The Complete Guide to Importing Components from China: Customs, Duties, and Compliance for Romanian Manufacturers
You've spent three months sourcing the right supplier in Shenzhen. The per-unit cost is 40% lower than domestic options. The quality looks solid. You sign the contract, place your first order for €80,000 in components, and book the shipment for next month.
Then it hits: a customs invoice arrives showing €12,400 in duties and VAT. Your shipment sits in the bonded warehouse for six days waiting for paperwork. A tariff classification question holds up release by another two days. Your production schedule slips. Your customer notices.
This is the hidden cost of China imports that spreadsheets don't capture.
Thousands of Romanian manufacturers import components from China every year—from auto parts suppliers to electronics firms to industrial machinery makers. Most discover too late that importing isn't just a logistics problem; it's a compliance problem. Tariff codes, Intrastat declarations, origin documentation, customs hold times—these details separate a smooth import process from a nightmare.
This guide walks you through the real mechanics of importing components from China to Romania, the costs you'll actually face, the timelines you can expect, and—most importantly—how to structure your imports to avoid delays and duty surprises.
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