Moldova customs rules & duty-free allowances
Moldova's customs service is small but unusually strict about one thing above all: undeclared cash. The country also enforces a firm 48-hour rule that strips duty-free alcohol and tobacco from short-stay arrivals, catching many travellers who do quick round-trips to Turkey or Romania. The rules below apply to non-resident adults arriving from abroad in 2026.
Duty-free allowances
Prohibited — banned from import
- Narcotics and psychotropic substances (except with a valid medical prescription and permit)
- Meat and dairy products from most countries (due to animal disease risks)
- Fresh fruits and vegetables from regions with pest outbreaks (e.g., certain Turkish or Egyptian produce)
- Weapons, ammunition, and explosives without special authorization
- Counterfeit goods and pirated media
- Pornographic materials
Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration
- Medicines containing controlled substances (require a prescription and permit)
- Plants, seeds, and soil (require a phytosanitary certificate)
- Pets and live animals (require a veterinary certificate and rabies vaccination proof)
- Drones (may require registration with the Civil Aviation Authority)
- Satellite phones (require a license from the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications)
Arriving: red vs green channel
At Chișinău International Airport, you'll see red and green channels. If you have nothing to declare, walk through the green channel. If you're carrying cash over 10,000 USD, alcohol or tobacco above the duty-free limits, or commercial goods, use the red channel and fill out a customs declaration form (available at the airport or downloadable from customs.gov.md). There is no separate arrival card — the declaration form itself serves that purpose if you have something to declare.
Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds
Moldova does not have a tourist VAT refund scheme. You cannot claim back VAT on purchases when leaving.
Bringing medication
You can bring personal medications for your own use with a doctor's prescription or a copy of it. Narcotics, psychotropic substances, and precursors are strictly banned unless you have a special permit from the Moldovan Ministry of Health. Some common Western medications (e.g., those containing codeine, tramadol, or certain stimulants) are controlled — check the list on the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices website before you travel. Bring only what you need for your trip; large quantities may be questioned.
Food, plants & animal products
Meat, dairy, and animal products from most countries are banned due to biosecurity rules. You can bring small amounts of packaged, shelf-stable food for personal use (e.g., chocolate, biscuits, coffee) but fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, and plants must be declared and may require a phytosanitary certificate. If in doubt, declare it.
Rules worth knowing
48-hour rule for duty-free alcohol and tobacco
If you have been in Moldova for less than 48 hours, you are not entitled to any duty-free alcohol or tobacco. This catches many travellers who do a quick round-trip to Turkey or Romania.
Cash declaration is strictly enforced
Undeclared cash over 10,000 USD can be seized, and you may face a fine of up to 100% of the amount. Always declare if you're near the threshold.
Temporary import of vehicles
If you drive into Moldova, you must declare your vehicle and get a temporary import permit. The vehicle must leave with you. Overstaying the permit triggers heavy fines.
Gifts and personal goods over 800 USD
You pay a flat 20% duty on the excess value, plus 20% VAT. There's no separate gift allowance — it's all lumped into the 800 USD personal goods limit.