Montenegro: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 3 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Montenegro.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

No elevated country indicator for Montenegro in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Montenegro may still be on a list.

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On the sanctions lists

3 entries on the official lists name Montenegro — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.

List	Entries	Companies & organisations	Vessels	Aircraft
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)	3	3	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Montenegro recorded yet.

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Logistics profile

Montenegro: logistics and trade

Adriatic transit country with the port of Bar

Montenegro (ISO code: ME) lies in Southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula, bordering Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo and Albania, with an Adriatic coastline. It is a parliamentary republic, independent since 2006, and an advanced EU accession candidate that uses the euro unilaterally. The coast has a Mediterranean climate while the mountainous interior is continental. Tourism dominates the economy, complemented by energy, agriculture and light industry; the country is highly import-dependent, with aluminium among its main exports. The Port of Bar is the principal cargo gateway, handling about three quarters of seaborne cargo and linked to Central Europe by the Bar-Belgrade railway. VAT (PDV) is 21 percent, with reduced rates of 15 and 7 percent and zero-rating for exports; import VAT is collected at customs by the Uprava carina. Since 1 November 2025 Montenegro belongs to the Common Transit Convention and uses NCTS. Preferential trade runs through EFTA, EU (SAA) and CEFTA agreements. Air cargo is handled at Podgorica (TGD) and Tivat (TIV).

Capital: Podgorica
Population: 623,633
Area: 13,812 km²
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Continent: Europe
Region: Southeast Europe / Western Balkans
Economic area: CEFTA / EFTA FTA / EU accession candidate
Religions: Serbian Orthodox, Muslims, Catholics
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Road · Rail

Current situation: Member of the Common Transit Convention since 1.11.2025; NCTS since October 2024 for faster transit processing. EU accession is targeted by 2028.
Seasonal conditions: Mediterranean coast with mild winters; mountainous inland with continental climate and snow. Summer tourist peaks burden coastal and border traffic.

Main seaports

Bar
Bar (ME BAR), Montenegro's main Adriatic port: 1.84M t in 2024, bulk, containers, RoRo, timber, Bar–Belgrade rail. Alternatives: Ploče and Durrës.
Kotor
Kotor (ME KOT): a cruise and yachting port in the Bay of Kotor with little cargo role. For freight to Montenegro use the Port of Bar with customs and liners.

Main cargo airports

Podgorica Airport / Podgorica Golubovci AirbaseTGD
Podgorica Airport (TGD/LYPG): about 1.75m passengers in 2025, Incheon-led concession since July 2025, new Wizz Air base. Air cargo marginal, road feeder via Belgrade.
Tivat AirportTIV
Tivat Airport (TIV) on the Bay of Kotor: highly seasonal tourism traffic, no air cargo – nearest alternative Podgorica (TGD), approx. 60 km.

Road corridors

A1 motorway Bar-Boljare (towards Serbia)
Adriatic-Ionian Road
Adria-Magistrale along the coast

Rail corridors

Bar-Belgrade (connection towards Corridor X/Xc)
Bar-Podgorica-Serbia railway

Main trade lanes

Montenegro - Serbia
Montenegro - EU (DE/IT)
Montenegro - CEFTA
Montenegro - China

Customs and import

Customs authority Uprava carina Crne Gore (Customs Administration of Montenegro)Official website ↗

Import customs system: Electronic import declaration to the Uprava carina; customs tariff based on HS/WTO. Import VAT (PDV) payable at customs. Transit since 1.11.2025 via NCTS/Common Transit Convention.
Export customs system: Electronic export declaration to the Uprava carina; exports are exempt from PDV (0 percent). NCTS transit procedure since October 2024.
Import VAT: PDV: standard rate 21 percent, reduced rates 15 and 7 percent, 0 percent for exports. Import PDV is collected at customs together with customs duty.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: Preference proof EUR.1 or origin declaration under the PEM Convention. Agreements with EU (SAA), EFTA (since 1.9.2012), CEFTA, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Approval requirements for, among others, weapons, ammunition, dual-use goods, narcotics, certain food and agricultural imports, and protected species (CITES).

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Consignment note (CMR/Bill of lading)
Import customs declaration
Proof of origin (EUR.1/origin declaration)

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Export customs declaration
Proof of origin (EUR.1)
Transit accompanying document (NCTS)

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: Medium
Customs delays: Medium
Dangerous goods relevance: Medium
Pharma and cold chain relevance: Medium
E-commerce relevance: Medium

Trade

Top import partners

Serbia China Greece

Top export partners

Serbia Hungary Bosnia and Herzegovina

Top import goods

Mineral oils
Machinery
Electronic devices
Vehicles
Food

Top export goods

Aluminium
Mineral products
Electric energy
Agricultural products
Machinery

Typical cargo

Aluminium
Mineral oils and fuels
Machinery
Consumer goods
Food

Logistics questions

What is the import VAT (PDV) rate in Montenegro?

The standard rate of Montenegrin VAT (PDV) is 21 percent. Reduced rates of 15 percent (incl. books, certain accommodation) and 7 percent (incl. basic foodstuffs, medicines, books) apply to selected goods. Exports are exempt at 0 percent. Import PDV is collected at customs together with customs duty.

Which authority is responsible for customs clearance?

The competent authority is the Uprava carina Crne Gore (Customs Administration of Montenegro). Imports and exports are declared electronically; the customs tariff follows the Harmonized System of the WTO. The amount of duty depends on the tariff number, origin and value of the goods.

Do Swiss exporters benefit from a free trade agreement?

Yes. The free trade agreement between EFTA (including Switzerland) and Montenegro has been in force since 1 September 2012. With a preference certificate EUR.1 or an origin declaration under the PEM Convention, Swiss exporters can claim preferential duty rates.

Which port is the most important for Montenegro?

The port of Bar (Luka Bar) on the Adriatic is the most important cargo port and handles around three quarters of Montenegro's sea freight turnover (about 1,84 million tonnes in 2024). It is connected to Serbia and Central Europe via the Bar-Belgrade railway line. The port of Kotor mainly serves cruise tourism.

What changed in 2025 regarding transit procedures?

Montenegro has been a contracting party to the Common Transit Convention since 1 November 2025 and has been using the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) since October 2024. This allows goods to move under a single transit procedure, which reduces border waiting times and costs.

Which currency applies in Montenegro?

Montenegro uses the euro (EUR) as its official means of payment, although it is neither a member of the euro area nor of the EU. This considerably simplifies payments and price calculation for trading partners from the euro area.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗