Radio Romania reports that the period is set at no less than 40 days for tobacco products and no less than one year for alcohol. The new rules are set forth in a joint order issued by the Romanian Customs Administration and the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF). The document defines when the transport of excise goods by an individual is considered occasional and intended for personal consumption.
What Has Changed
For the first time, ANAF has tied the concept of “occasional” transportation of excise goods to a specific time period. Previously, there were quantitative guidelines for purchases made in another EU country, but there was no clear timeframe against which authorities were to assess repeat trips.
Now, during inspections, customs officials will be able to take into account previous shipments by the same individual. The goal is to distinguish personal purchases from the regular importation of goods, which may indicate commercial activity.
How many cigarettes are taken into account during an inspection
For tobacco products, a period of at least 40 days is used. The following quantitative guidelines have been established:
— 800 cigarettes;
— 400 cigarettes weighing no more than 3 g each;
— 200 cigarillos;
— 1 kg of smoking tobacco;
— 250 g or 800 sticks of tobacco products for heating without burning;
— 250 g of chewing tobacco;
— 250 g of tobacco for nasal use.
Alcohol is assessed over a period of at least one year
For alcoholic beverages, a longer period applies—at least one year. The quantitative benchmarks are as follows:
— 10 liters of strong alcoholic beverages;
— 20 liters of intermediate alcoholic products;
— 90 liters of wine, including no more than 60 liters of sparkling wine;
— 110 liters of beer.
As with tobacco products, these volumes are used to determine the nature of the transport.
In addition to the quantity of goods, authorities consider the purpose of the purchase and whether the trip is part of a series of regular trips.
How Repeated Trips Will Be Monitored
To track such cases, the Romanian Customs Administration has established an electronic registry. It will record the results of inspections conducted by customs authorities and ANAF.
During an inspection, a special form is filled out with details about the shipment. It is signed by the officer who conducted the inspection and the person transporting the goods. If the person refuses to sign the document, the refusal is recorded separately.
All these changes concern not the quantitative thresholds themselves, but the procedure for determining whether a shipment is for personal use.
Violations of these rules are subject to fines ranging from 20,000 to 100,000 RON (€3,825–€19,125) and confiscation of the goods.
