Montenegro's name is derived from Italian - black mountain, so it is appropriate that this small country in southeastern Europe is mostly mountainous. But it is also home to a vast region of karst topography and many beautiful beaches on the Adriatic Sea. All of which gives Montenegro a very high level of biodiversity, and home to more different species per square kilometre than any other European country.
The Montenegrin government has considered the digital economy a priority since 2004 when it first passed laws governing e-commerce for its citizens. Recently, COVID-19 further boosted e-commerce activity and revenues are expected to climb at 16% annually until 2025 along with a steady increase of internet shoppers.
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Montenegro through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Montenegro. In case you are an everyday shopper or a business,
you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking information to Montenegro
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Apr 3, 2023
8:49 am
Cetinje , CE, ME
Delivered
Apr 2, 2023
7:18 am
Budva , BU, ME
In transit
Apr 1, 2023
9:03 pm
Niksic , NI, ME
International Clearance
Apr 1, 2023
8:14 am
Podgorica , PO, ME
In transit
Apr 1, 2023
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
Mar 31, 2023
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Disclaimer!
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in Montenegro before shipping any goods.
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will require different
paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
A gift shipment from someone in Canada to a person in Montenegro will be exempt from duties if:
Its value is not more than €45 (about $60 CAD)
The parcel is for the exclusive use of the recipient or his or her family
No exchange of money has occurred for the gift
The amount of goods in the parcel is clearly non-commercial
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
If an individual in Canada sends a gift parcel to an individual in Montenegro, it may enter the country duty-free provided:
It is only an occasional occurrence for the recipient or his or her family
There has been no charge for receiving the gift
The shipment's value is €45 or less (about $60 CAD)
The type and quantify of the contents cannot be mistaken for a commercial shipment
Shipments from Business-to-Business
If a business in Canada sends a gift parcel to a business in Montenegro, it will incur duty fees upon entering the country no matter the value of the shipment.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
A gift shipment from a business in Canada to an individual in Montenegro will be liable to duty charges even if its value is negligible.
Gift Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time
(see sample)
List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Galaktioni Tabidze 8 Gia Chanturia St. Tbilisi 0108 Montenegro
Phone: +995 32 299 86 67
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift Shipment: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$79.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $79.99
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Multiple Gifts in One Shipment
A parcel with multiple gifts will be duty-free if they collectively add up to no more than €45 (about $60 CAD).
For example, a parcel with 3 gifts (€5, €15, €20) will be exempt from duties; however, a parcel with a €15 and €35 gift could only claim one of those 2 items.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Galaktioni Tabidze 8 Gia Chanturia St. Tbilisi 0108 Montenegro
Phone: +995 32 299 86 67
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift - Roger: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$39.99
1 Each
Gift - Erica: Handwoven French Canadian Catalogne Blanket
CA
$49.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $89.98
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Personal effects and household goods shipped to Montenegro from Canada may enter the country exempt from duties and VAT provided:
The goods were owned and used by the claimant for a minimum of 6 months
The claimant has lived in Canada for a minimum of 12 continuous months
The shipment arrives within 12 months of the claimant taking up residence in Montenegro
The goods are not sold, loaned, or rented out for at least 12 months after arriving in the country
Moving Temporarily
Students
Students entering Montenegro for purposes of their school studies are allowed a duty-free exemption of their personal effects if they can show proof of registration at an educational institution.
Duty exemption will be granted for items such as:
Footwear and clothing
Furniture required for a student's room
Educational supplies
Non-students
Non-students who move temporarily to Montenegro are allowed duty exemption on their personal effects if it can be shown that they have received a certificate of registration for residence in Montenegro.
Moving Permanently
Individuals moving permanently to Montenegro with their household items and personal effects are allowed a duty- and VAT-free entry of said items under the following conditions:
The goods arrive no later than 1 year after the arrival of the goods' owner
The owner of the goods has lived outside of Montenegro for at least 1 year continuously
The personal effects have been used and owned for at least 6 months
For at least 12 months, the items cannot be leant, rented, or sold
Personal Effects Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' (
see sample)
A detailed description of each item is provided
For temporary and permanent movers to Montenegro, a certificate of registration of residence
Galaktioni Tabidze 8 Gia Chanturia St. Tbilisi 0108 Montenegro
Phone: +995 32 299 86 67
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal effects being delivered to my new address.
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
5 Pairs
Personal Effects: 5 pairs of various types of shoes
IN
$40.00
1 Each
Personal Effects: Arc'terix Winter Jacket
CA
$478.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Personal Effects Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $678.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Food, Chocolate, Candies
Foodstuffs identified as GMOs (genetically modified organisms) may not enter Montenegro. Other foodstuffs shipped to individuals may enter duty-free up to a value of €150 (about $195 CAD) and VAT free up to a value of €75 (about $100 CAD).
You May Ship
Chocolate
Candy
Do Not Ship
GMO foodstuffs (genetically modified organisms)
Potatoes
Dairy products - cheese, yogourt, etc.
Perishables
Food, Chocolate, Candies Checklist
Clearly indicate 'Food' on the commercial invoice in the General Description or Remarks section (see sample)
Ensure that your food, chocolate, or candies may be imported into the country
You are not shipping commercial quantities (for any duty & tax exemption)
Check with your carrier that they will accept food shipments
Sample Commercial Invoice for Food, Chocolate, Candies
Ship To
Invoice
Galaktioni Tabidze 8 Gia Chanturia St. Tbilisi 0108 Montenegro
Phone: +995 32 299 86 67
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Food Shipment - Assorted chocolate bars in their original manufacturer's packaging
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Nestle Chocolate Bars in original packaging expiring May 2021 (shelf life of 6 months or longer)
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent / Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Samples
Samples are shipped to encourage sales and promote products; they are not meant to be sold. Commercial samples that enter Montenegro from Canada will be allowed a duty-free entry into the country as long as:
They have been mutilated
The goods are of little value
Samples sent for exhibition at trade fairs and other similar gatherings will also be exempt from duties provided:
They are distributed at no charge
They are packaged in smaller containers than what is normally done in the marketplace
If consumables, they are opened and tasted at the event itself
The amount imported is in line with the size and scope of the exhibition
They are of nominal value
Commercial Sample Checklist
A Commercial Invoice must be included with your shipment
Clearly indicate 'Commercial Samples' on the commercial invoice in the General Description & Detailed Description of Goods (see sample)
The item shipped has tearing, perforation, slashing, defacing, or has permanent marking clearing indicating the item as commercial sample
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Galaktioni Tabidze 8 Gia Chanturia St. Tbilisi 0108 Montenegro
Phone: +995 32 299 86 67
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Repairs
Goods exported from Montenegro for repair - known as outward processing - will be exempt from duty if the work was done for free under a warranty obligation.
Items Under Warranty
Machinery and equipment shipped to Canada from Montenegro for repairs under a warranty may re-enter the country duty-free as long as they were repaired at no charge.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
Goods repaired in Canada that are no longer under warranty will incur duties and taxes when they re-enter Montenegro.
Sending Product for Repair to Montenegro
No information is available at this time concerning goods shipped to Montenegro from Canada for repairs.
Returning Repaired Product to Montenegro
Equipment and machinery repaired in Canada free of charge as a result of a warranty will be allowed a duty-free re-entry into Montenegro.
Repair Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return
(see sample)
Include repair contract with shipment
Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the item was first exported to Montenegro or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Galaktioni Tabidze 8 Gia Chanturia St. Tbilisi 0108 Montenegro
Phone: +995 32 299 86 67
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
US
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Temporary Imports
Temporary importation of goods into Montenegro will be duty and VAT free as long as:
They exit the country within 2 years of their entry
They remain unchanged save for routine wear-and-tear
Qualifying for Duty & Tax Free Temporary Import
In order to import your goods duty and tax free into Montenegro, you can pick from 1 of the 2 Temporary Import Methods listed below.
Each option has its pros and cons. Regardless, each of the following methods requires you to complete a commercial invoice. More details are shown in the table.
Option #
Temporary Import Method
Risk of paying
1
Commercial Invoice Only (no other documentation is provided)
High - if broker cannot clear goods temporarily
2
Commercial Invoice
+
ATA Carnet
Very Low
1. Complete a Commercial Invoice (CI) only
This is the simplest and quickest option. See example.
NOTE: You should be aware that shipping using this method doesn't guarantee that your items will be imported duty/tax free.
Not all brokers will clear goods as temporary imports (i.e. UPS, FedEx, DHL) nor is it a guarantee that customs won't charge any duties and taxes.
2. Commercial Invoice (CI) + an ATA Carnet
Completing an ATA Carnet is great option for items that frequently travel in and out of the country.
It's also great because once you have an ATA Carnet, it is accepted by 176 countries worldwide making the application process a one-time thing.
In addition to declaring your commercial invoice as a temporary import, you can get an ATA Carnet for the items that are of temporary nature.
ATA Carnets are beyond the scope of the article however, you can find more information here:
http://www.chamber.ca/carnet/
NOTE: It is highly recommended to get an ATA Carnet for items that frequently
travel in and out of the country and especially so when it is valued over $2,500 USD
In addition to choosing option 1 or 2, the following conditions must also be met in order to qualify for a duty and VAT free exemption:
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e., they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than 24 months in Montenegro
Temporary Imports Checklist
Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods.
(see sample)
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than the period listed above
Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received within the country (whichever applies)
Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
Galaktioni Tabidze 8 Gia Chanturia St. Tbilisi 0108 Montenegro
Phone: +995 32 299 86 67
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2020
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 box
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment
CA
$1032.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Temporary Imports Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1032.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Permanent/Sold Goods
Shipments of goods sold online from Canada to Montenegro will be duty-free up to €150 (about $95 CAD) and VAT free up to €75 (about $100 CAD). So, shipments valued over €150 will be liable to both duty and VAT.
Occasional Shipper
Goods sold to someone in Montenegro on an occasional basis, for example through eBay, will be exempt from duty up to a value of €150 (about $95 CAD) and VAT free up to €75 (about $100 CAD).
Regular shipper
Regular shippers of sold goods are recommended to use the services of a licenced Montenegrin customs broker.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Galaktioni Tabidze 8 Gia Chanturia St. Tbilisi 0108 Montenegro
Phone: +995 32 299 86 67
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This process alone can be confusing and time-consuming.
So we’ve narrowed down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.). Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels).
These are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a controlled good
and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with Montenegro. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Montenegro, it will incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters of credit for the goods. Otherwise,
it is generally your choice whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process and
ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties and taxes.
No specific form required, but generally includes information regarding:
The exporter, importer and transport company
Date of issue
Number of freight invoice
Type and number of packages
Contents of each package
Marks and numbers
Net weight, gross weight and measurements of each package
Prohibited & Restricted Imports
Goods deemed prohibited by Montenegrin customs will not be allowed to enter the country; restricted goods may enter but will be limited in quantity or require an importation licence.
Prohibited Items
Foodstuffs and seeds of GMOs (genetically modified
organisms)
Potatoes
Dairy products (like cheese)
Instruments of torture or human cruelty and degradation
Illicit drugs and narcotics, and their processed derivatives
Restricted Items
Tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and their refill containers
The amount of duty and VAT applied to imports entering Montenegro is calculated using the CIF value of the shipment: the sum of the customs value plus insurance amount plus freight charges.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
By calculating the CIF value of your parcel to Montenegro before shipping it, you will have an estimate of the duties and taxes owed by the recipient.
Thresholds
The threshold on imported goods (also known as the de minimis value) is the amount below which no duties or taxes are incurred.
For Montenegro, those values are:
Duty - €150 (about $95 CAD)
VAT - €75 (about $100 CAD)
Therefore, shipments valued over €150 will be liable to both duty and VAT.
Currency
Euro (€)
Duty Exemption (De minimis Value)
€150 (about $195 CAD)
Duty Calculation Method
CIF
TAX (VAT)
21%
Tax Exemption
(De minimis Value)
€75 (about $100 CAD)
Tax Calculation Method
CIF
Duties on Imports
Excise Duties and Other Taxes
Montenegrin customs applies excise duties and other taxes on the following goods, details of which can be found
here
Alcoholic beverages
Energy drinks
Tobacco products
E-cigarettes
Coffee as well as beverages and products that contain coffee (specific details
here)
You can purchase
insurance
through Secureship and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment our system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable, if it doesn’t meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Shipping to Montenegro from Canada can take between 3-5 business days through the fastest carriers available on the Secureship platform.
More economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 1-2 months to complete the delivery.
