The Government approved the first stage of introducing VAT and excise duties on certain categories of goods from the Transnistrian region

Today, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a Government Decision on the application of VAT and excise duties to certain categories of goods brought into the territory of the Republic of Moldova by economic operators from the Transnistrian region.

This is an important step towards the gradual reintegration of the country and the unification of the economic, customs and tax space. At the same time, this measure ensures more equal conditions for economic agents on both banks of the Nistru River.

The application of VAT and excise duties will be carried out in stages. The first stage will include the following categories of goods:

1. From 1 September 2026, non-essential and luxury goods will be subject to taxation, including alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, caviar, perfumes, precious metals and stones, jewellery, pearls, furs, means of transport, etc.

2. After 1 January 2027, the list will be expanded to include petroleum products, base metals, minerals and their concentrates, kaolin and other types of clay, etc.

3. From 1 April 2027, natural gas, electricity, etc. will be included.

To facilitate understanding of the mechanism for implementing the new provisions, information sessions were organised for economic agents from the region. This issue was also discussed at the meeting of the Working Groups on Economy on 19 August 2026, which was attended by experts from both banks of the Nistru River.

The process of expanding the application of tax provisions will continue gradually, with the aim of achieving the unification of the tax space of the Republic of Moldova by 1 January 2030.