🇷🇴 Import Customs & Duties: Romania
Quick Facts
Duty-free threshold
$0
Duty applies from $0
VAT / Sales Tax
19%
CIF value + duty. Reduced 9% for food, water, medicines, hotel accommodation, restaurant services. Reduced 5% for books, newspapers, cultural events, social housing.
Clearance Time
1-5 days
typical processing
Duty Rates by Category
| Category | Duty Rate | HS Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | 0-3.7% (smartphones 0%, laptops 0%, TVs 14%) | HS 85 |
| Clothing | 12% (knitted garments 12%, woven shirts 12%) | HS 61-62 |
| Footwear | 8-17% (leather shoes 8%, sports shoes 16.9%) | HS 64 |
| Food products | 0-26% (meat 12.8%, dairy 9-36%, cereals 0-13%) | HS 01-24 |
| Machinery | 0-4% (industrial machinery 0%, pumps 1.7%) | HS 84 |
| Cosmetics | 2.5-6.5% (perfumes 6.5%, skincare 2.5%) | HS 33 |
| Books | 0% | HS 49 |
| Toys | 0-4.7% (video game consoles 0%, dolls 4.7%) | HS 95 |
Rates shown are for standard goods. Exact rate depends on the HS code of your item.
Import Duty Calculator
Customs Clearance Process
Romanian Customs Authority (Autoritatea Vamala Romana) follows EU Union Customs Code. RO-eCustoms electronic declaration system. Constanta port (Black Sea, major gateway for Central/Eastern Europe) and Bucharest Otopeni airport are main entry points. Posta Romana handles postal customs. IOSS for VAT from €0.
What to Actually Expect
EU customs but can be slower than Western Europe. Posta Romana postal parcels may take 3-7 days for clearance, bureaucratic delays common. Express couriers significantly faster and more reliable (1-2 days). Constanta port handles significant Black Sea trade. Not yet in Schengen, border checks still apply at land borders. Customs system modernizing but still catching up to Western EU standards.
Required Documents
Commercial Invoice
Item description, quantity, value, sender and receiver details
Packing List
Detailed description of contents in each package
Customs Declaration (CN22/CN23)
Required for postal shipments
Air Waybill (AWB)
Generated by the carrier when booking the shipment
Certificate of Origin
May be required for reduced duties (FTA/preferential rates)
Export/Import License
For restricted goods (electronics, medicines, chemicals)
Import License Requirements
EU-standard licensing. Required for agricultural quotas, dual-use goods, weapons. ANSVSA (National Sanitary Veterinary Authority) for food safety and animal products. Constanta port is key gateway for Black Sea and Central Asian trade routes.
Certificate of Origin
Issued by Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania (CCIR, Camera de Comert si Industrie a Romaniei). EUR.1 movement certificate for EU FTA partners. REX system for registered exporters.
Learn more →Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited
- xNarcotics and illegal drugs
- xExplosives and flammable materials
- xWeapons and ammunition
- xCounterfeit goods
- xCounterfeit currency and documents
Restricted (permit required)
- !Medicines and pharmaceuticals
- !Food and beverages
- !Plants and seeds
- !Electronics (lithium batteries)
- !Perfumes and cosmetics (volume limits)
Useful Links
Duty & Tax Estimate
Estimated import charges when shipping goods to Romania:
| Goods Value | Duty | VAT/Tax | Total Charges |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $2 | $10 | $12 |
| $100 | $4 | $20 | $24 |
| $200 | $8 | $40 | $48 |
| $500 | $21 | $99 | $120 |
| $1000 | $42 | $198 | $240 |
Estimates only. Actual duties depend on product category and HS code.
Popular routes to Romania
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the duty-free threshold for Romania?
Romania has no duty-free threshold. All imported goods are subject to duties regardless of their value.
What is the VAT rate on imports to Romania?
The VAT/tax rate on imports to Romania is 19%. VAT applies to: CIF value + duty. Reduced 9% for food, water, medicines, hotel accommodation, restaurant services. Reduced 5% for books, newspapers, cultural events, social housing.
How long does customs clearance take in Romania?
Typical customs clearance in Romania takes 1-5 days. Express shipments usually clear faster.
What documents are needed to import into Romania?
To import into Romania, you typically need: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/airway bill, and customs declaration. Some goods may require a certificate of origin or import license.
What items are prohibited from import into Romania?
Romania prohibits the import of narcotics, weapons, counterfeit goods, certain animal products, and hazardous materials. Restrictions may also apply to alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, and certain electronics.