Moldova

Specific Information

Regulatory update (January 2026): Moldova enacted Law No. 319/2025, effective January 1, 2026, which provides full exemption from import duties on personal belongings for Moldovan citizens returning for permanent residence. This law is designed to facilitate the return of Moldovan citizens from abroad by simplifying customs procedures and reducing relocation costs. See details below.

Moldova also adopted a new Customs Code effective January 1, 2024, which modernized customs procedures and abolished certain legacy processing charges. Moldova is an EU candidate country (candidate status granted 2022) with a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) agreement with the EU in force since 2016.

Returning Moldovan citizens (Law No. 319/2025, effective January 1, 2026): Moldovan citizens returning for permanent residence may import personal belongings free of import duties. Eligible items include furniture, household goods, clothing, and personal electronics. Items must not indicate a commercial purpose. The specific list of eligible goods is determined by the Government of Moldova. This measure is intended to support family reunification and encourage long-term relocation to Moldova.

Immigrants (one-time import): For immigrants with a Moldovan resident permit, the import of household goods into Moldova is duty-free on a one-time basis.

Temporary imports: The letter of employment must confirm the contract length in Moldova. Goods imported on a temporary basis are subject to renewal or re-export when the work permit expires.

Goods not previously exported: If the goods were not temporarily exported from Moldova (i.e. they are being imported for the first time, not returned), the shipment is subject to VAT of approximately 20%. Duties on new furniture range from 0% to 15% of the estimated value.

Customs inspection: All goods are inspected and valued by a Customs officer. For surface shipments destined for residents in Chisinau, the shipment will be brought to Chisinau for customs clearance.

Trade agreements: Moldova's DCFTA with the EU means that many goods originating from EU member states benefit from reduced or zero tariffs. Moldova also has free trade agreements with CIS countries, CEFTA members, Turkey, and EFTA countries. Ad valorem customs duties range from 0% to 25% depending on the product category.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Vehicle title / registration certificate
• Original bill of lading

Specific Information

Regulatory update (January 2026): Under Law No. 319/2025, returning Moldovan citizens may import one passenger vehicle (tariff heading 8703) free of customs duties, provided the vehicle is no more than 10 years old, has a customs value not exceeding 550,000 MDL (approximately EUR 28,000), has an engine capacity not exceeding 3,000 cc, has no visible damage or defects, and is intended exclusively for personal use (not commercial or industrial). This is a significant change from the previous regime where all vehicles were subject to duties.

Age limit: Vehicles older than 10 years cannot be imported into Moldova.

Diplomats: May not import a motor vehicle until the accreditation card from the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been issued.

Temporary vehicle import: For temporary import of a personal vehicle, the owner must have registered the vehicle in the country of origin. A fee of approximately EUR 95 is collected by the Customs office. The temporary import is valid for up to 12 months, but can be extended annually or when the owner's resident permit expires and a new one is obtained. If the temporary import is not extended, the import file is forwarded to the contraband/smuggling department of the Customs office.

Non-returning residents: For non-citizens and temporary workers, vehicles remain subject to standard customs duties.

Pets

• ISO 11784/11785 microchip (implanted before rabies vaccination)
• Rabies vaccination certificate (vaccination administered at least 21 days before travel)
• Rabies antibody titre test (RNATT/FAVN) for pets from countries not classified as low-risk by Moldova or the EU, conducted at an approved laboratory with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml
• *Blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after vaccination. A 3-month waiting period from the date of sampling may apply.*
• International veterinary health certificate issued by the official veterinary authority in the country of origin
• Government endorsement of the health certificate (e.g. USDA for the US, CFIA for Canada)

Moldova is progressively aligning its veterinary and pet travel regulations with EU standards as part of its EU candidacy process. Requirements have become more standardized in recent years.

EU alignment: As Moldova aligns its laws with EU regulations, the pet import framework increasingly mirrors EU Regulation 576/2013. Vaccinations other than rabies (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus for dogs; panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis for cats) are recommended but not formally required.

Titre test: A rabies antibody titre test is required when entering Moldova from countries not on the approved low-risk list. This also applies when transiting through Romania to reach Moldova by land.

Minimum age: Pets must be at least 12 weeks old for rabies vaccination, with a 21-day waiting period after vaccination before travel.

Common mistakes: Not having the titre test completed before travel (required from many non-EU countries). Microchip implanted after rabies vaccination (invalidates the vaccination). Transiting Romania without meeting Romania's EU pet travel requirements.