The European Union Customs Union ensures the tariff-free movement of goods within the EU and implements standardised rates of customs duties on goods imported from outside the Union. It is essential for the proper functioning of the single market.

Upon EU accession, Montenegro will become part of the internal market. Until this happens, it needs to build capacities in the Customs Administration in order to ensure full alignment of customs transit procedures with the EU external and internal common transit procedures and the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS).

This project focuses on creating a territory of free movement of goods in Montenegro, as well as on harmonising national procedures with those of the EU. It is expected to result in the following:

• A fully operational National Transit Application (NTA), in line with the EU requirements related to the NCTS ;
• Trained Customs Administration staff and economic operators, ready for applying new transit rules;
• National Transit Application (NTA) ready for NCTS compliance testing using the Common Communications Network/Common Systems Interface;
• Delivery of server equipment and licenses for databases and other system software necessary for the NCTS implementation.

In short, this project will help Montenegro to modernise its customs service, which will then enable faster movement of goods, reduction of waiting times at borders, paperless processing of customs documentation, reduction of operational costs, supervision of the movement of shipments, as well as prevention of misuse.

The project funded 3 contracts:

• “Implementation of the New Computerised Transit System”, related to development of an IT solution for the NCTS, with all the necessary modules, with a view to facilitating and speeding up customs procedures;
• “Supply of hardware for the operation of the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS)”, with the aim of putting into operation the IT equipment for the NCTS;
• “Support to accession to the Common Transit Convention and Convention on Facilitation of Trade in Goods”, with the aim of supporting the harmonisation of legislation, drafting guidelines and training of stakeholders (traders, banking institutions etc.).

The project will be completed by the end of 2022.