This short leaflet is designed to provide people returning to Kosovo with basic information concerning customs procedures and routes to travel.

IMMIGRATION: Persons of Albanian origin are exempted from any visa requirements or fees, regardless of their citizenship.

CUSTOMS: There are no customs fees for cars (with permanent and temporary licence plates) or travellers’ personal belongings. The only documents car holders have to produce are the car registration papers and a green insurance card confirming that the car is insured in Albania. If the green card does not cover accidents in Albania, insurance must be taken at the port (up to USD 30 - approximately DM 56, for a period of 15 days). When formalities are completed, the customs authorities will issue to car holders a paper called Verification of Entry. This document is issued free of charge.

CUSTOMS RELATED EXPENSES: As the customs authorities require photocopies of the above documents (registration papers of the car and green insurance card), travellers may have to pay private companies or individuals for this service. Furthermore, there are private persons at the port who assist travellers in completing the custom formalities. They charge for their services DM 20 to DM 30.

EXPENSES AT EXIT POINTS: Travellers have to produce the Verification of Entry to the customs officer at the border crossing point where they leave Albania. They will be charged USD 1 (approximately DM 1.85) per car and day of stay in Albania (USD 8 per van/minibus per day, approximately DM 15).

ROUTES TO KOSOVO: There are two routes to Kosovo:

The road from Durres to Kukes (220 km) leading through mountainous terrain is in bad condition and it takes about 7 hours to reach the border. Furthermore, the road is not safe, as there are local bandits who have repeatedly robbed cars on this road. Therefore, travellers who have travel documents accepted by the Macedonian authorities are advised to use the road to Qafa Thanes and to proceed via Macedonia to Kosovo. If they cannot do so, they should travel to Kukes only during daytime and in "convoys" (i.e. several cars together).

The road from Durres to Qafa Thanes (160 km) is in good condition and safe. It takes about 4 hours to reach the Macedonian border (Qafa Thanes) and another 3 hours to cross Macedonia (210 km).

KUKES (MORINI BORDER CROSSING POINT): Travellers can cross into Kosovo without any problems. KFOR (NATO) searches vehicles for weapons.

QAFA THANES: The Macedonian authorities accept all national passports issued by European Countries, including Yugoslav passports (the old red-coloured and new blue-coloured ones). Visa for these passports can, if necessary, be obtained at the border. The Macedonian authorities, however, DO NOT accept Refugee Travel Documents without a visa issued by an Embassy or Consulate (this visa cannot be obtained at the border). At the Macedonian customs, travellers have to produce the car registration papers and a green insurance card confirming that the car is insured in Macedonia. There are no custom fees for personal belongings.

OVERNIGHT IN DURRES: Travellers in transit to Kosovo can stay overnight at the Technological School in Durres free of charge.