Pokretnine

Pokretnine is a term used in several South Slavic legal systems to denote movable property, as opposed to real estate (nekretnine or nepremičnine). Movable property includes tangible items that can be relocated without altering the ownership of land, such as vehicles, furniture, equipment, inventories, and other physical objects. Intangible assets, such as patents or copyrights, are generally not categorized as pokretnine.

In legal and commercial contexts, pokretnine are subject to transfer of ownership through sale, donation, inheritance, or court orders. They may require specific documentation or registration only for certain items, such as motor vehicles, boats, aircraft, or equipment with official serial numbers. Security interests, liens, or pledges can attach to pokretnine to secure debts, and some jurisdictions maintain registries for certain classes of movable property.

Valuation of pokretnine typically depends on type, age, condition, and market demand. In consumer markets, examples include used cars, household furnishings, industrial machinery, tools, and stock-in-trade for businesses. Depreciation affects value over time, and professional appraisals are common for high-value items or when precise capitalization is needed for accounting, insurance, or financing.

Common categories of pokretnine include vehicles (cars, motorcycles, boats), household goods and furniture, equipment and machinery, inventory and stock, tools, and musical or audiovisual equipment. In everyday practice, pokretnine can also refer to movable objects included in a property sale, such as furnishings or appliances that accompany real estate.

The term emphasizes the distinction from immovable property. Understanding whether an item is considered pokretnine affects transfer procedures, taxation, financing, and risk management in both private and business contexts.