Study: The expansion of non-EU platforms can generate losses of 1.78 billion lei for the Romanian economy

A study conducted by the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, on the socio-economic impact of international e-commerce platforms on Romania, shows that the accelerated expansion of non-EU platforms can have significant negative effects on the Romanian economy, if it is not accompanied by measures to ensure a fair competitive framework.

According to the study, in the case of non-EU platforms, the value of transactions does not translate to the same extent in added value at local level, in jobs, taxes paid in Romania or investments in the local ecosystem of services. The products are usually manufactured outside the European Union and reach Romanian consumers directly, without generating multiplier economic effects comparable to those created by Romanian and European traders.

The study estimates that, strictly based on VAT receipts through the IOSS system, the sales of companies from outside the European Union to Romania reached at least 4.4 billion lei in 2025. This value represents a minimum threshold, as it does not fully capture all forms of sale and import used by non-EU platforms. For 2026, data collected by ARMO show a 20% increase in the value of orders placed by Romanians to non-EU merchants.

“The ASE study confirms what the local industry has been signaling for a long time: not every increase in online commerce automatically means economic development for Romania. When the value of transactions goes outside the European Union, and Romania is left with the pressure on infrastructure and unbalanced competition, the local economy loses. We are not asking for privileges for Romanian companies, but equal rules for all those who sell to Romanian consumers,” said Cristian Pelivan, director of ARMO.

The analysis shows that the local e-commerce model has a significantly greater capacity to support the Romanian economy. In 2024 alone, e-commerce by Romanian retailers supported approximately 15,918 direct jobs, which translate

into local taxes and contributions. For 2026, the study estimates that, in the status quo scenario, in which non-EU platforms continue to grow without corrective measures, Romania’s economy can lose about 1.78 billion lei from the sector’s total impact on GDP, and about 4,630 jobs can be lost.

“Romanian traders pay taxes, hire people, invest locally and comply with strict rules on product safety, consumer protection and environmental responsibility. Competition is healthy only when all actors play by the same rules. Otherwise, we are talking about a distortion that affects local companies, the public budget and Romania’s ability to develop a competitive digital economy,” added Cristian Pelivan.

In this context, ARMO draws attention to the fact that the legislative decisions in the next period must be analyzed in the light of the real economic impact of non-EU platforms on Romania. A relevant example is the draft law L361/2026, which aims to repeal the logistics tax of 25 lei/parcel applied to non-EU parcels with a declared value of less than 150 euros.

ARMO believes that the elimination of this tax, as a result of which approximately 32 million euros were collected in the budget from non-EU companies in the first 3 months of the year, would reduce Romania’s ability to limit the imbalances generated by direct imports through non-EU platforms.

It remains for the authorities to identify ways in which consumer protection legislation, as well as European product safety rules and standards, are equally enforced.