A new Code of Ethics and Conduct for Moldovan Customs Officers came into force during October. The document, drafted with EUBAM support and adjusted to international standards of integrity, will regulate the professional standards of all Moldovan Customs officials.

EUBAM presented on Post Release Control standards, EU legislation and modern post release tools to Auditors from Ukraine’s State Fiscal Service in Khmelnitskiy on 11-12 October. Areas of concern were discussed, including the reluctance of business to provide documents, bookkeeping and commercial information, issues related to the settlement of the customs debt when appeals are made and the increasingly common appearance of ‘Phoenix’ companies (companies that appear only for several import/export operations and then disappear).

On 20-21 October, EUBAM co-hosted an International Seminar on Trade Facilitation and the Single Window with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Government of Ukraine, European Commission and the World Customs Organisation. Participants discussed Ukraine’s National Single Window Concept, launched at the end of August 2016 and its step-by-step establishment.

During October EUBAM deployed two experts to review veterinary and phytosanitary control procedures and processes at the Moldova-Ukraine border, including Transnistria. The experts are reviewing existing legislation, the application of risk management and the standard of facilities to identify compliance or divergence from EU best practice.

On 26-27 October, EUBAM organized a Task Force Tobacco meeting in Chisinau. The event brought together experts from law enforcement agencies from seven countries as well as large cigarette manufacturers to discuss the latest findings on cigarette smuggling and cases involving large-scale seizures of tobacco products originating in Moldova and Ukraine. Participants agreed to strengthen counteractive measures against smuggling of so-called "cheap white" cigarettes via Ukraine and Moldova to the EU.

Experts from the Mission also participated in the International Forum for Regional Stability in the Black Sea Region, which discussed how to enhance operational capabilities and co-operation to counter nuclear and radioactive threats. EUBAM’s concept of using practical exercises to improve the partner services’ capacities to prevent, detect and respond to the inadvertent movement or illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials was showcased.