Serbia has put temporary import quotas on certain cement and steel products to keep key industries stable. The measures will be in place from January 1 to June 30, 2026. If imports go over the quota, a 50% tariff will be charged.

The quotas target five categories: portland cement, hot-rolled and cold-rolled steel, rebar, hot-rolled wire rod, and reinforcing bars. Of the 420,000-ton total limit, around 250,350 tons are dedicated to cement.

This move is mainly due to global steel overcapacity and protectionist policies in other countries, which have changed traditional trade flows and caused imports to surge into the Serbian market. To deal with this, Serbia is taking similar steps to protect its own market and domestic producers.

Although the restrictions will only last six months, they are likely meant to bring Serbia’s trade policy more in line with that of the EU, its main trading partner.