Romanians return to 'group orders' amid new fixed fees on China parcels

New taxes on parcels arriving from outside the European Union are prompting a resurgence of "group orders" among Romanians, as consumers seek to mitigate the impact of impending fees. The dissatisfaction stems from a combination of a fixed 25-lei charge per parcel and a 3-euro tax per product category, both slated to be implemented in 2026.

These additional costs, layered on top of existing VAT and customs processing fees, are causing significant concern. In some instances, the total tax burden could surpass the original price of the ordered goods, particularly for lower-value items. This situation directly affects purchases from popular platforms like Temu and AliExpress, sparking widespread debate about global trade costs and the influence of major retailers.

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The devils behind the AliExpress parcel taxes. Who are the devils behind these stupid taxes on products from China? Simple: huge corporations with good political connections, who, fearing Chinese competition, pushed the European Union not to affect us, the consumers. They are afraid they will no longer sell their goods and asked for 'fair rules' and 'protection against risks for consumers.' That is: we tax everything that comes from outside to save our businesses and justify it with the idea that products from China are dangerous.

The controversy was ignited by a viral social media post criticizing the role of large European corporations in lobbying for these new regulations. The post alleges that these companies, fearing competition from Chinese e-commerce, pushed the EU to implement "fair rules" and "consumer risk protection," which critics argue effectively translates to protectionist measures. Retail giants such as Lidl, Kaufland, REWE, Carrefour, Tesco, Zara, H&M, IKEA, Decathlon, and Amazon are cited as indirectly influencing these policies through their representation in the European retail association, EuroCommerce.

One user shared a personal example, detailing the costs incurred for a zero-value service part received in November 2025. Even without a product price, the user paid 18 lei in VAT and a 12.20-lei customs presentation fee. With the upcoming 2026 taxes, the total cost for such an item could escalate dramatically, potentially reaching over 13.53 euros, with further speculation of the European tax rising to 5 euros per category.

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I received a notice for an external parcel in November 2025. Service product, warranty, declared value zero. I paid 18 lei VAT (18% of 0 = still 18 lei) and 12.20 lei customs presentation fee. From January 1, 2026, a 25-lei tax for parcels outside the EU will be added, and from July 1, 2026, another 3 euros for each product category. In this scenario, I reach approximately 13.53 euros for a product with zero value.