Distillers Alcohol regulations in Moldova, Republic of
How to import or export liquor and spirits to Moldova, Republic of, how to register products and labels, the import duty and taxes, and how to get a licence to make alcohol there. Researched October 2026.
Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in October 2026 from the public sources listed at the bottom of this page. Duty rates, fees and rules change often: confirm with the regulator, a customs broker or local counsel before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- Status
- Legal
- Legal drinking age
- 18
- Legal purchase age
- 18
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Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)
- 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
Import licence and registration
- 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
Product and label registration
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…
Import rules
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…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
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).
Excise and taxes
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…
Retail and distribution
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…
Online sale and delivery
restricted
Labelling
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…
Advertising
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…
Legal definitions of spirits
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%…
Dry or restricted areas
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…
Recent changes
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…
Opportunities for exporters
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…
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- Republic of Moldova Law No. 1100/2000 on the manufacture and circulation of ethyl alcohol and alcoholic products
- Moldova Customs Service - New Customs Code and Tariff Regulations
- Public Services Agency (ASP) - Licensing of import and wholesale of alcoholic beverages
- National Food Safety Agency (ANSA) - Rules on Labelling of Alcoholic Beverages
- Moldova Tax Code (Codul Fiscal nr. 1163/1997) - Title IV Excise Duties
- Government Decision HG 455/2025 on Technical Regulation of Spirit Drinks
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