Closing Chapter 29 – Customs Union confirms Customs Administration's readiness for full integration into the European customs space

On the occasion of the formal closure of Negotiating Chapter 29 – Customs Union, representatives of the Customs Administration Jelena Đukić, head of the Customs Administration, and Stojanka Milošević, coordinator of the Customs System and Procedures Sector, attended. The closure of Chapter 29 marks another significant step towards full EU membership, confirming that the Customs System has been modernized, reliable, and aligned with European standards, ready for integration into the single European customs space. This achievement demonstrates that Montenegro has successfully implemented comprehensive reforms in customs legislation, administration modernization, and digitalization of customs procedures, creating conditions for applying European customs standards, protecting EU and Montenegro's financial interests, and strengthening international trade security. The reforms resulted in a modern legislative and institutional framework enabling consistent application of EU customs rules, standardized procedures, modern electronic processes, risk management, and increased data exchange with EU member states. By implementing systems like NCTS phase 6, ICS2, AES, and other shared European customs information systems, Montenegro affirms its readiness to adopt the latest European standards in customs operations. With Montenegro's accession to the EU, the Customs Administration will become part of the unified European customs system and will be responsible for protecting one of the future external borders of the EU, which entails continued investment in expertise, administrative and technical capacities, digital solutions, and strict adherence to the highest European standards in customs controls and risk management.