This EU-funded project supports the development and implementation of the National Transit System (NTS) within the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova (CSRM), ensuring compatibility with NCTS Phase 5 (NCTS-NTS). The project’s overall objective is to enhance trade facilitation and operational capacity of the CSRM in line with the EU-Moldova Association Agreement and the Strategic Framework for EU-Republic of Moldova Customs Cooperation. Through the implementation of NTS-NCTS, the initiative prepares Moldova for accession to the Common Transit Convention, aligning its customs procedures with EU standards. A key strategic aim is to engage all relevant stakeholders involved in CSRM activities, ensuring their active participation in the implementation and use of the new NTS-NCTS system and keeping them fully informed about updated procedures.

1. Develop a web-based National Transit System (NTS-NCTS) aligned with NCTS-P5 specifications (and NCTS-P6 if feasible), integrating national requirements and ensuring connectivity with countries using NCTS Phase 4. The system will be developed using open-source technologies, without licensing constraints, and designed to function independently from ASYCUDA World.
2. Integrate NTS-NCTS into the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova’s (CSRM) ASYCUDA environment, ensuring full interoperability with current and future ASYCUDA World systems.
3. Provide targeted training for customs officers and the trade community, ensuring efficient use of the new system.
4. Simplify customs procedures and documentation while strengthening customs supervision and monitoring to improve efficiency.

The primary outcome of this project will be the deployment of the National Transit System (NTS-NCTS) for the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova (CSRM), fully aligned with NCTS Phase 5 (NCTS-P5). The system will comply with the latest Common Transit Convention (CTC) requirements and Moldova’s national regulations, ensuring efficient service delivery to both the trade sector and the Government while meeting CSRM’s operational needs.
The key expected outputs include:
1. Development and deployment of the CSRM NTS-NCTS prototype in a training/testing environment, ensuring alignment with EU and national user requirements and full preparation of the national and external domains.
2. Implementation of NTS-NCTS in the operational environment, including configuration, installation, and acceptance testing, with Conformance Test and Dry Run completed.
3. Establishment of an operational National Service Desk and publication of user manuals for system users.
4. Training of the CSRM National Project Team and end-users, ensuring customs officers and trade operators can effectively use, manage, and maintain the system.
5. Alignment of customs declaration data with the new Customs Code, incorporating new declaration and notification types (e.g., eCommerce, pre-arrival submission, re-export, temporary storage, and EIDR notifications).
6. Enhancements to the CSRM ASYCUDA system, including pre-arrival processing, improved customs decision management, and support for EIDR authorisations.
7. Implementation of trade facilitation measures, such as simplified customs procedures, reduced control levels for AEOs, and revised risk management criteria.
8. Deployment of ASYCUDA modules/sub-systems for customs guarantees, special seals management, and cash declarations, ensuring compliance with EU regulations and interoperability with the Financial Intelligence Unit.
9. Completion of all necessary structural, operational, and procedural changes to support the transition to NTS-NCTS and an enhanced ASYCUDA system.
10. Timely delivery of project reports to monitor progress and ensure accountability.