In general terms, there are no restriction in international trade. However, international trade transactions may be subject to some prohibitions and restrictions established exclusively in the national law or for the purpose of complying with international treaties to which the Republic of Moldova is a party.
Such measures are aimed, in particular, at the followings:
- observing public policy and accepted principles of morality
- protecting human life and health, flora and fauna, implicitly, protecting animals, preventing transmission of diseases from animals to humans, ensuring safety of food of animal and non-animal origin intended for human consumption; ensuring protection against the introduction and spread of quarantine organisms harmful to plants or plant products; restricting or prohibiting the use of hazardous chemicals and preparations
- preserving the cultural heritage of ethnic groups of the Republic of Moldova
- ensuring environment protection
- safeguarding the security of the state
All the goods, the entry and/or exit of which into/from the customs territory of the Republic of Moldova is prohibited by law, shall be classified as prohibited goods.
The goods shall be classified as restricted if special conditions or formalities have to be fulfilled upon the entry or exit thereof into/from the customs territory.
Where the entry or exit into/from the customs territory is only allowed if accompanied by a permissive act, the goods shall be classified as prohibited goods if not accompanied by such an act or if such act is not valid.
According to Article 18 (1) of Law no. 25 /04.03.2016 on the application of international restrictive measures, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration keeps a centralized record of all mandatory international restrictive measures in force, including those to which the Republic of Moldova has aligned or applied on its own initiative. See the international restrictive measures at (https://www.mfa.gov.md/ro/content/masuri-restrictive-internationale).