Moldova customs rules & duty-free allowances
Moldova's biggest customs risk is failing to declare cash over €10,000 — seizure and a fine are common. Non-residents get a generous €800 duty-free goods allowance, but alcohol and tobacco limits are strict and age-checked at 18. In 2026, the rules remain unchanged from previous years.
Duty-free allowances
Prohibited — banned from import
- Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (except with a permit)
- Weapons, ammunition, explosives (including pepper spray and stun guns without a permit)
- Pornographic material (including on electronic devices)
- Endangered species (CITES) and products made from them (e.g., ivory, caviar without a permit)
- Radioactive materials and hazardous waste
- Counterfeit goods and pirated media
Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration
- Medications containing controlled substances (require a prescription and permit from the Ministry of Health)
- Firearms and hunting weapons (require a Moldovan permit and prior authorization)
- Plants, seeds, and live animals (require phytosanitary or veterinary certificates)
- Cultural property (antiques, art over 100 years old) — requires an export permit from the Ministry of Culture
- Drones and radio equipment (require registration and a permit from the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications)
Arriving: red vs green channel
Use the green channel if you have nothing to declare and are within duty-free limits. Use the red channel if you have goods to declare, cash over €10,000, or prohibited/restricted items. There is no arrival card; you may be asked to fill a Customs Declaration Form (V-7) if you have something to declare.
Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds
Moldova offers a VAT refund for tourists (Tax Free for Tourists). Minimum purchase per invoice is 1,000 MDL (approx. €50). Claim at Chișinău International Airport customs before check-in — present goods, receipts, and passport. Refund is processed by the retailer or via a refund operator (e.g., Global Blue).
Bringing medication
Personal medications for up to 30 days' supply are allowed without a prescription. For controlled substances (e.g., strong painkillers, psychotropics), carry a doctor's prescription in English or Romanian, plus a medical certificate. Some common Western drugs (e.g., codeine-based painkillers) are controlled — check with the Moldovan Medicines Agency.
Food, plants & animal products
Meat and dairy products from non-EU countries are generally banned. Fruits, vegetables, seeds, and plants require a phytosanitary certificate. Honey and personal food items (e.g., chocolate, biscuits) are allowed in small quantities for personal use.
Rules worth knowing
Cash declaration is mandatory
Any amount over €10,000 (or equivalent in any currency) must be declared on the Customs Declaration Form (V-7). This includes traveler's checks, money orders, and negotiable instruments. Failure to declare can result in seizure and a fine of up to 25% of the undeclared amount.
Temporary import of vehicles
Non-residents can bring a vehicle for up to 90 days without paying duty. You must register it at the border (get a temporary import permit). Overstay the 90 days and you face a fine and possible seizure.
Duty-free limits are per person, not per family
Each adult traveller gets their own allowance. Children under 18 have no alcohol or tobacco allowance. Goods allowance for children is €400 (approx. 7,600 MDL).
Transnistria entry/exit
If you enter Moldova from Transnistria (the breakaway region), you must clear Moldovan customs at the administrative boundary. Failure to do so can result in fines and denial of entry. Always carry your passport and customs declaration.