The Government decided to re-instate the VAT payment at Romania's border for goods imported from non-EU countries. The measure will be applied starting on April 15 and will last until the end of 2008.
The decision was caused by the increases tax evasion, growing even faster after the VAT paid at the border system for non-EU imports was eliminated. Still, the measure faces severe criticism from importers.
Even more, the solution for all these problems may be the resignation of the Finance Minister, says Mihai Ionescu, head of the National importers and Exporters Association.
Finance Ministry also suggested that guarantees should be imposed for goods only transiting Romania.
After January 1, 2007, the VAT was paid as goods were sold. Paying VAT the moment the goods arrive was the before-accession system, also long criticized.
