Moldova to impose new taxes on online parcels from China
New taxes on international online parcels are becoming inevitable for Moldova as the nation's postal market experiences a massive surge in volume.
Experts and officials confirmed that the current tax-free environment will end next year to address the influx of goods, primarily from Chinese marketplaces.
The government announced that import duties for these parcels will be introduced starting in 2024. While the exact rates are still under review, the move follows a dramatic shift in trade: Moldova received 10.9 million international parcels last year, a sharp 45% increase from the 7.5 million recorded the previous year. The vast majority of these shipments originate from China.
"China is shifting its focus away from the US market and is now flooding other regions, including Moldova," explained Stas Madan, Program Director at the "Expert-Grup" Independent Analytical Center. He noted that the accessibility of online platforms has reached a tipping point where delivery vans packed to capacity with international orders have become a common sight even in remote Moldovan villages.
The logistics landscape is also expanding to meet this demand. Moldova now operates a network of 1,250 postal units. While the state-owned Poșta Moldovei remains the largest player, the number of private postal service providers doubled last year, with 19 active companies now competing in the market.
Regarding the cost for consumers, Madan estimates the new fee could mirror Romania’s model, where a flat tax of approximately five euros (25 RON) is applied per parcel.
Consumer protection advocates suggest this tax will likely shift behavior. Mihaela Pascal, Executive Director of the European Consumer Center in Moldova, believes many shoppers will pivot toward local platforms or physical stores once the added costs are implemented.
Beyond revenue, officials are emphasizing safety. Tatiana Frunză, from the State Inspectorate for Non-Food Product Protection, warned that high volumes make security screenings difficult. "We specifically advise against buying children's products or intimate apparel from these unregulated platforms, as the chemical treatments used in manufacturing remain unknown and potentially hazardous," Frunză stated.
This move aligns Moldova with broader European trends. On December 12, EU Finance Ministers agreed to implement a three-euro customs duty on parcels valued under 150 euros starting in July 2026. This regulation specifically targets giants like Shein, Temu, and AliExpress, which accounted for 91% of all low-value EU imports in 2024.
Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu stated that the final decision on the tax structure will be announced once the regulatory framework is completed. Finance Minister Andrian Gavriliță indicated a target implementation date of July 1 for the new measures.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
