A National Workshop on the Harmonized System (HS) for tariff classification was held in Chișinău, Moldova, from 26 to 30 May 2025. The Workshop was organized jointly by the WCO and the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova, with sponsorship from the Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF) of Germany. Two experts from the WCO Secretariat facilitated the Workshop, which was attended in-person by 21 officials from Moldova Customs.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Lidia ABABII, Deputy Director, Head of Revenues and Customs Control Department, emphasized the crucial role of Moldova Customs in collecting a significant portion of the country’s total revenue. She highlighted that accurate tariff classification is essential for effectively fulfilling this responsibility. She also underscored the need for Moldova Customs to keep pace with technological advancements in order to maintain efficient and accurate tariff classification. She extended her gratitude to the WCO and CCF Germany for their valuable support in strengthening the technical capacity of Moldova Customs, and encouraged participants to use the Workshop to enhance their skills in the uniform interpretation and application of the HS.

The Workshop aimed to deepen participants’ knowledge of the HS and improve their practical classification skills, thereby strengthening the institutional capacity of Moldova Customs. The training sessions covered the application of the General Interpretative Rules and relevant legal Notes, as well as practical case studies on a wide range of commodities, including food supplements, chemicals, and machinery. Participants actively engaged in discussions, sharing their experiences and insights to address complex classification scenarios effectively.

In her closing remarks, Ms. Olga TARLAPAN, Head of Goods Classification Department, Customs Valuation, Classification and Origin of Goods Division, expressed her gratitude for the success of the Workshop and praised the valuable knowledge gained by the participants. She affirmed that the Workshop would contribute to greater efficiency in Customs operations, and expressed her appreciation to the WCO and CCF Germany for their continued support in building capacity. She also looked forward to ongoing cooperation in the future.