CAEN Code Rev. 3

521

Warehousing

EU NACE Equivalent: NACE Rev. 3 — 521

This macro-category includes all activities of storing goods, from general merchandise and cereals to frozen products or documents. It involves managing storage spaces and associated logistics operations such as receiving, sorting, packaging, and order preparation, but not the actual transport of goods.

Entrepreneur Profile

This CAEN code 521 is intended for entrepreneurs and companies (SRL, PFA) wishing to develop a business focused on warehousing. It is ideal for founders aiming to offer specialized services or products in this economic niche within the Romanian market.

Who should avoid:

Avoid the exclusive use of code 521 if the main activity of your company shifts towards other commercial or related branches not specified in the official description. See the excluded activities section below.

Warehousing

Warehousing is an essential component of modern logistics chains, ensuring efficient storage of goods between production, distribution, and consumption. In Romania, this sector has experienced accelerated development over the last decade, driven by the growth of e-commerce, expansion of retail networks, and deeper integration into European logistics flows. CAEN code 521 covers a wide range of activities, from cold storage required by the food industry to custody of goods in tax warehouses or document archiving. The Romanian macroeconomy significantly benefits from these operations, as a well-developed storage infrastructure helps reduce transport costs, optimize inventories, and increase business competitiveness. Moreover, digitalization and automation of processes, such as the use of warehouse management systems (WMS) and robots for picking, are rapidly transforming this sector. Entrepreneurs operating in the warehousing niche face challenges related to demand fluctuations, high energy costs (especially for cold storage spaces), and the need for qualified personnel. Additionally, compliance with fire safety and environmental protection regulations requires constant investments. Nevertheless, the outlook remains favorable in the context of e-commerce expansion and the need for integrated logistics services, making warehousing an attractive field for strategic investments.

Included Activities

✅ Storage and custody of goods
✅ Cold storage operations
✅ General merchandise warehousing
✅ Storage of cereals and seeds
✅ Storage of chemical and petroleum products
✅ Storage of goods in tax warehouses
✅ Storage of equipment and machinery
✅ Furniture storage
✅ Storage of cultural goods
✅ Archiving and document storage
✅ Cross-docking operations
✅ Inventory management
✅ Order preparation (pick and pack)
✅ Packaging and repackaging for storage
✅ Labeling and marking
✅ Periodic inventory
✅ Internal distribution of stored goods

Excluded Activities

❌ Road freight transport activities
❌ Rail freight transport activities
❌ Air freight transport activities
❌ Water transport activities
❌ Cargo handling activities (loading/unloading)
❌ Postal and courier activities
❌ Wholesale trade (sale of goods)
❌ Retail trade
❌ Rental of means of transport
❌ Auxiliary transport activities (transport agencies, brokerage)
❌ Manufacturing and production

Similar or Related CAEN Codes:

From the same category of economic activities:

View code CAEN 52 View code CAEN 5210 View code CAEN 522 View code CAEN 5221 View code CAEN 5222 View code CAEN 5223

Întrebări Frecvente

What type of companies can use CAEN code 521?

Any legal entity in Romania (SRL, PFA, Individual Enterprise) performing activities related to "warehousing" is required to have this code authorized in its articles of incorporation or at the Trade Register.

Are special permits required for CAEN 521?

The need for permits depends on the exact nature of the operations carried out under class 521. Some activities require authorizations from DSV, Environment, or Occupational Safety, while others can be conducted solely based on the self-declaration at incorporation.