The European Commission (EC) has recognized in its 2025 Report significant progress by Montenegro in the area of customs policy and harmonisation with EU legislation within Chapter 29 - Customs Union, assessing that the country is moderately prepared for the Customs Union, and that good progress has been achieved, the Customs Administration announced today.
"It was particularly emphasized that the Customs Administration of Montenegro achieved good results in the implementation of the New Computerized Transit System (NCTS), which fulfilled the conditions for Montenegro's accession to the Convention on a Common Transit Procedure (CTC) from 1 November 2025, and to the Convention on the Simplification of Formalities in Trade in Goods. This represents one of the most important steps in the process of European integration in the field of customs. It was noted that the activities carried out by the Customs Administration in the reporting period 2024/2025 resulted in significant progress in all key areas - legislative harmonization, strengthening the capacities of the customs service, digitalization of procedures, as well as improving mechanisms for combating smuggling and the grey economy," the statement said.
The Customs Administration added that when it comes to operational and administrative capacities, the adoption of key strategic documents was noted - the Business Strategy 2024–2026, the IT Strategy 2024–2026, as well as the Integrity Plan 2025–2026, which contribute to professionalization, transparency and the fight against corruption.
"The Electronic Cargo Tracking and Data Exchange (SEED+) system has been introduced in the Port of Bar, which enables improved risk analysis and more efficient control of goods, further strengthening the capacity of the customs service in the field of digitalization and supervision of trade flows. In the field of combating smuggling and illegal trade, numerous actions to seize and destroy tobacco products have been carried out, in cooperation with international partners, including the United Kingdom Customs and Excise (HMRC). In November 2024, officers of the Customs Administration, together with officers of the Police Administration, with the support and supervision of HMRC, conducted an inventory of seized cigarettes in the Port of Bar. In June 2025, the Government of Montenegro adopted a decision on the destruction of these illegal tobacco products, which was completed in September 2025. These activities contributed to reducing the shadow economy and strengthening trust in the work of institutions," the statement reads.
The Customs Administration said that a positive trend is also being recorded in the area of fiscal efficiency, with customs revenues continuously growing - in 2024 they amounted to 1,29 billion euros, which is 9,78% more than in 2023, while excise revenues reached 368,6 million euros, which is an increase of 14,1%, compared to 2023.
"The EC also praised the increase in the number of Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs), which indicates improved cooperation with economic entities and thus facilitated legal trade flows. In the coming period, the Customs Administration will continue intensive activities towards achieving interoperability and interconnectivity with the EU, implementing customs systems, in accordance with EC recommendations, as well as cooperating with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). The intensive activities of the Customs Administration in the second half of 2024 and during 2025 contributed to the EC recognizing good progress compared to previous years," the Customs Administration said.
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