As part of its modernization programme, the Customs Administration of Moldova has been rethinking the current design of its national tariff classification work model. To support this endeavor, the WCO delivered a national multipurpose Workshop on various aspects of the Harmonized System and the essentials of commodity classification, which was held in Kishinev, from 3 to 7 June 2013. The event is the result of joint efforts of the Moldova Customs and the WCO Secretariat, with the financial support provided by the Regional Office for Capacity Building of the Europe Region.

Twenty officers from across the departments concerned with the commodity classification attended the Workshop. It was conducted entirely in Russian – one of the languages spoken in Moldova – which contributed to a smooth flow of communication without language barriers, and active participation by the audience.

The workshop offered an excellent opportunity to deliberate on some of the most complex issues of tariff classification, to discuss the administration of the HS Convention, to explore possible ways in which Moldova could play a more active role in the decision-making process on the HS matters in the WCO. The event turned out to be a very important step towards sustained improvement of tariff classification work and related infrastructure in Moldova.