Cash on delivery, customs, fiscalisation, local couriers, taxes and returns. One specialised team for all seven markets.
500,000+ parcels delivered · 10+ years in cross-border e-commerce · live in 2-4 weeks
The EU is one market. These seven countries are seven different ones - each with its own customs, tax office, couriers and laws. This is the list a seller faces when going alone.
Most sellers look at this list and give up. That is why these markets are still wide open.
You keep doing what you already do well. Everything on that list becomes our work.
You get: delivered orders and money in your account.
We work behind the scenes and never stand between you and your buyers. Your shop, your brand, your customer service. We help only where a local is needed - with customs, couriers and authorities.
Start with one market or all seven. Same setup, same team.
No fixed monthly fee. A one-time setup per market pays for the work to get you live. After that, we take a small commission on your sales. The more you sell, the more we both earn.
From the first parcel to thousands a day. One brand, month by month, over two years.
“I would say: job extremely well done.”The brand's owner, after comparing January to August 2026 with the same months of 2025.
18.8 million people and very few foreign shops. Each country has its own habits, rules and chances - we know them one by one. Start with one market or open all seven at once: same connection, same contact, same contract.
| Market | People | Shop online | E-commerce / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| SerbiaThe largest market in the region | 6.6M | 62% | €813M |
| Bosnia and HerzegovinaThe second-largest online market | 3.4M | 50% | €658M |
| MoldovaSpends more in foreign e-shops than in local ones | 2.4M | ~50% | €281M |
| Albania3 in 4 online buyers pay cash at the door | 2.4M | 41% | €272M |
| North Macedonia56% shop online, most of them in local shops | 1.8M | 56% | €251M |
| KosovoUses the euro - no currency risk | 1.6M | 58% | ~€200M |
| MontenegroThe most open buyers: 39% also order from EU shops | 0.6M | 45% | €102M |
| Seven markets | 18.8M | 54% | €2.5B+ |
Sources: Eurostat 2025, ECDB 2025, AmCham Moldova 2025, Kosovo Agency of Statistics. ~ = our estimate.
of online buyers in the region buy from local shops, depending on the market (Eurostat 2023).
of online buyers pay cash on delivery, depending on the market (World Bank Global Findex). Without a local setup, you cannot offer it.
Founder of BalkanOpener
More than ten years of taking online brands into new markets across Central and South-East Europe - and an insider's understanding of how business is done in each of them.
As expansion director at ARTMIE, he opened 10 new markets in 5 years, helping the company grow from €1M to over €8M a year. Today he leads BalkanOpener and the partner network behind it.
Behind BalkanOpener: a hand-picked partner in every field and every market - transport, customs agents, couriers, payment providers, bookkeepers and lawyers - all connected to one system.
We will tell you honestly if these markets make sense for you. 30 minutes: which markets fit your products, what volume to expect, and what it takes to start.
Prefer email? Write to hello@balkanopener.com