Decision taken by Serbia to implement unilaterally the Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the European Community and the Republic of Serbia

2009/C 83/11

Community traders are hereby informed of the trade regime in place with the Republic of Serbia.

As of 30 January 2009 the Serbian authorities have decided to implement unilaterally the trade concessions in the Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the European Community and the Republic of Serbia signed on 29 April 2008 but provisionally not implemented by the European Community. In case of exports of Community originating goods to Serbia, these goods may benefit from liberalised tariffs, on submission of either a movement certificate EUR.1 or an invoice declaration proving the Community origin of the goods concerned. The conditions of the unilateral implementation of the Interim Agreement in Serbia are specified in the Law of 21 January 2009 amending the Customs Tariff Law (1).

Exporters are informed that, by virtue of Decree of 5 February 2009 amending Decree on customs approved treatment of customs goods, release of customs goods and collection of customs debt (2), this preferential treatment is granted on the basis of the rules of origin identical to the ones provided for in Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July 1993 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code (3). Exporters are nevertheless advised to consult relevant customs laws of Serbia.

In case of imports of Serbian originating goods in the Community, goods remain subject to the provisions of the European Community autonomous trade regime provided for by Council Regulation (EC) No 2007/2000 of 18 September 2000 introducing exceptional trade measures for countries and territories participating in or linked to the European Union's Stabilisation and Association process, amending Regulation (EC) No 2820/98, and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1763/1999 and (EC) No 6/2000 (4). This Regulation is implemented on the basis of the rules of origin laid down in Part I, Title IV, Chapter 2, Section 2 of abovementioned Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 (namely Articles 98 to 123), including provisions on the issue of proofs of origin for Community goods where these goods are exported to beneficiary countries such as Serbia (Articles 110(5) and 116).

(1)  Official Journal of the Republic of Serbia, No 5/09, 22.1.2009.

(2)  Official Journal of the Republic of Serbia, No 9/09, 6.2.2009.

(3)  OJ L 253, 11.10.1993, p. 1.

(4)  OJ L 240, 23.9.2000, p. 1.