WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN YOU ARE DEPARTING FROM AND ARRIVING IN MACEDONIA INFORMATION BOOKLET
The Customs Administration of the Republic of Macedonia wishes you a pleasant journey and a nice holiday!
GOODS WHICH YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DECLARE AND WHICH ARE RELIEVED FROM IMPORT DUTIES
Macedonian and foreign citizens are granted relief from import duties (customs duty, VAT and excise duty) for:
1. Goods for personal use during Passengers less than 18 years of the stay (personal luggage) * age are not granted relief from 2. Tobacco products: import duty payment for tobacco products, alcohol and alcoholic • 200 cigarettes, or beverages. • 100 cigarillos (cigarettes with maximum weight of 3 grams 4. Perfumes: 50 ml and Eau de per item), or toilette: 250 ml. • 50 cigars, or • 250 grams of smoking Residents are granted relief from tobacco, or import duties on goods of non- • equivalent amount of different commercial nature the value of tobacco products which does not exceed EUR 350. 3. Alcohol and alcoholic beverages: However, the relief for goods up to EUR 350 value does not apply • distilled alcoholic and for alcoholic beverages, tobacco spirituous beverages with products, perfumes and eau de alcohol percentage over 22% - toilette. 1 litre or • distilled alcoholic and spirituous beverages and * Use not related to any business of profes- sional or commercial nature, goods in the aperitifs of wine or alcohol personal luggage of the passenger means base, the alcohol percentage items for personal use, necessary for the of which does not exceed 22% journey. - 2 litres and • wine: 2 litres
3 CASH
ENTRY IN MACEDONIA Residents 1 Non-residents 2 up to 10,000 EUR and up to 10.000 EUR and 120,000 MKD – free 120,000 MKD – free over 10.000 EUR – must be over 10.000 EUR – must be declared to Customs, who shall declared to Customs issue a certificate in writing over 120,000 MKD - prohibited over 120,000 MKD - prohibited
EXIT FROM MACEDONIA Residents 1 Non-residents 2 Up to 2,000 EUR and Up to 10,000 EUR and 120,000 MKD – free 120,000 MKD – free From 2,000 to 10,000 EUR – over 10,000 EUR – must be must be declared to Customs declared to Customs and the and a certificate from an Certificate where that amount authorized bank or exchange was registered upon entry in office must be presented Macedonia must be presented. Over 10,000 EUR and 120,000 MKD - prohibited over 120,000 MKD - prohibited
1 Legal entities registered in the Republic of Macedonia and their repre- sentative offices abroad, foreign companies’ subsidiaries, registered in the Republic of Macedonia, natural entities with permanent residence in the Republic of Macedonia, natural entities with temporary resident permits in the Republic of Macedonia and diplomatic and consular offices of the Republic of Macedonia abroad. 2 All other legal and natural entities not having the status of residents. 4 LIVE ANIMALS, PETS, ANIMAL AND PLANT PRODUCTS
Special licenses and permits are required for pets, live animals, animal and plant products and plants.
PETS ANIMAL PRODUCTS When travelling with pets, both Passengers are entitled to bring within and outside Macedonia, in products of animal origin (white the owner, i.e. person responsible and yellow cheese, delicatessen) in must have appropriate total quantity of 1 kg. documentation for identification: Products of animal origin, the total • Veterinary – health certificate amount of which exceeds 1 kg, issued by an authorized vet cannot be brought in Macedonia from the country of departure without a certificate confirming • Passport issued by an that they have been inspected authorized vet from the by the Veterinary and Sanitary country of departure, which is Inspectorate. mandatory for all dogs, cats and ferrets, or PLANTS, FLOWERS, FRUIT AND • Statement given by the VEGETABLES owner or person responsible If you bring plants, flowers, fruit , mandatory for all birds, and vegetables into Macedonia, provided they come from a you will need an authorisation country member of the World issued by the Ministry of Organisation of Animal Health Agriculture, Forestry and Water (OIE). Economy - Phytosanitary Agency Customs shall allow import of confirming that these products are pets in the Republic of Macedonia healthy and free from diseases. that are not intended for trade, no In addition, these products must matter their number, provided the be inspected by phytosanitary Veterinary Inspectorate, following inspection services. pervious examination and health check, gives consent for import, i.e. issues a Veterinary Entry Document – VED. 5 MEDICINES
1. The import of medicines is • A signature of your general subject to special license practitioner which is proof issued by the Bureau for that the medicines you are Drugs (Ministry of Health of carrying with you are for your the Republic of Macedonia). own use. This import prohibition is 3. Medicines containing narcotics not applicable if you bring in and psychotropic substances medicines intended for your own are subject to a special license use. issued by the Bureau for Drugs 2. If the medicines are intended for (Ministry of Health of the personal use, you need to have: Republic of Macedonia). • Certificate issued by your 4. Failure to observe the health institution identifying regulations on import of the medicine and the patient, medicines, medical aids and type of health condition, and psychotropic substances is punishable. 6 WEAPONS AND AMMUNITION
1. No fire arms or other weapons if you are in possession of a and ammunition may enter or special permit/authorisation cross the border of Macedonia. issued by the Macedonian These include: Ministry of Interior. This applies • fire arms to weapons used for hunting or • collector weapons shooting. • pneumatic weapons 3. The following are not considered • gas weapons weapons: • explosive weapons • Decorative weapons • cold weapons (for example, • Weapons imitations knives, knuckle dusters, • Vintage weaponry swords etc.) • Permanently disabled weapons • archery weapons • Replicas of antique weapons • weapons for audio-visual • Weapons for industrial use and signalization • Harpoons for underwater • electrical paralysers fishing. • ammunition 4. Failure to observe the Law is 2. You may only bring weapons punishable. and ammunition into Macedonia 7 GOODS THAT VIOLATE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Import, export, transit and storage of counterfeit products and pirated goods is prohibited by law.
Counterfeits and pirated goods confirmation of their counterfeit are hazardous for the health nature, they will be destroyed. and safety of people and they Exception from the above- contribute to lower budget mentioned are goods which are revenues and increase of shadow part of the personal luggage of economy. the passenger, objects of non- They are recognizable by the low commercial nature with low value price, poor quality, bad look of the which are occasionally received package, technical errors in the form abroad, and which are text of the labels and markings. relieved from import duties. Counterfeits may include a sign, Perpetrators shall be sanctioned. logo, letters, numbers, pictures, For the achievements in the fight labels, user manuals or warranty against counterfeiting and piracy, document even if they are in competition with 174 Customs imported or exported separately Administrations, members of from or together with the goods. the WCO, in 2009 the Customs Pirated goods are goods which Administration of the Republic of are or Macedonia received the prestigious embody copies made without award of the World Customs the consent of the holder of the Organisation - Yolanda Benitez copyright r the related rights. WCO Trophy 2009 Combating Customs shall seize counterfeits Counterfeiting and Piracy. and pirated goods, and following
8 ENDANGERED ANIMALS AND PLANTS
No endangered animal and plant species or products derived from them may be brought to or taken out from Macedonia. In line with CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), the import and export of endangered animal and plant species and their products is prohibited by Law.
Trade in endangered and protected • corals and shells, wild plants, fungi and animals • exotic plants such as orchids and product derived from them is and cactuses etc, subject to appropriate document • all products and articles - license issued by the Ministry derived from endangered of Environment and Physical plant and animal species, Planning. This license must be such as: obtained in advance. › musical instruments Illegally imported animals and › coral or ivory artifacts plants are often infected with › clothing, footwear and dangerous diseases and parasites. accessories etc. Examples of protected animal and Customs and police officers or plant species and products derived inspectors will confiscate any from them: illegal shipment. Besides paying • Brown bear, grey hawk, fines, perpetrators shall cover all Hipparchia semele butterfly other expenses for the care or (critically endangered), storage of such shipments. wolves, snakes, lizards and Be a careful buyer and protect tropical animals, nature and species! 9 OBJECTS OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL WORTH
1. The following objects and goods • Audio-visual goods (original of cultural and historical worth materials and sound copies of are subject to regime of special films or animated films, film licenses and certificates for scripts, photographs, slides, export or temporary export from posters etc.) and Macedonia: • Objects from sound archives • Archeological objects (dug (original materials of out from land or taken out recorded sounds, i.e. original from water, originating from a musical and other type of certain period), sound recordings). • Ethnological objects (object 2. Cultural heritage of particular witnesses of a life-style, significance (such as protected tradition, customs etc.), museum collections) must not • Historical objects (originating be exported. from certain historical events 3. Cultural heritage which is not or were used by historical under general prohibition for persons, as well as old coins export, as well as goods which – money), are considered as national • Objects of art (paintings, treasure may only be exported drawings, sculptures, etching, with a license issued by the engravings and other artistic Cultural Heritage Protection pieces), Office. • Technical objects (machines, tools, instruments, equipment etc. originating from a certain Cultural goods which are stage of technical progress), not subject to special re- • Archive materials (selected, gime of protection original or reproduced 1. Passengers may freely take out documented materials of objects and goods such as: permanent worth), • Library goods (old • reproductions manuscripts produced up to • copies of museum exhibits the end of XIXth century, old (antiquities and other museum and rare books and other objects), accompanied with a publications), certificate, acknowledging the • Cinematographic goods copy, the origin of the original (recorded cinematographic and the institution - issuer. pieces, films – cartoons documentaries, scientific and popular films etc.),
10 CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION’S AWARDS AND PRIZES Within the last few years, the Customs Administration, as a result of the achieved results in the area of revenue collection, fight against illegal trade and improvement of its institutional and administrative capacity, has received several awards, prizes and acknowledgements.
2007 10th place in the world for the number of actions for prevention of infringements of intellectual property rights, according to the WCO Report. In 2007, the Customs Administration carried out 325 such actions. 2008 1st place for good management of the Foundation Open Society Macedonia, in the category – state administration authorities. Criteria for selection: level of professionalism, efficiency, training, manner of employment, rule of law, transparency, accountability, public procurement, financial management and control. 2009 Yolanda Benitez WCO Trophy 2009 Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy for achievements in the fight against counterfeiting and piracy in competition with 174 administrations, members of the WCO. 2010 1st prize for the EXIM - Electronic Single-Window System for issuance of import and export licenses and tariff quota (Single Window/One Stop Shop) at the official Annual Awards Competition in the area of information and communication technology for solutions in the public sector. EXIM is an innovative approach for issuing licenses for import, export and transit. 2011 IBM (International Business Machines) – distinguished producer of information technologies and global business solutions expressed its readiness for promotion and presentation of the EXIM system on its official web location (Smarter Planet) - http://www.ibm.com/ smarterplanet
11 REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA - FACTS Macedonia is a country of sacred mysteries and unique beauties, that has no sea access, no world-wide known ski resorts, but Macedonia has wonderful lakes, untouched mountains, great history and wealthy cultural heritage. Macedonia is the fatherland of the Cyrillic script and of the first Slavic University in the world. Visit Macedonia - the undiscovered Europe!
Macedonian national flag Coat of arms
Macedonian national anthem • “Today over Macedonia - Denes nad Makedonija - Денес над Македонија” - The song which was later chosen to be the National Anthem of Macedonia, was composed by Todor Skalovski and the lyrics were written by Vlado Maleski in 1943. Republic of Macedonia establishment: • August 2nd 1944 (As a Federal Republic in Yugoslavia). Proclamation of independence of Macedonia: • September 8th 1991. Membership of Macedonia • United Nations - since April 8th 1993; • World Trade Organisation - since April 4th 2003; • NATO - gained invitation on April 3rd 2008. Not admitted due to the Greek veto; • EU - awaiting invitation. Population: 2,100,000 Land: 25,715 km2 Language: Macedonian (uses the Cyrillic script). Currency: Macedonian Denar (MKD), since April 26th 1992. Geoposition: South-Eastern Europe, central part of the Balkan Peninsula. Capital city: Skopje Terrain: • Mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes (Ohrid, Prespa and Dojran), each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River. • lowest point: Vardar River 44 m • highest point: Golem Korab 2,764 m Climate: • Moderate Mediterranean. Warm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall.