Serbia: sanctions and trade risk

Re-export routeNamed in UK guidance as at risk of re-export to Russia.

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 37 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Serbia.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

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

Serbia is named in official guidance as a route for re-exports to Russia. Ordinary goods are usually not restricted, but authorities expect you to verify the real end destination and end user, especially for goods on the EU/UK high-priority lists.

Sources: UK — Countering Russian sanctions evasion: guidance for exporters (at-risk jurisdictions list) (12 Mar 2026) · reviewed 24 Oct 2026

Check a shipment to Serbia →

By sanctions regime

The indicator above is the strictest of these. Which regimes are relevant to a shipment depends on many connections — dispatch country, company location, incorporation, nationality, ownership, banks, goods origin. The check selects them from your inputs in a simplified way; UN measures take effect through each country's implementing law.

Regime	Indicator	What applies
UN	—	No UN sanctions regime.
EU	—	No measures against the country itself.
Switzerland	—	No measures against the country itself.
UK	Re-export route	Named in the UK list of jurisdictions at risk of re-export to Russia (Mar 2026).
US	—	No measures against the country itself.

On the sanctions lists

37 entries on the official lists name Serbia — 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)	30	30	—	—
Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List	4	4	—	—
UK Sanctions List (FCDO)	2	2	—	—
US OFAC — Consolidated (Non-SDN) Lists	1	1	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Serbia recorded yet.

All updates →

Logistics profile

Serbia: logistics and trade

Transit country, Corridor X / Danube Corridor VII

Serbia (RS) is a landlocked country in the Western Balkans and the region's central transit hub: Pan-European Corridor X links Central Europe via Belgrade and Nis to North Macedonia, Greece and Turkey, while the Danube (Corridor VII) carries inland-waterway traffic. As an EU candidate country under a Stabilisation and Association Agreement, the Uprava carina clears goods electronically through the national ISCS system; NCTS common transit has applied since February 2016. Import VAT (PDV) is 20 percent (reduced 10 percent). The main gateways are Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG) and Nis (INI), the Danube ports of Belgrade, Pancevo, Smederevo and Prahovo, and the seaports of Bar, Koper/Rijeka and Thessaloniki as maritime access points. Key axes are the E75 Subotica–Belgrade–Nis–Presevo, the Belgrade–Novi Sad–Budapest high-speed rail line and the Belgrade–Bar railway. Trade centres on vehicles and parts, machinery, metals and agricultural products; the main partners are Germany, Italy, China and the CEFTA neighbours.

Capital: Belgrade
Population: 6,647,003
Area: 88,361 km²
Currency: Serbian dinar (RSD)
Continent: Europe
Region: Southeast Europe / Western Balkans
Economic area: CEFTA / EU accession candidate (SAA)
Religions: Orthodox, Catholic, Islam, Protestant
Access to the sea: Landlocked

Transport modes Road · Rail · Inland waterway

Current situation: No nationwide disruption verified; risks: recurring border blockades by Western Balkan carriers against the EU Entry/Exit 90/180 rule (most recently January 2026) and protest-related rail interruptions (nationwide stoppage 23.5.2026). Expansion of the high-speed line Belgrade–Budapest until EXPO 2027 is ongoing. (As of 2026-07-21)
Seasonal conditions: Continental climate: cold, snowy winters (slippery roads, Danube ice drift) and hot summers. Low Danube water levels can restrict inland navigation in late summer and autumn.

Main cargo airports

Belgrade Nikola Tesla AirportBEG
Belgrade Nikola Tesla (BEG/LYBE): Western Balkans' largest airport, 8.9m passengers in 2025, non-EU customs, Air Serbia long-haul, Menzies cargo handling.
Niš Constantine the Great AirportINI
Niš Airport (INI) in southern Serbia: Wizz Air and Air Serbia flights, no dedicated air cargo – nearest alternative Sofia (SOF), approx. 150 km.

Road corridors

Corridor X (E75 Subotica-Belgrade-Niš-Preševo)
E70 towards Zagreb and Sofia
E763 Belgrade-Čačak-Montenegro

Rail corridors

Corridor X rail (Subotica-Belgrade-Niš-Preševo)
High-speed rail Belgrade-Novi Sad-Subotica-Budapest
Belgrade-Bar (sea access Montenegro)

Inland ports

Belgrade
Novi Sad
Pancevo
Smederevo
Prahovo
Bogojevo

Main trade lanes

Serbia-Germany
Serbia-Italy
Serbia-China
Serbia-EU/CEFTA (Western Balkans)

Customs and import

Customs authority Uprava carina (Customs Administration of the Republic of Serbia)

Import customs system: Electronic clearance via the national customs system ISCS; transit via NCTS (member of the Common Transit Convention since February 2016). Customs law aligned with the EU Customs Code.
Export customs system: Electronic export declaration via the customs administration (Uprava carina); transit via NCTS. Preferential origin proof EUR.1 or origin declaration under SAA and CEFTA.
Import VAT: VAT: standard rate 20 percent, reduced rate 10 percent (Poreska uprava); import VAT calculated on customs value plus duty. Confirmed 2026-07. VAT amendment linked to SEF-E-Invoicing since 1.4.2026.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: EUR.1 and origin declaration under the SAA (EU), CEFTA, EFTA, EAWU and the free trade agreements with Turkey, the United Kingdom and China (in force since 1.7.2024).
Restricted and prohibited goods: Subject to licensing, including weapons, ammunition, dual-use goods, narcotics, protected species (CITES); veterinary and plant protection controls for food and agricultural goods.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Consignment note (CMR/CIM)
Packing list
Certificate of origin
Import customs declaration
EUR.1 if applicable

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Export declaration
Consignment note (CMR/CIM)
Packing list
EUR.1 or origin declaration

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: Medium
Customs delays: Medium
Port congestion: Low
Dangerous goods relevance: Medium
Pharma and cold chain relevance: Medium
E-commerce relevance: Medium to high

Trade

Top import partners

Germany China Italy Russia Hungary

Top export partners

Germany Italy Bosnia and Herzegovina Romania Montenegro

Top import goods

Machinery
Electronic devices
Mineral oils
Vehicles
Chemicals

Top export goods

Vehicles
Machinery
Metals
Agricultural products
Chemicals

Typical cargo

Vehicles and parts
Machinery
Metals and steel
Agricultural products
Chemicals
Consumer goods

Upcoming public holidays

Armistice DayWed, 11 Nov 2026 · businesses closed
New Year's DayFri, 1 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
New Year Holiday (2nd day)Sat, 2 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
Orthodox ChristmasThu, 7 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
Statehood Day (Sretenje)Mon, 15 Feb 2027 · businesses closed
Statehood Day (Sretenje, 2nd day)Tue, 16 Feb 2027 · businesses closed
Orthodox Good FridayFri, 30 Apr 2027 · businesses closed
Labour DaySat, 1 May 2027 · businesses closed

Latest logistics news

Rijeka Reaches Four Million TEU and Strengthens Its Role as Adriatic Gateway8 Oct 2026
Rijeka reports four million TEU since 2011. The port is expanding rail and truck connections to Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Serbia, and Slovakia.

Logistics questions

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

Serbia's standard VAT (PDV) rate is 20 percent and the reduced rate is 10 percent. Import VAT is charged on the customs value plus duty.

Is Serbia part of the EU customs union?

No. Serbia is an EU candidate country with a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (in force since 2013) but is not an EU member or part of the EU customs union. Tariff preferences apply under the SAA and other free trade agreements.

Which free trade agreements does Serbia have?

Serbia has free trade agreements with the EU (SAA), CEFTA, EFTA, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Turkey, the United Kingdom and, since 1 July 2024, China.

Does Serbia have a seaport?

No, Serbia is landlocked. Trade moves via the Danube river ports (Belgrade, Pancevo, Smederevo, Prahovo) and through the seaports of Bar (Montenegro), Rijeka/Koper and Thessaloniki.

What is the role of Corridor X?

Pan-European Corridor X is Serbia's most important transport axis. The E75 motorway and the railway connect Central Europe via Belgrade and Nis with North Macedonia, Greece and Turkey.

How is customs clearance handled in Serbia?

The Customs Administration (Uprava carina) processes clearance electronically. Serbia has been a member of the Common Transit Convention since February 2016 and uses the NCTS transit system.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗