International Parcel · Worldwide Shipping
Sending a package to Serbia: Customs, VAT and delivery time
From Germany to Belgrade, Novi Sad or Niš: How to properly prepare shipping and customs
Serbia lies in the heart of the Western Balkans and is a relatively easily accessible non-EU market for German companies. Key economic and logistics centers include Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Niš.
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Shipping overview
- Shipping from Germany to Serbia
- Parcel, express and freight solutions
- Standard delivery time is currently 10 to 16 working days.
- Regularly, 20% VAT is taken into account.
- Check EU preference and EUR.1
- Use NCTS for road transport
Shipping information: Serbia
Shipping methods
Standard, express or freight to Serbia.
Standard parcel shipping can be used for smaller and less time-critical shipments.
DHL currently states:
10 to 16 working days.
For:
- urgent spare parts
- Production material
- high quality components
- time-critical business broadcasts
Express might be more suitable.
For:
- Pallets
- Machine
- several packages
- heavy goods
- regular B2B shipments
Road freight transport is often the most obvious solution.
You can find out more at International freight shipping for businesses.
transport routes.
Serbia is a classic destination for road freight transport.
Goods traffic from Germany is primarily routed via:
- Road freight transport
- Parcel and express networks
- Airfreight
- Rail freight transport
- In certain cases, inland navigation via the Danube
For most German B2B deliveries, the truck is the most important transport solution.
Depending on the route, the goods may arrive via, for example:
- Austria and Hungary
- Slovenia and Croatia
to Serbia.
Thanks to the common transit procedure, customs transit can be handled electronically via NCTS.
This makes Serbia particularly interesting for regular European supply chains.
Import duties
What import costs might arise in Serbia?
Depending on the goods, the following can occur:
- regular import duty
- Preferential tariffs may apply
- 20% PDV
- Possibly a 10% reduced VAT rate
- Excise taxes, if applicable
- Customs broker fees
- Carrier and handling fees
The Serbian customs tariff nomenclature for 2026 includes both regular customs tariffs and tariff rates from existing free trade agreements.
Therefore, every product should be checked:
- which regular customs duty rate applies
- whether the goods have EU preferential origin
- which proof of origin is required
For many goods originating in the EU, this can significantly reduce the actual customs burden.
Costs
How much does a package to Serbia cost?
The transport price depends in particular on:
- Weight
- Dimensions
- Volumetric weight
- Carrier
- Shipping service
- destination
- Type of goods
- Additional Services
Due to geographical proximity, the pure transport costs are usually significantly lower than for overseas destinations.
Nevertheless, the shipping price should not be confused with the total Landed Cost.
Additionally, the following may occur:
- tariff
- POV
- Customs clearance
- possible additional fees
For large, lightweight cardboard boxes, the volumetric weight can also be crucial.
You can find out more at Understanding and calculating volumetric weight.
Online Stores
E-commerce to Serbia: Customs and VAT explained before checkout
For German online retailers, Serbia is a third-country destination.
The EU-IOSS regulation does not apply there.
The following issues may arise for the customer during import:
- Import duty
- 20% PDV
- Customs clearance fees
- Possibly further product-specific charges
With DAP, these costs are generally borne by the recipient.
A reduced customs duty may be possible for goods with preferential EU origin.
This means:
The origin of the goods can also have a direct influence on the final price in e-commerce.
Online retailers should therefore provide transparent information before the order is completed:
- whether DAP or DDP delivery
- whether import duties are included
- what duration can be expected
- whether preferential origin is taken into account
You can find out more at Shipping costs, customs duties and import fees are displayed at checkout..
Features
Serbia is not an EU country, but is closely linked to it in terms of customs law.
The most significant feature when shipping to Serbia is the close connection to the European customs system.
Serbia:
- is not an EU member
- has a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU
- participates in the common transit procedure
- uses NCTS
- has aligned its customs tariff nomenclature with the EU Combined Nomenclature
In many respects, the shipping process is similar to European procedures.
Customs clearance is still required.
Preferential origin can make a big difference.
The EU-Serbia agreement offers mutual preference regarding origin.
For many German companies, this means:
Properly documented goods originating in the EU can be imported much more cheaply than identical goods without proof of preferential origin.
Possible proofs of preferential origin include:
- EUR.1
- Declaration of origin
- depending on the PEM rule set applied EUR-MED
The German customs administration generally specifies a value limit of 6.000 euros for declarations of origin, unless further simplification is used.
Especially in mechanical engineering, spare parts and series deliveries, the question of origin should therefore not only arise when creating the shipping label.
Shipping service
Which carrier is suitable for Serbia?
When it comes to shipping, you should especially compare:
- Transport price
- Runtime
- Customs service
- Tracking
- Insurance
- maximum weight
- maximum dimensions
- Delivery cover
DHL currently lists the following for standard parcel shipping:
10 to 16 working days.
The permitted languages for the customs declaration are English, French and, for branch shipments, Serbian.
DHL Parcel International currently does not offer additional insurance for Serbia. Shipping bulky goods is possible under certain size and weight limits.
For:
- urgent spare parts
- high quality components
- Production material
Express delivery can be useful.
For pallets and machinery, road freight transport is often the most economical solution due to the geographical location.
For Serbia, the preferential origin should be clarified before shipment.
When receiving a shipment from Germany, it should be checked early on whether the goods actually have EU preferential origin.
Not every item shipped from a German warehouse can automatically benefit from the customs advantages of the EU-Serbia agreement.
Calculate 20% VAT
The standard Serbian VAT rate is 20 percent. A reduced rate of 10 percent applies to certain goods.
Check EUR.1 or declaration of origin
Goods with a corresponding EU preferential origin can benefit from customs reductions when imported into Serbia. Appropriate proof of origin is required for this.
NCTS facilitates road transit
Serbia participates in the common transit procedure. This allows goods from the EU to be transported with an electronic transit declaration via NCTS to a Serbian customs office of destination.
Sending a package to Serbia: What companies should know before shipping
Serbia is geographically part of Southeast Europe and is an important production and logistics location in the Western Balkans.
The country borders, among others:
- Hungary
- Romania
- Bulgaria
- Northern Macedonia
- Croatia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Montenegro
This means that Serbia lies directly on important European road and transit routes.
Road transport is therefore particularly relevant for German goods.
Serbia is not a member of the European Union.
This point is crucial for the shipping process.
Serbia is:
not an EU member.
This means that the free movement of goods within the European Union ends at the Serbian border.
A shipment from Germany to Serbia therefore requires customs information.
This also applies if the transport route and transit time are more reminiscent of intra-European shipping.
From a customs perspective, a package sent to Belgrade is not the same as a package sent to Budapest. One less letter, but surprisingly much more administration.
What documents do I need for Serbia?
The following are typically required for commercial shipments:
- Commercial invoice
- Transport document
- Packing list for larger shipments
- precise product description
- HS code
- cart value
- Origin of goods
- possibly EUR.1
- Declaration of origin (if applicable)
- Import permit (if applicable)
- possibly further certificates
The specific documents required depend on the goods, mode of transport, and import procedure.
A commercial invoice should be used for a normal sale of goods.
For:
- free patterns
- Warranty item
- Replacement deliveries free of charge
- Gifts
However, a pro forma invoice can be used.
Even free goods require a realistic customs value.
You can find out more at How to correctly use a pro forma invoice at customs.
Is there a trade agreement between Serbia and the EU?
Yes.
The following exists between Serbia and the European Union:
Stabilisation and Association Agreement.
It has been since:
2013
in force.
The agreement includes a mutual preference for origin.
This allows qualified goods of European origin to benefit from reduced customs duties when imported into Serbia.
Conversely, goods of Serbian origin can also receive corresponding preferential treatment when imported into the EU.
Serbia is also part of the Pan-Euro-Med system of origin.
This means that cumulation rules can also play a role in certain supply chains.
Do I need a EUR.1 for Serbia?
A certificate of movement:
EUR.1
can be used as proof of preferential origin for deliveries to Serbia.
The German customs administration currently lists the following evidence for Serbia, among others:
- EUR.1
- depending on the applied rule set EUR-MED
- Declaration of origin on a commercial document
For a declaration of origin without special authorization, a value limit of the following generally applies:
EUR 6.000
for the originating products contained therein.
For higher values, formal proof of preference or a corresponding approved simplification is regularly required.
The following should always be clarified before the exhibition:
- Does the product actually have preferential origin?
- Which original rule set is being applied?
- Is accumulation relevant?
- Which proof is correct for the specific delivery?
Therefore, a EUR.1 currency is quite important for Serbia.
However, it is not an automatic free pass just because the package has a German sender address.
How long does it take for a package to arrive in Serbia?
DHL currently states a delivery time estimate of:
10 to 16 working days.
The storage period is:
15 days.
The actual runtime can be affected by:
- Customs clearance
- missing documents
- Origin verification
- Goods inspection
- Receiver location
- Weekends and holidays
For urgent spare parts or production materials, express delivery can be significantly more practical.
Which languages may the customs declaration be in?
DHL currently states:
- English
- French
- Serbian for branch shipments
as permitted languages.
English is usually the best language for international business correspondence.
The product description should be specific.
Not:
“Machine parts”
but for example:
“Steel replacement gear wheel for industrial packaging machine”
This means:
- Product Type
- Material
- Usage
directly recognizable.
Write the address to Serbia correctly
DHL requires Latin letters and Arabic numerals.
One possible business address is:
ABC Tehnika doo
Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 25
11070 BELGRADE
SERBIA
DHL also advises providing the recipient's telephone number and email address so that they can be contacted directly in case of delivery issues.
Key destinations include:
- Belgrade / Beograd
- Novi Sad
- Niš
- Kragujevac
- Subotica
- Cacak
Serbia is particularly interesting for road freight transport.
Unlike overseas destinations, Serbia can be reached entirely by land from Germany.
Road freight transport is therefore particularly interesting for B2B shipments.
Typical deliveries include:
- Pallets
- Machine
- Spare parts
- several boxes
- Production material
The common transit procedure allows a consignment to be transported under NCTS from an EU customs office of departure to a Serbian customs office of destination.
Serbia has been participating in this process since 2016.
This means that customs clearance in road freight transport is much more closely linked to European procedures than in many other third countries.
Novi Sad and the Danube Corridor
Serbia has no access to a sea.
Nevertheless, water transport plays a role.
The Danube crosses the country and connects, among other things:
- Novi Sad
- Belgrade
- other Serbian inland ports
with the European inland waterway network.
This transport route plays hardly any role for normal parcel and express shipments.
At:
- Bulk goods
- heavy industrial products
- large project loads
However, the Danube corridor can be relevant.
Automate recurring export data
For regular deliveries to Serbia, the same product data is often required.
These include:
- Product name
- HS code
- Origin of goods
- Weight
- cart value
Especially in the case of preferential goods, it should also be clearly documented on what basis the EU origin is proven.
Over a Shipping API Or, through shop and ERP connections, such information can be automatically incorporated into the shipping process.
This allows:
- Shipping label
- Commercial invoice
- customs data
- Tracking information
Process more consistently.
These errors are delaying shipments to Serbia
Typical problems arise particularly when Serbia is incorrectly treated like an EU country.
Common mistakes include:
- Customs declaration missing
- The commercial invoice is incomplete.
- The product description is too general.
- HS code is missing or incorrect
- The value of the goods cannot be verified.
- The country of dispatch is being confused with the country of origin.
- EU preference is claimed without proof of origin.
- EUR.1 certificates are issued even though the origin rule is not met.
- PDV is only estimated based on the invoiced value.
- Import permits were not checked.
- The transit procedure for freight was not properly prepared.
- Recipient data is incomplete
Especially in the case of regular exports, customs and origin information should therefore be maintained centrally.
You can find out more at Automate shipping documents and reduce errors.
What goods are imported into Serbia?
Serbia has a comparatively broad industrial base and is closely integrated into European supply chains.
Particularly relevant are, among others:
- Automotive Industry
- Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Metalworking
- Food industry
- Agriculture
- IT and electronics
- Energy and infrastructure
This could make the following product groups particularly interesting for German exporters:
- Machines and production facilities
- Machine spare parts
- Automation systems
- Electrical Engineering
- Measurement and testing technology
- Tools
- Vehicle and commercial vehicle parts
- Hydraulic and pneumatic components
- Pumps and drive technology
- Packaging machines
- IT and communication technology
- Solar and energy technology
- agricultural engineering
Especially for industrial spare parts, the correct customs tariff number is crucial.
Serbia has closely aligned its customs tariff with the Combined Nomenclature of the European Union.
The Serbian customs administration confirms a harmonized customs tariff nomenclature for 2026, which will include both regular and preferential customs rates.
The HS code influences, among other things:
- regular import duty
- preferential tariff
- POV
- Import restrictions
- permits
- statistical data
You can find more information about correct product classification at Determine the correct customs tariff number.
Important information about customs and import duties
DAP or DDP to Serbia.
Before booking, it should be clarified who will handle the Serbian import clearance and the resulting import costs.
For DAP The seller generally organizes the transport to the agreed destination.
The recipient is generally responsible for import clearance and the corresponding duties.
This can include:
- Import duty
- 20% PDV
- Excise taxes, if applicable
- Customs broker fees
- Carrier handling fees
- Storage costs may apply.
For DDP In contrast, the seller assumes the agreed import costs and further obligations.
For German B2B suppliers in Serbia, DDP can be particularly interesting if spare parts or series products are delivered regularly.
However, before making a binding DDP offer, at least the following should be checked:
- HS code
- Origin of goods
- preferential entitlement
- Proof of origin
- Serbian customs duty
- POV
- Import permits
- Role of the local importer
Preferences, in particular, can significantly influence the landed cost.
A Landed Cost Calculation It helps to calculate transport, customs and taxes together.
What is the import duty in Serbia?
A flat customs duty rate is not a sensible option for Serbia.
The specific sentence depends in particular on:
- HS code
- Type of goods
- Origin of goods
- existing free trade agreements
- possible tariff quotas
- special national regulations
The Serbian customs administration publishes an updated customs tariff every year.
For 2026, the Serbian tariff nomenclature will be aligned with the EU's Combined Nomenclature.
In addition to the regular customs duty rate, the tariff also includes preferential rates from international trade agreements.
This is particularly relevant for German exports.
Goods originating in the EU may be subject to a lower customs duty.
A relationship exists between the European Union and Serbia:
Stabilisation and Association Agreement.
The agreement has been in force since 2013.
For many goods with proven EU preferential origin, this can result in reduced or completely waived import duties.
But the crucial point is:
Shipping from Germany is not the same as EU preferential origin.
A component produced in China that is merely shipped from a German warehouse to Serbia does not automatically receive EU preferential origin.
Therefore, the following should be checked before stating a preference:
- product-specific rule of origin
- Supplier declarations
- Manufacturing process
- Value shares of raw materials
- correct proof of preference
Determine customs value correctly
The calculation of import duties does not only consider the pure price of the goods.
Depending on the specific process, the following may also be relevant:
- Transport costs
- Insurance
- Packing
- certain additional costs
included in the customs value.
For more information, please visit Calculate customs value correctly.
What is the VAT rate in Serbia?
Value Added Tax is called the following in Serbia:
Porez na dodatu vrednost, PDV for short.
The current regular rate is:
20%
In addition, there is a special set of:
10%
for certain legally defined goods and services. The Serbian tax authorities currently explicitly confirm both rates.
For normal commercial imported goods, the standard rate of 20 percent is generally applicable first.
The customs duty (PDV) arises for imported goods in connection with the creation of the customs debt or the import process.
Therefore, when importing, one should not simply:
Value of goods × 20%
be expected.
The basis of assessment is determined according to Serbian VAT and customs regulations and may exceed the pure invoice value.
Regular VAT rate: 20%
Reduced rate: 10%
NCTS connects Serbia to the European transit system
One of the most important features when shipping to Serbia is participation in:
common transit procedures.
Serbia has been using NCTS nationally since 2015 and has since then:
February 1, 2016
participates in the common transit procedure.
This allows goods, for example, to be transported from Germany via other participating states to a Serbian customs office of destination under a common transit procedure.
The Advantage:
It is not necessary to start a completely new transit procedure at every border.
NCTS works with:
- electronic transit declaration
- Transit accompanying document
- Customs offices for departure, transit and destination
- Collateral for potential customs debts
This is especially true for:
- Road freight transport
- Pallets
- Machine transport
- several packages
- regular B2B deliveries
relevant.
For small parcel services, the carrier usually handles the relevant procedures within its own customs and transport network.
You can find more information about the electronic exchange of customs data at Paperless trade in international shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shipping
Can I send a package from Germany to Serbia?
Yes. Parcels, express shipments, and business goods can be sent from Germany to Serbia. Since Serbia is not a member of the European Union, complete customs information is required for shipments.
How long does it take for a package to arrive in Serbia?
DHL currently estimates delivery times of 10 to 16 business days for standard parcel shipping. The actual delivery time depends on factors such as customs clearance, shipping service, and destination.
What is the VAT rate in Serbia?
The Serbian value-added tax is called PDV. The standard rate is 20 percent. A reduced rate of 10 percent applies to certain legally defined goods and services.
What is the import duty in Serbia?
Import duties depend on the HS code, the type of goods, and their origin. For goods with preferential EU origin, reduced or waived import duties may apply due to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.
Is there a trade agreement between Serbia and the EU?
Yes. A Stabilisation and Association Agreement with mutual preference for origin has existed between the European Union and Serbia since 2013.
Do I need a EUR.1 for Serbia?
An EUR.1 certificate can be used as proof of preferential origin if goods meet the required rules of origin. For originating products with a total value of up to €6.000, a declaration of origin on a commercial document can also be used, provided the relevant conditions are met.
What is the difference between shipping from Germany and EU origin?
A product does not automatically have EU preferential origin simply because it is shipped from Germany. What matters is where and according to which rules of origin the product was manufactured or sufficiently processed.
What is NCTS when shipping to Serbia?
NCTS is the electronic New Computerised Transit System. Serbia has participated in the common transit procedure since 2016. This allows goods to be transported under an electronic transit procedure from an EU customs office to a Serbian customs office of destination.
What documents do I need for Serbia?
Typically, a commercial invoice, transport document, precise goods description, HS code, goods value, and origin information are required. Depending on the goods, an EUR.1 certificate, declaration of origin, import license, or other certificates may also be necessary.
Which language should I use for the customs declaration?
DHL lists English and French, and for branch shipments also Serbian, as acceptable languages for the customs declaration.
Can I ship machines and pallets to Serbia?
Yes. Due to its geographical location, Serbia is particularly well-suited for road freight transport. Machinery, pallets, and multiple packages can be transported by truck and processed via the common NCTS transit procedure.
Can I ship DDP to Serbia?
A DDP shipment may be possible in principle. However, the importer, HS code, preferential origin, customs duty rate, PDV, any necessary permits, and local customs clearance should be clarified beforehand.
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