Moldova: sanctions and trade risk

Sanctions programmeEU and Swiss targeted sanctions on persons destabilising Moldova.

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 13 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Moldova.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

A sanctions programme concerning Moldova is in force — typically an arms embargo or targeted measures against listed persons and entities. Ordinary civilian goods are usually not restricted; arms, related material and listed parties are.

Sources: EU Sanctions Map — Moldova (22 Apr 2026) · SECO — Massnahmen betreffend Moldau · reviewed 24 Oct 2026

Check a shipment to Moldova →

By sanctions regime

The indicator above is the strictest of these. Which regimes are relevant to a shipment depends on many connections — dispatch country, company location, incorporation, nationality, ownership, banks, goods origin. The check selects them from your inputs in a simplified way; UN measures take effect through each country's implementing law.

Regime	Indicator	What applies
UN	—	No UN sanctions regime.
EU	Sanctions programme	Targeted listings (to Apr 2027).
Switzerland	Sanctions programme	Swiss ordinance on Moldova.
UK	—	No measures against the country itself.
US	—	No measures against the country itself.

On the sanctions lists

13 entries on the official lists name Moldova — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.

List	Entries	Companies & organisations	Vessels	Aircraft
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)	10	10	—	—
Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List	2	2	—	—
EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF)	1	1	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Moldova recorded yet.

All updates →

Logistics profile

Moldova: logistics and trade

Landlocked country with Danube seaport, agricultural exporter

Moldova (ISO code MD) lies in Eastern Europe between Romania to the west and Ukraine to the east. It is a parliamentary republic and has been an EU candidate since 2022, with accession negotiations opened in 2024. The climate is continental with hot summers and cold winters. The economy is dominated by agriculture (wine, fruit, vegetables), food processing and a growing IT sector. Foreign trade is strongly geared towards agricultural exports and textiles, while energy, machinery and consumer goods are imported. Moldova's only sea access is the Danube free port of Giurgiulesti, about 134 km from the Black Sea, offering river and sea vessel transhipment plus broad- and standard-gauge rail. Key land links run to the Black Sea ports of Romania (Constanta) and Ukraine. The national currency is the leu (MDL). The Transnistria region on the left bank of the Dniester is outside government control.

Capital: Chișinău
Population: 2,406,700
Area: 33,846 km²
Currency: Moldovan Leu (MDL)
Continent: Europe
Region: Eastern Europe
Economic area: CEFTA / DCFTA with EU
Religions: Orthodox Christianity, Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Islam
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Road · Rail · Inland waterway · Air

Current situation: Romania takes over operational control of the port of Giurgiulești; expansion of the Danube corridor. EU candidate country since 2022, negotiations ongoing.
Seasonal conditions: Continental climate; low Danube water levels can temporarily restrict shipping at Giurgiulești; winter icy roads.

Road corridors

M1 Chișinău–Leușeni–Albița (RO)
M3 Chișinău–Giurgiulești
Corridors to the Black Sea ports of Constanța and Odesa

Rail corridors

Broad gauge (1520 mm) towards Ukraine and CIS
Standard gauge connection Ungheni–Iași (RO)
Chișinău–Giurgiulești

Inland ports

Giurgiulești (Danube/Prut)

Main trade lanes

MD–Romania
MD–EU
MD–Ukraine
MD–Turkey

Customs and import

Customs authority Serviciul Vamal al Republicii Moldova (Customs Service)Official website ↗

Import customs system: Electronic customs declaration via ASYCUDA World; new customs code since 1.1.2024. Declaration at least one hour before border arrival, documents within 72 hours.
Export customs system: Export declaration via ASYCUDA World at the Serviciul Vamal; proofs of origin under DCFTA, CEFTA and PEM Convention.
Import VAT: Standard 20 percent, reduced 8 percent (e.g. bread, medicines, certain agricultural products); import VAT due at customs clearance.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: EUR.1 or origin declaration within the DCFTA with the EU, CEFTA and PEM Convention; registered exporters (REX) for preferential origin.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Licence or authorisation requirement for strategic goods, weapons, ammunition, dual-use goods, radioactive and toxic substances, and certain foodstuffs.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Transport document (CMR/consignment note)
Customs declaration
Licences/permits

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Transport document
Proof of origin (EUR.1/origin declaration)
Export declaration

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: Medium
Customs delays: Medium
Dangerous goods relevance: Medium
Pharma and cold chain relevance: Low to medium
E-commerce relevance: Medium

Trade

Top import partners

Romania China Russia Germany Ukraine

Top export partners

Romania Italy Germany Türkiye Russia

Top import goods

Fuels
Machinery
Electronic devices
Vehicles
Chemical products

Top export goods

Agricultural products
Textiles
Machinery
Vegetable oils
Beverages

Typical cargo

Grain
Vegetable oils
Wine and beverages
Textiles
Fuels
Machinery
Vehicles

Logistics questions

What import taxes apply in Moldova?

Imports are subject to VAT: standard rate 20 percent, reduced rate 8 percent (e.g. bread, medicines, certain agricultural products). Import VAT is due during customs clearance. Customs duties also apply (ad valorem 0 to 25 percent); around half of all tariff lines are duty-free.

Which customs system does Moldova use?

The Customs Service (Serviciul Vamal) processes declarations electronically via ASYCUDA World. A new Customs Code has applied since 1 January 2024. Declarations must generally be filed at least one hour before arrival at the border, with supporting documents within 72 hours of import.

Does Moldova have a seaport?

Yes, indirectly: the only sea access is the Danube free port of Giurgiulesti (GIFP), about 134 km from the Black Sea. It handles river and sea vessel transhipment (draft up to about 7 m) and connects to broad- and standard-gauge rail and road. Main activities are grain export and fuel import.

Which trade agreements and preferences apply?

Moldova has held a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) with the EU since 2016, is a CEFTA member (since 2006) and part of the CIS Free Trade Area. Preferential origin is proven via EUR.1 or an origin declaration under the PEM Convention. Moldova has been an EU candidate since 2022.

Which documents are required for import?

At minimum the original commercial invoice, the transport document (e.g. CMR) and any permissive documents (licences, authorisations depending on the goods) plus the customs declaration are required. For preferential treatment an origin proof must be presented.

What logistics risks exist in Moldova?

The Transnistria region on the left bank of the Dniester is outside government control. The war in neighbouring Ukraine affects transit routes and energy supply, and Moldova is heavily dependent on energy imports. Low water on the Danube can also temporarily limit transhipment at Giurgiulesti.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗