Romania

CUSTOMS GUIDE - ROMANIA

DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR DUTY FREE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS

Important: All documents have to be written in Romanian on company letter head and should be signed and stamped. Examples of all letters can be provided by Corstjens.

NOTE:

Physical presence of shipper is not required fro customs clearance
Due to the constant political and economic changes in Eastern Europe, customs requirements are always subject to change. Please advise clients to contact us immediately upon arrival in order to complete necessary paperwork.
For special requests and rates to other cities in this country please contact our International Headquarters in Amsterdam!

IMPORT AND EXPORT OF CARS IN ROMANIA

To import cars into Romania one has to meet the same demands as for the temporary, duty free, import of household effects. Additionally, the following documents have to be submitted:

• Original invoice of the car
• Original car documents (certificate of ownership) stating the technical specifications and the VIN (vehicle identification number)

General conditions

• Clients staying only for a limited time in Romania are only allowed to import one car with exemption of taxes.
• To import a car with exemption of taxes, clients staying only for a limited time in Romania, have to do this in between 3 months after arrival.
• In case a car is stolen, the client can ask the customs house to dispense a payment of duties and taxes.
• In case returning Romanian citizens want to import a car, this car may not be older than 8 years. Two cars can be imported free of tax.

Commercial import

In case the demands for duty free import are not met, one has to import cars like commercial goods. Following documents have to be submitted:

• Original invoice of the car
• Original car documents (certificate of ownership) stating the technical specifications and the VIN (vehicle identification number)

For the import of used cars (not allowed to be older than 8 years) following taxes are levied:

• Origin of car outside the European Community: 30%.
• Origin of car from the European Community: 24%

On top of these VAT of 22% has to be paid.
Current value of used cars will be determined by customs.

For the import of new cars following taxes are levied for cars with engines smaller than 1800 cubic cm:

• Origin of car outside the European Community: 30%.
• Origin of car from the European Community: 21%
• For cars with an engine over 1800 cubic cm, duties are 50%

On top of these VAT of 22% has to be paid.
Value of car is taken from the invoice.

IMPORT OF DIPLOMATIC HHE

To import diplomatic HHE, the embassy has to complete a form and to make an inventory list. These have to be send to the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their approval.
The Ministry receives these papers twice a week, on Monday and Thursday (If the embassy applies on Monday, they have the papers ready on Thursday. This form as well as the inventory list has to be sent in three copies to the Ministry:

• One copy will be kept by the Ministry
• Two copies will be signed, sealed and returned to the Embassy.

The last two copies have to be given to Corstjens by the embassy for customs clearance.

Antiques, Books and Electrical equipment

• Inventory lists have to be written in Romanian language.
   
• We advise to have pictures taken of all antique items. These photos will be stamped by the customs and will be a prove at export (to protect cultural heritage). One picture will be kept by the customs.
• In case of books on the inventory which are not older than 1980, one has to mention the total number of books and state ANew books not older than 1980". In case the books are older than 1980, a separate list of books has to be made, with the title of the book and the date of issue. At export again this will be prove for the customs. Lists will be stamped by customs.
• In case of electronic equipment on the inventory, type and brand have to be mentioned. List will be stamped by customs.

After customs clearance, one set of copies will be kept by the customs. One set is given to Corstjens who will hand it to the client.

It is HIGHLY IMPORTANT that after arriving to the post in Romania, the diplomat has to be notified by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign affairs. The notification is done between 10-14 days from the day of arrival. After the notification the client is entitled to receive his HHE.

Plants

Plants as part of HHE can be imported. Upon arrival at customs, the plants will be checked and receive a health certificate which is the permission. This will cost approximately $50

RESTRICTED ITEMS

Import of cigarettes and alcohol *

• Alcoholic beverages over 22% -2 litres
• Wine - 4 litres
• Beer - 4 litres
• Cigarettes - 200
• Cigars - 50
• Tobacco - 250 g.

* persons over 16 years of age only and non-diplomats!

EXPORT NON-DIPLOMAT

Persons with non diplomatic status with temporary residence in Romania are allowed to purchase goods in Romania and export them under the following conditions:

• total of goods purchased in Romania up to the value of 1200 ECU or
• only one item which exceeds the value of 1200 ECU (ex. TV set, set of furniture, refrigerator...)

PLEASE CONTACT CORSTJENS IF YOU SHOULD REQUIRE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING CUSTOMS

NOTE

All information on this page is given for guidance only, and although we believe it to be correct at the time of writing, we cannot accept any liability for errors, omissions, inaccuracies or misinterpretation. All charges, regulations and procedures are liable to change without notice.

This information is provided without obligation and at the individual's risk. We accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy of whatever nature.

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