Moldova to Join EU Common Transit and Trade Simplification Conventions on November 1, 2025

Historic Step Towards European Integration

The Republic of Moldova is poised to officially join the Conventions of Common Transit and Simplification of Formalities in Trade in Goods on November 1, 2025. This landmark decision, announced by the Council of the European Union on September 25, 2025, marks a significant stride in Moldova's journey towards deeper European integration and alignment with EU standards.

The accession is expected to bring substantial benefits, modernizing customs procedures and fostering economic development. According to a press release by the EU Delegation to Moldova, this confirms the country's 'firm direction toward European integration and its continuous efforts to modernise and align with European Union standards'.

Streamlining Trade with New Systems

A core component of this integration is the adoption of the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS), a digital tool that will connect Moldova to the single European customs network. The NCTS implementation project in Moldova, launched on September 26, 2023, was developed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) with financial backing from a €1.18 million EU grant.

The Conventions will introduce several key changes:

• The Convention on a Common Transit Procedure will simplify the international transit of goods, allowing duties to be paid at the final destination.
• The Convention on the Simplification of Formalities in Trade in Goods will introduce the Single Administrative Document (SAD), standardizing customs documents for all import and export procedures.

These measures are designed to reduce bureaucracy, accelerate goods release, and enhance the transparency and efficiency of cross-border trade.

Benefits for Businesses and Economy

Moldovan officials and European representatives have highlighted the tangible advantages of this accession for the country's business environment. Victoria Belous, Moldova's Minister of Finance, emphasized that the digitization and modernization of customs procedures are crucial for European economic integration, stating that 'The accession to the two conventions will boost economic development and bring tangible benefits to the business environment of Moldova'. Alexandru Iacub, Director of the Customs Service, affirmed the institution's commitment, noting that all previous recommendations have been implemented and that NCTS will provide economic agents with a 'simplified, secure and transparent experience'.

The benefits for economic operators include:

• Submission of a single electronic transit declaration valid from origin to destination.
• Reduced time for customs formalities and lower operational costs.
• Real-time electronic data exchange with European customs authorities.
• Increased transparency and predictability in trade operations.
• Elimination of document manipulation and abuse, enhancing risk-based controls.

This move aligns with commitments made under the Association Agreement with the European Union, further solidifying Moldova's position within the European economic network.