The National Association of Forwarding Companies and Agents 'Transport and Logistics', Republic of Serbia, sent an official letter to the NSBS regarding the challenges of implementing time restrictions for drivers from third countries residing in the Schengen area, particularly with regard to the Entry/Exit System (EES).
Colleagues in Serbia have informed us that, if negotiations with the European Commission on this issue fail, four countries in the Western Balkans (Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia) are considering blocking their land borders with the EU from 14 September 2026 onwards. The Republic of Albania is also considering joining this initiative.
In its capacity as the Secretariat of the South-East European Freight Forwarders Association (SEEFF), the Bulgarian National Freight Forwarding Association (NSBS) disseminated this information to all SEEFF countries, FIATA, CLECAT and to its own members. The competent state bodies and institutions in the Republic of Bulgaria (the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Customs Agency and the General Directorate of Border Police) have also been notified to take action in at least two directions:
- Firstly, they must develop and present a position to the European Commission on the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) and its negative impact on the transport sector and supply chains. This must take into account the fact that heavy goods vehicle traffic is dominant in South-Eastern Europe.
- Secondly, they must actively communicate with the relevant state bodies and institutions in third countries neighbouring the Republic of Bulgaria to ensure the smooth passage of freight vehicles through the relevant land border checkpoints.
The blockade will be coordinated at a regional level by a Crisis Headquarters, which will oversee joint operations involving the four participating countries. Only a few exceptions are planned, such as the transport of emergency medicines, medical components, live animals and dual-use goods.
