Several European Union countries and some of their trading partners no longer issue preferential certificates of origin established by international treaties. According to the European Commission, the decision was made in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. 

Thus, the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova announces to the economic agents that it will ensure the continuity of the preferential trade throughout the crisis period with the accepted preferential certificates of origin in the form:

- copies of preferential certificates of origin commonly authenticated, presented on paper or in electronic format;

- the preferential certificates of origin authenticated by electronic signature or their copies on paper or in electronic format.

The representatives of the Customs Service warn that, within 30 days from the cessation of the state of emergency in the country that issued the preferential certificate of origin, the importer will present to the customs body the original of the certificate in order to exclude a possible collection of the tax customs.