Scheduled Report - Public distribution

**Date:** 7/31/2007

**GAIN Report Number:** RB7008

RB7008

**Serbia**

**FAIRS Country Report**

**Annual**

**2007**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Hassan F. Ahmed, U.S. Embassy

Belgrade

**Prepared by:**

Dragana Dimitrijevic

**Report Highlights:**

This report has been updated to reflect the changes that took place in
the Republic of Serbia following the independence of the Republic of
Montenegro and its separation from the State Union in June 2006. It
includes updates of Serbian legislations in the areas of food safety,
animal identification, pesticides and contaminants, planting seeds and
labeling requirements. The report also updates contact information of
relevant government agencies following the formation of a new Serbian
government in May 2007.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Annual Report

Accra \[GH1\]

\[RB\]

###### Table of Contents

[**SECTION I. FOOD LAW 3**](#section-i.-food-law)

[SECTION II. LABELING REQUIREMENTS
5](#section-ii.-labeling-requirements)

[SECTION III. PACKAGING AND CONTAINER REQUIREMENTS
7](#section-iii.-packaging-and-container-requirements)

[SECTION IV: FOOD ADDITIVE REGULATIONS
8](#section-iv-food-additive-regulations)

[SECTION V. PESTICIDE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS
9](#section-v.-pesticide-and-other-contaminants)

[SECTION VI. OTHER REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
9](#section-vi.-other-regulations-and-requirements)

[SECTION VII. OTHER SPECIFIC STANDARDS
12](#section-vii.-other-specific-standards)

[SECTION VIII. COPYRIGHT AND/OR TRADEMARK LAWS
12](#section-viii.-copyright-andor-trademark-laws)

[SECTION IX. IMPORT PROCEDURES 12](#section-ix.-import-procedures)

[APPENDIX I. GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AGENCY CONTACTS
13](#appendix-i.-government-regulatory-agency-contacts)

[APPENDIX II. OTHER IMPORT SPECIALIST CONTACTS
15](#appendix-ii.-other-import-specialist-contacts)

**DISCLAIMER:**

This report was prepared by the Office of Agricultural Affairs of the
USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service in Belgrade, Serbia for U.S. exporters
of 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:**

Following the independence of the Republic of Montenegro, which was
proclaimed in June 2006, the Republic of Serbia became the legal
successor of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. On June 5, the
Serbian Parliament, acting in accordance with Article 60 of the
Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro confirmed the continuity
of Serbia as the legal successor of the State Union. Though Serbia
technically includes the province of Kosovo, the UN's Mission in Kosovo
(UNMIK) oversees all policies and regulations in Kosovo.

# SECTION I. FOOD LAW 

The responsibilities for food and feed controls in Serbia are
distributed between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of
Health. Although management and organization of official controls are in
place, overlapping and unclear repartition of competences hampers the
effectiveness of the system. The Ministry of Agriculture issues import
approvals for foods of animal origin, veterinary drugs, seeds, planting
materials and pesticides. For other products, permits are not required.
The Ministry of Agriculture has Veterinary, Phytosanitary and Quality
Inspection units that issue certificates. The inspections take place at
border crossings. The Ministry of Health has domestic sanitation
inspection and sanitary inspections for customs domain responsible for
the wholesomeness of the imported foods (SR Official Gazette No
125/2004). Sanitary inspection of the imported food takes place at the
customs clearance points located in Belgrade, Subotica, Dimitrovgrad,
Sabac, and Presevo. The Ministry of Trade and Services has distinct
"Market Inspection" units that are charged with quality control for
imported foods. They inspect imported food products at the customs
points and inspect food in retail distribution.

The Serbian Veterinary Service drafted a new veterinary law, which was
adopted by the Parliament in 2005 and published in the Official Gazette
91/2005. This law defines the protection and enhancement of animal
health; identifies animal diseases that are subject to the measures
aimed at their prevention, detection, containment, suppression and
eradication, and diseases transmittable to humans; the veterinary
sanitary control and the requirements for production and circulation of
animals and their products, edible animal products and animal feed, and
the requirements for engagement in the practice of veterinary medicine.
Following the adoption of this new law, a number of related rulebooks
were re-written to reflect changes.

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 that
Serbia is currently applying is actually the old Law of the Socialist
Republic of Yugoslavia (Official Gazette No. 53/1991, re-published in
the Official Gazette No. 37/2002). This law applies to foods, spices,
additives, processing equipment, packaging material as well as tobacco
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 39/96, 101/05) and the Law on Quality
> Control of Imported and Exported Goods (Federal Official Gazette No.
> 05/2006). Quality control for all types of products is done by visual
> checks and for products listed in the abovementioned 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, 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 Meat and Meat Products, Official
Gazette No. 33/04; Quality of Milk and Milk Products, Official Gazette
No. SRJ 26/02 and SCG 5/2004; Quality of Honey and other Bee Products,
Official Gazette No. SRJ 45/03; Quality of Beer, Official Gazette No.
SRJ 45/03, Quality of Animal Food Official Gazette No. SRJ 38/2001,
Quality of Raw Coffee and Coffee Products, Official Gazette No. SRJ
35/2001 and SRJ 49/2001, Quality of Fish, Crabs, Shellfish, Sea Urchins,
Frogs, Snails and their products, Official Gazette No. SRJ 6/2003, SCG
56/2004) etc.

Legislations on veterinary matters, identification of animals, and
notification of diseases, were adopted in October 2005 following the
adoption of an overall strategy for the agriculture sector. Serbia has
established an animal identification and registration system for cattle
only. Serbia has already achieved good results in terms of
administrative capacity building for policy formulation by establishing
a policy unit within the Ministry of Agriculture. Progress has been slow
in the adoption of some remaining legislation, such as the Food Safety
Law, Law on Fisheries, Law on Agency for Laboratory Management, Law on
Plant Protection, among others. In October 2006, a draft of the new Law
on Plant Health Protection was sent to the Parliament for review, but no
actions have been taken yet in the approval process. The proposed law
reportedly will regulate plant health protection and plant health
improvement, measures for introduction, detection and suppression of
parasites, phytosanitary control, production conditions, processing,
finishing, import and storage conditions, trade of plants and plant's
products, overall conditions for activities in the area of plant
protection. Final draft of the Law on Substances Needed for Plant
Protection and the Law on the Substances for Plant Nutrition are in the
final stage of preparation and expected to be completed by November
2007.

Serbia started in 2005 to apply the European Union (EU) requirements
concerning food safety, marking live animals for tracking and
requirements for implementing HACCP and other international standards
used in food production. As of January 2007, with financial assistance
from the USAID and the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, about 650
producers and processors have completed the process of implementation or
becoming certified for HACCP or ISO 9001. According to the Serbian
Agriculture Strategy and Law of Veterinary, HACCP implementation will
become mandatory by January 2009 for all food producers and exporters in
Serbia. Producers who do not apply HACCP by that time will not be able
to market their products.

Serbia is not a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) but could
join by the end of 2008. The country needs to adopt a series of primary
and secondary legislations, including food safety and phytosanitary
regulations, in order to bring its economy and agriculture in line with
WTO standards. Serbia is a member of the CODEX Alimentarius, the
European Plant Protection Organization (EPPO), the Convention of
Biodiversity (CBD), the Union of Protection of new Varieties of Plants
(UPOV), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the
European Cooperative Program for Crop Genetic Resources Networks
(ECP/GR); and is a signatory of the Aarhus Convention and the
International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). Serbia will be the
host of the Eastern European Seed Network (EESNET) conference on the
co-existence between traditional, organic and GMO production that will
take place in Novi Sad November 19-21, 2007.

# SECTION II. LABELING REQUIREMENTS 

General Requirements

The Rule Book for Declaration and Labeling of Packed Food (Official
Gazette SRJ, [4/2004](#4/04), [12/2004](#12/04), 33/2004 and
[48/2004](#zk48/04)) regulates labeling requirements for packed foods
designated for the consumer or public food consumption in Serbia. Food
packed in front of the consumers and food commodities whose declaration
is regulated by the by-law for wine (\"Official Gazette SRJ\", No
[54/99](#ZK54_99) and [39/2002](#ZK39_02)) are not subject to this
by-law. According to these regulations, 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. All foods are required to have the label on
Serbian language (Rulebook- Official Gazette SCG 12/2004 and 48/2004).

For each type of food product there is a specific ordinance that spells
out labeling requirements; such as the examples of the ordinance for
"Quality of Edible Vegetables Oils and Fats, Margarine, Mayonnaise and
Related Products" (Yugoslav Official Gazette SCG No. 17/2006, dated from
19.5.2006). Production specification must contain short description of
the technological process, basic quality requirements, report related to
the completed quality testing as well as the data regulated in the
"Declaration and Labeling Packed Food" bylaw. Labels on foods that have
been changed nutritionally for special diets must clearly indicate
"dietetic food."

Content of the declaration label must contain the following:

1\) Product's name and brand name if any,

2\) Quantity of the ingredients (see clause 16 of this rule book)

3\) Product net weight

4\) Expiration date

5\) Storage conditions

6\) Lot number

7\) Importers name and complete address, country of origin, and the
country where from food is coming from

8\) Usage instructions

9\) Amount of alcohol for beverage which contains more then 1,2% v/v

10\) Quality and class of the product if the food is regulated by the
special rules under the categorization and classification

11\) Other data important for the consumers and in accordance with the
special rules for certain kind of food. (Official Gazette SL SCG
12/2004-1 clause 2 and rulebook 48/2004-1).

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.

Bulk packaged foods designated for bulk sale or in the public facilities
for food consumption, must contain the declaration with the following
information: product's name and brand name if any, product net-weight
(mass or volume), expiration date, and for imported food declaration
need to have importers name and complete address, country of origin, and
the country where from food is coming.

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 have declaration in accordance with the "the
Declaration of the Packed Food Labeling" In the declaration, under the
name of the meat product, product subgroup must be indicated, and for
caned meat products the title indicating the way of thermo-process has
to be included as well. Meat products must indicate, "Chilled, "Frozen",
"Heat Treated", "Sliced", "Chopped" etc., and must provide instructions
for use and storage if necessary. In a declaration of the meat products,
minimum percentage of proteins (total proteins in final product) has to
be declared. Allowed variation from the declared net-weight for meat
products are as follows:

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  Declared net-weight in grams        Maximum allowed variation %

  Up to 500 g                         Up to 2%

  Over 500 g                          Up to 1%
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

Average net-mass for 20 packages up to 500 grams and for 10 packages of
over 500g must be in accordance with the average declared net-weight

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.

The Serbian Law governing biotechnology, Official Gazette No. 21/2001,
regulates food products produced from Genetically Modified Organisms
(GMO). The law and derived rulebooks have been designed to follow
regulations adopted and implemented by the European Union (EU)
directives 90/220 and 90/219, EC 2001/18, 1829/2002, 1830/2003,
146/2003). 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. A draft of a new Serbian law
on GMO was completed in September 2006, but the review process of the
draft law was interrupted by the resignation of the Minister of
Agriculture in October of that year. Following the formation of a new
government in May 2007 and the appointment of a new Agricultural
Minister, the review process of the new GMO law re-started with opening
the draft for debate and public comments. The new Serbian law on GMO is
expected to go through the approval process by the Parliament by the end
of fall this year.

Food samples shipped to Serbia do not need to be labeled. Samples should
be marked clearly on all packaging of shipped products: "Samples - not
for sale."

**B. Requirements Specific to Nutritional Labeling:**

Nutritional declaration, allowed nutritional statements and conditions
for their highlight are regulated by the clause 29, 30, 31 and 32 of The
Rule Book for Declaration and Labeling of Packed Food (Official Gazette
SRJ, [4/2004](#4/04), [12/2004](#12/04), 33/2004 and
[48/2004](#zk48/04)). Nutritional declaration is mandatory when
declaration contains nutritional statement, otherwise is voluntary.
Since this rulebook is not regulating appearance of the nutritional
declaration but only it's content, the format of the US "nutritional
facts" is acceptable.

Specific advertising such as "You would not believe that something so
light" could taste so good" for ice cream product, are not forbidden if
these type of advertisement is in accordance with The Rule Book for
Declaration and Labeling of Packed Food Labeling.

In regards to the health claims only "structure-function claims" are
allowed (statement related to the positive effects into the certain
functions in organism). However, these statements cannot refer to the
certain illness or pathological situation (Law on Health Correctness of
Food and Subjects of General Use, Official Gazette SFRJ, no. 53/91,
Official Gazette SRJ, no. 24/94, 28/96 and 37/2002). Special health
claims stating risk reduction from the certain illness (for example:
sodium and hypertension) cannot be used.

# SECTION III. PACKAGING AND CONTAINER REQUIREMENTS 

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 (Quality
of Fish, Crabs, Shellfish, Sea Urchins, Frogs, Snails and their
products, Official Gazette SRJ No. SRJ 6/2003, SCG 56/2004- clause 3 and
The Rule Book for Declaration and Labeling of Packed Food, Official
Gazette SRJ, [4/2004](#4/04), [12/2004](#12/04), 33/2004 and
[48/2004](#zk48/04), clause 8) etc. However, in most cases there are no
special requirements concerning packaging material and container size.
Most Serbian consumers prefer smaller packages and are price sensitive.

The Law on Waste Material Handling (Official Gazette RS, no. 25/96)
regulates the waste material that can be used as a secondary material;
manage its collection, conditions of processing and storage. The
Ministry of Environmental Protection prepared a draft Law on Waste
Management, which is in a compliance with the EU directive. This Law is
not regulating material for food packaging. Collection and recycling of
already used packaging materials is regulated by the Law on Waste
Material Handling and by the Rulebook on Secondary Material
Classification, Packaging and Storage Conditions and Handling (Official
Gazette RS, no. 55/01). Communal Waste Management, including food and
beverage packaging material, is under the local and municipal
supervision. Draft of the Law on Waste Material Management has been
given for public discussion and the Law on Packaging Material and Waste
Packaging Material is currently in the final drafting stage. There are
no specific restrictions or limitations on the use of packaging
materials such as PVC.

# SECTION IV: FOOD ADDITIVE REGULATIONS 

Serbian regulations of food additives are specified in the ordinance on
"\"Rule Book for Quality and Conditions for use of additives in
foodstuffs and about other requirements for additives and their
mixtures\" (Official Journal SCG No. 36/2003, 5/2004, 16/2005).
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 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 the 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 22 categories according to the "Positive
List": color, preservative, antioxidants and synergists of antioxidants,
acids, pH regulators, coagulants, stabilizers, emulsifiers, emulsifying
salts, substances for gel formation, humectants, substances for dough
raising, hardeners, anticoagulants, aroma enhancer, processing accessory
substances against foaming, substances for glazing, substances for flour
treatment, substances for volume enhancement, propellant, sweeteners,
modified starch. As per clause no.13 of the same rulebook related to the
additive usage in foodstuff - it is mandatory to declare "genetically
modified (GMO)" if the additives is GMO or contains GMO components. As
per clause no. 14, Etilenoxid cannot be used for the sterilization of
additives used for the food production.

For each of the abovementioned groups there are specific requirements
for additives' labels that 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."

# SECTION V. PESTICIDE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS 

All imported food products into Serbia must comply with domestic rules
on pesticides and other contaminants. Serbia is a member of the Codex
Alimentarius Commission, the CODEX; thus 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 Official
Gazette No. 32/2002. According to the ordinance, pesticides are defined
as 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 commercial 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).

Serbia has a list of approved pesticides that can be imported and
traded. This list can be obtained from the Phytosanitary Departments,
Import and Registration of Pesticides at the Ministries of Agriculture.
The latest list of pesticides approved for import and trade was
published in the Federal Official Gazette No. 3/2007.

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. These 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" in the
Official Gazette No. 59/01 dated 11/02/01. Import permits for plant
protection products must be obtained from the Serbian Ministry of
Agriculture, Phytosanitary Departments.

# SECTION VI. OTHER REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS 

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

Following the outbreaks of FMD, BSE and Avian Influenza in Europe in
recent years, Serbia banned imports and transportation of live domestic
and wild animals and their products as well as feed containing proteins
of animal origin from a number of countries. As per a decree issued in
March 2007, Serbia allows the import of livestock, milking cows and
embryos, milk, meat and meat products from selected countries, divided
into four categories per a risk assessment analysis. The decree
"Undertaking Measures for Prevention of Animal Diseases Importation"
into the Republic of Serbia" issued by the Ministry of Agriculture
(Official Gazette RS 26/07) and can be obtained from the Ministry'
Veterinary Department (see Appendix I).

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

Certification and documentation: Live animals, meat and dairy products
require veterinary certification, while seeds, fruits and vegetables
require a phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country's
relevant authorities (e.g. USDA/APHIS). Special certification is needed
for veterinary drugs, demonstrating the drugs have been approved and
used in the country of origin. Information can be obtained from the
Serbian Ministry 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 Ministry of
Agriculture in order to send the import permits to the relevant border
inspection post at the point of entry. Inspection services are charged
as per a published, official price list. Inspections will cost more if
they are performed after regular working hours and/or on weekends and
holidays.

**Foreign Trade and Customs Policies**

The Serbian Law on Foreign Trade (Official Gazette 101/2005, published
on Nov. 14, 2005) and the Law on Customs Tariff (Official Gazettes 62/05
and 61/2007) regulate issues regarding foreign trade and customs
tariffs. The Law on Customs Tariffs adopted changes in a number of
tariff lines that are now in accordance with the EU tariff schedules.
Customs tariffs for some agriculture commodities have been changed while
the majority of tariffs remained unchanged. The Law on Foreign Trade in
Serbia 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.

Although Serbia has its own Customs Administration, it has applied 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. Serbia continues to protect its domestic agriculture
production with higher customs tariffs (agriculture production currently
accounts for 24 percent of GDP in Serbia).

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 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 tariff lines, mainly agriculture
commodities, and decreased by 164 tariff lines, including raw materials
and semi-produced products. Other measures of protection, such as levies
and seasonal customs, were not changed and together with customs tariffs
bring total custom protection for agriculture commodities to 21 percent
on average.

Serbia is a signatory of the Central European Free Trade Agreement
(CEFTA), but has yet to ratify it. CEFTA could help Serbia become a
regional trade center, with the region accounts for 37 percent of
Serbia's exports and 14 percent of the country's imports. The chambers
of commerce of CEFTA members have already established three working
groups to help eliminate trade barriers, with CEFTA's implementation is
slated to begin by the end of the year and full trade liberalization
expected by the end of 2010. Of the eight CEFTA signatories, Albania,
Macedonia, Croatia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Moldova have ratified the
document, while Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina have yet to do so.

**Customs and Taxation**

Following the amendments of the Customs law and Customs tariffs, Serbia
passed a number of implementing legislative acts. The Warehouse
legislation has been amended to be aligned to the EU *acquis* and some
simplified Procedures have been set up (summary declaration procedure
and simplified declaration). Serbia has adopted a new law on Free Trade
Zones offering tax breaks and simplified Procedures, while enabling
foreign owned companies to establish and manage free trade zones in
Serbia.

Overall, Serbia has reached a relatively good level of alignment with
the EU customs *acquis* (except in areas such as transit or newly
adopted *acquis*) and there is substantial progress regarding origin. In
particular, significant improvements have been noted in the field of
control and management of the preferential trade measures (origin). This
results from not only the existence of a satisfactory management of
customs procedures through computerized systems, but also an intensified
training of customs officers. Concerning taxation, taxes are applied at
the same rates for locally produced and imported goods. As of January
2005, Serbia is applying value-added tax (VAT) of 18%, though for most
agricultural goods the VAT was reduced to 8%.

**Internal Market**

Preparations for alignment with EU regulations were launched in early
2006 for framework legislations such as the Law on Standardization, the
Law on Accreditation, the Law on Metrology and the Law on Technical
Requirements for Products and Conformity Assessment of Products.
Following the adoption of a framework Law on Consumer Protection in
2005, the Government has set up a Consumers Protection Council which
started its work in the second quarter of 2006. Serbia has also created
local consumer offices at three major cities: Belgrade, Niš and Novi
Sad. However, the administrative capacity remains weak and active
consumer protection policy needs to be further strengthened. Serbia
needs to make sustained efforts to achieve adequate administrative
capacity for active consumer protection in line with EC consumer
protection policy. Some progress can be reported in the area of health
protection. The Serbian legislation on the prohibition on indoor smoking
was amended in November 2005, introducing sanctions in case the legal
requirements were not respected.

Overall, Serbia\'s preparations for legislation harmonization with the
European Union (EU) regulations and its implementation is advancing well
in the area of agriculture and fisheries. Preparations in the area of
food safety, particularly on the phytosanitary matters, are moderately
advancing. The repartition of competences in the area of food and feed
control needs to be clarified. It is expected, however, that the new Law
on Food Safety, which is currently in the final drafting stage will be
in compliance with the WTO, EU related regulations (Regulation (EC) No.
178/2002 of the European Parliament and the Council). A new Serbian Law
of Food Safety is expected to be completed in 2007. The Ministry of
Agriculture is planning to send the draft of the revised law to the
Parliament for final approval procedures before the end of 2007.

# SECTION VII. OTHER SPECIFIC STANDARDS

Alcoholic beverages (Official Gazette SCG, no.24/2004), wine (Official
Gazette SCG, no. 54/99, 39/2002), 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 be included in the packaging
prior to import to Serbia. Drafts of the new Law on Wine and Law on
Liquor have been completed and submitted for public discussion and
comments. Serbia also adopted a new Law on Tobacco in 2005 introducing
certain labeling requirements for cigarette packets.

The "Law on Organic Agricultural Production" published in the Official
Gazette 62/06 regulates agriculture products and other production
produced by the methods of organic production. It also regulates
processing, storage, transport, certificate issuing, labeling,
declaration and trading of organic products.

# SECTION VIII. COPYRIGHT AND/OR TRADEMARK LAWS 

The "Law on Special Authorization of the Efficient Protection of the
Intellectual Properties" (Federal Official Gazette No. 46/2006) protects
trademark, service and brand names. Trade or service marks receive
protection for a 10-year term from the date of filing, with the term
being extendable. This new law on trademarks is currently being brought
up to the Trade Related International Properties-TRIPs standards.

Serbia also applies the Law on Trademarks (Federal Official Gazette SRC
No.61/04) governing the manner of acquisition and the protection of
rights with respect to marks used in trade of goods and/or services. The
Federal Law on Patents (Federal Official Gazette No.
32/2004-02.07.2004.) protects and regulates patents, while the Federal
Law on Copyrights (Federal Official Gazette No. 61/2004) regulates
copyright matters.

Domestic and foreign applications must be submitted to the Federal
Intellectual Property Office (see Appendix II). Serbia is a member of
the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and signatory to a
large number of conventions such as the Paris Convention Treaty on
Patent Cooperation and the Madrid Agreement on International
Registration of Marks.

# SECTION IX. IMPORT PROCEDURES 

Foreign suppliers can export food products to Serbia using a locally
registered office or a local company, shipping agency or 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 by 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 Serbian Ministries of
Agriculture. Import forms are available online at the Ministry of
Agriculture's Website but can be obtained from the Ministry's Veterinary
Department or from the Department for International Trade and
Collaboration.

**Seed and Planting Materials**

Imports of seeds and planting materials into Serbia are regulated by the
Law on Seeds (Serbian Official Gazette no. 45/05), the Law on Planting
Material of Fruits, Vine and Hops (Serbian Official Gazette no. 18/05)
and the Law on Reproductive Material (Serbian Official Gazette No.
08/05). The Law on Seeds does not regulate production and marketing of
GMO seeds or agricultural plants. Imported seeds must be accompanied by
bill of lading, phytosanitary certificate, variety of seed certificate,
and Quality of Seed Certificate (ISTA). Imported seeds must have a
declaration issued by the relevant institution in the country of origin
when they enter the Serbian market.

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 the market inspector rejects a shipment, goods
can be stored until the clearance procedure is completed. When the
required procedure is completed the inspector can either release the
shipment, order the re-export or destruction of goods, if necessary, at
the importer's cost. The inspector can also order certain changes in the
shipment prior to customs clearance and release of the goods.

# APPENDIX I. GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AGENCY CONTACTS

**1. 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 2602 634

Fax: ++ 381 11 2602 498

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

**2. 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 21 20 462

Fax: ++ 381 11 2604 576

E-mail: <upravabilje@yahoo.com>

**3. Import of pesticides:**

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 2600 081; 602 555 ext 3054

Fax: ++ 381 11 2602 320

E-mail: <snezanasp@yubc.net>

**4.** **GMO approvals and registrations:**

Serbian Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management

Omaldinskih Brigada St. 11070

New Belgrade

Serbia

Tel: ++ 381 11 2604 457

Fax: ++ 381 11 3131 971

Contact: Mrs. Vanja Kojic

E-mail: Vanja.Kojic@minpolj.sr.gov.yu

**5.** **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/)

**6.** **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

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

Serbian Ministry of Finance

Nemanjina 22-26,

11000 Belgrade

Tel: ++ 381 11 3617 595

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/)

**8. Customs clearance:**

Serbian Custom Administration

Bul. AVNOJ-a 155

11070 New Belgrade

Serbia

Tel: ++ 381 11 2690 822

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

**9. Institute for trade marks, patents and intellectual property**

Federal Intellectual Property Office

Zmaj Jovina 21

11000 Belgrade

Tel: ++ 381 11 2630 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/)

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

# APPENDIX II. OTHER IMPORT SPECIALIST CONTACTS

**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: Agriculture Specialist Dragana Dimitrijevic/Tatjana Buric (on
long-term leave)

E-mail: dragana.dimitrijevic@usda.gov, 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. 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/)

**4. Institute of Meat Hygiene and Meat Technology**

Kacanskog 13,

11000 Belgrade

Serbia

Tel: ++ 381 11 2650 655

Fax: ++ 381 11 2651 825

E-mail: <meatins@beotel.yu>

**5. 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>

**6. 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/)

**7. Agriculture Faculty Belgrade**

Nemanjina 6,

11080 Zemun

Serbia

Tel: ++ 381 11 2615 315

Fax: ++ 381 11 2193 659

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

**8. 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/)

**9. Institute for Molecular Genetics and Genetics Engineering**

Vojvode Stepe 444a

11001 Belgrade

Serbia

Tel: ++ 381 11 3975 744

Fax: ++ 381 11 3975 808

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

**10. 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/)

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