Alcohol regulations in Moldova, Republic of

Licences needed

Licence for the production of ethyl alcohol and/or alcoholic beverages, and wholesale marketing/storage

Authority

Public Services Agency (Agenția Servicii Publice - ASP)

Documents

Application declaration, company statutory documents (IDNO), proof of ownership or lease of production premises and certified equipment, metrological verification certificates for measuring devices, technical descriptions and production technological instructions

Fees

52,000 MDL (statutory licence fee under Law No. 160/2011)

Time to obtain

10 to 15 working days

Who can import

Moldovan-registered legal entities holding an active import licence for ethyl alcohol and/or alcoholic products

Licences or registrations

Licence for the import and wholesale storage/trading of ethyl alcohol and/or alcoholic beverages

Authority

Public Services Agency (ASP), in coordination with the Customs Service (Serviciul Vamal) and ANSA

Documents

Application declaration, copy of ownership or registered lease agreement for specialized storage warehouse meeting technical norms, forecast of product assortment planned for import and wholesale (2 copies), company identification documents (IDNO)

Fees

52,000 MDL

Time to obtain

10 working days

Required

no

Process

No pre-market brand/label registration equivalent to US TTB COLA is required. Spirits must undergo mandatory conformity assessment/compliance declaration and food safety verification against Moldovan Technical Regulations (harmonized with EU Regulation 2019/787) before release for free circulation. Trademarks and geographical indications are registered separately with the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI).

Authority

National Food Safety Agency (ANSA); State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI) for IP/GIs

Documents and samples

Manufacturer certificate of analysis/conformity, commercial invoices, transport documents, product labels/mockups showing mandatory Romanian text, product samples for laboratory testing by accredited conformity assessment bodies

Fees

No statutory state product registration fee; laboratory testing and conformity certification fees vary by accredited certification body

Renewal

Conformity certificates apply per lot/shipment or for continuous serial production (typically 1 to 3 years)

Time to obtain

5 to 15 working days depending on laboratory turnaround

Imports must be cleared by a licensed Moldovan importer of record. Shipments require mandatory Moldovan excise stamps ('timbru de acciz') procured from the State Tax Service (SFS) / Customs Service and affixed prior to clearance or release for consumption. Consignments must be accompanied by a commercial invoice, transport document (CMR/CIM/airway bill), certificate of origin, certificate of quality/analysis, and customs declaration submitted through the ASYCUDA system. Bulk spirits are subject to strict volumetric meter monitoring.

Spirits under HS 2208: 0% ad valorem for goods originating in the European Union (under the EU-Moldova Association Agreement/DCFTA), CEFTA countries, the UK, Turkey, and EFTA member states with valid preferential origin certificates (e.g., EUR.1). Standard most-favoured-nation (MFN) rates apply to non-preferential origins (generally ranging between 0% and 15% depending on 8-digit subheading).

Spirits are subject to a specific excise duty levied per litre of pure alcohol (100% vol) under Title IV of the Tax Code (Codul Fiscal nr. 1163/1997), adjusting annually (~140 to 160 MDL per litre of absolute alcohol). Standard Value-Added Tax (VAT) is 20% on the customs value plus applicable duties and excise.

Private retail grocery stores, licensed specialty liquor stores, supermarkets, and on-premise HoReCa venues (bars, restaurants, clubs); no retail state monopoly. Retail sale of distilled spirits is prohibited between 22:00 and 08:00 (wine is exempted under Law No. 1100/2000). Municipal authorities may restrict retail locations within proximity of educational, sports, and religious institutions.

restricted

Mandatory labelling items: sales denomination / legal name of category, nominal volume, alcoholic strength (% vol), list of ingredients/allergens, batch/lot number, country of origin, producer name and address, importer name and address in Moldova. Labels must appear in Romanian (may be bilingual or sticker overlay). Mandatory health warnings required by Law No. 1100/2000: 'Alcoolul încetinește reacția – nu consumați alcool la conducerea autovehiculelor', 'Alcoolul poate crea dependență', and pregnant woman warning symbol/text. Each bottle must bear a valid state excise stamp.

Regulated under Law No. 62/2022 on advertising and Law No. 1100/2000. Television and radio advertising of alcoholic beverages is banned during daytime (permitted only between 22:00 and 07:00). Direct advertising is prohibited in educational, medical, and sports institutions, public transport, and media directed at minors. Outdoor advertising of strong spirits is heavily restricted. Advertising may not depict consumption as promoting social, sexual, or athletic success.

Moldova's Technical Regulation on Spirit Drinks harmonizes with EU Regulation (EU) 2019/787: Whisky/Whiskey minimum 40% ABV; Vodka minimum 37.5% ABV; Gin minimum 37.5% ABV; Rum minimum 37.5% ABV; Wine spirits / Brandy minimum 36% ABV; Divin (Moldovan geographical indication for aged grape distillate) minimum 40% ABV; agricultural neutral ethyl alcohol minimum 96.0% ABV.

No dry territorial jurisdictions exist within Moldova. Retail sales are prohibited within designated perimeters around educational institutions, student dormitories, medical facilities, and active sports venues. The breakaway Transnistrian region operates de facto outside Moldovan administrative control, though national customs rules apply to goods passing Moldovan customs borders.

• Entry into force of the new Customs Code of the Republic of Moldova (Law No. 95/2021) on January 1, 2024, fully harmonizing customs procedures with the EU Union Customs Code (UCC).
• Application of standard Moldovan customs duty regimes to goods destined for the Transnistrian region starting January 2024, followed by phased extension of national VAT and excise stamp requirements beginning September 2026.
• Adoption of Government Decision HG 455/2025 amending and updating the technical regulations on alcohol and spirit drinks to maintain alignment with Regulation (EU) 2019/787.
• Approval and progression of a comprehensive EU-aligned draft excise duty framework replacing Title IV of the Tax Code to prepare for EU accession.

Moldova offers preferential 0% customs duty access for spirits originating from the EU, UK, CEFTA, and EFTA partners, with rising demand for premium imported whiskies, rums, and gins in the urban hospitality sector. Exporters must partner with an ASP-licensed local importer capable of handling Romanian-language label compliance and physical excise stamp application.

• National Food Safety Agency (ANSA)
• Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova (Serviciul Vamal)
• Public Services Agency (Agenția Servicii Publice - ASP)
• State Tax Service (Serviciul Fiscal de Stat - SFS)
• Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA)

1. Republic of Moldova Law No. 1100/2000 on the manufacture and circulation of ethyl alcohol and alcoholic products
2. Moldova Customs Service - New Customs Code and Tariff Regulations
3. Public Services Agency (ASP) - Licensing of import and wholesale of alcoholic beverages
4. National Food Safety Agency (ANSA) - Rules on Labelling of Alcoholic Beverages
5. Moldova Tax Code (Codul Fiscal nr. 1163/1997) - Title IV Excise Duties
6. Government Decision HG 455/2025 on Technical Regulation of Spirit Drinks