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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Customs revenues in 2005 total 173 billion dinars

Belgrade, 25 January 2006

Director of the Serbian Customs Administration Dragan Jerinic said today that the annual revenues from import duties in 2005 total 173 billion dinars, which is three times higher than the 2004 figure.

Dragan Jerinic at today's press conference

At a press conference where the annual results of the Customs Administration were presented, Jerinic pointed out that customs revenues make up 60% of the Value Added Tax (VAT) budget.

According to Jerinic, €8.5 million worth of foreign currency has been seized at border crossings in 2005, which is half a million more than in 2004.

He said that in the last two years, there has been an increase in efficiency in all areas and that 468 kilos of narcotics have been confiscated, which is four times greater than the amount seized in the period between 2001 and 2003.

The largest amount was seized at the Gradina border crossing with Bulgaria, i.e. 82 kilos of heroin in September and 51 kilos in December, he added.

According to Jerinic, there has been improvement in suppressing the smuggling of oil and oil derivatives, cigarettes, gold and silver. He added that approximately 17 million cigarettes worth 45 million dinars were confiscated in 2005.

In the same period around 90 million dinars worth of oil and 45 kilos of gold and silver jewellry were also seized at border crossings.

When it comes to fighting corruption in the Customs Administration, Jerinic said that in the past two years, 20 criminal charges were filed against customs employees and 200 employees were subjected to disciplinary punishment.

Last year also saw an increasing number of passengers and a decrease in the number of the customs staff, said Jerinic, adding that since 2001, the number of customs employees has been reduced by 800, whereas the number of passengers at border crossings has doubled. The transport of goods has risen by 0.2%, and the flow of people and goods in 2004 and 2005 was four or five times greater than before.

Jerinic announced a more efficient control at border crossings and a more speedy movement of goods and people once the integrated border control system is put into operation. This will put an end to the lack of coordination between the Interior Ministry's border supervisory services and the Customs Administration.