Road hauliers in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia have announced protests and border blockades from 14 September 2026. The action is expected to disrupt road freight between the Western Balkans and the EU and may lead to delays.
The protests are scheduled to begin at 00:00 on Monday, 14 September, and will affect freight traffic at border crossings towards the EU. In Serbia, the announced action includes a suspension of transport operations at major freight terminals and road blockades leading to smaller border crossings. The protests are expected to continue until an agreement or other solution is reached.
LEMAN adjusts planned departures
As a consequence of the confirmed action, LEMAN is adjusting our Road East Europe operations.
Planned departures to the affected countries are currently being postponed until Friday, 18 September. Goods can still be collected and brought to our terminal, allowing us to move shipments earlier if the situation changes and transport becomes possible.
Customers with shipments to, from or through the affected countries should therefore expect possible delays in collection, transit and delivery.
Background to the protests
The dispute concerns the application of the Schengen Area’s 90-days-within-180-days rule to professional drivers from the Western Balkans. Transport operators argue that the current rules make it increasingly difficult for drivers to carry out international road transport and are calling for conditions adapted to the nature of their work.
The Serbian Association of International Road Hauliers states that the protests follow months of attempts to find a solution and that similar action will take place together with hauliers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia.
We are monitoring the situation
LEMAN is following developments closely and will adjust our operations where possible to minimise the impact on customers. We will provide further updates if the situation changes. Customers with questions about individual shipments are encouraged to contact their usual LEMAN contact.