Online parcel tax under €150 delayed; Finance Minister: no rush to collect
The implementation of VAT on parcels valued at up to 150 euros ordered from online platforms like Temu or Shein will not begin on July 1, as previously scheduled. Finance Minister Andrian Gavriliță announced that the system will instead be tested starting this autumn.
According to the minister, the new system will begin testing in September, with its official implementation scheduled for October.
"As part of a legislative amendment, this will be included in the fiscal policy, so the target date remains July 1. Our goal is not to rush the collection of funds; instead, we aim to implement the system in a way that is as accurate and convenient as possible for citizens. Therefore, we will commence piloting the system around September 1, with hopes of a full application starting October 1," Andrian Gavriliță stated during a TV8 show.
The authorities plan to adopt a model used in the European Union, which requires commercial platforms to register in a special system that collects VAT at the time of payment.
"The idea is that citizens will not need to visit customs or the tax office. VAT will be directly included in the total amount paid online for products. In cases where the platform is not registered, the payment will be processed through the postal operator, eliminating any extra steps," the minister explained.
International traders have been notified of the new tax provisions, and so far, no refusals have been reported regarding the system's implementation. However, their registration will begin only after the legal framework is approved, Gavriliță said.
Official data shows that the Temu platform is the primary source for online orders among Moldovans. Last year, approximately 80% of the parcels transported by the Moldovan Post originated from this platform.
The trend of taxing low-value parcels is also gaining momentum at the European Union level. Two years sooner than planned, the Finance Ministers of EU countries decided to eliminate the €150 threshold for customs exemptions.
Some countries have already implemented specific measures. For instance, starting January 1, 2026, Romania will impose a tax of €5 on each parcel valued under €150 that arrives from outside the European community.
According to European authorities, more than 4 billion non-taxable parcels entered the EU last year, many containing products that failed to meet safety standards. This situation expedited the decision to abolish customs exemptions.
