Moldova will not impose customs duties on imports of most goods from the United States
This is provided for by amendments to the Law on the Adoption of the Combined Nomenclature, the Parliament passed in the first reading. It is planned that customs duties will be waived for most industrial goods and a number of agricultural products imported into Moldova from the United States, with the exception of certain agricultural products that are sensitive for the domestic market, such as beef, pork, poultry, milk and dairy products, meat products, sugar, and sugar-containing products, for which the current tariff regime remains in effect. A wide range of goods from the United States will be exempt from import duties, including industrial equipment, precision instruments and devices, medical equipment used by local economic agents to increase added value and modernize production processes, as well as consumer goods such as sports nutrition, digital cameras, monoculars, etc. The author of the bill, PAS MP Adrian Balutel, noted that currently, imports of products manufactured in Moldova into the United States are subject to an unfavorable tariff regime compared to the tariff regime in effect prior to the introduction of “reciprocity tariffs” in April 2025. Recent changes in U.S. trade policy have reshaped the international trade environment, including for small and open economies such as Moldova. Import tariffs have a direct impact on the competitiveness of Moldovan exporters and affect the integration of Moldova’s economy into global value chains. In this context, Moldova has been subject to a series of tariff measures adopted by the U.S. administration. Initially, a 31% retaliatory tariff was announced on products manufactured in Moldova. Later, this measure was temporarily suspended and replaced with a uniform 10% tariff for all countries, which was presented as a period of assessment and dialogue. On August 7, 2025, the U.S. opted for a differentiated regime, setting a 25% tariff on imports of products of Moldovan origin. At the same time, lower rates were applied to other trading partners. Following a U.S. Supreme Court decision on February 20, 2026, the previously applied 25% tax on Moldovan goods imported into the U.S. was repealed. As a result, starting February 24, the U.S. imposed a temporary 10% surcharge on all imports of goods in accordance with U.S. trade law. However, the tax is expected to rise to 15%, with a possible further increase depending on the bilateral trade policies pursued by U.S. trading partners. Trade relations between Moldova and the U.S. are characterized by a structural imbalance caused by the steady growth of imports of high-value-added goods (automobiles, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and IT equipment) alongside the unstable dynamics of Moldovan exports. After a temporary improvement in 2024, the trade balance deteriorated significantly in 2025. Specifically, Moldovan exports to the U.S. in 2025 fell by 45% compared to the previous year, to $49.7 million, imports to Moldova from the U.S. rose by 44.3% to $195.1 million, and the trade deficit increased 3.2-fold to $145.4 million. Adrian Balutel noted that by granting trade preferences to imports from the U.S., the Moldovan authorities aim to restore the tariff policy applied by the U.S. toward Moldova on the basis of reciprocity. Moldova expects the 10% tariff on all goods of Moldovan origin to be reinstated or maintained. Analysis shows that in this case, Moldova could offset a significant portion of the lost export volume to the United States, particularly in sectors with high value-added on the local market (canned fruit, wine, agro-industrial products, and certain industrial goods). For the U.S., the loss of customs revenue associated with reducing the rate from 25% to 10% would be relatively small, given the low share of Moldovan imports in total U.S. imports, and would be partially offset by increased volumes and benefits for importers and consumers. However, in practice, it is more likely that the U.S. would demand concessions in exchange for such a reduction. If Moldova were to eliminate customs duties on imports from the U.S., the loss of customs revenue to the Moldovan budget would be relatively small, about $2.8 million, given the low share of these revenues in total budget revenues. Such an exemption from tariffs on imports to the U.S. would lead to an increase in imports from the U.S. of approximately 6%, with the benefits concentrated in the segments of high-tech products, equipment, and value-added agricultural products. This measure could have a positive economic impact by facilitating access to goods, technologies, and equipment of U.S. origin, as well as by strengthening bilateral trade relations and stimulating Moldovan exports to the U.S. market. // 10.04.2026 – InfoMarket.
