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Simpler customs procedures with the status of approved consignor/consignee

Proceduri vamale mai simple, cu statutul de expeditor: destinatar agreat

The new Customs Code further simplifies the interactions between economic operators and the customs service. They can benefit from the status of approved consignor/consignee, which provides them the opportunity to conduct their business more efficiently and quickly.

The status of approved consignor/consignee entails a series of customs simplifications that allow the economic operator to handle all procedures from the comfort of their office. They can exchange information with customs authorities electronically, ensuring a fast, secure, and cost-effective process.

How can the status of approved consignor be obtained?

An approved consignor is an individual authorised by the competent authorities to perform transit operations without presenting the goods at the customs office of departure. A condition for using this simplified procedure is that the approved consignor must have an adequate electronic system for exchanging information with the customs offices of departure within the electronic transit system. This individual is the holder of the procedure. The goods must be under their control, in the premises specified in the authorisation, at the time of submitting the declaration.

How to obtain the status of approved consignor?

To obtain an authorisation as an approved consignor, the economic operator must submit an application through the Customs Decisions System (CDS), which can be found on the portal trade.gov.md, under the e-customs section. The self-assessment questionnaire must be completed and attached.

The authorisation is granted to the applicant under the following conditions:

  • They are established in the customs territory;
  • They declare that they will regularly use the transit procedure;
  • They hold an authorisation for the use of a comprehensive guarantee;
  • They meet the criteria set out in Articles 39, 41, and 42 of the Customs Code.

The authorised consignor status grants the holder the following privileges:

  • Create the transit declaration electronically, registering in the electronic transit system:
    • The number of seals and individual seal identifiers (if seals have been applied);
    • The deadline for presenting the goods at the destination customs office;
    • The planned itinerary.
  • Submit the transit declaration at the departure customs office without the obligation to present the goods to the customs office;
  • Transmit and receive notifications regarding the acceptance of the declaration and the granting of customs clearance for the goods.

Authorised consignors can apply special seals to the goods in transit. However, a separate authorisation is required for applying special seals, in addition to the authorised consignor status:

  • Submitting transit declarations electronically without physically presenting the goods at the departure customs office;
  • The use of special seals and electronic notification exchange expedites customs clearance;
  • Authorised consignors can operate from multiple approved premises.

What are the benefits of an economic operator holding an authorised consignee authorisation?

The authorised consignee authorisation allows the economic operator to receive the goods at their own premises or at any other specified location, without presenting them at the destination customs office. Goods placed under the transit procedure must be presented, together with the corresponding documents, at the destination customs office.

A condition for using this simplified procedure is that the authorised consignee has an appropriate electronic system for exchanging information with the destination customs offices in the electronic transit system. To obtain an authorisation, the economic operator:

  • Submits an application through the Customs Decision System (SDV) on the trade.gov.md information portal, e-customs section;
  • Completes and attaches a self-assessment questionnaire.

The authorisation is granted to the applicant who cumulatively meets the following conditions:

  • Is established within the customs territory;
  • Declares that it will regularly use the transit procedure;
  • Meets the criteria established in Articles 39, 41, and 42 of the Customs Code.

Authorised consignee status allows the holder to:

  • Receive goods at their own premises without presenting them to the destination customs office;
  • Transmit the “Arrival Notification” message to the relevant destination customs office;
  • Receive and transmit subsequent messages regarding the permission to unload the goods and notify the results of the respective unloading.

Advantages of authorised consignee status:

  • Completion of the transit procedure without presenting the goods at the destination customs office;
  • Acceleration of transit operations;
  • Cost reduction.

According to the Customs Code of the Republic of Moldova, upon request, the Customs Service may grant authorisation for the use of simplified procedures for placing goods under the transit regime (authorised consignor/consignee). In the case where the applicant has the status of an authorised economic operator for customs simplifications, provided for in Article 36 (paragraph (3) lit. a) of the Customs Code, the criteria provided for in Articles 39, 41 and 42 are considered to be met and are not verified.

The Customs Code establishes the legal, economic, and organisational principles of customs activities, the general rules and procedures applicable to goods brought into or out of the customs territory, and is aimed at protecting the sovereignty and economic security of the Republic of Moldova.