621 007

Fax: ++ 381 81 621 008

E-mail: <spasop@mn.yu>

**Import of pesticides:**

Serbian Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management

Phytosanitary Department

Nemanjina 22-26

11000 Belgrade

Serbia

Tel: ++ 381 11 600 081; 602 555 ext 3054

Fax: ++ 381 11 602 320

Contact: Ms. Snezana Peric-Savcic

E-mail: <snezanasp@yubc.net>

Montenegro Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry

Phytosanitary Department

Rimski Trg

81000 Podgorica

Montenegro

Tel: ++ 381 81 621 007

Fax: ++ 381 81 621 008

E-mail: <spasop@mn.yu>

1.  **GMO approvals and registrations:**

Serbian Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management

Nemanjina 22-24,

11000 Belgrade

Serbia

Tel: ++ 381 11 3616 279

Fax: ++ 381 11 3616 279

Contact: Ms. Sandra Kojic

E-mail: <Sandra.Kojic@minpolj.sr.gov.yu>

2.  **Inspection on sanitary conformity:**

Serbian Ministry of Health

Department for Sanitary Inspection

Nemanjina 22-26

11000 Belgrade

Serbia

Tel: ++ 381 11 361 62 64

Fax: ++ 381 11 361 47 00

E-mail: <sanitarnainspekcija@zdravlje.sr.gov.yu>

Web page: [www.zdravlje.sr.gov.yu](http://www.zdravlje.sr.gov.yu/)

Montenegro Ministry of Health

Department for Sanitary Inspection

Radomira Ivanovica 2,

81000 Podgorica

Montenegro

Tel: ++ 381 81 608 005

Fax: ++ 381 81 608 005

E-mail: <masanovic@cg.yu>, <danicamm@cg.yu>

3.  **Market inspection:**

Serbian Ministry of Trade

Department for Market Inspection

Nemanjina 22-26

11000 Belgrade,

Serbia

Tel: ++ 381 11 3631 136

Fax: ++ 381 11 3610 258

Montenegro Ministry of Economy

Department for Market Inspection

B.C."VECTRA"

81000 Podgorica

Montenegro

Tel: ++ 381 81 245 874; 224 889

Fax: ++ 381 81 245 148

4.  **Alcohol, nonalcoholic beverages, tobacco:**

Serbian Ministry of Finance

Nemnjina 22-26,

11000 Belgrade

Tel: ++ 381 11 3616 361

Fax: ++ 381 11 3616 535

E-mail: <informacije@mfin.sr.gov.yu>

Web page: [www.mfin.sr.gov.yu](http://www.mfin.sr.gov.yu/)

Montenegro Ministry of Finance

Stanka Dragojevica 2,

81000 Podgorica

Montenegro

Tel: ++ 381 81 242 835

Fax: ++ 381 81 224 450

5.  **Customs clearance:**

Serbian Custom Administration

Bul. AVNOJ-a 155

11070 New Belgrade

Serbia

Tel: ++ 381 11 311 7272

Web page: [www.fcs.yu](http://www.fcs.yu/)

Montenegro Custom Administration

Street Oktobarske Revolucije 128

81000 Podgorica

Montenegro

Tel: ++ 381 81 620 433; 620 931; 620 378

Fax: ++ 381 81 620 459

6.  **Trade marks, patents and intellectual property**

Federal Intellectual Property Office

Zmaj Jovina 21

11000 Belgrade

Tel: ++ 381 11 630 499

Fax: ++ 381 11 311 23 77

E-mail: yupat@gov.yu

Web page: [www.yupat.sv.gov.yu](http://www.yupat.sv.gov.yu/)

7.  Serbian Government Official web page:
    [www.serbia.sr.gov.yu](http://www.serbia.sr.gov.yu/)

8.  Montenegro Government Official we page:
    [www.vlada.cg.yu](http://www.vlada.cg.yu/)

# APPENDIX II. Other important contacts for U.S. exporters

1\. Office of Agricultural Affair (Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS))

> U.S. Embassy Belgrade
>
> Kneza Milosa 50,
>
> 11000 Belgrade
>
> Tel: ++ 381 11 306 4927
>
> Fax: ++ 381 11 306 4922
>
> Contact: Tatjana Buric, Agriculture Specialist
>
> E-mail: <tatjana.buric@usda.gov>
>
> Web page:
> [www.http:/belgrade.usembassy.gov/](http://www.http:/belgrade.usembassy.gov/)

2\. Serbian Ministry of Agriculture

> Nemanjina 22-26,
>
> 11000 Belgrade
>
> Serbia
>
> Tel: ++ 381 11 3065 038
>
> Fax: ++ 381 11 3616 272

E-mail: <office@minpolj.sr.gov.yu>

Web page: [www.minpolj.sr.gov.yu](http://www.minpolj.sr.gov.yu/)

3.  Montenegro Ministry of Agriculture

> B.C. "VECTRA"
>
> 81000 Podgorica
>
> Montenegro
>
> Tel: ++ 381 81 482 271; 484-109
>
> Fax: ++ 381 81 482-364
>
> Web page: [www.minpolj.vlada.cg.yu](http://www.minpolj.vlada.cg.yu/)

4.  University of Belgrade, Veterinary Faculty

> Bul. JNA18,
>
> 11000 Belgrade
>
> Serbia
>
> Tel: ++ 381 11 361 5436
>
> Fax: ++ 381 11 685 936
>
> Web page: [www.vet.bg.ac.yu](http://www.vet.bg.ac.yu/)

5.  Institute of Meat Hygiene and Meat Technology

> Kacanskog 13,
>
> 11000 Belgrade
>
> Serbia
>
> Tel: ++ 381 11 650 655
>
> Fax: ++ 381 11 651 825
>
> E-mail: <meatins@beotel.yu>

6.  National Laboratory for Seed Testing

> Maksima Gorkog 30,
>
> 21000 Novi Sad
>
> Serbia
>
> Tel: ++ 381 21 421 248

Fax: ++ 381 21 421 249

E-mail: <mirjana@ifvcns.ns.ac.yu>

7.  Bio-technical Institute

> Kralja Nikole bb
>
> 81000 Podgorica
>
> Montenegro
>
> Tel: ++ 381 81 268 442
>
> Fax: ++ 381 81 268 432

8.  Institute for Public Health "Dr. Milan Jovanovic Batut"

> Dr. Subotica 5,
>
> 11000 Belgrade
>
> Serbia
>
> Tel: ++ 381 11 2684 566
>
> Web page: [www.batut.org.yu](http://www.batut.org.yu/)

9.  Agriculture Faculty Belgrade

> Nemanjina 6,
>
> 11080 Zemun
>
> Serbia
>
> Tel: ++ 381 11 612 664

Fax: ++ 381 11 193 659

Web page: [www.agrifaculty.bg.ac.yu](http://www.agrifaculty.bg.ac.yu/)

10. Agriculture Faculty Novi Sad

> Trg D.Obradovica 8,
>
> 21000 Novi Sad
>
> Serbia
>
> Tel: ++ 381 21 450 355
>
> Fax: ++ 381 21 459 761
>
> Web page: [http://polj.ns.ac.yu](http://polj.ns.ac.yu/)

11. Institute for Molecular Genetics and Genetics Engineering

> Vojvode Stepe 444a
>
> 11001 Belgrade
>
> Serbia
>
> Tel: ++ 381 11 3975 744
>
> Fax: ++ 381 11 3975 808

We page: [www.beogene.bg.ac.yu](http://www.beogene.bg.ac.yu/)

12\. Serbian Chamber of Commerce

Resavska 13-15

11000 Belgrade

Tel: ++ 381 11 324 0611

Fax: ++ 381 11 3230 949

Web page: [www.pks.co.yu](http://www.pks.co.yu/)

13\. Montenegro Chamber of Commerce

> Novaka Miloseva 29-II
>
> 81000 Podgorica
>
> E-mail: <pkcg@cg.yu>
>
> Web page: [www.pkcg.org](http://www.pkcg.org/)
>
> Tel: ++ 381 81 230 423; 230 446
>
> Fax: ++ 381 81 230 446

Web page on Agriculture and Food Production in Serbia:
[www.serbiafood.co.yu](http://www.serbiafood.co.yu/)