Romania
Key advice
Romania is a member state of the European Union: if you reside in another EU country, no customs checks apply to your underwater photo/video equipment – complete free movement, without declaration or taxes. British travelers (post-Brexit): the EU personal allowance (~430 EUR) technically applies, but used personal photo equipment practically passes without inspection in almost all cases.
- Customs authority
- Autoritatea Vamală Română (AVR)
- Personal duty-free allowance
- N/A pour résidents UE / ~475 USD (~430 EUR) pour voyageurs non-UE
- ATA Carnet
- Not accepted
- Official website
- customs.ro ↗
Practical scenarios
You are traveling to Romania from France with a GoPro Hero 11 and its original housing, with a total value of approximately 600 €. As an EU resident, you benefit from the free movement of goods. You have no customs procedures to follow, no declarations to fill out, and no risk of taxation. Your equipment is considered personal effects and will not be checked at the Romanian border.
You are arriving in Romania from Germany with an Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III system, an Isotta housing, and a macro lens, for a total value of approximately 3,500 €. As an EU citizen, your equipment is in free circulation. There are no customs checks upon entry into Romania for this type of equipment. You can travel with peace of mind without any formalities or risk of additional charges.
You are a professional British photographer (non-EU) arriving in Romania with a Nikon Z9 system, a Nauticam housing, two lenses, and arms, with an estimated value of 15,000 €. Although the personal allowance for non-EU citizens is around 430 €, your used professional equipment is generally admitted without taxation for temporary use. Prepare your purchase invoices to prove ownership and value, although in practice, checks are rare for used personal equipment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to declare my underwater photo equipment in Romania if I'm coming from another EU country?
No, if you are a resident of an European Union country, and Romania is also an EU member, you benefit from the free movement of goods. There is no declaration to make, nor any limit on the value or quantity for your personal underwater photo and video equipment.
What is the customs allowance for photo equipment in Romania if I'm coming from a non-EU country (like the UK)?
For travelers coming from non-EU countries, the personal allowance is approximately 430 EUR (around 475 USD). However, used personal photo equipment is generally admitted without taxation for temporary use, even if it exceeds this value. It is advisable to have purchase invoices on hand.
Where can I find official information on Romanian customs regulations?
For official and detailed information on customs regulations in Romania, you can directly consult the website of the Autoritatea Vamală Română (AVR). For more information, visit the official website directly: https://www.customs.ro/en.