Wave 3 · beyond the EU
Selling in North Macedonia: distributors, retail and marketplaces
North Macedonia is a small EU candidate country between Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, Albania and Kosovo. Most of the economy is concentrated around Skopje, and buyers are used to importing from the EU, Turkey and China. Many products reach the market through local importers or through distributors in Serbia and Bulgaria who also cover North Macedonia.
We serve North Macedonia on request, from our team in Poland, through importers and partners, after checking the rules for your product in the market assessment. Contracts are signed in your name, and you see every buyer in the shared CRM.
How B2B buying works in North Macedonia
Buyers are importers and distributors in Skopje, Bitola, Tetovo and Kumanovo, wholesale companies, DIY, home and electronics retailers such as Neptun, online shops, builders and installers. Most companies are small or medium-sized and family-owned. They buy small volumes, often mixed containers or pallets, and prefer suppliers that can deliver small lots reliably.
The market is small, so many importers carry several product lines and also sell to Kosovo or Albania. Buyers want samples, clear prices in euro and fast answers. English is common in first contact with importers.
Domestic e-commerce is still small. Pazar3 is a popular classifieds platform, retailers run their own web shops, and many consumers buy directly from foreign platforms such as AliExpress. For a Chinese factory, the main channel is therefore B2B: importers and retailers.
What Chinese suppliers often get wrong
Preparing labels in one language only. Under consumer protection law, product information must be in Macedonian in Cyrillic script and also in the language spoken by at least 20% of citizens, which in practice means Albanian. Another mistake is assuming that EU rules apply automatically. North Macedonia is not an EU member; its laws are largely aligned with EU directives and CE-marked products are generally accepted for many product groups, but the State Market Inspectorate enforces national rules. EU test reports are a strong basis, and we check the local steps per product.
How we approach North Macedonia
Our team in Poland researches importers in North Macedonia and regional distributors in Serbia and Bulgaria that already sell your category there. We prepare the offer in English and, where needed, Macedonian and Albanian, and follow up every contact. Import and local steps are handled with the importer. Contracts with buyers are signed in your name, and every introduced buyer is registered in the shared CRM. See distributor search.
Sales channels in North Macedonia
We choose the channels that fit your product, price level and order size.
Importers and distributors
Companies in Skopje and other cities that import, clear customs, hold stock and supply retailers.
Regional distribution
Distributors in Serbia and Bulgaria that also cover North Macedonia, and local importers that sell to Kosovo and Albania.
Retail chains
Electronics, home, DIY and children’s chains, including regional chains from neighbouring countries.
Online retail
Web shops of retailers and the classifieds platform Pazar3.
Construction and installers
Builders, installers and workshops buying building products, tools and equipment.
Wholesale trade
Wholesale companies supplying small shops and kiosks across the country.
Selling in North Macedonia: what to know
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Language of offers | English for first contact; product information and consumer documents in Macedonian (Cyrillic) and Albanian. |
| Currency and payment | Macedonian denar (MKD); import prices are usually in euro. Deposits or payment before shipment are common with new buyers. |
| VAT | 18% standard rate; 5% and 10% reduced rates for some goods. |
| Product rules | National laws largely aligned with EU directives; CE-marked products generally accepted for many groups; State Market Inspectorate supervises product safety. Checked per product. |
| Customs | Outside the EU customs union: the local importer clears goods and pays import VAT. |
| Trade fairs | Few international sector fairs; we recommend fairs in Belgrade or EU countries per category in the market assessment. |
| How we serve it | On request, from our team in Poland, through importers and partners; goods move by road through Hungary and Serbia; contracts in your name. |
Strongest categories for North Macedonia
Industries where importers in North Macedonia regularly look for suppliers.
Frequently asked questions
What language must labels be in for North Macedonia?
Macedonian in Cyrillic script, plus Albanian. Consumer protection law requires product information in Macedonian and in the language spoken by at least 20% of citizens. We prepare both versions with the importer.
Is CE marking accepted in North Macedonia?
For many product groups, yes, because national laws are largely aligned with EU directives. North Macedonia is not an EU member, though, so some products need local steps. We check what applies to your product.
How do I find distributors in North Macedonia?
We research local importers and regional distributors from Serbia and Bulgaria that already sell your category there. You receive a short list with notes, and every introduced buyer is registered in the shared CRM.
Do I need a local company?
No. Local importers buy from your factory and handle customs, VAT and local requirements. Contracts are signed between your factory and the buyer.
Is North Macedonia worth it for a Chinese factory?
It is a small market, best developed together with Serbia, Bulgaria or Albania. Competition is lower and buyers already import from China, but orders are small. The market assessment shows whether your category has enough buyers.
Start selling in North Macedonia
Send your catalogue and prices. We reply within one working day and tell you which buyers, routes and local steps fit your product in North Macedonia.
Apply for European sales
Tell us what you make and where you want to sell. Within one working day we reply with a first view of your chances in Europe and the next step.
- Reply within 24 hours on working days
- Write in English or Chinese
- No fee until you accept a written proposal
- Emailcorp@longmeniq.com
- WhatsApp+48 794 992 599
- WeChat+48 794 992 599Add us by phone number
- Phone+48 577 723 719
- Working hoursMon–Fri, 9:00–17:00 Warsaw16:00–24:00 Beijing (winter)
- EU officeEnjoyGroup Sp. z o.o.ul. Brzeska 8/4, 21-500 Biała Podlaska, Poland