Shopping in Montenegro

A private consumer, called potrošač in Montenegrin consumer terminology, buys outside a professional or business activity. A trgovac is the seller. Common channels include supermarkets and convenience shops, local markets and stalls, pharmacies and drugstores, boutiques and malls, electronics and telecommunications shops, local webshops, postal delivery, door-to-door sales and street sellers. Access is generally open, while product availability and opening hours vary by municipality and season. Local market information is not organized through one nationwide list. For groceries, compare the price per unit, origin, label, expiry date and invoice. Food-safety questions belong primarily to the Food topic, while the shopping decision concerns the product, seller, price and purchase record. For cosmetics, household chemicals and biocides, check the local wording of instructions, warnings, batch information and expiry date. For clothing, compare fit, material and seller terms. A change of mind or unsuitable size in a physical shop is not automatically covered by a general 14-day withdrawal right. Technology purchases require the model and serial number, instructions, conformity or safety markings and the garantni list, meaning the written warranty document. Montenegrin sellers must show the selling price and unit price, provide an invoice and make product and safety information clear in the official language. A discounted price should show the previous price, percentage reduction and final amount. Instructions, warranty documents and other accompanying papers should come with the product. Lightweight carrier bags between 15 and 50 micrometres have been prohibited since 20 October 2024; bags up to 15 micrometres are limited to packing points, while thicker bags are charged by the seller. Reusable bags, repair, second-hand purchases and local sourcing reduce waste, but the availability of separate collection remains fragmented between municipalities. Montenegro has high online-shopping use: MONSTAT reported internet access in 88.1% of households in 2025, and 62.4% of people had bought or ordered online at least once. Clothing and sports goods were the most frequently reported recent category at 82.2%, followed by food or drink delivery at 52.1%, toys or furniture at 32.7%, cosmetics at 23.9% and video games or software at 13.9%. Before an online contract, the seller must provide the main information about the product, price, delivery and payment and confirm the contract on a durable medium no later than delivery. The general withdrawal period is 14 days from delivery, subject to legal exceptions. For an unsolicited home visit or sales excursion, the period is 30 days. The consumer normally sends the goods back within 14 days and pays the return cost if the seller disclosed that cost beforehand. The seller generally refunds within 14 days, although it may wait until receiving the goods or proof of return. Delivery should take place without undue delay unless another period was agreed, and the delivery method and price must be disclosed in advance; otherwise the consumer does not pay an undisclosed delivery charge. Cross-border shopping adds customs and tax questions. Since 1 January 2025, postal and express consignments up to EUR 150 are subject to VAT, with the standard rate at 21%, a reduced rate of 7% and zero-rated cases where the law provides. The postal or express company normally settles the customs debt and charges the recipient, although the platform contract can assign the cost differently. Consignments above EUR 150 generally require the regular customs procedure and a declaration. EU changes announced for 1 July 2026, including a EUR 3 charge and EUR 2 handling charge, do not apply in Montenegro. Payments are normally made in euros by cash, card or bank transfer. Fiscalization covers cash and cashless sales. The Central Bank of Montenegro, CBCG, regulates the payment system and publishes comparisons of bank fees and information about basic payment accounts. Its TIPS-based instant-payment system has operated since 20 July 2026 through 11 banks, around the clock and throughout the year. An electronic instant payment up to EUR 200 may cost no more than EUR 0.05. After execution, such a transfer generally cannot be cancelled, so check the recipient, IBAN and amount before confirmation and contact the bank immediately if you detect an error or fraud. A product that does not match the contract has nesaobraznost, meaning lack of conformity with the agreed or expected characteristics; saobraznost means conformity. For a non-conforming product, the seller remains responsible for two years. If the problem appears within six months, the legal presumption supports the consumer unless the seller proves otherwise. Repair or replacement should take no more than 15 days. If that does not resolve the matter, the consumer may seek a price reduction or end the contract and request repayment under the applicable conditions. A prigovor is a formal complaint. Submit it to the seller within two years for non-conformity, or within the period stated in the garantni list for a warranty claim, and keep the invoice. The seller must respond in writing within eight days. If the complaint is not resolved, the consumer can use the potrosac.me online form or contact the Uprava za inspekcijske poslove, including the Tržišna inspekcija. An inspection may order corrective action, set a deadline or impose a fine; a technical dispute may require an expert report or court proceedings.