Romania customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed October 1, 2026·Official source

Romania's biggest customs quirk is that cash declaration is enforced with real teeth — undeclared money can be seized and fined up to 10% of the amount. The country also applies EU sanctions on Russia and Belarus aggressively, so personal electronics from those countries can be confiscated if you can't prove they're for personal use.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol
1.0 L
1 litre of spirits over 22% ABV, OR 2 litres of wine or beer (or other alcoholic beverages under 22% ABV). You must be 18 or older. The allowance is per person, not per family.
Tobacco
200 cigarettes
or 50 cigars / 250 g
Cash to declare
$10,000
The threshold is €10,000 (about USD 10,800). You must declare cash, cheques, and other negotiable instruments at the border using a written declaration form. If you're travelling within the EU, you only declare if you're carrying €10,000 or more. If you're entering or leaving the EU, you must declare any amount over €10,000.
Goods duty-free
$800
The duty-free allowance for goods other than alcohol and tobacco is €430 (about USD 465) for air and sea travellers, and €300 (about USD 325) for land travellers. Above that, you pay Romanian VAT (19% standard rate) and customs duty, which varies by item but is typically 2.7% to 12% for most consumer goods.

Prohibited — banned from import

  • Narcotics and psychotropic substances (unless you have a valid medical permit)
  • Counterfeit goods (fake branded items)
  • Pornographic materials involving minors
  • Meat and dairy products from outside the EU (personal imports are banned)
  • Endangered species and products made from them (CITES)
  • Goods from Russia or Belarus that are subject to EU sanctions (e.g., certain electronics, luxury goods)

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

  • Firearms and ammunition (require a permit from Romanian police)
  • Plants and seeds (require a phytosanitary certificate)
  • Medicines containing controlled substances (require a permit from the National Agency for Medicines)
  • Drones (must be registered and may require a permit for certain areas)
  • Satellite phones (may require a license from the telecommunications authority)

Arriving: red vs green channel

At Romanian airports, you'll go through customs after baggage claim. There are two channels: green if you have nothing to declare and are within the allowances, red if you have goods to declare or are unsure. There is no general customs declaration card for all passengers — you only fill out a form if you're declaring cash over €10,000 or specific goods. If you're in the green channel and get stopped, you can be fined if you're over the limits.

Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds

Romania offers a VAT refund for tourists. The minimum purchase is 250 RON (about USD 55) in a single store on the same day. You must ask the retailer for a tax-free form and get it stamped by customs at the airport before checking in. The refund is paid by the refund operator (e.g., Global Blue) at the airport or by mail. The VAT rate is 19% for most goods, but the refund you get is typically 10-15% after fees.

Bringing medication

You can bring personal medications for your own use if you have a prescription or a doctor's note. For controlled substances (narcotics, psychotropics), you need a special permit from the Romanian National Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices. Some common Western medications that are available over-the-counter elsewhere may be prescription-only or even banned in Romania — check before you travel. Always keep medications in their original packaging.

Food, plants & animal products

You cannot bring meat, dairy, or other animal products from outside the EU into Romania. This includes ham, cheese, and milk. Plants, seeds, and soil are also restricted and require a phytosanitary certificate. You can bring small amounts of fish, eggs, honey, and some fruits and vegetables for personal consumption, but they must be declared. If in doubt, declare it — undeclared food can be confiscated and you can be fined.

Rules worth knowing

Cash declaration is strict

If you carry €10,000 or more in cash (or equivalent) into or out of Romania, you must declare it in writing at the border. This applies to Romanian residents and non-residents alike. Failure to declare can lead to confiscation of the money and a fine of up to 10% of the undeclared amount.

EU sanctions on Russia and Belarus

Romania enforces EU sanctions that ban the import of certain goods from Russia and Belarus, including luxury items, electronics, and vehicles. If you're arriving from those countries, even personal items like a laptop or phone may be seized if you can't prove they're for personal use and were not purchased there recently.

Tobacco allowance is per person

The tobacco allowance cannot be pooled among travellers. Each adult can bring only their own allowance. If you're travelling with family, you can't combine your allowances to bring in more than 200 cigarettes per person.

VAT refund requires customs stamp

To get a VAT refund on purchases in Romania, you must have the tax-free form stamped by Romanian customs at the airport before you check in for your flight. Without the stamp, you cannot claim the refund. The minimum purchase is 250 RON per store per day.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, but drones are considered restricted items. You must declare it at customs. If it's for personal use, you may be allowed to bring it in temporarily, but you may need a permit from the Romanian Civil Aeronautical Authority. Drones over 250g must be registered. Check with the Romanian authorities before you travel.
If you're caught, customs can seize the entire amount and fine you up to 10% of the undeclared sum. You may also face criminal charges if the amount is large or if there are signs of money laundering. It's not worth the risk — declare it.
Yes, for personal use, but you should have a prescription or doctor's note. For controlled substances (e.g., opioids, benzodiazepines), you need a permit from the Romanian National Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices. Some medications that are over-the-counter in your country may be prescription-only or banned in Romania. Always check with the Romanian embassy before you travel.
You need a valid rabies vaccination certificate, a microchip, and an EU pet passport or a veterinary certificate. The dog must be at least 3 months old. You should also check if your airline has specific requirements. Romania follows EU rules for pet travel.
No. Meat and dairy products from outside the EU are banned from being brought into Romania, even for personal consumption. This includes cheese, sausage, ham, and milk. You can bring small amounts of fish, eggs, honey, and some fruits and vegetables, but they must be declared. If you're caught with banned food, it will be confiscated and you may be fined.
You can bring 1 litre of spirits over 22% ABV, or 2 litres of wine or beer (under 22% ABV). You must be 18 or older. The allowance is per person, and you cannot combine allowances with other travellers.
There is no general customs declaration card for all arriving passengers. You only need to fill out a declaration form if you are carrying cash or negotiable instruments worth €10,000 or more, or if you have goods to declare that exceed the duty-free allowances. Otherwise, you can use the green channel.

Official source

Romanian Customs Authority (Autoritatea Vamală Română)

For guidance only. Customs allowances and prohibited-item lists change without notice — always confirm with Romanian Customs Authority (Autoritatea Vamală Română) before travelling.