Check my company
Made here

The twenty imports Romania is best placed to replace.

Romania imported USD 118bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 93bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 9.3bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
288products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
1067products Romania already exports well
1492product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Romania already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Romania would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Romania does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Glass: carboys, bottles, flasks, jars, pots, phials and other containers of glass, (not ampoules), used for the...HS 701090

    Comes fromBulgaria 43%, 47 source countries
    Nearest export strengthGlass: safety glass, laminated, of size and shape suitable for... (exports USD 64m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 31m
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 185m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Romania's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); Bulgaria supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 185mdown 18% on 2022
  2. 2

    Cement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially colouredHS 252329

    Comes fromUkraine 65%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSalt (including table salt and denatured salt): pure sodium chloride... (exports USD 48m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 31m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 38m
    Countries that export it well54

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 77m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Romania's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); Ukraine supplies 65 per cent (2).

    USD 77mup 37% on 2022
  3. 3

    Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished or coated with plasticsHS 721070

    Comes fromItaly 47%, 33 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerrous waste and scrap: n.e.c. in heading no. 7204 (exports USD 529m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 33m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 365m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 484m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Romania's export strengths in the top 45 per cent (1); Italy supplies 47 per cent (1).

    USD 484mdown 12% on 2022
  4. 4

    Dog or cat food: put up for retail sale, used in animal feedingHS 230910

    Comes fromHungary 42%, 36 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the... (exports USD 95m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 30m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 205m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 391m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Romania's export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1); Hungary supplies 42 per cent (1).

    USD 391mup 21% on 2022
  5. 5

    T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of cotton, knitted or crochetedHS 610910

    Comes fromPoland 21%, 94 source countries
    Nearest export strengthJerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles... (exports USD 101m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 46m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 59m
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 296m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Romania's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2).

    USD 296mup 21% on 2022
  6. 6

    Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: n.e.c. in chapter 18HS 180690

    Comes fromGermany 26%, 55 source countries
    Nearest export strengthChocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: in blocks... (exports USD 35m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 71m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 55m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 282m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Romania's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2).

    USD 282mup 37% on 2022
  7. 7

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, containing indentations, ribs, grooves...HS 721420

    Comes fromTurkey 43%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerrous waste and scrap: n.e.c. in heading no. 7204 (exports USD 529m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 4m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 13m
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 274m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Romania's export strengths in the top 26 per cent (1); Turkey supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 274mdown 42% on 2022
  8. 8

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, urea, whether or not in aqueous solutionHS 310210

    Comes fromEgypt 44%, 35 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 14m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 213m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 258m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Romania's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1); Egypt supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 258mdown 56% on 2022
  9. 9

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, containing indentations, ribs, grooves...HS 721310

    Comes fromTurkey 43%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerrous waste and scrap: n.e.c. in heading no. 7204 (exports USD 529m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 239m
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 227m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Romania's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); Turkey supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 227mdown 4% on 2022
  10. 10

    Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins (diapers), napkin liners and similar articles, of any materialHS 961900

    Comes fromPoland 44%, 41 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVegetable, mineral carving material and articles of these materials... (exports USD 40m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 15m
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 218m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Romania's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1); Poland supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 218mup 7% on 2022
  11. 11

    Electrical inductors: n.e.c. in heading no. 8504HS 850450

    Comes fromGermany 45%, 60 source countries
    Nearest export strengthBoards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric... (exports USD 3.4bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 54m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 669m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 186m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Romania's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); Germany supplies 45 per cent (1).

    USD 186mup 7% on 2022
  12. 12

    Boilers: central heating boilers (excluding those of heading no. 8402)HS 840310

    Comes fromItaly 45%, 32 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPumps and compressors: for air, vacuum or gas, n.e.c. in heading no.... (exports USD 785m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 9m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 179m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Romania's export strengths in the top 33 per cent (1); Italy supplies 45 per cent (1).

    USD 179mdown 14% on 2022
  13. 13

    Vinyl chloride polymers: monofilament, of which any cross-sectional dimension exceeds 1mm, rods, sticks and profile...HS 391620

    Comes fromGermany 47%, 35 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39 (exports USD 525m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 17m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 94m
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 174m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Romania's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); Germany supplies 47 per cent (1).

    USD 174mdown 16% on 2022
  14. 14

    Trailers and semi-trailers: (other than tanker type)HS 871639

    Comes fromGermany 49%, 33 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston... (exports USD 5.5bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 22m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 58m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 169m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Romania's export strengths in the top 27 per cent (1); Germany supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 169mdown 4% on 2022
  15. 15

    Undenatured ethyl alcohol: of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol. or higherHS 220710

    Comes fromHungary 53%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWaters: including mineral and aerated, containing added sugar or... (exports USD 183m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 209k
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 165m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Romania's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); Hungary supplies 53 per cent (1).

    USD 165mdown 10% on 2022
  16. 16

    Stoppers: caps and lids, of base metalHS 830990

    Comes fromPoland 49%, 39 source countries
    Nearest export strengthClasps, frames with clasps, buckles, buckle clasps: of base metal... (exports USD 181m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 14m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 97m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Romania's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); Poland supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 97mup 11% on 2022
  17. 17

    Candles, tapers and the likeHS 340600

    Comes fromPoland 69%, 41 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWashing and cleaning preparations: powders, flakes and granules... (exports USD 229m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 20m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 80m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Romania's export strengths in the top 33 per cent (1); Poland supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 80mup 6% on 2022
  18. 18

    Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses...HS 300490

    Comes fromGermany 20%, 60 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMedicaments: containing antibiotics (other than penicillins... (exports USD 71m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1.8bn; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 714m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 4.2bn, top 0 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Romania's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1).

    USD 4.2bnup 43% on 2022
  19. 19

    Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity...HS 870332

    Comes fromGermany 33%, 45 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston... (exports USD 5.5bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 124m; 8 more lines in the heading, USD 1.6bn
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 764m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Romania's export strengths in the top 33 per cent (1).

    USD 764mup 49% on 2022
  20. 20

    Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10HS 210690

    Comes fromPoland 14%, 75 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed... (exports USD 100m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 146m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 24m
    Countries that export it well51

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 599m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Romania's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1).

    USD 599mup 20% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Romania already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Plastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39 imports USD 1.2bn, exports USD 525m, top source Germany 29%
  • Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326 imports USD 847m, exports USD 408m, top source Germany 24%
  • Electrical apparatus: plugs and sockets, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts imports USD 551m, exports USD 251m, top source Germany 56%
  • Electrical apparatus: n.e.c. in heading no. 8536, for switching or protecting... imports USD 507m, exports USD 236m, top source Germany 41%
  • Aluminium: waste and scrap imports USD 358m, exports USD 118m, top source Germany 28%
  • Food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not... imports USD 432m, exports USD 236m, top source Germany 24%
  • Iron or steel (excluding cast iron): tubes, pipes and hollow profiles (not... imports USD 248m, exports USD 74m, top source Turkey 67%
  • Insulating fittings: of plastics, for electrical machines, of insulating... imports USD 225m, exports USD 54m, top source Germany 35%
  • Pumps and compressors: parts, of air or vacuum pumps, air or other gas... imports USD 249m, exports USD 91m, top source China 24%
  • Rubber: unvulcanised, compounded with carbon black or silica, in primary forms... imports USD 250m, exports USD 93m, top source Germany 35%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 1492 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

Want the Romania edition kept current?

Leave an address and each new edition comes to you as the record moves. Tick the box if you would want the next layer for Romania: which public bodies buy each line, once that record is readable.

Your address is used to send this list and its later editions, nothing else. Privacy

Run a company? Check it against the developments BuzzBaboon follows, free.