Chisinau, 6 July – Trainers from Poland’s National Revenue Administration and EUBAM experts worked with specialists from Moldova’s Customs Service on 4-6 July to enhance their understanding of the European Union’s approach to Free Zones.

The seminar, hosted by EUBAM in Chisinau, focused on Customs control of goods within Free Zones, an important obligation under the EU – Moldova Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). The trainers from Poland and Moldovan experts exchanged experiences, particularly on the legal and operational characteristics of the Zones in their respective countries.

Experts from Moldova’s Customs Service were briefed by EUBAM on potential gaps in Customs supervision, tools and security preventive measures, with a working visit also carried out to the Free Zone ZAL Expo – Business Chisinau.

Free zones are special areas where goods places within them are free of import duties, VAT and other import charges, until such time as they are released for circulation. The Free Zones are mainly a service for traders to facilitate trading procedures by allowing fewer customs formalities.