Transport operators who fail to comply with the rules of the RO e-Transport system face fines of up to 100,000 lei and the confiscation of goods. These sanctions came into effect at the beginning of July 2024 but currently apply only to certain companies. Most entities, specifically those with Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status under Romanian regulations, will be subject to penalties starting in January 2025.
The e-Transport system monitors the movement of goods by road both domestically and internationally, as stipulated in Article 1 of Regulation No. 41, dated April 8, 2022. In practice, it consists of a set of IT rules and applications that allow authorities to identify potential diversions to or from the supply chain based on a unique UIT code.
“From July 1, 2024, failure to comply with this system’s rules will result in significant financial penalties: 10,000 to 50,000 lei for individuals and 20,000 to 100,000 lei for legal entities. Penalties may be imposed for failing to report goods data, not updating vehicle information, or altering registered data. Confiscation of goods, based on the value of unreported items, is also possible,” explains Lucica Kucharec, a legal trainee at TC Law Firm.
However, some participants in the RO e-Transport system have been granted more time to comply, meaning penalties will apply to them only starting in January 2025. This delay applies to companies with Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status.
Who Are Authorized Economic Operators (AEO)?
Authorized Economic Operator status encompasses two types of permits:
- AEO for Customs Simplifications – Allows the holder to benefit from customs simplifications under applicable regulations.
- AEO for Security and Safety – Entitles the holder to security and safety-related benefits.
Both types of permits can be held simultaneously.
Penalties in the RO e-Transport System
The e-Transport system is monitored by various institutions, including the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF) and the Romanian police. After imposing a fine, authorities conduct inspections to verify data compliance, and additional sanctions, including the confiscation of goods, may follow if violations are detected.
On November 11, 2024, new legal changes came into effect, modifying the conditions for goods confiscation.
Changes to Confiscation Rules
Previously, goods were confiscated upon the first violation detected by authorities. The new regulation introduces a gradual system of sanctions. For the first offense, confiscation of goods is no longer applied. For subsequent violations, the confiscation rate increases progressively:
- 15% for the second offense
- 50% for the third offense
- 100% for the fourth offense
This progression applies within a 12-month analysis period starting from the first detected violation. After this period, the count resets.
“In connection with the gradual confiscation rules, the regulation introduces the RO e-Transport electronic penalty register, managed by the National Financial Analysis Center. This register allows authorities to consistently apply sanctions and monitor the confiscation percentage progressively. This is necessary because multiple authorities – ANAF, the Romanian Customs Office, and the police – can impose penalties simultaneously,” explains Lucica Kucharec.
GPS Monitoring Obligation Delayed
The regulation also temporarily suspends penalties for non-compliance with the GPS monitoring requirement for vehicles registered in the RO e-Transport system.
“This temporary suspension is in place until March 31, 2025, giving companies more time to implement necessary technical solutions and purchase equipment to meet the requirements,” adds Kucharec.
Modifying Data After UIT Code Expiry
Another significant change introduced on November 11 is the ability to modify registered data in the RO e-Transport system after the UIT code has expired. Taxpayers can update the name, quantity, or value of transported goods until the 25th of the month following the transport month.
“The regulation also connects the RO e-Transport system with other monitoring systems used by public institutions and state-owned enterprises. This integration allows ANAF to use data from other state structures for more accurate transport verification, regardless of whether the data is collected via cameras, quantity measurement tools, or other traffic monitoring devices. Public institutions and state-owned enterprises are required to share relevant data with ANAF free of charge via established protocols,” notes Kucharec.
Postponed Penalties
Although sanctions for non-compliance with the RO e-Transport system were initially set to take effect on July 1, 2024, for most users, they have been postponed to January 2025, and some have been delayed until March 2025. Companies conducting transport in Romania, including those in transit, should use this time to adapt their vehicles and procedures to the new regulations to avoid future penalties.
Source: ManagerPlus
