New VAT on foreign parcels brings revenue, frustrates shoppers
Moldova has cleared more than 81,800 low-value international parcels since November 1, as a new 20% VAT on foreign online purchases begins generating revenue and drawing complaints from shoppers.
New tax rules affect online shoppers
Since November 1, Moldovans have had to pay 20% VAT on goods worth up to €150 purchased from foreign online retailers. Previously, these low-value parcels were exempt from VAT.
Buyers can pay the tax in two ways. If an online retailer is registered under Moldova's VAT system, the tax is calculated automatically and included in the final price at checkout. Otherwise, customers must pay it when collecting their parcels from a post office or courier company.
Consumers divided over additional costs
Olga Izverscaia, who works at a kindergarten in the capital, regularly orders various items online for activities with children.
“Perhaps those who order large quantities of goods and then resell them should pay taxes. I don't know how such a system could be implemented, but we'll see. If we cannot find what we need locally, we will continue ordering online,” Izverscaia said.
Another shopper said the 20% rate was too high.
“It's quite a lot. They could have made it at least 10%, not 20%. I paid an additional 216 lei for one parcel. The original price was just over 900 lei,” she said.
Other consumers said the new tax would not significantly change their shopping habits.
“Most people are already used to ordering online because it's easier. I don't think it will make much difference. Some people have complained, but I believe they will get used to it. I support the measure,” another shopper said.
Economist forecasts higher budget revenues
Economist Veaceslav Ioniță estimates that taxing foreign online purchases could generate substantial additional revenue for the state budget.
“Next year, if the Government manages to implement this mechanism, it could collect an additional 3.5 billion lei on top of the approximately 500 million lei already being collected. This means total revenue from purchases abroad could exceed 4 billion lei next year,” Ioniță said.
His projection is considerably higher than the Government's estimate of approximately one billion lei in annual revenue from the new tax regime.
The first reported VAT receipts amounted to approximately €24,700 (approximately 500,000 MDL) by 5 p.m. on November 2, according to earlier reports. Customs data subsequently showed that more than 81,800 parcels valued at up to €150 had been cleared through the H7 customs declaration procedure.
Additional fee scheduled for 2027
The VAT measure was initially scheduled to take effect on October 1 but was postponed by one month at the request of economic operators, who needed additional time to adapt their IT systems.
Starting January 1, 2027, buyers will also have to pay a fixed administrative fee of 12 MDL for each parcel, regardless of its value. The fee is intended to cover costs incurred by the Customs Service.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
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