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23.04.2020

1. Measures aiming to Facilitate the Cross-border Movement of Relief and
Essential Supplies

In the Western Balkan Region some crossing points at which customs and other
inspection agencies are present, have been designated as the ones at which the traffic
flow of all goods is guaranteed 24/7.

In addition to this, specific crossing points are determined to form so called “Green
Corridor” in the Region. These crossing points ensure the traffic flow of all goods, giving
priority to the essential goods. The single, previously agreed, List of the essential goods
contains the food and feed essential products and the World Customs Organisation list
of the medical supplies. Depending on the needs of the CEFTA Parties the list of the
essential goods may be reassessed and modified. Prioritized movement of the above
said essential goods is secured through electronic dissemination of pre-arrival
information within the IT System named “System of Electronic Exchange of Data”
(SEED) that is in use in whole Region. SEED notifications on the arrival of priority
consignments are sent in advance to all agencies involved in clearance of goods, in
order for the agencies to prepare in advance and give to those consignments a priority
passage. Mixed consignments, transporting the essential products from the List and the
ones out of List, are given priority treatment, as well.

Recognition of the essential goods is based on the input of tariff HS code at the level
on 8 or 6 digits made in customs export/transit declarations.

Additional information on this initiative in Serbian language can be found at our official
web site (https://www.carina.rs/cyr/Stranice/CEFTACovid19.aspx), and in English at
the following links:

https://cefta.int/news/the-system-of-electronic-exchange-of-data-upgraded-to-supportfacilitation-of-transport-and-trade-of-essential-goods-amid-covid-19/
https://cefta.int/covid-19/
https://www.transport-community.org/covid-19-news/
https://www.transport-community.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Joint-TCT-CEFTAproposal-green-corridors_07042020.pdf

2. Measures aiming at Supporting the Economy and Sustaining Supply Chain
Continuity

The Government of the Republic of Serbia has passed a number of Regulations,
Conclusions and Decisions in this area, out of which we single out the following:

2.1. Regulation on usage of budget funds of the Republic of Serbia during a
state of emergency due to COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 „Official Gazette of
the Republic of Serbia“, number 38 of 20 March 2020.

2.2. Regulation on tax measures for mitigation of economic consequences due
to Covid-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 „Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia“,
number 38 of 20 March 2020.

2.3. Regulation on conditions and criteria on state aid compatibility to remedy
adverse consequences caused by outbreak of COVID-19 infectious disease
„Official Gazette of the RS“, number 54 of 10 April 2020.

2.4. Regulation on conditions and criteria on state aid compatibility to remedy a
serious disturbance to the economy caused by outbreak of COVID-19 infectious
disease „Official Gazette of the RS“, number 54 of 10 April 2020.

2.5. Regulation on determining the Programme of financial support to economic
operators to maintain liquidity and working capital in hampered economic
conditions due to COVID-19 pandemics caused by SARS-CoV-2 „Official Gazette
of the RS“, number 54 of 10 April 2020.

2.6. Regulation on determining a guarantee scheme as a measure of support to
the economy for mitigation of consequences of COVID-19 pandemics caused by
SARS- CoV-2 „Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia“, number 57 of 16 April 2020.

2.7. Regulation on monetary aid to the farm households to mitigate
consequences due to COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 „Official Gazette of the
Republic of Serbia“, number 57 of 16 April 2020.

2.8. Regulation on financial support to the farm households through facilitated
access to utilization of loans in hampered economic conditions due to COVID-19
caused by SARS-CoV-2 „Official Gazette of the RS“, number 57 of 16 April 2020.

2.9. Regulation on fiscal benefits and direct benefits to the private sector
economic operators and monetary aid to the citizens to mitigate economic
consequences of COVID-19 „Official Gazette of the RS“, number 54 of 10 April 2020.

3. Measures aiming at Protecting Customs administrations’ Staff

The Government of the Republic of Serbia and its institutions has passed a number of
Regulations, Decisions and Recommendations in this area, out of which we single out
the following:

3.1. Regulation on organization of work of employers during a state of
emergency „Official Gazette of the RS“, number 31 of 16 March 2020 (work from
home, shift work, protective and disinfection products supply).

3.2. Decision on amendments to the Civil Servants Code (obligation of the
supervisor to organize the work in a way that reduces the risk for employees, required
communication is done over the telephone, via e-mails or conference calls, and when
it comes to the meetings that must be held in the office, shaking hands is not allowed,
the meetings are restricted to 20 minutes with the presence of maximum 4 persons, a
room where the meeting is held shall be large enough to enable physical distance
between the attendees).

3.3. Notification of the Ministry of Finance of the measures during coronavirus
caused pandemic (increased hygiene measures, complying with measures stipulated
in the above said Code, obligation of both the supervisors and the competent health
authorities to report health issues and contacts with infected persons).

4. Measures aiming at Protecting Society

The Government of the Republic of Serbia has passed a number of Decisions in this
area, adjusting adopted measures to the current situation in the country, out of which
we single out the following:

4.1. Decision on proclaiming COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus
as infectious disease (“Official Gazette of the RS|”, Nos. 23/20...49/20)

4.2. Decision on closing border crossing points (“Official Gazette of the RS|”,
Nos. 25/20...47/20)

4.3. Decision on medicine export ban (“Official Gazette of the RS”, No. 28/2020)

4.4. Decision amending Decision on medicine export ban (“Official Gazette of
the RS”, No.33/2020)

4.5. Decision on temporary ban of essential products export (“Official Gazette
of the RS”, No 28/2020) CEASED TO BE VALID ON APRIL 13, 2020

4.6. Decision amending and changing Decision on temporary ban of essential
products export (“Official Gazette of the RS”, No. 33/2020)

4.7. Decision amending Decision on temporary ban of essential products
export (“Official Gazette of the RS”, No. 37/2020).

4.8. Decision on medicine export ban („Official Gazette of the RS“ no. 32/2020,
33/2020, 47/2020)

4.9. Decision on temporary ban of essential products export (“Official Gazette
of the RS”, No 54/2020) CAME INTO FORCE ON APRIL 10, 2020 AND APPLIED
FROM APRIL 13, 2020

Further Information: http://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/..........natural-disaster/covid_19/serbia_en.pdf?la=en

Starting from Sunday (22 march), curfew has been extended for all citizens from 5 PM to 5 AM.

The Serbian Government has taken a decision to close all border crossings/entry points for passenger traffic from 8.00 AM (Friday 20 March). This includes air, road, railway and water border crossing/entry points. In accordance with this decision, only heavy vehicles for cargo transport are allowed to enter the territory of the Republic of Serbia.

Intercity bus and rail passenger traffic is suspended from 12.00 on Friday, but citizens are left with the possibility of travelling by private cars.

18 March.

The Serbian Government has taken a decision to close all border crossings/entry points for passenger traffic from 8.00 AM (Friday 20 March). This includes air, road, railway and water border crossing/entry points. In accordance with this decision, only heavy vehicles for cargo transport are allowed to enter the territory of the Republic of Serbia.

Intercity bus and rail passenger traffic is suspended from 12.00 on Friday, but citizens are left with the possibility of travelling by private cars.

30.06.2020

As of 30 June, all COVID-19 related entry restrictions are lifted for both Serbian and foreign citizens. It is no longer necessary to have a negative PCR test or special permit to enter Serbia. The government also abolished self-isolation requirements upon entry. Travellers should be prepared for restrictions to change with little notice. The website of the government provides regular information on these measures.

Intercity, urban and suburban bus and rail transport operations have resumed; face masks are mandatory when using public transport in Belgrade.

Source: Serbian government

26.05.2020

On 20 May, the Serbian government announced the end of their state of emergency and the reopening of all border crossing points, with effect from 21 May. There will be no restrictions in place for people entering the country; the border force will however provide hand written guidance on how to prevent the occurrence and the spreading of Covid-19.

Source: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia

0403.04.2020

In order to limit the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) into the territory of the Republic of Serbia, the Government has taken measures through different decree (unofficial translation here).

Among the different measures, it is stated that foreign nationals shall be temporarily banned from entering the Republic of Serbia. These measures do not apply to the following categories, among others:

- the crew of freight motor vehicles while performing international transport  by road. In case of international transit freight transport by road, the same shall be limited to a period not longer than 12 hours from the moment of entering the territory of the Republic of Serbia.

Police escort for trucks in transit through Serbia has been abolished as of 2 April 2020, which will enable faster transportation of goods to end customers. Trucks in transit can stop only at designated resting points and fuel stations marked with a TRANSIT sign. Drivers will receive a map of the dedicated resting points at the border crossing points. Stopping or parking out of these specific points is strictly forbidden and will be subject to sanctions. Drivers must wear protective masks and gloves.

Please note that 45 borders are now temporarily closed (list here) and that international road freight operations should be redirected to the open borders.

Source: CCIS-AT