Accurate transport documentation essential when exporting goods to Romania

When exporting goods to Romania, it is of crucial importance to have the correct information on the CMR note – the standardised document for cross-border transport of cargo by road. The CMR note can be filled in by the sender, the freight forwarder or the carrier; however the sender remains responsible for the accuracy of its contents. We recommend exporters to read very carefully the provisions of the CMR requirements.

There have been several occasions when the Romanian authorities have been extremely strict and oversights on the CMR note have led to the loss of goods.

For example, according to the Romanian Law 12/1990 an oversight on the CMR note such as the lack of name and address of the sender and/or the consignee is considered a contravention and the authorities have the right to seize the goods at the border. The state takes ownership of the goods and, in case of perishable goods (e.g. sugar, frozen meat, etc.), has the right to sell them within 48 hours from the seizure. The sale is made according to a bidding process and the amount resulted is transferred to the state budget. The only way the sender can recover the merchandise is by bidding for it. This can be followed by a court trial.

The Danish authorities’ finds these procedures clearly unreasonable, disproportional and inconsistent with the principle concerning the free movement of goods within the EU as well as the spirit behind the EU internal market, and have on several occasions taken this problem up with the Romanian authorities.

For more information please contact:

Mr. Razvan Stroe
Commercial Adviser
RAZSTR@UM.DK
+40 21 300 08 12