This was announced by MP Radu Marian. He explained that one of the conditions for applying the VAT regime to imported cars is the creation of an information system capable of ensuring a transparent and impartial assessment of their value before entering the customs. The achieved level of technical and technological support of the department does not allow this yet. There are still risks associated with the correct assessment of the value of cars. Therefore, it was decided to postpone the implementation of this norm for the time being.
Radu Marian said that the legislative amendments necessary to maintain the current tax regime will be proposed to the Parliament as soon as possible.
Initially, the new tax regime was to come into force on January 1, 2026. It was approved two years ago to bring Moldovan legislation in line with European standards and to ensure greater predictability. The new regime was to replace the current excise tax system with a value added tax, applicable to both individuals and legal entities, in order to increase transparency and fairness in assessing the value of imports.
Doubts about the readiness for radical changes in terms of taxation of automobiles have long arisen among market participants and specialists. They were voiced by Logos Press in the spring of this year. Then the Ministry of Finance did not have a final position on this issue. As the Ministry explained, the administration of this tax requires more tools, which are not currently available in Moldova.
Recently, Logos Press published the opinion of former Finance Minister Valeriu Chitsan, who expressed doubts about the timeliness of the introduction of VAT on imported cars due to the lack of readiness to effectively administer this tax, as well as the validity of the calculations of the budget replenishment due to these changes. He called them “overly optimistic”, drawing attention to the possibility of “overestimation” and “underestimation” of the value of a car, which plays a fundamental role in determining the amount of VAT to be paid.
The former finance minister believes that from the point of view of filling the budget by importing cars to Moldova, it is easier and more efficient to increase the excise tax on cars.
