Moldova joins European transit system: monitoring mission for accession to European Customs Conventions launched in Chisinau

The process of Moldova’s integration into the common European customs transit system is advancing with the launch of the Monitoring Mission for preparing to join the Convention on a Common Transit Procedure and the Convention on the Simplification of Formalities in Trade in Goods.

The event, organized by the Customs Service of Moldova, brought together officials from the Ministry of Finance, representatives of the European Commission – DG TAXUD (Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union), the EU Delegation in Moldova, UNCTAD (UN Conference on Trade and Development), as well as customs experts from Austria, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Latvia.

At the opening of the mission, Finance Minister Victoria Belous said that the digitization and modernization of customs procedures were essential for European economic integration.

“The accession to the two conventions will boost economic development and bring tangible benefits to the business environment of Moldova,” the minister emphasized.

Director of the Customs Service Alexandru Iacub reconfirmed the institution's commitment to achieve this strategic goal, noting that all previous recommendations had already been implemented.

“All recommendations formulated during the pre-monitoring mission in last February have been successfully implemented. We are ready for this detailed evaluation stage and stay focused on our common goal – Moldova’s integration   into the common European transit system. NCTS (New Computerized Transit System) will fundamentally transform the way we manage customs transit, providing the economic agents with a simplified, secure and transparent experience,” Alexandru Iacub noted.

International experts present at the mission appreciated the high level of preparedness demonstrated by the Moldovan authorities, highlighting the effective mobilization and professionalism of the implementation team. These aspects, according to European representatives, create the premises for a favorable decision by the EU Council on Moldova's accession to the two conventions.

During the mission, all relevant components will be analyzed – from the regulatory framework and internal procedures to the functionality of the NCTS system and the operational capacity of the customs authority. Relevant parliamentary commissions presently review the needed draft laws.

Moldova has held observer status in the Joint Transit Committee since 2009 and the accession to the Conventions is foreseen for 2025, following sustained efforts of legislative, procedural and technological harmonization.