The Government of Serbia has enacted a temporary regulation aimed at restricting the importation of specific cement and steel products, effective from January 1 to June 30, 2026. This initiative is part of a strategy to bolster the economic stability of industries deemed strategically vital. The regulation targets imports of portland cement as well as selected iron and steel items, reflecting a broader objective to protect domestic manufacturing and sustain market equilibrium.
The newly established regulation introduces a tariff quota system for these imports. Once the quota for any given product is reached, an additional customs duty of 50 percent will be imposed on further imports within that category. This measure is designed to be temporary and will undergo review at the conclusion of the six-month period.
The quotas encompass five categories: portland cement; hot-rolled and cold-rolled steel products; reinforcing concrete steel (rebar) and hot-rolled wire rod; and reinforcing steel in bars. The total volume of these quotas exceeds 420,000 tonnes, with approximately 250,350 tonnes allocated specifically for cement.
Quota allocations are determined based on historical import data from the past five years, divided into country-specific subquotas and customs territories. The largest shares are designated for imports from the European Union, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and other regional partners. To ensure a consistent supply, national quotas are segmented into quarterly limits covering the periods from January 1 to March 31 and April 1 to June 30, 2026, with provisions allowing unused quotas from the first quarter to be carried over into the second quarter.
The distribution of quota slots will follow a “first come, first served” principle according to the sequence of submitted customs declarations. The Customs Administration will oversee this allocation process and will provide monthly reports on import activities to the Ministry of Internal and Foreign Trade. To qualify for preferential tariff treatment within the quota framework, importers must present proof of preferential origin in line with existing free trade agreements.
This introduction of temporary quotas aims to alleviate competitive pressures faced by domestic producers of cement and steel while ensuring that import levels remain manageable. By capping duty-free imports and imposing additional tariffs beyond the established quotas, the Serbian government seeks to support local industry stability in light of broader economic challenges anticipated in early 2026.
