The TEMU, Shein and Trendyol packages, charged with 5 euros in Romania, ask for the Romanian companies: they bring us losses of over 2 billion euros

The TEMU, Shein, Trendyol and AliExpress parcels should be charged with 5 euros in Romania, they propose the Romanian companies in E-Commerce, stating that they have annual losses of over 2 billion euros due to these non-EU online platforms.

Temu, Shein and Trendyol bring losses of over 2 billion euros to domestic online trade

International electronic trade platforms that sell directly to consumers in Romania can generate tax losses of about 10.86 billion lei per year (approximately 2.12 billion euros) over the next two years, according to an impact analysis developed by the economist Iancu Guda at the request of the Romanian Association of Online Stores (ARMO).

For 2025, the negative effect is estimated at at least 5.4 billion lei (≈ 1.06 billion €), an amount that could double until 2027 if the volume of packages and the average value of the orders continue to increase at the current pace.

The study starts from the hypothesis that, in 2025, about 78 million non-EU parcels will enter Romania below the threshold of 150 euros, a segment currently exempted from customs duties, at an average value of 50 euros / parcel. In the scenario in which the volumes or the value of the ordered packages double, the annual commercial value of direct imports through platforms such as TEMU, AliExpress, Shein or Trendyol could reach 39.78 billion (≈ 7.8 billion) equivalent to about 28.8% of the local retail market, compared to 14.4%, value for 2025.

“The impact analysis highlights with figures the dimension of the imbalance between local retailers and non-EU platforms. We are not only talking about competitiveness, but also about significant losses for the public budget in a fiscal and economic context.”considers Cristi Movilă, President Armo.

Retail represents 21% of Romania's GDP

The retail sector represents approx. 21% of the GDP of Romania, and the ~ 60,000 analyzed companies employ 200,000 people and contribute annually with 37.8 billion lei to the budget through direct and indirect taxes and taxes (suppliers, rents and paid salaries). Dubbing the market share of non -community platforms would erode the fiscal base and put additional pressure on these companies, warn the report.

“If the non-EU platforms double their market share in Romania to 28.8% in the next two years, by 2027, tax losses doubled automatically. We are talking about at least 2.1 billion euros per year direct and indirect fiscal losses for Romania, enormously. In addition, the physical stores in consecrated categories may lose a relevant part of traffic, with severe effects on investments, employment and contributions to the public budget ”said economist Iancu Guda.

Recommended measures

1. Implementation of a fair fiscal system to tax the international platforms in the country where the revenues were obtained, made the consumption and provided the services.

2. The introduction, at the level of Romania, of an administrative fee of at least 5 euros per non-EU parcel (equivalent 10% of the average value of a package sent by these platforms), which would generate about 1 million euros / day for the state budget.

3. The accelerated elimination of the exemption of customs duties for non-EU packages.

“We do not request protectionism, but fiscal and competitive equity. We expect from the Romanian authorities concrete measures to balance the market during the transition period until the complete elimination of the de minimis threshold in 2028, to ensure the survival and development of the local commercial ecosystem”added Cristian Pelivan, Armo Executive Director.

Iancu Guda's analysis complements the sectorial study published by Armo in July 2025, conducted by Mia Marketing, which showed that 7 out of 10 companies are expected to decreases this year against the background of Asian platforms, 8 out of 10 Romanian retail companies expect the activity to be affected by the international platforms in the next 12 months, and 75% It risks bankruptcy due to the pressure exerted by these platforms. Although the European Commission has announced the elimination of the de minimis threshold of 150 euros for the exemption of customs duties starting with 2028, the Armo representatives have constantly drawn that the Romanian economy cannot afford to wait another three years for the implementation of corrective measures.