The Customs System

Key terms

Customs policy To fall under- a cădea sub incidența

Customs clrearance –control vamal
Customs bodies –organe vamale
Customs duties-taxe vamale
Domestic/foreign policy
Means of conveyance-mijloace de
transport
Procedures –norme de procedura
Provision –masură, clauză, dispoziție
Ascertain –a verifica, a asigura
Licence – autorizțtie
Ammunition –muniții
Receiver –microfon
Duty – free – scutit de taxe vamale
Liable to duty-pasibil de taxe
Free-tax quota- cota scutită de taxe
To clear through the customs – a trece
controlul vamal

The Customs policy of a state is established and carried on in keeping with the
domestic and foreign policy of the state. The importance attached to the customs
policy is illustrated by the existence of a Customs Code, which together with the
procedures and the provisions of the Customs Regulations, with the customs tariffs
for goods express the rules of the customs system.
Customs clearance consists in the following operations: presentation of the
means of conveyance to customs units, presentation of the accompanying
documents, customs inspection of the means of conveyance and the merchandise
carried, the checking of customs declarations. Customs bodies should ascertain
whether the merchandise is in accordance with the customs declarations and
transport documents, with the export and import licence as to quantity and kind.
Customs duties are charged on the customs value of the goods. If the goods fall
under customs restrictions, they are liable to duty. If they don’t exceed the free tax
quota they are not dutiable. Natural persons may bring in the country personal
belongings which are as a rule duty free.
It is forbidden to bring into the country or take out of it goods for the purpose of
selling. The customs Regulations prohibit the introduction into the country of arms
and ammunitions, explosives, narcotics and toxic substances, radio transmitters
and receivers, documents under law interdiction.
It is also prohibited to take out of the country securities, goods that belong to the
national cultural patrimony, precious metals, stones and objects made thereof etc.
customs Regulations stipulate what deeds are considered to be customs
contraventions, the limits of the fines, the procedures of penalties application and
the remedies at law.
 The History of Moldovan Customs System
The Customs System of Moldova is a public administrative body
subordinated to the Ministry of Finance, which ensures the economic security of
the state, promotes customs policies and directly governs the customs activity of
the Republic of Moldova.
The history of the Customs System of the Republic of Moldova starts after
the proclamation of the independence and sovereignty of our country on September
4, 1991, when the President's Decree no.189 of 03.09.1991 "On the subordination
of the customs institutions located in the territory of the Republic of Moldova"
came into force. This normative act ordered to transfer all the customs structures
from the territory of the country, consisting at that time of the customs houses of
Ungheni, Leuseni and Chisinau, under the administration of the Government of the
Republic of Moldova.
One of the most important acts regulating the customs service is Customs
Code. The first Customs Code was adopted on September 3, 1993. The new
version was adopted on July 20, 2000. The Customs Code stipulates that the
customs service promotes the customs policy, provides for the observation of
customs regulations during the transit of goods, vehicles and persons across the
customs border of the Republic of Moldova, the collection of import and export
duties, the customs clearance and supervision, and other activities.
Since October 1994, the Republic of Moldova has become a full member of the
World Customs Organization.
During the last years of activity, the customs bodies have registered a
continuous and stable development. At the border crossing points, new offices with
a contemporary infrastructure have been built, optimal conditions have been
created, which allow the work of the customs employees to be organized at a
higher quality level.