Transit declaration processing at Constanța port takes 2–3 days, sometimes up to seven

Processing T1 transit declarations at Romania’s port of Constanța typically takes 2–3 days, although in some cases the procedure may take longer. This was reported by the Association of International Freight Forwarders of Ukraine (AIFFU), citing a response from the Romanian freight forwarders’ association USER.

Following numerous complaints from market participants about lengthy declaration processing times, AIFFU sent inquiries to the Romanian Customs Authority and USER. The Ukrainian association requested data on average, minimum and maximum T1 processing times for July–September 2026, as well as their monthly dynamics. Meanwhile, the Romanian association was asked to summarize the practical experience of its member freight forwarding companies for April–September.

According to USER, the standard processing time for transit declarations in Constanța is approximately 2–3 days, although it may increase depending on the nature of the cargo and the need for additional customs inspections. The Romanian association also confirmed operational delays in recent months. According to its information, customs authorities are taking measures to reduce queues and speed up procedures.

An earlier survey of Ukrainian freight forwarders showed that 90% of respondents experienced T1 declaration processing times of two days or more, with waiting periods reaching seven days in some cases. For exporters and carriers, such delays mean longer cargo dwell times at the port, additional logistics costs and risks of disruptions to delivery schedules. The stable operation of Constanța is particularly important for Ukrainian agricultural exports using Romanian transport routes.

AIFFU emphasized that the reported processing times are based on the practical experience of USER member companies and do not constitute official customs statistics. The Ukrainian association is currently awaiting a response from the Romanian Customs Authority, which is expected to provide detailed data on actual declaration processing times. Once the official information is received, it will be made available to logistics market participants.

Tags: shipping, Constanta