The black market of cigarettes reached 10.4% of the total of consumption, in May this year, up by 9.8% in March, shows a study made by the research company Novel.According to data released by JTI on Monday, this is the highest level of smuggling since January 2020. The survey reveals that cigarette smuggling in May 2024 saw the highest increase in the Northeast, up 5.2 percentage points to 26.5%, followed by the Southeast (+2.6 percentage points to 7.4%), In terms of the origin of black market products, Duty Free continues to account for the largest share (36.3%), followed by the Republic of Moldova (up 7.4 p.p. to 23.3%) and Bulgaria (22.1%, up 1.6 p.p.). At the same time, the information centralized on the stopcontrabanda.ro platform, from the beginning of the year to date, shows that the authorities have seized some 34 million smuggled cigarettes, 75% of which in the south of the country. Compared to other European countries, there is a clear correlation between accessibility and the black market, with the highest rates in Ireland at 24.4% and France at 32.4%, according to the published statistics. In terms of penalties, in the first five months of the year, the Romanian Border Police seized about 1.3 million packs of cigarettes worth over 30 million lei. "During the period under review, border guards seized 6,300 kg of loose tobacco and 52 kg of hookah tobacco," said the inspector general of the Border Police, Police Superintendent Cornel-Laurian Stoica. Tobacco companies, big taxpayers, pay more than 20 billion lei annually to the state budget in excise duties, VAT and other taxes and contributions.
Runware, a startup founded by two Romanian entrepreneurs, announced last week that it has secured a USD 50 million Series A funding round led by Dawn Capital, one of the largest European investors in B2B software companies. The round also included Comcast Ventures, Speedinvest, Insight Partners, and a16z Speedrun. The company founded by Flaviu Rădulescu and […]
The body of Romanian former justice minister Rodica Stănoiu was exhumed on Monday, December 15, after prosecutors opened an in rem case regarding her suspicious death, Digi24 reported. Investigators are looking into the possibility that the former minister may have been killed through negligence. ...
Authorities in Romania have begun imposing fines for owners of bicycles and electric scooters who do not take out mandatory motor third-party liability insurance (RCA). The new rules have been applicable since November 13, but the Romanian Parliament granted a 30-day grace period until the application of sanctions, according to...
Art Safari will relocate to Amzei Square in central Bucharest in 2026, where it will operate under a new format titled Art Safari New Museum, following more than a decade of pop-up exhibitions hosted in historic buildings across the capital. After 12 years, 17 editions, and more than 1 million visitors, the exhibition platform will […]
In Romania, Christmas is more than holiday markets, decorated trees, and wrapped gifts. It's a season filled with old customs, lively rituals, and dishes that bring families together. One of the most popular Christmas traditions is caroling. Although traditions vary depending on the area, the ritual of going from house to house and singing carols […]
President Nicușor Dan said the “rule of law is not negotiable” and stressed that serious problems affecting the justice system can be resolved, as public concern grows following allegations of corruption highlighted in a recent investigative documentary by Recorder titled “Captured Judiciary.” People
