WT/REG4 39/1 
 
10 July  2023 
(23-4096) Page: 1/52 
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements   
 
 
FACTUAL PRESENTATION  
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP, TRADE AND COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED 
KINGDOM AND THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA  
(GOODS AND SERVICES)  
Report by the Secretariat  
This report, prepared for the consideration of the Strategic Partnership, Trade and Cooperation 
Agreement between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Moldova, has been drawn up by 
the WTO Secretariat on its own responsibility and in full consultation wi th the Parties. The 
factual presentation reproduces as closely as possible the terminology used in the Agreement 
and in the comments provided and does not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the 
Secretariat of such terminology. The report has been drawn up in accordance with the rules 
and procedures contained in the Decision for a Transparency Mechanism for Regional Trade 
Agreements (WT/L/671) and thus does not imply any value judgement by the Secretariat 
regarding the contents of the Agreement.  
Any technical questions arising from this report may be addressed to Thakur Parajuli 
(thakur.parajuli@wto.org ). Any statistical questions arising from this report may be addressed 
to Rowena Cabos ( rowena.cabos@wto.org ) and Pamela Bayona ( pamela.bayona@wto.org ).  WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  Table of Contents  
Page 
1  TRADE ENVIRONMENT  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 5 
1.1  Merchandise trade  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 5 
1.2  Trade in services and investment  ................................ ................................ .................  7 
2  CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS OF THE AGREEMENT  ................................ ......................  9 
2.1  Background information  ................................ ................................ ..............................  9 
3  PROVISIONS ON TRADE IN GOODS  ................................ ................................ ...........  11 
3.1  Import duties and charges, and quantitative restrictions  ................................ .................  11 
3.1.1  General provisions  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 11 
3.1.2  Liberalization of trade and tariff lines  ................................ ................................ ........  11 
3.1.3  Liberalization schedule  ................................ ................................ ............................  11 
3.1.3.1   United Kingdom  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 11 
3.1.3.2   Moldova  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  13 
3.1.4  Tariff rate quotas (TRQs)  ................................ ................................ ........................  14 
3.2  Rules of origin  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  14 
3.3  Export duties and  charges, and quantitative restrictions  ................................ .................  16 
3.4  Regulatory provisions on trade in goods  ................................ ................................ ....... 17 
3.4.1  Standards  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  17 
3.4.1.1   Sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS)  ................................ ............................  17 
3.4.1.2   Technical barriers to trade (TBT)  ................................ ................................ ...........  17 
3.4.2  Safeguard mechanisms  ................................ ................................ ...........................  18 
3.4.2.1   Global safeguards  ................................ ................................ ...............................  18 
3.4.2.2   Bilateral safeguards  ................................ ................................ .............................  19 
3.4.2.3   Anti-circumvention mechanism  ................................ ................................ .............  19 
3.4.3  Anti-dumping and countervailing measures  ................................ ................................  19 
3.4.4  Subsidies and State -aid ................................ ................................ ..........................  20 
3.4.5  Customs -related procedures and trade facilitation  ................................ .......................  20 
3.4.6  Other regulations  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 21 
3.5  Sector -specific provisions on trade in goods  ................................ ................................ .. 21 
4  PROVISIONS ON TRADE IN SERVICES AND INVESTMENT  ................................ ..........  21 
4.1  Scope and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................  21 
4.2  Denial of benefits  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 22 
4.3  General provisions on trade in services and investment  ................................ ..................  22 
4.3.1  Market access  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 22 
4.3.2  National and MFN treatment  ................................ ................................ ....................  22 
4.3.3  Commercial presence (establishment)  ................................ ................................ ....... 23 
4.3.4  Performance requirements  ................................ ................................ ......................  23 
4.3.5  Senior Management and Boards of Directors  ................................ ..............................  23 
4.3.6  Movement of natural persons  ................................ ................................ ...................  23 WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  4.4  Liberalization commitments  ................................ ................................ ........................  24 
4.4.1  United Kingdom  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 25 
4.4.1.1   MFN and Horizontal commitments  ................................ ................................ ..........  25 
4.4.1.2   Sector -specific commitments in trade in services  ................................ .....................  25 
4.4.2  Moldova  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  30 
4.4.2.1   MFN and Horizontal commitments  ................................ ................................ ..........  30 
4.4.2.2   Sector -specific commitments in trade in services  ................................ .....................  30 
4.5  Regulatory provisions  ................................ ................................ ................................  33 
4.5.1  Domestic regulation  ................................ ................................ ...............................  33 
4.5.2  Recognition  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  34 
4.5.3  Subsidies  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  34 
4.5.4  Safeguards  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  34 
4.5.5  Other  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  34 
4.5.5.1   Other investment provisions  ................................ ................................ .................  34 
4.5.5.2   Monopolies and exclusive service suppliers  ................................ .............................  34 
4.6  Sector specific provisions on trade in services  ................................ ...............................  34 
4.6.1  Computer services  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 34 
4.6.2  Postal and courier services  ................................ ................................ ......................  34 
4.6.3  Electronic communication networks and services  ................................ ........................  35 
4.6.4  Financial services  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 35 
4.6.5  Transport services  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 35 
5  GENERAL PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  ................................ .............................  36 
5.1  Transparency  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  36 
5.2  Current payments and capital movements  ................................ ................................ .... 36 
5.3  Exceptions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  37 
5.3.1  General exceptions ................................ ................................ ................................ . 37 
5.3.2  Security exceptions  ................................ ................................ ................................  37 
5.3.3  Taxation measures  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 37 
5.3.4  Balance of payments measures  ................................ ................................ ................  37 
5.4  Accession and withdrawal  ................................ ................................ ..........................  37 
5.5  Institutional framework  ................................ ................................ .............................  38 
5.6  Dispute settlement  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 38 
5.7  Relationship with other agreements concluded by the Parties  ................................ ..........  40 
5.8  Government procurement  ................................ ................................ ..........................  42 
5.9  Intellectual property rights  ................................ ................................ .........................  43 
5.10  Competition  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  44 
5.11  Electr onic Commerce  ................................ ................................ ...............................  44 
5.12  Small and medium -sized enterprises (SMEs)  ................................ ...............................  45 
5.13  Other  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  45 WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  5.13.1   Trade -related energy  ................................ ................................ ............................  45 
5.13.2   Trade and sustainable development  ................................ ................................ ........  45 
5.13.3   Cooperation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  46 
ANNEX 1  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  47 
ANNEX 2  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  51 
 
  WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  Key Facts  
 
Parties to the Agreement:  United Kin gdom and Moldova  
 
Date of Signature:    24 December 2020  
 
Date of Entry into Force:  1 January 2021 
 
Date of Notification:   31 December 2020  
 
Full implementation:   2028  
 
 The Factual Presentation describes the Strategic Partnership, Trade and Cooperation 
Agreement between the United Kingdom (UK) and Republic of Moldova (hereinafter referred to as 
"the Agreement") which was concluded by the Parties and entered into force on 1 January 2021. 
Nevertheless, as the Ag reement preserves most of the links between the Parties under the 
Association Agreement between European Union (EU) and Moldova , the factual presentation also 
refers, like the Agreement, to the EU -Moldova  Agreement  as required.   
 
1  TRADE ENVIRONMENT  
1.1.  The Agre ement between the United Kingdom and Moldova is one of 38 RTAs notified by the UK 
and currently in force, and one of 9 RTAs notified by Moldova and currently in force1. 
1.1  Merchandise trade  
1.2.  In 2021, the UK's merchandise trade reached a total value of USD 1,161 billion, with exports 
worth USD 468.8 billion and imports worth USD 692.1 billion .2 The UK ranked as the world's tenth 
largest exporter and sixth largest importer, accounting for 2.1% of global exports and 3.1% of 
imports. Moldova's merchandise trade amounted to USD 10.3 billion, consisting of exports worth 
USD 3.1 billion and imports worth USD 7.2 billion. It was the world's 107th largest exporter and 93rd 
largest importer, representin g just 0.01% of total exports and 0.03% of imports worldwide. The 
UK's trade is dominated by manufactured products, which accounted for 68% of its total exports 
and 63.7% of imports. Moldova's exports are mainly manufactured and agricultural products, 
accounting for 55% and 42.2%, respectively, while its imports are dominated by manufactured 
products, representing 70.9% of total imports .3 
1.3.  In their bilateral merchandise trade in 202 1, the UK was the ninth largest source of imports for 
Moldova and the sevent h largest destination for Moldovan exports, accounting for 0.9% of its total 
imports and 2.1% of exports. In comparison , Moldova was the 78th largest source of imports and 
the 103rd largest export destination for the UK, accounting for only 0.01% of both i mports and 
exports .4  
1.4.  Chart 1.1 further provides an overview of the global and bilateral trade trends between the 
Parties from 2017 to 2021. Throughout this period, both Parties consistently maintained a global 
trade deficit. Regarding bilateral trade, the data from the UK indicates that it has maintained a trade 
deficit with Moldova throughout the entire period. However, the data from Moldova also reveals 
trade deficits with the UK for 2019 and 20205.  
 
1 Based on the RTA Database ( https://rtais.wto.org ), accessed on 2 6 June 2023.  
2 Based on data provided by the UK.  
3 Data extracted from the WTO Trade Profiles 202 2, as of April 2023, using 202 1 reported data. Ranks 
in world trade and the shares are based on excluding intra -EU trade.  
4 Data from UNSD Comtrade database for Moldova and based on d ata provided by the UK.  
5 The Parties confirm that the values reflected are from their official statistics at the time of submission 
of data. Asymmetries can be caused by a range of conceptual and measurement variations between the 
estimation practices of different countries.  In addition, Moldova reported that its official data does not include 
the region of Transnistria.  WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  Chart 1.1 UK-Moldova : Merchandise bilateral trade and with world ( 2017-2021 )  
 
Note and data source :  
For both charts 1.2 and 1.3, exchange rates were used from GBP to USD: 0.78 (2017), 0.75 (2018), 0.78 
(2019), 0.78 (2020), and 0.73 (2021). And the data were sourced from UK authorities and UNSD; and IMF 
(exchange rates).  
1.5.  Chart 1.2 presents the product composition of merchandise trade between the Parties and their 
global imports and exports averaged for 2019 -2021, by Harmonized System (HS) Sections. T he data 
shows the complementarities in trade between the Parties. Moldova's exports were largely comprised 
of vegetables, machinery, prepared foods, and textiles, which accounted for an average of 71% of 
its total exports. The same product categories were also the UK's major imports from Moldova, 
representing 93% of its total imports from Moldova, with textiles alone accounting for 70%. 
Meanwhile, the UK's primary export product categories were machinery, vehicles, chemical products, 
and precious stones, wh ich made up an average of 60% of its total exports. These product categories 
were also Moldova's major  imports from the UK, accounting for 71% of its total imports from the 
UK. 
0.000.020.040.060.080.100.120.140.16
012345678
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021B. Moldova
(USD B illion)
Imports from United Kingdom (Right Axis)
Exports to United Kingdom (Right Axis)
Total Imports
Total Exports
0.000.010.020.030.040.050.060.07
0100200300400500600700800
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021A. United Kingdom
(USD Billion)
Imports from Moldova (Right Axis)
Exports to Moldova(Right Axis)
Total Imports
Total ExportsWT/REG 439/1 
 
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  Chart 1.2 UK-Moldova : product composition of merchandise trade, by HS Section, annual 
average (201 9-2021) 
 
Note:  The HS sections having less than 5% of the share of trade are shown under the 'Other' category in the 
Chart.  
1.2  Trade in services and investment  
1.6.  In 2021, the  UK's commercial services trade was valued at USD 653.6 billion, with exports of 
USD 415.1 billion and imports of USD 238.5 billion. The UK ranked 3rd in the world for exports and 
4th for imports. In contrast , Moldova's commercial services trade had a tota l value of USD 2.7 billion, 
with USD 1.6 billion in exports and USD 1.1 billion in imports. Moldova ranked 85th in the world for 
exports and 109th for imports .6  
1.7.  Chart 1.3 shows the Parties' global trade trends in commercial services during 201 7-2021. Both 
Parties were net exporter s of services globally . No bilateral data are available for trade in services.  
 
6 Data extracted from the WTO Trade Profiles 2022, as of April 2023, using 2021 reported data. Ranks 
in world trade and the shares exclud e intra -EU trade.  
5
8
9
5
14
5 211122
Fats and oilsVegetablesLive animals
ChemicalsMinerals
Prepared foodsWood articles
Raw hidesPlastics TextilesWood pulp
Base metalsVehiclesMachinery8
14
11
5
2114522
26
14
0 1120622 0
80
14
7000000000000
8
5
6
12
12
6
7
071972050
7
24
8
0153110Total: USD 48 Million Total: USD 675 Billion
Total: USD 6 BillionTotal: USD 442 Billion
Total: USD 3 BillionUK's Imports from Moldova (%)
Total: USD 58 MillionMoldova's Imports from UK (%) Moldova's Global Imports (%) Moldova's Global Exports (%)UK's Global Imports (%) UK's Global Exports (%)
FootwearPrecious stonesStone, cement
Works of artMiscellaneousArms and 
ammunitions
OtherOpticalWT/REG 439/1 
 
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  Chart 1.3 UK-Moldova : Trade in commercial services with world (20 17-2021) 
 
Source:  For both Charts 1.3 and 1.4, the data were so urced from UK authorities (2017 -2021), Moldovan 
authorities (2018 -2020), and WTO Stat (2017 and 2021); and IMF (exchange rates).  
1.8.  Chart 1.4 further illustrates the composition of the Parties' services trade by sector, averaged 
for 2018 -2020. The UK's servic es trade was mostly dominated by other business services, followed 
by travel and financial services whereas Moldova's total services trade was mainly led by 
transportation,  followed by travel, telecommunication , and IT services . 
Chart 1.4 UK-Moldova : Commercial services trade with world, by service sectors 
(Average 201 8-2020) 
 
1.9.  Charts 1.5 and 1.6 present global and bilateral foreign direct investment (FDI) stocks and flows 
during 2017 -2021. Both Parties are net recipient s of FDI from the world with both inward and 
outward FDI stocks remaining stable for Moldova while FDI stocks in the UK declined in 2019 as FDI 
outflows decreased between 2017 and 2020 before growing again; FDI inflows into the UK have 
been declining since  2017.  The UK's data indicates that while inward FDI from Moldova was steady, 
FDI outflows to Moldova grew between 2017 and 2018 but have declined since then. The UK's overall 
stock in Moldova grew rapidly between 2018 and 2020 and stabilized in 2021 . 
050100150200250300350400450500
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Import Export Trade balance0.00.20.40.60.81.01.21.41.61.8
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021United Kingdom
(USD Billion)Moldova
(USD Billion)
0 50 100 150 200Maintenance and RepairManufacturingConstructionInsurance and PensionPersonal, Cultural and…Intellectual PropertyTelecommunications,…FinancialTransportationTravelOther Business Services
Import Export0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5ManufacturingInsurance and PensionFinancialPersonal, Cultural and…Maintenance and RepairConstructionIntellectual PropertyTelecommunications,…Other Business ServicesTravelTransportation
Import ExportUnited Kingdom
(USD Billion)Moldova
(USD Billion)WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  Char t 1.5 UK: FDI with world  and Moldova  (2017-2021) 
 
Chart 1.6 Moldova : FDI with world (2017-2021) 
 
Source:  For both Charts 1.5 and 1.6, the data were sourced from UK authorities (2017 -2021), Moldovan 
authorities (2018 -2020), and WTO Stat (2017 and 2021); and IMF (exchange rates).  
2  CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS OF THE AGREEMENT  
2.1  Background information  
2.1.  The Agreement  was signed by  the Parties  on 24 December 2020 and entered into force on 
1 January 2021. The Parties notified the goods and services aspects of the Agreement to the WTO 
on 31 December 2020 under GATT Article XXIV:7(a) and Article V:7(a) of the GATS (document 
WT/REG439 /N/1 and S/C/N/ 1034), respectively.  Prior to th e Agreement, trade relations b etween 
UK and Moldova were governed by the EU -Moldova Agreement, whose application to the UK was 
terminated on 1 January 2021.  
2.2.  The text of the Agreement is available, together with its related Annexes, on the following 
official websites:  
The UK : UK-Moldova Strategic Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement - GOV.UK 
(www.gov.uk)   
 
Moldova : https://mded.gov.md  
 
2.3.  The Agreement contains 392 Articles, 27 Annexes, and 3 Protocols  which reproduce s relevant 
sections of the EU -Moldova Agreement with the necessary technical and administrative changes to 
make it operable in a bilateral context between  the UK and Moldova.  
01,0002,0003,000
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Inward Stock Outward StockA. FDI stock with worldUSD Billion
-150-100-50050100150200
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021B.FDI flow with world
010203040
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021C. FDI stock with Moldova
-0.40.00.40.81.21.6
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021D. FDI flow with Moldova(USD Million)
0123456
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Inward Stock Outward StockA. FDI stock with world(USD Billion) -0.10.00.10.20.30.40.50.6
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021B. FDI flow with worldWT/REG 439/1 
 
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  Table 2.1 Structure of the Agreement  
Titles, Chapters (including 
Annexes) and Protocols  Title/description  
Preamble   
Title I  General principles  
Title II  Political dialogue and reform, cooperation in the field of foreign and 
security policy  
Title III  Freedom, security and justice  
Title IV  Economic and other sectoral cooperation  
 Chapter 1  Public administration reform  
 Chapter 2  Economic Dialogue  
 Chapter 3  Company law, accounting and auditing and corporate  governance  
 Chapter 4  Employment, social policy and equal opportunity   
 Chapter 5  Consumer protection  
 Chapter 6  Statistics  
 Chapter 7  Management of public finance: budget policy, internal control, 
financial inspection and external audit  
 Chapter 8  Taxation  
 Chapter 9  Financial Services  
 Chapter 10  Industrial and enterprise policy  
 Chapter 11  Mining and raw materials  
 Chapter 12  Agriculture and rural development  
 Chapter 13  Fisheries and maritime Policy  
 Chapter 14  Energy cooperation  
 Chapter 15  Transport  
 Chapter 16  Environment  
 Chapter 17  Climate action  
 Chapter 18  Information society  
 Chapter 19  Tourism  
 Chapter 20  Regional development  
 Chapter 21  Public health  
 Chapter 22  Civil protection  
 Chapter 23  Cooperation on education, training, multilingualism, youth and sport  
 Chapter 24  Cooperation in research, technological development and 
demonstration  
 Chapter 25  Cooperation on culture, audio -visual policy and media  
 Chapter 26  Civil society cooperation  
 Chapter 27  Cooperation in the protection and promotion of the rights of the child  
Title V  Trade and trade -related matters  
 Chapter 1   National treatment and market access for goods  
 Chapter 2   Trade remedies  
 Chapter 3   Technical barriers to trade, standardization, metrology, accreditation 
and conformity assessment  
 Chapter 4   Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures  
 Chapter 5   Customs and trade facilitation  
 Chapter 6   Establishment, trade in services and electronic commerce  
 Chapter 7   Current payments and movement of capital  
 Chapter 8   Public procurement  
 Chapter 9   Intellectual property rights  
 Chapter 10   Competition  
 Chapter 11   Trade -related energy  
 Chapter 12  Transparency  
 Chapter 13  Trade and sustainable development  
 Chapter 14   Dispute settlement  
Title VI  Institutional, general and final provisions  
 Chapter 1  Institutional framework  
 Chapter 2  General and final provisions  
  
Annexes I -XVII Supplementary provisions referring to specific parts of the Agreement  
  
Protocol I  Concerning the definition of the concept of "originating products" and 
methods of administrative cooperation  
Protocol II  On mutual administrative assistance in customs matters  
Protocol III  Definitions  
Source:  The Agreement . WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  3  PROVISIONS ON TRADE IN GOODS  
3.1.  Under Title V, which covers trade and trade -related matters, Chapters 1 through 5 contain 
disciplines related to trade in goods.  
3.1  Import duties and charges, and quantitative restrictions  
3.1.1   General provisions  
3.2.  The Parties agree to eliminate customs duties on each others' originating goods as per the tariff 
liberalization schedules in Annex II to the Agreement  (Article 124). They also agree to apply national 
treatment to each others' imports in accordance with Article III of GATT 1994 and its interpretative 
notes, which are incorporated into and made an integral part of the Agreement (Article 12 9). 
3.3.  Except as otherwise provided in the Agreement and in accordance with the provisions of 
Article  XI of GATT 1994 and its interpretative notes, which is incorporated into the Agreement, 
mutatis mutandis  neither Party may adopt or maintain any prohibition or restriction on bilateral 
imports and exports (Article 130).   
3.4.  For the application of fees and cha rges on the Parties' bilateral imports or exports, the 
Agreement mirrors the provisions of GATT Article VIII (Article 128). Under Article 171, the 
Agreement prohibits administrative fees equivalent to import or export duties and charges.  
3.1.2   Liberalization of trade and tariff lines  
3.5.  The Agreement replicates the provisions of the EU -Moldova Agreement on import duties and 
charges, and quantitative restrictions. Under Annex II, the  Parties shall eliminate all customs duties 
on goods originating in the other Party u pon entry into force of the Agreement except:  
(i) Products listed in Annex II -A which are subject to tariff rate quotas by the UK . 
(ii) Products listed in Annex II -B under an entry price may be subject to an import duty in the UK 
with an exemption o n the ad valorem  component of that duty.  
(iii) Product listed in Annex II -D are subject to phased duty elimination by Moldova: (a) customs 
duties for staging category '10-A' in the Annex shall be eliminated in 10 equal annual stages starting 
on 1 January 2015 and ending on 1 January 2024, and (b) duties for staging category '10-S' shall 
be eliminated in 10 equal annual stages, starting on 1 January 2019,  and ending on  1 January 2028.  
3.6.  In the fol lowing sections, unless explicitly stated, the analysis of tariffs and trade liberalization 
of the Parties under the Agreement7 is based on the data provided by the UK and, in case of Moldova, 
data partly supplied by Moldova and others extracted from WTO IDB and TPR Databases, in the 2017 
version of the Harmonized System for both Parties. The computation of the number of tariff lines 
and average tariffs excludes tariff lines subject to in -quota rates; for c alculating the average tariff, 
specific rates of duty are excluded, and only the ad valorem  part of alternate rates is included .8 
3.1.3   Liberalization schedule  
3.1.3.1   United Kingdom  
3.7.  Table 3.1 below shows the UK's commitment to eliminate tariffs on its imports from Mol dova 
under the Agreement. A comparison is made between the tariffs resulting from the implementation 
 
7 In particular, Tables 3.1, 3.2, A1.1, A1.3, A2.1 and Chart 3.1 for the UK, and Tables 3.3, 3.4, A1.2, 
A1.4, A2.3. and Chart 3.2 for Moldova.  
8 The data provided by the UK in GBP were converted to USD using IMF exchange rates for the 
corresponding years :  0.749531540259847(2018), 0.783445110011929 (2019) and 0.779999576697153 
(2020) .  WT/REG 439/1 
 
- 12 - 
 
  of the Agreement and the corresponding MFN tariffs that are applicable to these products.9 In 2021, 
47% of the UK's tariff (4,462 lines) was already duty free on an MFN basis which corresponds to 
3.6% of its imports from Moldova during 2018 -2020. Under the Agreement, an additional 5,022 
lines (52.9% of the tariff) were duty -free in 2021 , corresponding to 96.4% of its imports from 
Moldova. As a result, 99.9%  of the UK's tariff and all of its imports from Moldova during 2018 -2020 
are duty-free under the Agreement . The ten lines not liberalized are subject to tariff rate quotas 
(see Section 3.1.4 below).  
Table 3.1 United Kingdom : Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement and 
corresponding average trade  
Duty phase -out period  Tariff lines in UK's tariff schedule  UK's imports from Moldova  
(2018  - 2020) 
Number  % Value  
(USD million)b % 
2021 (MFN)  4,462  47.0  1.7 3.6 
2021  5,022  52.9  45.7  96.4  
Remain dutiable  10 0.1 0.0 0.0 
Total  9,494  100.0  47.4  100.0  
Source:  UK authorities . 
 
3.8.  Table 3.2 further elaborates on the UK's tariff elimination by HS Sections. More than 80% of 
the tariff lines falling under HS Sections V  (minerals) , IX (wood) , XIV (precious stones) , and XV 
(base metals) , as well as all lines from Sections X (wood pulp)  and XXI  (works of art)  were already 
duty free on an MFN basis  including a number of lines from other Sections. As a result of the 
Agreement, MFN dutiable products become duty free for the UK's imports from Moldova for products 
across all HS Sections except for  six tariff lines under Section II (vegetables ) and four lines from 
Section IV (prepared foods) . The lines are found in Chapters 7 and 10 with average applied MFN 
rates of 9.5% and 7.5%, respectively, and Chapter 20 with a considerably higher rate of 25% . As 
indicated before, these 10 lines are subject to tariff  rate quotas.  
Table 3.2 United Kingdom : Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by HS Section  
HS 
Section  MFN 2021  Duty Free Lines  
under  
the Agreement 
(2021)  Remain 
Dutiable  Average 
Dutiable 
Tariff  Avg. Tariff 
(%) No. of 
lines  Duty free 
lines  
I 8.9 956 109 847   
II 4.4 554 213 335 6 8.2 
III 4.8 129 30 99   
IV 12.9 869 119 746 4 25.0 
V 0.4 231 202 29   
VI 2.7 1,226  550 676   
VII 3.7 301 86 215   
VIII 1.4 130 73 57   
IX 1.1 235 189 46   
X 0.0 195 195    
XI 7.0 1,149  243 906   
XII 7.3 106 17 89   
XIII 2.0 234 162 72   
XIV 0.5 58 47 11   
XV 0.6 955 804 151   
XVI 0.7 1,338  981 357   
XVII 3.7 286 121 165   
XVIII 0.6 299 218 81   
 
9 The UK's applied MFN tariff in 2021 consisted of 9,494 lines at the eight -digit level (HS 2017). 90.7% 
of the tariff rates were ad valorem  and 881 lines had non -ad valorem  tariffs  of which 683 lines with specific 
duties, 194 with compound duties, and 4 with mixed duties.  WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  HS 
Section  MFN 2021  Duty Free Lines  
under  
the Agreement 
(2021)  Remain 
Dutiable  Average 
Dutiable 
Tariff  Avg. Tariff 
(%) No. of 
lines  Duty free 
lines  
XIX 1.4 22 7 15   
XX 1.4 214 89 125   
XXI 0.0 7 7    
Total  3.8 9,494  4,462  5,022  10 14.9 
Note:  For tariff lines subject to seasonal duties10, the average rate for the year is used and the products 
classified beyond the HS 8-digit level are counted on ce and their rates are averaged to the 8 -digit 
level. 
Source:  the UK authorities . 
 
3.1.3.2   Moldova  
3.9.  Table 3.3 summarizes Moldova 's commitment to eliminate tariffs on its imports from the UK 
under the Agreement. A comparison is made between the tariffs resulting from the implementation 
of the Agreement and the corresponding MFN tariffs  applied to these products in the year of entry 
into force of the Agreement .11 In 2021, 35.7% of M oldova 's tariff ( 3,434 lines) was already duty-
free on an MFN basis, corresponding to 58.5% of its imports from the UK  during 2018 -2020. Upon 
entry into force of the Agreement in 2021, an additional 6,040  tariff lines  (62.8% of the tariff)  
became duty -free, corresponding to 41.4% of imports from the UK . Moldova will further liberalize 
38 lines in 2024 and 17 lines in 2028. At the end of  the implementation period, 99% of Moldova 's 
tariffs ( 9,529 lines) will be duty -free, corresponding to nearly 100% of its imports from the UK in 
2018-2020. The 96 tariff lines  that are not  liberaliz ed are subject to tariff rate quotas (see Section 
3.1.4 below).   
Table 3.3 Moldova : Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement and 
corresponding average trade  
Duty phase -out period  Tariff lines in Moldova's tariff schedule  Moldova's imports from UK  
(2018  - 2020)  
Number  % Value  
(USD million)  % 
2021 (MFN)  3,434  35.7 32.8 58.5 
2021 6,040  62.8 23.3 41.4 
2024 38 0.4 0.0 0.0 
2028 17 0.2 0.0 0.0 
Remain dutiable  96 1.0 0.0 0.1 
Total 9,625  100.0  56.2 100.0  
Source:  Moldovan authorities, TPR and the WTO -IDB. 
 
3.10.  Table 3.4 below further elaborates on Moldova's tariff elimination commitments by HS Section. 
Over 80% of the tariff lines falling under HS Sections IX (wood) and XV (base metals) were already 
duty-free on an MFN basis, including a number of lines from sev eral other Sections, while none of 
the products from Sections VIII (raw hides and skins) and XIX (arms and ammunitions) were duty-
free. In 2021, most of the MFN dutiable products bec ame duty -free for imports from the UK for 
products across all HS Sections except for 151 tariff lines from Sections I (animal), II (vegetables) 
and IV (prepared foods). Among these 151 lines, 55 lines will be further liberalized by the end of 
the implementation period, with 38 lines becoming duty -free in 2024 and 17 lines in 202 8. The 
remaining 96 lines, 58 from Section I (animal) and 38 from Section IV (prepared food), will remain  
subject to MFN duties for imports  from the UK. These lines are found in HS Chapters 2, 4 and 16  with 
 
10 Tariff lines 0302.41.00, 0302.43.90, 0302.44.00, 0303.51.00, 0303.53.90, 0303.54.10, 0303.89.40, 
0304.59.50, 0304.99.23,  0702.00.00, 0708.10.00, 0805.10.22, 0805.10.24, 0805.10.28, 0808.10.80, 
0808.30.90, 0809.29.00 and 0809.40.05 are subject to MFN seasonal duties.  
11 Moldova 's applied MFN tariff in 2021 consisted of 9,625 nine-digit lines (HS 2017) . 95.7% of the tariff 
rates were ad valorem  and 414 lines had non -ad valorem  tariffs of which 231 lines with specific duties, 136 
with compound duties, and 47 with mixed duties.   WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  the average MFN rate of 17.1%, 16.1%, and 16.7%, respectively, while the average rate for Chapter 
17 is significantly higher, at 75% . 
Table 3.4 Moldova : Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by HS Section  
HS 
Section  MFN 2021  Duty Free lines under 
the Agreement  Remain 
Dutiable  Average 
Dutiable 
Tariff  Average Tariff 
(%) Number of 
lines  Duty free 
lines  2021  2024  2028  
I 9.0 956 374 496 25 3 58 16.7 
II 11.0 581 54 512 3 12   
III 12.5 129 8 121     
IV 16.4 905 8 847 10 2 38 52.0 
V 1.7 236 170 66     
VI 3.6 1,222  387 835     
VII 5.2 301 21 280     
VIII 9.0 130  130     
IX 1.1 233 199 34     
X 6.0 196 38 158     
XI 7.2 1,156  242 914     
XII 12.3 106 8 98     
XIII 8.2 232 17 215     
XIV 5.3 56 17 39     
XV 0.9 954 853 101     
XVI 3.6 1,389  710 679     
XVII 2.9 280 132 148     
XVIII 4.1 321 150 171     
XIX 10.0 22  22     
XX 7.0 213 44 169     
XXI 7.1 7 2 5     
Total  6.2 9,625  3,434  6,040  38 17 96 30.7 
Source:  Moldovan authorities, TPR and the WTO -IDB. 
 
3.1.4   Tariff rate quotas  (TRQs)  
3.11.  Both Parties  apply TRQs for certain products under the Agreement.  As in other continuity 
agreements the UK's TRQs have been resized to reflect the fact that the UK is a smaller trader than 
the EU.  The UK has TRQs on 7 categories of products (10 lines at the tar iff line level), including 
tomatoes, garlic, table grapes, apples, cherries, plums, and grape juice. For these products, the in -
quota rates are eliminated, while out -of-quota imports from Moldova are subject to MFN rates.  
Moldova  has maintained TRQs for 6 product categories that comprise 96 tariff lines. The products 
include pork meat, poultry, dairy products, sausages, other prepared meat, sugar, and other sugar 
items. The in -quota rates are eliminated for all these products , while the out -of-quota imports  are 
subject to MFN rates.  
3.12.  Annex 2 provides further information on the TRQs maintained by both Parties, including quota 
volumes, in and out -of-quota rates under the Agreement, corresponding MFN rates, and products 
subject to MFN TRQs.   
3.2  Rules of origin12 
3.13.  The rules of origin are laid down in Protocol I of the Agreement  (Article 121  of the Agreement ). 
The relevant definitions are provided in Title I of the Protocol, while Title II specifies the requirements 
 
12 Unless explicitly mentioned in the text, the Articles referred to in this section are from Protocol I of 
the Agreement .  WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  for products to qualify as originating. As per Article 2, a product is considered as originating in a 
Party if  it is: 
(a) wholly obtained in a Party  within the meaning of Article 513, or  
(b) obtained in a Party incorporating materials which have not been wholly obtained there, 
provided that such materials have undergone sufficient working or processing in the 
Party concerned within the meaning of Art icle 6.  
3.14.  Article 6 defines the rules for conferring originating status for products which are not wholly 
obtained  by the meaning of Article 5 . Product -specific rules of origin are found in Incorporated Annex  
II14 of the Protocol specif ying the necessary co nditions for products to be considered sufficiently 
processed or worked. Origin status is granted based on four primary criteria applied either separately 
or in combination with each other.  These are:  
 (i) Change in tariff classification (CTC)  that require s non -originating materials to have 
undergone a transformation at a required level of HS classification to obtain originating 
status. Under the Agreement, the CTC is the main criterion for a product to qualify as 
originating, mainly at the HS Chapter level with some exceptions at the HS  heading level.  
 (ii) Value -added  criteria requiring a  proportion of the final value of the product be added 
in the exporting Party. T he maximum level of non -originating content permitted in the  ex-
works price of the product varies from 15% to 60% .  
 (iii) Specific processing rules  that require specific processing be undertaken at a 
particular stage of the production process which applies  to a limited number of products.  
 (iv) Wholly obtained  criteria that requires all the materials of the HS Chapter be wholly 
obtained in a Party. This applies to a limited number of products, mostly agricultural.  
3.15.  Article 6 also provides for a general de mi nimis  or tolerance rule that permits the use of non -
originating materials in the production of a product as long as their total value does not exceed 10% 
of the product's ex -works price and the maximum values of non -originating materials specified in 
Incorporated Annex II are not surpassed  as a result of this provision . The provision does not apply 
for textile  and apparel products under HS Chapters 50 to 63 , for which, the rule is 10% or less of 
the total weight  of the materials .15 The absorption rule disregards any non -originating materials 
used in the production of a product that has already acquired originating status. Regardless of 
compliance with Article 6, the operations listed in Article 7 are considered insufficient to confer or igin 
status.  
3.16.   Bilateral cumulation and diagonal cumulation of content from third parties is allowed under 
specific conditions  (Articles 3 and 4) . Cumulation is permitted if a good  is produced using materials 
originating in the other Party, Switzerland (inc luding Liechtenstein), Iceland, Norway, Türkiye, and 
the EU  (including industrial products from Andorra and San Marino)16; or in the other countries 
referred to in Annex A17 to the Protocol, provided that working or processing goes beyond the 
operation ref erred to in Article 7.  If the working or processing in a Party does not exceed the 
minimum operations in Article 7, the product will be considered as originating in that Party only if 
 
13 Article 5 contains the list of product  descriptions to be considered as wholly obtained.  
14 Incorporated Annexes I to IV b’ mean Annexes I to IV b of Appendix I to the Regional Convention on 
pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin, as incorporated by Article 39 of Protocol I of the 
Agreement.  
15 As per the specifics of Note 5 of introductory notes to the list in incorporated Annex II . 
16 Two Joint Declarations  (under Annexes A and B of  Protocol I ) confirm that industrial product falling 
under HS Chapters 25 -97 originating in the Principality of Andorra and all the products originating in the 
Republic of San Marino, meeting the conditions of Articles  3(7)(b)(ii)  and 4(5)(b)(ii) of the Protocol I shall be 
accepted by the Parties as originating in the EU within the meaning of the Agreement.  
17 Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, 
Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedo nia, Serbia, Syria, the Faroe Islands (represented by Denmark), the 
Palestinian Authority, Tunisia, and Ukraine (these are the Parties to the Regional Convention on Pan -Euro-
Mediterranean Preferential Rules of Origin ). WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  the value -added there exceeds the value of the materials used from any o f the countries  with which 
cumulation is allowed. If not, the product will be considered as originating in the country that 
accounts for the highest value of originating materials used in the manufacture in the Party 
concerned. Additionally, working or pro cessing in Iceland, Norway, or the EU shall be considered as 
having been carried out in the UK when the products obtained undergo subsequent working or 
processing in the UK that goes beyond operations referred to in Article 7.  
3.17.  Cumulation  in Articles 3 and 4 in respect to the EU may be applied provided that: (i)  the UK, 
Moldova  and the EU have arrangements on administrative cooperation which ensure the correct 
implementation of cumulation rules; (ii) materials and products have acquired originating status by  
the application of rules of origin identical to those in Protocol I; and (iii) notices indicating the 
fulfilment of the necessary requirements to apply cumulation have been published by the Parties. 
With regard to the other countries cumulation may be app lied if a  regional trade agreement 
consistent with Article  XXIV of the GATT 1994 is applicable between the countries involved in the 
acquisition of originating status and the country of destination  provided the conditions  under (ii) and 
(iii) points above are met . The current status for the UK updated to 13 October 2022, has been 
published.18 The Parties confirmed that they are engaging in this matter to ensure that they can 
benefit to the fullest extent from the possible cumulation provisions under the Agreement.  
3.18.  Article 15 prohibits drawback or exemption from customs duties for non -originating materials 
used in production . However, this does not apply if the products are deemed as originating in either 
the UK or Moldova, without cumulat ing materials from Switzerland ( and Liechtenstein), Türkiye, or 
one of the countries mentioned in Articles 3 and 4 .19 
3.19.  Tittle V regarding proof of origin include s general proof of origin  requirements ; procedures for 
issuing a movemen t certificate EUR.1 or EUR -MED20; accounting segregation; and invoice 
declarations. Approved exporters who make frequent shipments of products may  be authorized 
irrespective of the value of the products exported  (Article 23) .  
3.20.  Under Title VI on  arrangements for administrative cooperation , verification  of proof of origin 
shall be random or whenever the customs authorities in the importing Party have reasonable doubts 
as to the authenticity of the documents , the originating status of the products c oncerned or the 
fulfilment of the other requirements of the Protocol  (Article 33) . Verification  shall be carried out by 
the customs authorities of the exporting Party  including by  conduct ing inspections of the exporter's 
accounts or checks as deemed approp riate. They may suspend preferences w hile waiting for the 
results of verification ; if so, they shall offer the release of the products to the importer subject to 
any precautionary measures  judged necessary . Disputes concerning the verification procedure under 
Article 33 shall be submitted to the Customs Sub-Committee (Article 34) and penalties are provided 
for by Article  35.  
3.3  Export duties and charges, and quantitative restrictions  
3.21.  Neither Party shall adopt or maintain any duty or tax, other than internal c harges applied in 
accordance with Article 128 of this Agreement, on their bilateral exports (Article 127). They are also 
restricted from adopting or maintaining any prohibition or restriction on their bilateral exports 
(Article 130) .  
 
18 It is available at: : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice -of-fulfilment -from-the-united -
kingdom -on-cumulation -with-trading -partners -december -2020/notice -of-fulfilment -from-the-united -kingdom -on-
cumulation -with-trading -partners -31-december -2020 . 
19 Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, 
Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Serbia, Syria, the Faroe Islands (represented by Denmark), The 
Palestinian Authority, Tunisia, and Ukraine.  
20 Including  its ret rospective issuance and duplicate copy or re -issuance  of the certificate.  WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  3.4  Regulatory provisions  on trade in goods  
3.4.1   Standards  
3.4.1.1   Sanitary and phytosanitary measures  (SPS)  
3.22.  Chapter 4 of Title V and Annexes III -IX include provisions on SPS measures.  Chapter 4 also 
aims at reaching a common understanding between the Parties concerning animal welfare standards 
(Article 153). The provisions of Chapter 4 shall apply to all SPS measures applied by the Parties that 
may, directly or indirectly, affect their  bilateral trade, including all measures listed in Annex III of 
the Agreement.  Annex IV outlines the notifiable animal and aquaculture diseases, as well as 
regulated pests, for which regional freedom can be acknowledged, while Annex V specifies the 
criteri a for regionalisation/ zoning and pest -free areas.  Annex VI details the conditions and provisions 
for the provisional authorization of establishments, and Annex VII lays down the procedures for 
recognizing equivalents. Finally, Annex IX specifies the SPS ce rtification process, including the 
obligation to use the official languages of the Parties.  
3.23.  The key difference between SPS provisions in the Agreement and the EU -Moldova Agreement 
is that references to the gradual approximation of laws by Moldova to the EU 's laws have been 
removed. As in the EU -Moldova Agreement t he Parties  reaffirm their rights and obligations under 
the WTO  Agreements, in particular the SPS Agreement ( Article 15 3).  
3.24.  As per Article 159, equivalence may be recognised for an individual measur e, a group of 
measures, or a system applicable to a sector, subsector, commodities, or a group of commodities. 
The process of recognition requires an objective demonstration of equivalence by the exporting Party 
and an objective assessment of the request b y the importing Party, which may include inspections 
or verifications. The importing Party determines equivalence according to relevant ISPMs 
(International standards for phytosanitary measures) and may withdraw or suspend equivalence 
based on  any amendmen t affecting equivalence , provided that the procedures specified under 
paragraph 6 of Article  159 are followed. Once equivalence is recognized, the SPS Sub -Committee 
shall endorse the recognition of equivalence, which may also provide  for the reduction of physical 
checks at the frontiers, simplify certificates, and pre -listing procedures for the establishments , as 
applicable . The status of the equivalence be listed in Annex X to the Agreement21. 
3.25.  Provisions relating to transparency are unchanged. The SPS Sub -Committee , established 
under Article 167 , which shall meet at least once a year  to address matters related to the Chapter. 
Its functions include monitoring the implementat ion of the Chapter, reviewing annexes, modifying 
them, and providing opinions and recommendations to the Political and Strategic Dialogue in Trade 
Configuration. Technical working groups and ad hoc  groups may also be established. The Sub-
Committee's decisi ons, recommendations, reports, or actions must be agreed upon by both Parties. 
The Parties also agree to inform each other about the structure, organization, and division of 
competences of their competent authorities during their first meeting of the Sub -Committee 
(Article  157). Additionally, they must inform each other of any changes in the structure, 
organization, and division of competences, including contact points, of such competent authorities22.  
3.4.1.2   Technical barriers to trade  (TBT)  
3.26.  As for SPS, there are few changes to the provisions on TBT in the Agreement such as removing 
references to a gradual approximation of laws by Moldova  to the EU acquis Communautaire . The 
Agreement includes provisions on TBT measures through Chapter 3 of Title V. The Chapter applies 
to standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures as defined in the WTO 
TBT Agreement that may affect trade in goods between the Parties  but not to SPS measures  or 
purchasing specifications prepared by publ ic authorities for their own production or consumption 
 
21 Moldova confirm s that its competent authority has already submitted the national plans for monitoring 
residues of pharmacologically active substances, pesticides, and contaminants in animal -origin products for 2023. 
Additionally, it provided the list of current food operators exporting to the UK and other relevant documents.  
22 The Parties confirm that the contact point information of Moldova has been communicated . The Sub -
Committee has not yet met. However, the competent authorities of the Parties will meet soon to address issues 
related to SPS.  WT/REG 439/1 
 
- 18 - 
 
  requirements (Article 147). Under Article 148, the Parties confirm their existing rights and obligations 
under the WTO TBT Agreement . They also agree to strengthen their  technical cooperation in the 
field of standards, technical regulations, metrology, market surveillance, accreditation, and 
conformity assessment systems (Article 14 9). In addition, the Parties seek to identify trade -
facilitating initiatives and coordinate their positions in internationa l trade and regulatory 
organisations.23 
3.27.  Under Article 150, Moldova agrees to carry out administrative and institutional reforms 
necessary for the effective and transparent implementation of Chapter 3 and ensures the 
participation of its relevant national b odies in European and international organisations for 
standardisation, legal and fundamental metrology, and conformity assessment, including 
accreditation.   
3.28.  The Parties  also agree to add an Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of 
Industrial Pr oducts (ACAA) as a Protocol to the Agreement (Article 151)  in sectors they agree upon24. 
While reaffirming the principles of Article 2.2 of the WTO TBT Agreement, the Parties agree to 
minimise their needs for obligatory labelling or marking, except as requ ired for the protection of 
health, safety, or the environment, or other reasonable public policy purposes and retain the right 
to require information on the label or marking to be in a specified language .  
3.4.2   Safeguard mechanisms  
3.29.  There are no changes to safeguard provisions compared to those in the EU -Moldova 
Agreement. The Agreement's global  safeguard provisions  are in Section 1 and bilateral safeguard 
provisions  in Section 3 of Chapter 2  (trade remedies)  of Part V. In addition, i t also includes, through 
Article 125, the possibility for the UK to apply an anti-circumvention mechanism for certain 
agricultural and processed agricultural products as a special safeguard mechanism.  
3.4.2.1   Global safeguards  
3.30.  Under Article 135, the Parties confir m their rights and obligations under Article XIX of GATT 
1994 and the WTO Safeguards Agreement  as well as under Article 5 of the WTO Agreement on 
Agriculture . 
3.31.  Article 136 outlines rules and procedures on transparency and notification requirements when 
initiating safeguard investigations and applying measures. The Party initiating investigations and 
intending to apply the measures must notify the other Party of the investigation, provided that the 
latter has a substantial economic interest. A Party is consid ered to have a substantial economic 
interest if it is among the largest five suppliers of the imported product in terms of volume or value 
over the past three years. In addition, if requested by the other Party, the initiating Party must 
provide ad hoc  written notification of all pertinent information related to the investigation and offer 
the possibility for consultations.  
3.32.  While applying safeguard measures, the Parties shall endeavour to impose them in a way that 
least affects their bilateral trade. If a Party believes the legal requirements for definitive safeguard 
measures are met  and intends to apply such measures , it must notify the other Party and offer the 
possibility of bilateral consultations. If no satisfactory solution is reached within 30 days  of the 
notification , the importing Party may take appropriate measures to remedy the problem  
(Article  137). 
 
23 The initiative s may include: reinforcing regulatory cooperation through the exchange of data and 
experience, scientific and technical coop eration; promoting and encouraging cooperation between their 
respective related public or private institutions; fostering the development of quality infrastructure for 
standardisation, metrology, accreditation, conformity assessment, and market surveillanc e system in Moldova; 
promoting the participation of Moldova in the related works of the UK; seeking solutions to technical barriers to 
trade; and coordinating positions in international trade and regulatory organisations such as the WTO and the 
United Nati ons Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).  
24 The Parties confirm that there is no current plan for adding an AC AA to the Agreement.  WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  3.33.  The preferential rules of origin under Chapter 1 of Title V and dispute settlement mechanism 
under Chapter 14 of Title V of the Agreement shall not apply to the provisions on global safeguard 
measures  (Article 135) . 
3.4.2.2   Bilateral safeguards  
3.34.  During the transitional period25, a Party may adopt bilate ral safeguard measures if the 
reduction or elimination of customs duty as per the Agreement results in increased imports of goods 
originating in the other Party, which may cause or threaten to cause serious injury to the domestic 
industry producing like or  directly competitive goods. Such a measure may consist of either (i) a 
suspension of the further reduction of the customs duty on the product concerned provided for in 
the Party's tariff elimination schedule or (ii) an increase in the customs duty on the product 
concerned to a level not exceeding the lesser of the MFN applied customs duty on the product in 
effect at the time the measure is taken or the base rate as specified in the Party's schedule included 
in Annex II pursuant to Article 124 of the Agreem ent (Article 142).  
3.35.  Before applying a measure, a Party must notify and consult with the other Party and conduct 
an investigation in accordance with Articles 3  and 4.2(c) , and in compliance  with the requirements 
of Article 4.2(a) of the WTO Safeguards Agreem ent, which are incorporated into the Agreement 
mutatis mutandis . The investigation must be completed within one year. Bilateral safeguard 
measures can only be applied to prevent or remedy serious injury and facilitate adjustment of the 
domestic industry, f or a maximum period of two years, with the possibility of a two -year extension  
(Article 143) . A bilateral safeguard measure cannot be applied beyond the transitional period  (i.e., 
beyond 31 August 2024)  or simultaneously as a measure under Article XIX of G ATT 1994 and the 
WTO Safeguards Agreement. When terminating a bilateral safeguard measure, the customs duty 
rate shall revert to the rate that, according to the Parties' respective Tariffs Schedules in Annex II, 
would have been in effect but for the measur e. 
3.4.2.3   Anti-circumvention mechanism  
3.36.  Under Article 125, the UK reserves the right to apply an anti -circumvention mechanism on 
imports of agricultural and processed agricultural products from Moldova. The mechanism applies to 
products listed in Annex II -C26 and requires the UK to notify Moldova  when the volume of imports 
reaches 70% , in any given year starting on 1 January  of the volume indicated therein. If the volume 
reaches 80%, Moldova must provide a justification for the increase in imports within 14 da ys. If the 
volume reaches 100% without a sound justification, the UK may temporarily suspend preferential 
treatment  under the Agreement for the products applicable for up to  six months from the date of 
publication of the decision  to do so . All temporary su spensions adopted shall  be notified by the UK 
to Moldova without undue delay The suspension may be lifted before the expiry of six months if 
evidence is provided that the increase in imports is due to a change in Moldova's production and 
export capacity.  
3.37.  Annex II -C may be amended, and the volume modified by mutual consent of the Parties to 
reflect changes in the production and export capacity of Moldova for the product(s) concerned27.  
3.4.3   Anti-dumping and countervailing measures  
3.38.   Provisions on anti -dumping an d countervailing measures are unchanged from those under 
the EU -Moldova Agreement. Under  Section 2 of Chapter 2 of Part V , the Parties confirm their rights 
and obligations under Article VI of the GATT 1994 and the WTO Agreements on Antidumping  and on 
Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (Article 138). Accordingly, the Section 2 specifies the rules 
 
25 Pursuant to Article 146, the "transition period" means ten years from 1 September 2014 until 31 
August 2024.  
26 The agricultural products include pig meat; poultry meat; dairy products; eggs in shell; eggs and 
albumins; wheat, barley and maize flour and pellets; and sugars ; and  processed agricultural products include 
processed  cereal ; cigarettes; processed dairy; processed sugar; and sweet corn.  
27 Moldova confirms that the anti -circumvention measures are in place; however, they are not being 
applied because they are deemed unnecessary  because of a  lack of exports from Moldova to the UK that would 
fall under the scop e of the mechanism.  WT/REG 439/1 
 
- 20 - 
 
  on transparency (Article  162), consideration of public interest (Article 163), and the application of 
the "lesser duty value" principle (Article 164) . 
3.39.  The preferential rules of origin under Chapter 1 of Title V and dispute settlement mechanism 
under Chapter 14 of Title V of the Agreement shall not apply to anti -dumping and countervailing 
measures (Article 135).  
3.4.4   Subsidies and State-aid 
3.40.  Disciplines on  State-aid which covers both trade in goods and services, under  Chapter 10 
(competition) are addressed below under section 5.10.  
3.4.5   Customs -related procedures  and trade facilitation  
3.41.   Customs procedures related to origin  are covered by Protocol 1 of the Agreement . In addition,  
special provisions on administrative cooperation are under Section 5, Chapter 1 , and other disciplines 
on customs and trade facilitation are contained in Chapter 5 of Title V.  As in other parts of t he 
Agreement references to the approximation of laws by Moldova to those of the EU have been 
removed.  
3.42.  While acknowledging that administrative cooperation and assistance are essential for 
implementing and controlling the preferential treatment granted under  Chapter 1 (trade in goods), 
the Parties agree to combat irregularities and fraud in customs and related matters. Failure to 
provide administrative cooperation or assistance, or irregularities or fraud, may  result in temporar y 
suspen sion of preferential tr eatment for the product(s) concerned.28 
3.43.  Under Chapter 5 (customs and trade facilitation), The Parties agree to reinforce cooperation 
to ensure that the relevant legislation and procedures, as well as the administrative capacities fulfil 
the aim of effective control and support facilitation of legitimate trade. They also recognize the 
importance of legitimate public policy objectives, including trade facilitation, security, and prevention 
of fraud.  
3.44.  The Parties agree that their respective trade and cu stoms legislation shall be stable and 
comprehensive, and customs procedures shall be proportionate, transparent, predictable, non -
discriminatory, impartial,  and applied uniformly and effectively  (Article 169) . They also agree to take 
further steps towards reducing, simplifying,  and standardising data and documentation required by 
customs and other authorities and to provide effective , prompt, and non -discriminatory  procedures 
guaranteeing the right of appeal against customs administrative actions. Such appe al procedures 
shall be easily accessible, and any costs shall be reasonable. The Parties also commit not to apply 
any requirements for the mandatory use of customs brokers or pre-shipment or destination 
inspections.  
3.45.  The Parties will inter alia  ensure transparency and consultation with the business community 
regarding customs and trade issues  and make  legislation and procedures publicly available ; and 
establish consultation mechanisms with trade representatives .  
3.46.  There are also no changes to provisions on customs valuation (Article 172), where  the 
provisions of the WTO Agreement on the Implementation of Article VII of GATT 1994 (WTO 
Agreement on customs valuation) are made an integral part of the Agreement; and customs 
cooperation (Article 173), which in cludes agreement to exchange information on customs legislation 
and procedures, cooperate on automating customs and trade procedures and exchanging best 
practices  on customs operations .  
3.47.  The Parties will also  provide each other with mutual administrative a ssistance in customs 
matters as per the provisions of Protocol II  to the Agreement  on Mutual Administrative Assistance 
 
28 A finding of irregularities or fraud may be made if there is a rapid increase in the volume of imports of 
goods that exceed the other Party's usual production and export capacity without satisfactory explanation and 
linked to objectiv e information concerning irregularities or fraud (Article 132).  WT/REG 439/1 
 
- 21 - 
 
 
  in Customs Matters (Article 174) . The Parties shall cooperate, providing technical assistance and 
capacity building for trade facilitatio n and customs reforms  (Article 175) . 
3.48.  The Customs Sub -Committee is established under Article 176 and is responsible for  inter alia  
ensuring the proper functioning of Chapter 5 (customs and trade facilitation), Protocol I (rules of 
origin), and Protocol II ( mutual administrative assistance in customs matters).  
3.4.6   Other regulations  
3.49.  In addition to the provisions described above, there are no other regulations in the Agreement.  
3.5  Sector -specific provisions on trade in goods  
3.50.  There are no sector specific provisions in the Agreement.  
4  PROVISIONS ON TRADE IN SERVICES AND INVESTMENT  
4.1  Scope and definitions  
4.1.  The Agreement incorporates trade in services provisions of the EU -Moldova Agreement with 
modifications. Chapter 6 ( establishment, trade in services and electr onic commerce ) of Title V (trade 
and trade related matters ) applies to measures that affect trade in services among the Parties . The 
Parties reaffirm their respective commitments under the WTO Agreement and agree  on the 
progressive reciprocal liberalizatio n of establishment and trade in services and cooperation on 
electronic commerce. The Chapter includes  discipline s on establishment, trade in services, and 
electronic commerce. It does not apply to Government procurement, including measures related to 
trade in services , which is addressed in Chapter 8 ( public procurement) of Title V. Similarly, subsidies 
are governed by Chapter 10 ( competition); thus, Chapter 6 does not apply to subsidies granted by 
the Parties. The Parties retain the right to regulate and d evelop new policies to address legitimate 
objectives within the confines of Chapter 6. Additionally, measures that impact natural persons 
seeking employment in a Party or measures related to citizenship, residency, or permanent 
employment fall within the  individual  jurisdiction of the Parties and are therefore exempt from the 
Agreement (Article 177).  Table 4.1 below summarizes the structure of Chapter 6.  
Table 4.1 Structure of Chapter 6 ( establishment, trade in services and electronic 
commerce ) 
Section/sub -sections  Provisions  Annexes/disciplines  
Section 1  General provisions   
Section 2  Establishment  Annexes XI -A (UK) and XI -E (Moldova): reservations  
(negative list)  on national and MFN treatment for 
establishment and operation.  
 
Section 3  Cross -border supply of 
services (Mode 1 and 2)  Annexes XI -B (UK) and XI -F (Moldova): Schedule of 
commitments (Positive list) for mode s 1 and 2.  
Section 4  Temporary presence of 
natural persons for 
business purposes  Annexes XI -C (UK) and XI -G (Moldova): reservations on key 
personnel, graduate trainees , and business sellers.  
Annexes XI -D (UK) and XI -H (Moldova): reservations on 
contractual services suppliers and independent 
professionals.  
Section 5  Regulatory framework:   
 Sub-section 1  Domestic regulation  • Conditions for licensing and qualification  
• Licensing and qualification procedures  
 Sub-section 2  Provisions of general 
application  • Mutual recognition  
• Transparency and disclosure of confidential 
information  
Sub-sections 3 through 7 include provisions on computer services, postal and courier services, electronic 
communication networks and services, financial services, and transport services  
Section 6  Electronic Commerce   
 Sub-section 1 contains general provisions  
 Sub-section 2  Liability of intermediary service providers  
Section 7  Exception  • General exception s 
• Recognition and Taxation measures  WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  Section/sub -sections  Provisions  Annexes/disciplines  
• Security exception s 
Source:  WTO Secretariat based on t he Agreement . 
 
4.2.  The definitions applicable to Chapter 6 in Article 178, largely resemble those found in Article 1 
of the GATS.  
4.3.  On establishment  (section 2) , while corresponding to and encompassing the notion of 
commercial presence as defined under the GATS, the Agreement also covers  establishment for non-
services sectors . Accordingly, it applies to measures related to establishment in all economic 
activities except for mining, manufacturing and processing of nuclear materials ; production or trade 
in arms, munitions, and war materiel ; audio -visual services; national  maritime  cabotage; and  
domestic and international air transport services  except  aircraft repair and maintenance services 
during which an aircraft is withdrawn from service , selling and marketing of air transport services , 
computer reservation system (CRS) services , ground -handling services ; and airport operation 
services (Article  179).  
4.4.  Section 3 of Chapter 6 governs provision s on "cross -border supply of services" which 
corresponds to modes 1 and 2 of the GAT S and  applies to measures that affect cross -border supply  
of all service s except for audio -visual services, national maritime cabotage, and domestic and 
international air transport services  except for those included under Article 179 . (Article 184).  
4.5.  To progressively liberalize establishment and cross border sup ply provisions under the 
Agreement, the Parties agree to regularly review the legal framework and environment for 
establishment, consistent with their commitments in international agreements (Article 181) and 
commitments in Annexes XI -B and XI -F. The Parti es confirm that no progress has been made on 
this matter.  
4.2  Denial of benefits  
4.6.  The Agreement does not include a denial of benefits clause as such . However,  it specifies that 
a juridical person having only its registered office or central administration in t he territories of the 
Parties cannot benefit  from the Agreement unless its operations possess a real and continuous link 
with the economy of either Party. However, shipping companies established outside but controlled 
by nationals of the Parties will benef it from the provision of the Agreement provided that the vessels 
are registered in accordance with Parties' respective legislation and flying their flags.  
4.3  General provisions on trade in services and investment  
4.3.1   Market access  
4.7.  With regard to establishment, t he Agreement does not contain specific provisions  on market 
access. But for the cross -border supply of services, the Parties' market access commitments are in 
their Schedule s of specific commitments under Annexes XI -B (UK) and XI -F (Moldova) (Article 185). 
The list follows a positive list approach, like under the GATS. Therefore, each Party shall provide 
services and service suppliers of the other Party with no less favourable  treatment than specified in 
their Schedule of commitments. Additionally, in sectors where market access commitments are 
made, the Parties shall not maintain or adopt limitations on the number of services suppliers, the 
total value of service transactions or assets, or the total number of service operations or output 
expressed in designated numerical units, unless otherwise specified in their Schedules.  
4.3.2   National and MFN treatment  
4.8.  The Parties grant MFN and national treatment to each other's juridical person s for the 
establishment and operation of subsidiaries, branches, and representative offices. They also agree 
to provide the same treatment once established and not to introduce new regulations or measures 
which discriminat e against each other's juridical pe rsons  subject to  reservations in  Annexes XI -A 
(UK) and XI -E (Moldova) (Article 180).  WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  4.9.  Concerning the cross-border supply of services, national treatment is granted under Article 
186. Accordingly, in services sectors where market access commitments are made in their respective 
Schedules of Commitments and  subject to the conditions and limitation s therein, each Party must 
grant the other Party treatment no less favourable than that it accords to its own services and 
suppliers, either through formally identical or formally different treatment. If the treatment modifies 
the conditions of competition in favour of one Party, it will be considered less favourable. The 
Agreement does not require compensation for inherent competitive disadvantages resulting from 
the foreign nature of services or suppliers. In contrast to establishment, the Agreement does not 
contain  specific MFN provisions for the cross -border supply of services.  
4.3.3   Commercial  presence  (establishment)  
4.10.  Section 2 of Chapter 6 contains disciplines on establishment, while corresponding to and 
encompassing the notion of commercial presence as defined under t he GATS, the Agreement further 
extends its scope by covering establishment in non -services sectors . As regards branches and 
representative offices, particular rules can be applied in relation to national treatment or MFN 
treatments which are justified by l egal or technical differences or as regards financial services, for 
prudential reasons (Article 183). The rights of entrepreneurs of the Parties to benefit from any more 
favourable treatment provided for in any existing or future international agreement re lating to 
investment to which the UK and Moldova are parties also remain reserved.  
4.3.4   Performance requirements  
4.11.  There are no general provisions on performance requirements under Chapter 6, except 
otherwise specified in the Parties' respective Schedules .  
4.3.5   Senior Management and Boards of Directors  
4.12.  The Agreement does not contain specific provisions on senior management and boards of 
directors. The Parties' respective lists of specific commitments nevertheless contain certain 
reservations in this regard .  
4.3.6   Move ment of natural persons  
4.13.  Section 4 of Chapter 6 applies to measures concerning the movement of natural persons 
between the Parties' territories for business purposes , which include business visitors  and intra-
corporate transferees, graduate trainees, busine ss sellers, contractual services suppliers  (CSS) , and 
independent professionals (Article 189).  
4.14.  Concerning key personnel or graduate trainees, for every sector committed in accordance 
with Section 2 (establishment) and subject to any reservations listed in  Annexes XI -A and XI -E or 
in Annexes XI -C and XI -G, each Party shall allow entrepreneurs of the other Party to employ in their 
establishment natural persons of that other Party as per the conditions laid down in Article 190. 
Article 190 also prohibits limi tations on the number of natural persons an entrepreneur may employ 
as key personnel and graduate trainees in a specific sector in the form of numerical quotas or 
discriminatory limitations unless specified in Annexes XI -C and XI -G (reservations).  
4.15.  Under Ar ticle 191, for sectors committed to in accordance with Sections 2 (establishment) 
and 3 (cross -border supply of services), and subject to any reservations listed in Annexes XI -A and 
XI-E, and XI -B and XI -F, each Party agrees to permit business sellers to e nter and temporarily stay 
in their territories according to the conditions specified.  
4.16.  Regarding the entry and temporary stay of CSS, the Parties reaffirm their respective 
obligations under their GATS commitments. Additionally, each Party agrees to allow t he supply of 
services into their territory by CSS from the other Party, subject to the conditions in Article 192 and 
the reservations in Annex es XI-D and XI -H. 
4.17.  Under Article 193, the Parties allow independent professionals from one Party to provide 
service s in the territory of the other, subject to the conditions outlined therein and to the reservations WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  listed in Annexes XI -D and XI -H. Table 4.2 below summarizes temporary entry and stay for the 
categories for which the Parties take commitments under the Agr eement. The commitments are 
largely the same as those in the EU -Moldova Agreement, except that specific provisions for certain 
individual EU members have been removed.  
Table 4.2 UK and Moldova : Commitments taken by the Parties on the movement of 
natural persons.  
Categories  Conditions/length of stay for the temporary movement of natural persons  
Key personnel 
and graduate 
trainees  For establishment:  
• Subject to reservations listed in Annexes XI -A and XI -E or in Annexes XI -C and XI -G  
o up to 3 years for intra -corporate transferees .  
o 90 days in any 12 -month period for business visitors  for establishment 
purposes  
o for 1 year for graduate trainees .  
Business sellers  For establishment and cross -border  supplies of services:  
• up to 90 days in any 12 -month period, subject to reservations listed in Annexes XI -
A and XI -E or in Annexes XI -B and XI -F 
Contractual 
service suppliers  Subject to reservations listed in Annexes XI-D and XI -H:  
• natural persons must be engaged in the supply of services on a temporary basis as 
an employee of a juridical person.  
• the juridical person providing temporary employment must be supplying services 
for at least the year immediately preceding  the application for temporary entry for 
the natural persons.  
• natural persons have : a service contract not exceeding 12 months, a university 
degree or equivalent qualification, at least three years of professional experience in 
the sector of activity, and  professional qualifications required to exercise an activity 
pursuant to the laws of the concerned Party where the service is supplied.  
• natural persons entering the other Party shall not receive remuneration other than 
that paid by the juridical person em ploying them.  
• entry and temporary stay shall not exceed six months in any 12 -month period or 
for the duration of the contract, whichever is less.  
• the access granted to CSS is only for the service activity which is the subject of the 
contract.  
• the number of persons covered by the service contract shall not be larger than 
necessary to fulfil the contract according to the laws, regulations, or other legal 
requirements of the Party where the service is supplied.  
Independent 
professionals  • natural persons must  be self -employed and temporarily supply a service in the 
other Party, and must have obtained a service contract for a period not exceeding 
12 months.  
• must have at least six years of professional experience in the relevant sector at the 
time of submitting  their application to enter the other Party's territory.  
• must possess a university degree or equivalent qualification and professional 
qualifications required to exercise an activity pursuant to the laws of the concerned 
Party where the service is supplied . 
• entry and temporary stay shall not exceed six months in any 12 -month period or 
for the duration of the contract, whichever is less.  
• access granted to independent professional is only for the service activity which is 
the subject of the contract.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat based on Articles 190 through 193 of the Agreement.   
4.4  Liberalization commitments   
4.18.  The Parties' Schedules of specific commitments  are in Annexes XI -A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H. 
They include reservations on establishment, com mitments on cross -border supply of services, 
reservations for key personnel, graduate trainees and business sellers, and reservations for 
contractual services suppliers and independent professionals.  
4.19.  Regarding establishment, the Parties follow a negative l ist approach, and they grant each 
other national and MFN treatment for the establishment and operation of their subsidiaries, 
branches, and representative offices of juridical persons, subject to the reservations in Annexes XI -
A (UK) and XI -E (Moldova). Fo r the cross -border supply of covered services sectors, the Parties 
follow a positive list approach, and they grant each other market access and national treatment as 
scheduled in Annexes XI -B (UK) and XI -F (Moldova).  WT/REG 439/1 
 
- 25 - 
 
 
  4.4.1   United Kingdom  
4.20.  The commitments undertak en by the UK remain largely the same as those in the EU -Moldova 
Agreement, except that the commitments pertaining to individual EU members have been removed, 
and a few new reservations or commitments have been introduced. For example, a reservation under 
telecommunication services for broadcast transmission29 has been introduced, while the  reservation 
under tourism and travel related services on establishment has been removed . For cross -border 
supply (modes 1 -2), construction and related engineering service s have been fully liberalized, with 
a full commitment extended to the 'other' subcategory. Similarly, improvements have been made in 
some tourism and travel -related services, as well as maritime transport services. However, the 
partial commitments made und er the EU -Moldova Agreement for pipeline transport services have 
been removed, leaving the subsector unbound .30 
4.4.1.1   MFN and Horizontal commitments  
4.21.  The UK has several reservations under its GATS commitments  for public utilities at the national 
or local level and certain types of establishments. In addition, other horizontal restrictions apply to 
mode 4. A number of MFN exemptions in various areas, including audiovisual services, transportation 
services, and fina ncial services,  as well as  for all sectors for existing and future bilateral agreements 
with third parties  are listed . 
4.22.  Under the Agreement, while building upon its GATS reservations, the UK maintains a 
horizontal "public utilities" reservation so that economic activities considered as "public utilities"  may 
be subject to public monopolies or exclusive rights.  Regarding est ablishment, the UK's list of 
reservations mostly corresponds to its horizontal reservations in the GATS. It has also included some 
reservations for certain measures, such as qualification requirements and procedures, technical 
standards, and licensing requ irements and procedures, provided they do not constitute market 
access or national treatment limitation. Regarding the temporary presence of key personnel, 
graduate trainees, and business sellers, the commitments, similar to those in the GATS for mode 4, 
are subject to reservations in Annexes XI -C and XI -D. Concerning the cross -border supply of 
services, the commitments do not affect the existence of public monopolies and exclusive rights, as 
described in its commitments on establishment. With regards to MF N exemptions for establishment 
the right to adopt or maintain measures that accord differential treatment to a country based on 
existing or future bilateral or multilateral agreements31 is preserved.   
4.4.1.2   Sector -specific commitments in trade in services  
4.23.  In the  following section, The UK's GATS specific commitments in modes 1 to 3 have been 
compared to those under the Agreement (Table 4.1), using the WTO Services Sectoral 
Classification .32 There is as yet no certified UK Schedule of Specific Commitments, although  a 
proposed draft has been circulated under series S/C/W/38033. The comparison only concerns modes 
1-3, market access and national treatment. it does not cover MFN and Horizontal limitations, as well 
as Mode 4 commitments/limitations.  
 
29Although the EU's commitment under the EU -Moldova Agreement excludes 'broadcast transmission' in 
its commitments on Cross -Border Services (Modes 1 -2), there was no reservation registered unde r the Annex 
corresponding to list of reservation on establishment .  
30 The changes in the UK's commitment, to a large extent, are because of the UK's GATS commitments, 
while being a member of the EU, are slightly modified.  
31 Such agreement which creates internal market in services and investment, grants the right of 
establishment, or requires the approximation of legislation in one or more economic sectors.  
32 Document MTN.GNS/W/120 as of 10 July 1991.  
33 As reported by the UK,  there has been no update on the status of the Schedule . WT/REG 439/1 
 
- 26 - 
 
  Table 4.3 United Kingdom: Comparison between GATS and Agreement specific 
commitments  
Sectors (CPC Classification)  GATS  FTA Sectoral commitments  
Establishment   
(Mode 3)  Cross -border supply  
(Modes 1 -2) 
compared 
to GATS  Commit -
ments  compared 
to GATS  Commit -
ments  
1. Business services       
A. Professional  Services  Partial  Similar  Partial  Similar  Partial  
B. Computer  and Related  Services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
C. Research  and Development  Services  Partial  Improved  Partial  Improved  Partial  
D. Real  Estate  Services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
E. Rental/Leasing  Services  without  Operators  Partial  Similar  Partial  Limited  Partial  
F. Other  Business  Services  Partial  Improved  Partial  Improved  Partial  
2. Communication services       
A. Postal  services  … New Full New Partial  
B. Courier  services  … New Full New Partial  
C. Telecommunication  services  Partial  Similar  Partial  Improved  Partial  
D. Audiovisual  services  … Similar   …* Similar  …* 
3. Construction and related engineering services       
A. General  construction  work for buildings  Partial  Similar  Full Improved  Full 
B. General  construction  work for civil engineering  Partial  Similar  Full Improved  Full 
C. Installation  and assembly  work  Partial  Similar  Full Improved  Full 
D. Building  completion  and finishing  work  Partial  Similar  Full Improved  Full 
E. Other  Partial  Similar  Full Improved  Full 
4. Distribution services       
A. Commission  agents'  services  Partial  Similar  Full Similar   Partial  
B. Wholesale  trade services  Partial  Similar  Partial  Similar   Partial  
C. Retailing  services  Partial  Limited  Partial  Similar   Partial  
D. Franchising  Partial  Similar  Full Similar   Partial  
E. Other  … Improved  full Similar  … 
5. Education services       
A. Primary education services  Partial  Limited  Partial  Similar  Partial  
B. Secondary education services  Partial  Limited  Partial  Similar  Partial  
C. Higher education services  Partial  Limited  Partial  Similar  Partial  
D. Adult education  Partial  Limited  Partial  Similar  Partial  
E. Other education services  … Similar  … Similar  … 
6. Environmental services       
A. Sewage services  Partial  Similar  Partial  Similar  Partial  
B. Refuse disposal services  Partial  Similar  Partial  Similar  Partial  
C. Sanitation and similar services  Partial  Similar  Partial  Similar  Partial  
D. Other  Partial  Similar  Partial  Improved  Partial  
7. Financial services       
A. All insurance  and insurance -related  services  Partial  Similar  Partial  Limited  Partial  
B. Banking  and other  financial  services  Partial  Similar  Partial  Limited  Partial  
C. Other  … Similar  … Similar  … 
8. Health related and social services       
A. Hospital services  Partial  Similar  Partial  Similar  Partial  
B. Other Human Health Services  … Similar  *** New Partial  
C. Social Services  Partial  Similar  Partial  Similar  Partial  
D. Other  … Similar  … Similar  … 
9. Tourism and travel related services       
A. Hotels  and restaurants (including catering)  Partial  Similar  Full Similar  Partial  
B. Travel  agencies  and tour operators  services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
C. Tourist  guides  services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
10. Recreational and cultural and sporting services       
A. Entertainment  services  Partial  Similar  Full Similar  Partial  
B. News agency services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
C. Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural services  … Similar  … 
 Similar  … 
D. Sporting and other recreational services  Partial  Similar  Partial  Similar  Partial  
11. Transport services       
A. Maritime Transport Services  … New Partial  New Full 
B. Internal Waterways Transport  … New Partial  New Partial  
C. Air  Transport  Services  Partial  Similar  Partial  Similar  Partial  
D. Space  Transport  … Similar  … Similar  … 
E. Rail  Transport  Services  Partial  Improved  Full Improved  Partial  
F. Road  Transport  Services  Partial  Similar  Partial  Similar  Partial  
G. Pipeline  Transport  … Similar  … Similar  … 
H. Services  auxiliary  to all modes  of transport  Partial  Improved  Full Improved  Partial  
I. Other  Transport  Services  Partial  Similar  Partial  Improved  Partial  
*** Reservation on national treatment on establishment registered under Annexe  XI-A. 
Partial:  Specific commitments subject to some limitation(s) under market access or national treatment, under 
any of the three modes  (1-3). WT/REG 439/1 
 
- 27 - 
 
 
  Full: Commitments not subject to mar ket access or national treatment  limitations , for any of the three 
modes.  
…* Sector/subsectors excluded from the Agreement . 
… No specific commitment under the GATS or the Agreement.  
 
New: New commitments under the Agreement (full or partial, with or withou t limitations) which can, in most 
cases, be seen as "improved".  
Improved: Overall improved commitments under the Agreement compared to those under the GATS.  
Similar:  Similar commitments (Agreement vs GATS) with limited improvements and/or limited additiona l 
reservations.  
Limited:  Some additional limitations (as compared to GATS commitments).  
Source:  Draft UK Consolidated GATS Schedule of Specific Commitments ( S/C/W/380 ), and Annexes XI-A, B to 
the Agreement.  
 
4.4.1.2.1   Business services  
4.24.  Under its GATS commitments, the UK has made substantive commitments for business 
services. These commitments apply to all 11 subsectors of professional services, with certain 
reservations for modes 1 and/or 3.34 Full commitments have been made for modes 1 -3 for computer 
and related services and real estate services. For research and development services, the full 
commitment applies only for social science and humanities and the remaining subsectors are not 
scheduled. Under rental and leasing services almost  all subsectors are fully liberalized except for 
services relating to aircraft which are subject to market access limitations for modes 2 and 3 , and 
no commitments are undertaken for 'other' services . For other business services, the UK has made 
full commitments or commitments with certain reservations for all subsectors, except for services 
incidental to manufacturing and energy distribution, which are excluded . 
4.25.  Under the Agreement, the UK's overall commit ments in business services are improved . For 
professional services, most reservation s under mode 3 are lifted , with  only one national limitation  
remaining  for certain legal advisory and legal documentations and certification services35 while the 
commitment s for mode s 1-2 remain  similar to those  in the GATS commitments . For research and 
development services, the commitments have been extended to all sub -sectors  for mode 1 -3.36 
Under rental and leasing services, a new commitment has been undertaken for telecommunications 
equipment rental services which is fully liberalised for modes 1 -3. Regarding other business services, 
while the commitments made for the subsectors covered in the GATS remain largely the same , a 
number of new commitments have been taken  and a few reservations have been lifted . For example, 
services incidental to manufacturing and energy distribution  is added under  the Agreement with full 
commitments for modes 1 -3. Reservations under mode 1 for photographic and packaging services 
have bee n lifted, and full commitments for modes 1 -3 have been added under the Agreement for 
electronic communications consulting services and telephone answering services .  
4.4.1.2.2   Communication services  
4.26.  Postal and courier ; audio visual ; and other communication services are unbound under the 
GATS. Full commitment s have been made in telecommunication services for the supply of "all 
services consisting of the transmission and reception of signals by any electromagnetic means, 
excluding broadcasting". The UK's GATS commitmen ts also incorporate the Reference Paper 
obligations for basic telecommunications services.  
4.27.  Under the Agreement, the UK has partly liberalized postal and courier services  subject to 
some reservations for modes 1 -2. Partial commitments have been added for satellite broadcast 
transmission services under telecommunication s, with reservation s in modes 1 -2. Audio -visual 
 
34 Specifically, reservations apply to auditing services; medical, dental and midwives' services; 
veterinary services; services provided by nurses, physiotherapists, and paramedical personnel; supply of 
pharmaceutical goods to the general public; and other related scientific and technical consulting services.  
35 Services provided by  a legal professional entrusted with public function s such as notaries .  
36 Although a reservation  is registered under mode 3 and the conditions  correspond to the GATS 
horizontal reservations . WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  services are excluded from the coverage of the Agreement . Other commitments under 
communication service s remain  the same as in the GATS.   
4.4.1.2.3   Construction and related engineering services  
4.28.  Under its GATS commitments, the UK has to a large extent  liberalized the supply of 
construction and related engineering services. However, mode 1 is unbound for the entire se ctor, 
except for site investigation work (CPC 5111) and excavating and earthmoving work (CPC 5114).  
4.29.  Under the Agreement, the UK fully liberalizes the  sector for modes 1 -3 by withdrawing all 
limitations and reservations for the covered subsectors under the GATS.  
4.4.1.2.4   Distribution services  
4.30.  Most of t he sector is covered and liberalized, except for exclusions under GATS commitments.  
Services related to trade in arms, chemical products, explosives, and precious metals are excluded 
from the scope of the commitments. The scope of liberalization of the supply of retail services is 
limited, with mode 1 remaining unbound, except for mail or der services . Aside from these products, 
the distribution sector is mostly open.  
4.31.  While the commitments and the reservation s remain the same to a large extent, a few new 
reservations have been made  under the Agreement. For example, under mode 3, nationality  
conditions have been imposed to operate a pharmacy and as tobacconists.   
4.4.1.2.5   Educational services  
4.32.  Under its GATS commitments, the UK has liberalized privately funded education services 
subsectors including privately funded primary, secondary, higher, and adul t education services. No 
commitments have been made in other education services .  
4.33.  Under the Agreement, new reservations have been added to mode 3, by which nationality 
may apply as a condition for the majority of the members of boards for all privately fun ded education 
services . Commitments under modes 1 -2 remain the same for the covered subsectors as in the 
GATS.   
4.4.1.2.6   Environmental services  
4.34.  The supply of environmental services is mostly  liberalized by the UK under the GATS, with 
mode 1 remaining unbound for the scheduled subsectors.  
4.35.  Under the Agreement,  a reservation on national treatment under mode 3 is made  for the 
provision of water -related services to various users, including drinkin g water and water management  
(which is not covered by the GATS commitments) . The reservation under mode 1 for consult ancy-
related services corresponding to all scheduled sub -sectors has been lifted, but other parts of the 
subsector  for mode 1  remain unboun d, as in the GATS.  A similar but new commitment has been 
added to noise and vibration abatement services (CPC 9405).  
4.4.1.2.7   Financial services  
4.36.  Under its GATS commitments, the UK 's commit ments  in financial services are in accordance 
with the "Understanding on Commitments in Financial Services." The market access commitments 
for modes 1 and 2 only apply to national treatment for certain financial services .37 Additionally, the 
admission of new financial services or product s must align with the regulatory framework's objectives 
in the Financial Services Annex. Financial institutions incorporated in the UK are generally required 
to adopt a specific legal form in a non -discriminatory manner. Full commitments have been made 
 
37 Under which each Members  must allow non -resident suppliers to offer certain financial services under 
national treatment, including insurance of goods in transit and financial information processing. They  must also  
allow their residents to purchase certain financial services in other m ember countries, including insurance and 
various advisory and auxiliary services.  WT/REG 439/1 
 
- 29 - 
 
 
  under modes 1 -3 for covered insurance and insurance related services. In banking and other 
financial services, modes 2 and 3 are subject to a number of reservations, particularly concerning 
forms of the establishment.  
4.37.  Under the Agreement, the reservation for mode 3 in banking and financial services remains 
the same. However, under modes 1 and 2, a few new reservations have been introduced, and one 
reservation has been lifted for the covered subsectors. For example, modes 1 and 2 are unbound 
for direct insuranc e and direct insurance intermediation services except for insurance of risk relating 
to maritime shipping and commercial aviation and space launching and freight (including satellites), 
for goods being transported, the vehicle transporting the goods and an y liability arising therefrom; 
and goods in international transit. For banking and other financial services, the reservation for 
mode  2 has been removed, and a new reservation has been introduced for mode 1 .38  
4.4.1.2.8   Health related and social services  
4.38.  Under the GATS, partial commitments have been made for the supply of all hospital services 
and social services (convalescent and rest houses, and old people's homes) with modes 2 and 3 
liberalized, while mode 1 remains unbound.  
4.39.  Under the Agreement, the scope of commitments is either expanded or reduced. The 
commitments are limited to privately funded health  services and social services sectors  which was 
not the case in the GATS commitments . However, the GATS horizontal public uti lities reservation 
applies to publicly funded education services. New commitments have been made for privately 
funded other health services, particularly residential health facilities other than hospital services. 
Mode 2 is liberalized, but reservations ar e made for modes 1 and 3.  Other subsectors covered under 
the GATS remain unchanged.  
4.4.1.2.9   Tourism and travel related services  
4.40.  Under its GATS commitments, the UK  mostly  liberalized the sector, with some reservations 
for scope  and supply via mode 1 for hotels, r estaurants and catering services.  There are no changes 
under the Agreement.   
4.4.1.2.10   Recreational, cultural and sporting services  
4.41.  The UK has scheduled full commitments under the GATS for news and press agency services, 
while mode 1 is unbound for entertainment ser vices, and partial commitments have been made for 
the supply of sporting and other recreational services, other than gambling and betting services.  
4.42.  The commitments remain  the same in the Agreement . However, under librar y, archive, 
museum and other cultural  services , there is a national treatment reservation registered for mode 
3 with no commitments  for modes 1 and 2 while the subsector is entirely excluded under the GATS.  
4.4.1.2.11   Transport services  
4.43.  The UK has no GATS commitments for maritime, internal waterways, space, and pipeline 
transport services. Certain aspects of air transport services, such as maintenance and repair of 
aircraft and computer reservation systems, are partially liberalized with some national treat ment 
reservations. Only modes 2 and 3 are liberalized for maintenance and repair for rail transport 
services, with mode 1 remaining unbound.  For road transport services, maintenance and repair of 
road transport equipment is fully liberalized, but mode 1 re mains unbound for both passenger and 
freight transportation services, with specific reservations for mode 3 applicable to the supply of 
passenger transportation services. Full commitments have been made in services auxiliary to all 
modes of transport in fr eight transport agency/freight forwarding services and pre -shipment 
inspection, and mode 1 is unbound for storage and warehouse services (other than in ports).  
 
38 Unbound except for provision of financial information and financial data processing and for advisory 
and other auxiliary services excluding intermediation.  WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  4.44.  The UK  has improved its commitments for the sector under the Agreement by adding new 
subsector s or expanding existing  ones. Full commitment s have b een made for maritime transport 
services39 for modes 1 -2, with a national treatment reservation for establishment (mode 3) of a 
registered company for operating  a fleet under the UK flag. Simila rly, a conditional commitment40 is 
made in internal waterways (excluding national cabotage) transport services for modes 1 -3. The 
scope of the commitments has been extended to passenger and freight transportation for rail 
transport by fully liberalizing mo de 2 while mode 1 remains unbound. A number of new commitments 
have been made for services auxiliary to all modes of transport, for which there are no mode 2 and 
3 reservations,  and mode 1 is either unbound or subject to certain conditions.  
4.4.2   Moldova  
4.4.2.1   MFN and Horizontal commitments  
4.45.  Under its GATS commitments, Moldova has horizontal national treatment reservations for the 
purchase of land  for establishment. The other horizontal reservation refers to the movement of 
natural persons (mode 4) . It's MFN exemptio ns under the GATS are for audio -visual, road transport 
(passenger and freight) and selling and marketing of air transport services.  
4.46.  Under the Agreement, Moldova maintains a similar horizontal reservation on  the purchase of 
land for establishment . On the temporary presence of key personnel, graduate trainees, and 
business sellers, the commitments are subject to the reservations in Annexes XI -G and XI -H. With 
regards to MFN exemptions for establishment t he right to adopt or maintain measures that accord 
differential treatment to a country based on existing or future bilateral or multilateral agreements41 
has also been preserved.  Audiovisual  services  are excluded from the coverage of the Agreement and 
there are no other MFN exemptions for the cross-border supp ly of services.  
4.4.2.2   Sector -specific commitments in trade in services  
4.47.  In the following section, Moldova 's GATS specific commitments in modes 1 to 3 have been 
compared to those under the Agreement (Table 4. 4), using the WTO Services Sectoral 
Classification .42 The comparison only concerns modes 1 -3, market access and national treatment. It 
does not cover MFN and horizontal limitations, as well as mode 4 commitments  and limitations.  
Table 4.4 Moldov a: Comparison between GATS and Agreement specific commitments  
Sectors (CPC Classification)  GATS  FTA Sectoral commitments  
Establishment (Mode 3)  Cross -border supply  
(Modes 1 -2) 
compared 
to GATS  Commit - 
ments  compared 
to GATS  Commit - 
ments  
1. Business services       
A. Professional  Services  Partial  Similar  Partial  Similar  Partial  
B. Computer  and Related  Services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
C. Research  and Development  Services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
D. Real  Estate  Services  Partial  Improved  Full Similar  Full 
E. Rental/Leasing  Services  without  Operators  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
F. Other  Business  Services  Partial  Similar  Partial  Similar  Full 
2. Communication services       
A. Postal  services  Partial  Similar  Partial  Improved  Partial  
B. Courier  services  Full Similar  Full Same  Full 
C. Telecommunication  services  Partial  Improved  Full Improved  Full 
D. Audiovisual  services  … Similar  …* Similar  …* 
3. Construction and related engineering 
services       
A. General  construction  work for buildings  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
B. General  construction  work for civil engineering  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
C. Installation  and assembly  work  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
D. Building  completion  and finishing  work  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
 
39 International passenger and freight transportation excluding national cabotage transport .  
40 The condition include s measures based upon existing or future agreements on access to inland 
waterways , reserving some traffic rights for operators based in the countries concerned , and meeting 
nationality criteria regarding ownership .  
41 Such agreement which creates internal m arket in services and investment, grants the right of 
establishment, or requires the approximation of legislation in one or more economic sectors.  
42 Document MTN.GNS/W/120 as of 10 July 1991.  WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  Sectors (CPC Classification)  GATS  FTA Sectoral commitments  
Establishment (Mode 3)  Cross -border supply  
(Modes 1 -2) 
compared 
to GATS  Commit - 
ments  compared 
to GATS  Commit - 
ments  
E. Other  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
4. Distribution services       
A. Commission  agents'  services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
B. Wholesale  trade services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
C. Retailing  services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
D. Franchising  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
E. Other  Full Similar  full Similar  Full 
5. Education services       
A. Primary education services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
B. Secondary education services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
C. Higher education services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
D. Adult education  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
E. Other education services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
6. Environmental services       
A. Sewage services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
B. Refuse disposal services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
C. Sanitation and similar services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
D. Other  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
7. Financial services       
A. All insurance  and insurance -related  services  Partial  improved  Full Limited  Partial  
B. Banking  and other  financial  services  Partial  Limited  Partial  Limited  Partial  
C. Other   Similar  … Similar  … 
8. Health related and social services       
A. Hospital services  Partial  Limited  Full Similar  Partial  
B. Other Human Health Services  … New Full New Full 
C. Social Services  Full Limited  Full Similar  Full 
D. Other  … New Full Similar  … 
9. Tourism and travel related services       
A. Hotels  and restaurants (including catering)  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
B. Travel  agencies  and tour operators  services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
C. Tourist  guides  services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
10. Recreational and cultural and sporting 
services       
A. Entertainment  services  Partial  Similar  Full Limited  Partial  
B. News agency services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
C. Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural 
services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
D. Sporting and other recreational services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
11. Transport services       
A. Maritime Transport Services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
B. Internal Waterways Transport  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
C. Air  Transport  Services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
D. Space  Transport  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
E. Rail  Transport  Services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
F. Road  Transport  Services  Partial  Similar  Full Similar  Partial  
G. Pipeline  Transport  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
H. Services  auxiliary  to all modes  of transport  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
I. Other  Transport  Services  Full Similar  Full Similar  Full 
Partial:  Specific commitments subject to some market access or national treatment limitation(s), in any of the 
three modes  (1-3). 
Full: Commitments not subject to market  access or national treatment  limitations , in any of the three 
modes.  
…* Sector/subsectors excluded from the Agreement.  
… No specific  commitment under the GATS or the Agreement.  
New: New commitments under the Agreement (full or partial, with or without limitations) which can, in most 
cases, be seen as "improved".  
Improved: Overall improved commitments made under the Agreement compared t o those under the GATS.  
Similar:  Similar commitments (Agreement vs GATS) with limited improvements and/or limited additional 
reservations.  
Limited:  Some additional limitations (as compared to GATS commitments).  
Source:  Moldova's GATS Schedule of Specific Commitments ( GATS/SC/134), and Annexes XI -E, F to the 
Agreement.  WT/REG 439/1 
 
- 32 - 
 
  4.4.2.2.2   Business services  
4.48.  Moldova has made full commitments under the GATS for several  business service  subsectors, 
which includes computer and related services, research and development services, and 
rental/leasing services without operators. Professional services have partial commitments, with full 
liberalization of some subsectors and no limitations on n ational treatment but on market access for 
other  subsectors .43 Real estate services have also been largely liberalized, except for market access 
condition s for mode 3, for legal persons incorporated in Moldova. For other business services, all 
subsectors h ave been fully liberalized, except for placement and supply services of personnel and 
investigation and security services. No limitations on national treatment have been imposed for 
these subsectors, but market access conditions for mode 3  are required  for legal persons 
incorporated in Moldova.  
4.49.  While Moldova's commitments under the Agreement to a large extent remain the same as in 
the GATS, some of the reservations have been lifted , in particular , conditions for mode 3 on real 
estate  services . The subsector  is therefore fully liberalized under the Agreement.  
4.4.2.2.3   Communication services  
4.50.  Under the GATS, courier services are fully liberalized,  and audiovisual services are not 
included. Partial commitments have been made for postal services, with full liberalization  for parcel -
related services. However,  market access  limitations exist for modes 1 and 3 for international postal 
services  and internal postal services for letters weighing up to 350 gram mes, and post office counter 
services44. Telecommunication services are mostly  liberalized, but limitations on market access 
conditions for modes 1 and 3 remain for public telephone services, satellite communication, business 
network services, telegraph, and telex services. Nevertheless, there are no limitations on national 
treatment for any subsectors.  
4.51.  Moldova has improved its GATS commitments by removing some limitations. For example, all 
limitations under telecommunication services have been lifted, and full commitments are made for 
the entir e subsector. Furthermore, the mode 1 limitation on market access for  post office counter 
services has also been withdrawn. Similar to the UK, Moldova has no commitments in the audiovisual 
services subsector.  
4.4.2.2.4   Construction and related engineering services; d istribution services; 
educational services; environmental services; and tourism and travel related services.  
4.52.  All these  sector s are fully liberalized under the GATS and the Agreement.  
4.4.2.2.5   Financial services  
4.53.  Under its GATS commitments, Moldova has mostly  liberalized the insurance and related 
services except  for mode 1 for life, accident and health insurance services, which remains unbound 
for market access . In banking and other financial services, horizontal c ommitments in all scheduled 
subsectors require foreign banks to obtain a license from the National Bank of Moldova (NBM) to 
conduct financial activities in Moldova, and they can only do so through a branch office or 
subsidiary45. They must also meet the mi nimum  initial capital  requirement and organize themselves 
as joint -stock companies. Representative offices of foreign banks can be opened in Moldova without 
requiring the NBM license but  cannot engage in financial activit ies. However, Moldova reported that  
the concept of representative office of a legal person has been excluded from its amended  Civil Code 
(in force from 1 March 2019). Capital transactions such as loans, guarantees, and transfers from 
 
43 Legal services (modes 1 and 3), private medical and dental ser vices (modes 2 -3), other human health 
services excluding services provided by public sector (mode 2).  
44 Moldova reported that b y Law No. 41/2020 amending the Postal Communications Law, the postal 
communications sector was completely liberalized starting from September 1, 2020. In particular, the provision 
that stipulated the reservation of postal services, with a weight of up to 350g, for the universal postal service 
provider, both for domestic and international correspondence, was repealed.  
45 Moldova clarified that, according to Article 24, paragraph (5) of Law No. 202/2017, branches of banks 
from other countries are not considered legal entities. The y should be  regist ered in accordance with procedure s 
in Article 12 of Law No. 220/2007 on the Sta te Registration of Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs.  WT/REG 439/1 
 
- 33 - 
 
 
  residents to non -residents require approval from the NBM46. Other than these horizontal limitations 
and conditions, there are no other reservations under the scheduled financial services subsectors.   
4.54.  Moldova has further improved its commitments under the Agreement by lifting some 
limitations. For example, the mode 1 limitation on market access for life, accident, and health 
insurance services has been lifted, which means that  all of insurance and insur ance-related services 
are fully liberalized. However, reservations on establishment for banking and other financial services 
are maintained.  
4.4.2.2.6   Health related and social services  
4.55.  Moldova has made full commitments under the GATS for private hospital services47 and social 
services, while other human health services and other subcategories are unbound.  
4.56.  As a result of the addition of  a full commitment for other human health services, the 
Agreement improves its overall commitment for health related and social servi ces. In addition, there 
are no mode 3 reservation s for the entire sector.  
4.4.2.2.7   Recreational, cultural and sporting services  
4.57.  Under its GATS commitments, Moldova has full commitments except for entertainment 
services, for which mode 1 is unbound for cinema theat re operation services.  
4.58.  Under the Agreement, while maintaining its GATS commitments, Moldova has introduced a 
new reservation on mode 2 for cinema theatre operation services, making it unbound. Therefore, 
both modes 1 and 2 are unbound for this subsector , while there are no mode 3 reservation s for the 
sector.  
4.4.2.2.8   Transport services  
4.59.  Moldova has made full commitments without reservations, except for cabotage services, in 
both the GATS and the Agreement. Additionally, the Agreement extends coverage to air transport  
services, including ground -handling services (including catering) and airport management services, 
for which Moldova has made full commitments  in the Agreement .  
4.5  Regulatory provisions  
4.5.1   Domestic regulation  
4.60.  Provisions on domestic regulation are unchanged fro m those under the EU -Moldova 
Agreement. Articles 194 through 196 establish disciplines on conditions and procedures for licensing 
and qualification s that affect the cross -border supply of services, establishment, and temporary stay 
of natural persons for b usiness purposes. For the cross -border supply of services, the disciplines 
apply only to the sectors for which the Parties have made a specific commitment while for the 
establishment and temporary stay of natural persons, it does not apply to the sectors w here a 
reservation is listed  in the respective annexes . 
4.61.  The criteria for obtaining a license or authorization shall be proportionate, clear, objective, 
pre-established, transparent, and accessible. The Parties shall maintain or institute procedures that 
provide a prompt review and remedies for administrative de cisions affecting the establishment, 
cross-border supply of services, or temporary presence of natural persons.  
4.62.  Licensing and qualification procedures must be clear, made public in advance, simple, and not 
unduly delay the provision of the service. Each Pa rty shall ensure that an application is processed 
 
46 Moldova clarified that the specific provisions of the Law no. 62/2008 on foreign exchange regulation 
(in particular, articles 9, 11, 12, 15, and 16 of the regulation ) apply.  
47 Private hospi tal and sanatorium service excluding services provided by the public sector.  WT/REG 439/1 
 
- 34 - 
 
  within a reasonable timeframe, and their competent authorities shall provide reasons for any 
rejection or additional requirements.  
4.5.2   Recognition  
4.63.  Article 197 outlines the provisions for mutual recognition while referring to some of the 
disciplines of Article VII of the GATS. Accordingly, it allows a Party to require that natural persons 
possess the necessary qualifications and /or professional experience specified in the territory where 
the service is supplied.  
4.64.  Each Party shall encourage relevant professional bodies to provide recommendations on 
mutual recognition  on the authorisation, licensing, operation and certification criteria to the Political 
and Strategic Dialogue in Trade Configur ation. The Dialogue shall review these recommendations to 
determine whether they are consistent with the Agreement  and, on the basis of the recommendation, 
assess the extent to which the standards and criteria applied by each Party are converging . If the 
requirements are satisfied, necessary steps shall be established to negotiate a Mutual Recognition 
Agreement (MRA) in accordance with the relevant provisions of the WTO Agreement and, in 
particular, with Article VII of GATS.  The Parties confirm that no MRAs  have been negotiated as of 
June 2023.    
4.5.3   Subsidies  
4.65.  The provisions of Chapter 6 do not apply to subsidies. Disciplines related to subsidies are 
however included in Chapter 10 (competition) addressed below under section 5. 10. 
4.5.4   Safeguards  
4.66.  There are no specific provisions on Safeguards pertaining to trade in services under the 
Agreement.  
4.5.5   Other  
4.5.5.1   Other i nvestment  provisions  
4.67.  Provision on establishment under section 2 of Chapter 6 also covers establishment for trade 
in non-service s sectors .  
4.5.5.2   Monopolies and exclusive service suppliers  
4.68.  Provisions on monopolies and exclusive service suppliers are covered in Chapter 10 
(Competition), which is discussed in section 5.10.  
4.6  Sector specific provisions on trade in services  
4.6.1   Computer services  
4.69.  There are no ch anges to sector specific provisions on computer services which clarifies  what 
is included in the CPC 84 code, which covers computer and related services, including enabling 
services like webhosting and application hosting, but not core services delivered e lectronically such 
as banking. Additionally, the article defines what falls under the category of "computer and related 
services" regardless of the method of delivery, including consultancy, management, technical 
assistance, and data processing and storage . 
4.6.2   Postal and courier services  
4.70.  The main change from the EU -Moldova Agreement for provisions on postal and courier 
services is the removal of references to the approximation of Moldova's laws to those of the EU. 
Sub-section 4 of Section 5 of Chapter 6 includ es licensing requirements , the definition of universal 
service , provisions to prevent anti -competitive practices and establish transparency in the licensing 
process. Each Party has the right to define the kind of universal service obligation it wishes to WT/REG 439/1 
 
- 35 - 
 
 
  maintain and  ensure impartiality by separating the regulatory body from any supplier of postal and 
courier services.  
4.6.3   Electronic communication networks and services  
4.71.  As for electronic communication networks and services, the main change from the EU -Moldova 
Agreement is the removal of references to the approximation of Moldova's laws to the EU. Sub-
section 5 of Section 5 of Chapter 6 builds upon certain aspects of the 1996 Reference Paper of the 
WTO Negotiating Group on Basic Telecommunications, and includes d efinitions, as well as provisions 
on regulatory authorities, authorization to provide electronic communication services, access and 
interconnection, allocation and use of scarce resources, universal service, cross -border provision of 
electronic communicati on services, confidentiality of information, and disputes between suppliers.  
4.72.  Each Party shall ensure that its regulatory authorities are independent and empowered to 
regulate the sector and carry out an analysis of relevant product and service markets susceptible to 
ex ante  regulation . Regulatory authorities are to resolve disputes between suppliers , at the request 
of either supplier . Where a regulatory au thority determines that a market is not effectively 
competitive, the regulatory authority shall identify and designate services suppliers with significant 
market power and impose appropriate regulatory obligations. A services supplier affected by a 
regulat ory decision should have the right to appeal to an independent appeal body  (Article 206) . 
Other provisions include the requirement  to allocate scarce resources, such as frequencies, in an 
objective, proportionate, timely, transparent, and non -discriminator y manner ; and transparent, 
objective and non -discriminatory administration of u niversal service obligations (Article 210) . 
Neither Party may require residency or presence of a service supplier of the other Party as a condition 
for cross -border supply of se rvices (Article 211). Each Party must ensure the confidentiality of 
electronic communications and traffic data without restricting trade in services (Article 212).  
4.6.4   Financial services  
4.73.  As for other services sectors, the Agreement removes references to the ap proximation of 
Moldova's laws to the EU's in financial services.  
4.74.  The Parties may adopt measures for prudential reasons, but these measures must not be 
overly burdensome  (Article 215) . Article 216 requires the Parties to provide interested persons with 
advance notice of any proposed regulations and to make available their requirements for completing 
applications. They must also endeavour  to implement international standards for financial regulation 
and supervisi on (Article 216) . 
4.75.  Under Article 219 , public entities in a Party's territory can exclusively conduct activities related 
to public retirement plans or social security systems unless financial service providers carry out 
those activities in competition with p ublic entities or private institutions. The activities of central 
banks, monetary authorities, or public entities for monetary or exchange rate policies are not subject 
to the Agreement. Additionally, public entities can exclusively provide activities or s ervices using the 
financial resources or guarantees of the Party.  
4.6.5   Transport services  
4.76.  Other than the removal of the reference to the approximation of its laws by Moldova to those 
of the EU, the provisions on transport services are unchanged from those in th e EU-Moldova  
Agreement. Article 224 allows  unrestricted access to commercial cargo, national treatment, and non -
discriminatory treatment for ships flying the flag of the Part ies. Feeder services between national 
ports are also permitted. Progressive libera lization of air transport services will be governed by an 
agreement or arrangement between the Parties adapted to their commercial needs and mutual 
market access conditions48.  
 
48 The UK confirms that the Moldova Air Services Arrangement was signed in 2019 , and the text is 
available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international -agreements -if-the-uk-leaves -the-eu-
without -a-deal/aviation#moldova -air-services -arrangement .  WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  5  GENERAL PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  
5.1  Transparency  
5.1.  Chapter 12 (Articles 322 -329) contains general transparency disciplines  related to trade 
matters and is in addition  to, and without prejudice to , any specific rules on transparency established 
in other Chapters of Title V  (trade and trade -related matters)  of the Agreement.  
5.2.  Article 324 outlines the requirements for the publication of measures of general application, 
including prompt availability, explanation of objectives and rationale, and allowing for sufficient time 
between publication and entry into force, except in duly justified cases. It also requires that the 
Parties endeavour to publish proposals to adopt or amend measures and provide opportunities for 
interested persons to comment. Measures of general application are to be administered in an 
objective, impartial and reasonable manner, and provide interested persons reasonable notice and 
opportunity to present their case before any final administrative action is taken ( Article 326 ). 
5.3.  Contact point s for communication on matters covered by Title V  are to be established as well 
as appropriate mechanisms for responding to inquiries from any person regarding any measure of 
general application (Article 325).  The Parties confirm that such contact points have already been 
established.   
5.4.  Under review and appeal (Article 327), the Parties are required to establish or maintain 
impartial and independent tribunals or procedures for reviewing and correcting administrative action 
relating to matters covered by Title V and ensure that  they have the right to a reasonable opportunity 
to support or defend their positions.  
5.5.  Under Article 328 , the P arties agree to cooperate to promote regulatory quality and 
performance and  subscribe to good administrative behaviour  principles , including thr ough 
exchanging information and best practices on their respective regulatory policies and regulatory 
impact assessments.  
5.2  Current payments and capital movements  
5.6.  Under Article 236, the Parties undertake to authorize, in freely convertible currency and in 
accordance with the provisions of Article VIII of the International Monetary Fund Agreement, any 
payments and transfers on the current account of the balance of payments between them. They 
must also  ensure the free movement of capital for direct investments , including the acquisition of 
real estate in accordance with the laws of the host country and in accordance with the provisions of 
Chapter 6 ( establishment, trade in services, and electronic commerce) of Title V, including the 
liquidation or repatriation of invested capital and any profit stemming from such investments. 
However, for other transactions on the capital and financial account of the balance of payments, 
each Party is required, effective from 1st September 2014, to ensure, without p rejudice to other 
provisions of the Agreement, the free movement of capital relating to credits for commercial 
transactions or for the provision of services in which a resident of one of the Parties  is participating, 
and the free movement of capital relati ng to portfolio investments, financial loans, and credits by 
the investors of the other Party.  
5.7.  Article 238 allows the Parties to use safeguards in exceptional circumstances where payments 
or movements of capital threaten to cause difficulties for exchange rate or monetary policy , including 
serious balance of payments difficulties . These measures may be taken for a period not exceeding 
six months, and the Party adopting the safeguard measure must inform the other Party forthwith of 
the adoption of the measur e and provide a schedule for its removal.  
5.8.  The Parties agree to consult each other to facilitate the movement of capital between them to 
attain the overall objective s of the Agreement  (Article 239) . WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  5.3  Exceptions  
5.3.1   General exceptions  
5.9.  Concerning trade in goods, Article 131 reaffirms the Parities' rights and obligations under 
Article  XX of GATT 1994. It further stipulates that a Party intending to take measures under 
subparagraphs (i) and (j) of Article XX of GATT 1994 must provide all relevant information to the 
other Party and seek an acceptable solution before taking such measures. If the two Parties fail to 
reach an agreement within 30 days, the Party in question may apply the measure. In cases where 
immediate action is necessary, and prior information o r examination is impossible, the Party may 
apply precautionary measures and must inform the other Party immediately.  
5.10.  Based on  GATS Article XIV, general exceptions contained in Article 233 apply to the provisions 
of Chapter 6 and its Annexes. The Parties may adopt or enforce measures necessary to protect public 
security, public morals, or public order, or life or health ; conserve natural resources ; necessary to 
protect national treasures ; or necessary to comply with laws or regulations that are not inconsistent 
with Chapter 6. However, differences in treatment inconsistent with certain provisions49 of the 
Agreement may be permitted if they aim to ensure effective or equitable imposition or collection of 
direct taxes. Additionally, the provisions of C hapter 6 and related Annexes do not apply to the Parties' 
social security systems or activities connected with the exercise of official authority.  
5.3.2   Security exceptions  
5.11.  The Parties reaffirm the ir rights and obligations under  Articles XXI of GATT 1994 (Articl e 131), 
while Article 235 includes provisions mirroring those of GATS Article XIVbis.  
5.12.  Furthermore, Title VI ( institutional, general and final provisions), which applies horizontally 
to the Agreement, also covers security exceptions  and replicates most of A rticle XXI of GATT 1994, 
Article  XIVbis of GATS, and Article 73 of the TRIPS Agreement.  
5.3.3   Taxation measures  
5.13.  MFN treatment granted under Chapter 6 ( establishment, trade in services, and electronic 
commerce ), does not apply to tax treatment granted under measu res for the recognition of 
qualifications , licenses or prudential measures in accordance with Article VII of GATS or its Annex 
on Financial Services. In addition, the tax treatment granted under any international agreement or 
arrangement that relates wholl y or mainly to taxation is exempt from MFN treatment.  
5.14.  Furthermore, in Chapter 8 ( taxation) of Title I ( general principles), which applies horizontally 
to the Agreement, the Parties agree to avoid double taxation by recognizing the rights and 
obligations of  the Parties under any existing or future tax conventions.  In the event of an 
inconsistency between the Agreement and a tax convention, the tax convention will prevail (Article 
51). 
5.3.4   Balance of payments measures  
5.15.  With regard to exceptions applied to remedy b alance of payment (BOP) difficulties, the 
Agreement does not contain specific measures for trade in goods or services. However, disciplines 
on BOP safeguard measures contained in Chapter 7 (current payments and movement of capital) 
may apply to both trade in goods and services (See Section 5.2)  including investment  . 
5.4  Accession and withdrawal  
5.16.  The Agreement has no accession provisions.  
 
49 Consistent with Articles 180(1) and 186 of the Agreement.  WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  5.17.  The Agreement is indefinite and can be terminated by either Party with prior notice. 
Termination will take effect six months after the date of  receipt of the notification ( Article 389 ).  
5.5  Institutional framework  
5.18.  Under  the Political and Strategic Dialogue,  the Parties agree to hold a regular political and 
strategic dialog ue at a mutually agreed level and frequency (Article 373). The Dialogue is responsible 
for supervising and monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and periodically reviewing its 
functioning in light of its objectives (Article 374). Provisions under Article 375 (3) require the 
Dialogue to  take place  at least once per year in Trade Configuration to address all issues related to 
Title V of the Agreement.  The Sub-Committees established under Title V of the Agreement shall 
inform the Political and Strateg ic Dialogue in Trade Configuration of their activities and report on 
them at each regular meeting.  Since the entry into force of the Agreement, the Parties have held 
the first meetings of the Partnership and Strategic Dialogue in Trade Configuration and the 
Geographical Indications (GIs) Sub -Committee  in July 2021, and the first Trade and Sustainable 
Development Sub -Committee in December 2021.   
5.19.  Upon the entry into force of the Agreement, any decisions previously made by the Association 
Council, Committees, or Sub-Committees established by the EU -Moldova Agreement before it ceased 
to apply to the UK shall be considered as adopted by the Political and Strategic Dialogue to the 
extent the decisions relate to the Parties.  
5.20.  The Political and Strategic Dialogue has the power to take decisions and make 
recommendations within the scope of the Agreement. It may also update or amend the Annexes to 
the Agreement without prejudice to any specific provisions under Title V of the Agreement 
(Article  376).  
5.6  Dispute settlement  
5.21.  Article 384, under Title VI (institutional, general, and final provisions), establishes a dispute 
settlement mechanism for resolving disputes between the Parties  regarding the Agreement's 
interpretation, implementati on, or good faith application. It also outlines the procedures for resolving 
such disputes, mainly through good faith consultations within the Political and Strategic Dialogue.  
5.22.  However, disputes concerning trade and trade -related matters under Title V are exclusively 
governed by Chapter 14 (dispute settlement) of Title V. The Chapter's objective is to create a 
mechanism that efficiently and effectively avoids and settles disputes between the Parties concerning 
the interpretation and application of provision s in Title V unless otherwise stated (Articles 347 and 
348).  
5.23.   The Parties shall attempt to settle any dispute in good faith by entering into consultations 
within 30 days of receipt of the request or 15 days for urgent matters such as perishable or seasonal  
goods  (Article 349) . Any Party may request mediation with respect to any measure adversely 
affecting trade or investment, according to Annex XV (mediation mechanism) of the Agreement 
(Article 350).  If a mutually agreed solution is not reached through cons ultations, any Party may 
request the establishment of a panel to settle the dispute (Article 351). The Agreement provides for 
the choice of the dispute settlement proceeding either under the WTO or under the Agreement, at 
the discretion of the complaining Party. However, once the forum has been chosen by a Party, it 
may not initiate another proceeding for the breach of a substantially equivalent obligation in the 
other forum, except when the forum selected first fails for procedural or jurisdictional reason s to 
make findings on the claim.  
5.24.  Before issuing its final ruling, the panel must notify the Parties of an interim report within 90 
days of its establishment but may extend the deadline if necessary. The Parties have 14 days to 
request a review of specific  aspects of the interim report, except in urgent cases where the panel 
must notify the report within 45 days. The final ruling must be issued within 120 days from the date 
of establishment of the panel (Article 356).  
5.25.  The Party complained against shall take  all necessary measures to comply with the arbitration 
panel ruling in good faith and without delay (Article 357).  If there is a disagreement between the WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  Parties on the reasonable period to comply with the ruling , the complaining Party can request the 
original arbitration panel to determine it.  
5.26.  Article 359 requires that the Party complained against must notify the complaining Party and 
the Political and Strategic Dialogue in Trade Configuration before the end of the reasonable period 
of any measure it has  taken to comply with the arbitration panel ruling. If there is a disagreement 
between the Parties  concerning the existence or consistency of any measure taken to comply, the 
complaining Party may request in writing the original arbitration panel to rule on the matter.  
5.27.  Article 360 provides temporary remedies in case of non -compliance, such as the temporary 
suspension of obligations arising from any provision of Title V of the Agreement. Article 361 provides 
remedies for urgent energy disputes, particularly th ose related to interruptions in the transport of 
natural gas, oil, or electricity between Parties.  
5.28.  Following the application of a temporary remedy under Article 360, the Party complained 
against must notify the complaining Party and the Political and Strat egic Dialogue in Trade 
Configuration of the measures taken to comply with the arbitration panel ruling. The complaining 
Party must terminate the suspension of concessions within 30 days of receiving the notification. If 
the Parties disagree on whether the measure brings the Party complained against into conformity 
with the provisions in question within 30 days of the notification, the complaining Party may request 
the original arbitration panel to rule on the matter. If the panel rules that the measure take n to 
comply is in accordance with the provisions of Title V of the Agreement, the suspension of obligations 
or compensation  shall be terminated  (Article 362) . 
5.29.  No provision in Chapter 14 prevents a Party from suspending benefits if and as authorized by 
the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body.  
5.30.  Figure 5.1 below summarizes the main steps of the dispute settlement mechanism under the 
Agreement.  WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  Figure 5. 1 Dispute Settlement Mechanism under the Agreement  
Source:  WTO Secretariat based on the Agreement.  
5.7  Relationship with other agreements concluded by the Parties  
5.31.  As mentioned above, the Agreement replicates in large part, the EU -Moldova Agreement. The 
Agreement does not prevent Parties from joining or continu ing with membership of customs unions, 
free trad e areas, or frontier traffic arrangements as long as they do not conflict with the trade 
arrangements provided for in the Agreement. The Parties must consult with each other concerning 
such agreements through the Political and Strategic Dialogue in Trade Configuration, and on major 
issues related to their respective trade policies with third parties , upon request.  
5.32.  Table 5.1 below shows the Parties' RTAs, notified and non -notified, other than the Agreement.  
Table 5.1 UK and Moldova : Participation in other RTAs (notified and non -notified in 
force), as of 22 June 2023  
RTA Name  Entry into 
forcea Coverage  GATT/WTO Notification  
Year  WTO Provision  
UNITED KINGDOM  
United Kingdom – Australia  31-May-23 Goods & 
Services  2023 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
 
United Kingdom – New Zealand  31-May-23 Goods & 
Services  2023 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
 
United Kingdom – Iceland, 
Liechtenstein and Norway  01-Dec-21 Goods & 
Services  2021 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V   
Notification of reasonable  
period of time for com pliance 
(Art 358)  
Remedies for urgent energy 
disputes (Art. 361) 
Consultations (Art. 3 49) 
Establishment of an Arbitration Panel  
(Art. 351-352) 
Final Ruling by the  
Arbitration Panel (Art. 356) 
(Temporary) suspension of benefits by 
complaining Party (Art. 360) 
Review of compliance  
(Art. 3 59) 
Ruling by the Panel on the level of 
suspension (Art. 360) 
Review of compliance  
(Art. 362) 
Notification by the Party complained 
against of the measure to comply after 
the adoption of temporary remedies 
for non -compliance (Art. 362) 
Notification by the Party complained 
against of the measure to comply  
(Art. 3 59) 
Conciliation for urgent energy  
disputes (Art. 355)  
Mediation (Art. 350) WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  RTA Name  Entry into 
forcea Coverage  GATT/WTO Notification  
Year  WTO Provision  
United Kingdom – Mexico  01-Jun-21 Goods & 
Services  2021 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
United Kingdom - Serbia  20-May-21 Goods & 
Services  2021 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
United Kingdom - Albania  03-May-21 Goods & 
Services  2021 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
United Kingdom - Jordan  01-May-21 Goods  2021 GATT Art. XXIV  
United Kingdom - Ghana  05-Mar-21 Goods  2021 GATT Art. XXIV  
European Union - United Kingdom  01-Jan-21 Goods & 
Services  2021 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
United Kingdom - Cameroon  01-Jan-21 Goods  2020 GATT Art. XXIV  
United Kingdom - Canada  01-Jan-21 
01-Apr-21 Goods  
Services  2020 
2021 GATT Art. XXIV  
GATS Art. V  
United Kingdom - CARIFORUM 
States  01-Jan-21 Goods & 
Services  2020 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
United Kingdom - Central America  01-Jan-21 Goods & 
Services  2020 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
United Kingdom – Chile 01-Jan-21 Goods & 
Services  2020 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
United Kingdom – Colombia, 
Ecuador and Peru  01-Jan-21 Goods & 
Services  2020 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
United Kingdom - Côte d'Ivoire  01-Jan-21 Goods  2020 GATT Art. XXIV  
United Kingdom - Eastern and 
Southern Africa States  01-Jan-21 Goods  2020 GATT Art. XXIV  
United Kingdom - Egypt  01-Jan-21 Goods  2020 GATT Art. XXIV  
United Kingdom - Faroe Islands  01-Jan-21 Goods  2020 GATT Art. XXIV  
United Kingdom - Georgia  01-Jan-21 Goods & 
Services  2020 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
United Kingdom - Israel  01-Jan-21 Goods  2020 GATT Art. XXIV  
United Kingdom - Japan  01-Jan-21 Goods & 
Services  2020 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
United Kingdom - Kenya  01-Jan-21 Goods  2020 GATT Art. XXIV  
United Kingdom - Kosovob 01-Jan-21 Goods  2020 GATT Art. XXIV  
United Kingdom - Lebanon  01-Jan-21 Goods  2020 GATT Art. XXIV  
United Kingdom - Morocco  01-Jan-21 Goods  2020 GATT Art. XXIV  
United Kingdom - North Macedonia  01-Jan-21 Goods & 
Services  2020 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
United Kingdom - Pacific States  01-Jan-21 Goods  2020 GATT Art. XXIV  
• United Kingdom - Pacific States - 
Accession of Samoa  01-Jan-21 Goods  2020 GATT Art. XXIV  
• United Kingdom - Pacific States - 
Accession of Solomon Islands  01-Jan-21 Goods  2020 GATT Art. XXIV  
United Kingdom - Palestine  01-Jan-21 Goods  2020 GATT Art. XXIV  
United Kingdom - Republic of Korea  01-Jan-21 Goods & 
Services  2020 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
United Kingdom - Republic of 
Moldova  01-Jan-21 Goods & 
Services  2020 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
United Kingdom - SACU and 
Mozambique  01-Jan-21 Goods  2021 GATT Art. XXIV  
United Kingdom – Singapore  01-Jan-21 Goods & 
Services  2020 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
United Kingdom - Switzerland - 
Liechtenstein  01-Jan-21 Goods  2020 GATT Art. XXIV  
United Kingdom - Tunisia  01-Jan-21 Goods  2020 GATT Art. XXIV  
United Kingdom - Türkiye  01-Jan-21 Goods  2020 GATT Art. XXIV  
United Kingdom - Ukraine  01-Jan-21 Goods & 
Services  2020 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
United Kingdom - Viet Nam  01-Jan-21 Goods & 
Services  2020 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA  
Türkiye - Republic of Moldova  01-Nov-16 Goods  2016 GATT Art. XXIV  WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  RTA Name  Entry into 
forcea Coverage  GATT/WTO Notification  
Year  WTO Provision  
EU - Republic of Moldova  01-Sep-14 Goods & 
Services  2014 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
Treaty on a Free Trade Area 
between members of the 
Commonwealth of Independent 
States (CIS)  20-Sep-12 Goods  2013 GATT Art. XXIV  
Central European Free Trade 
Agreement (CEFTA) 2006  01-May-07 
11-Jan-21 Goods  
Services  2007 GATT Art. XXIV  
Not notified  
Ukraine - Republic of Moldova  19-May-05 Goods  2008 GATT Art. XXIV  
GUAM  10-Dec-03 Goods & 
Servicesc 2017 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
Kyrgyz Republic - Republic of 
Moldova  21-Nov-96 Goods  1999 GATT Art. XXIV  
Armenia - Republic of Moldova  21-Dec-95 Goods  2004 GATT Art. XXIV  
a Dates of the first entry into force/provisional application for at least one of the Parties.  
b Reference to Kosovo in this table shall be understood to be in the context of the United Nations 
Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).  
c While the Agreement was notified as having provisions on both trade in goods and services, there 
are no specific commitments on services in the Agreement.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat. Further information on these Agreements and on specific dates of entry into 
force/provisional ap plications may be found in the WTO Database on RTAs: http://rtais.wto.org . 
5.8  Government procurement  
5.33.  Provisions on government procurement are governed by Chapter 8 of the Agreement. The 
Agreement aims to  open up procureme nt markets in a transparent and non -discriminatory manner 
for public contracts and concessions , including  works, supplies, and services contracts in the public 
and utilities sectors. The Chapter applies to contracting entities defined by the Parties' procu rement 
laws and covers bodies governed by public law and public undertakings in utilities. It applies to 
contracts exceeding the value thresholds set out in Annex XII -A of the Agreement which  must be 
regularly revised every two years.  Both Parties are part y to the WTO Government Procurement 
Agreement (GPA) with the same thresholds in their GPA commitments designated for central and 
subcentral governmental entities, as well as other entities. The thresholds contained under Annex 
XII-A of the Agreement for these entities have been increased . The Parties agree to establish an 
appropriate institutional framework and mechanism s necessary for the proper functioning of the 
public procurement system and the implementation of the provisions of Chapter 8. Additionally, 
Moldova must designate an executive body responsible for economic policy and an impartial and 
independent body task ed with reviewing decisions taken by contracting authorities or entities during 
the award of contracts. Each Party must ensure that decisions taken by the authorities responsible 
for the review of complaints by economic operators concerning infringements o f domestic law shall 
be effectively enforced (Article  242).   
5.34.  The Parties agree to comply with a set of basic standards for the award of all contracts  which  
derive directly from the rules and principles of public procurement, including the principles of non -
discrimination, equal treatment, transparency,  and proportionality. The basic standards regulating 
the award of contracts listed in Article 243 include publication, award of contracts, and juridical 
protection.  
5.35.  In terms of market access, the Parties agre e that the effective and reciprocal opening of their 
respective markets shall be attained gradually and simultaneously. In so far as a Party has, according 
to Annex XII -B to the Agreement, opened its procurement market to the other Party  it will  grant 
access to contract award procedures by extending national treatment to companies of the other 
Party, pursuant to its national public procurement  rules. The Parties  will examine the possibility to WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  grant mutual market access for procurements below the value thre sholds set out in Annex XII -A 
(Article 244)50.  
5.9  Intellectual property rights  
5.36.  There are no significant changes to the provisions on intellectual property rights from the EU -
Moldova Agreement. Chapter 9 of the Agreement covers provisions on intellectual property rights 
(IPR)51. The Parties agree to adequately and effectively implement international agreements dealing 
with intellectual property to which they are parties, including the WTO Agreement on Trade -Related 
Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) (Article 248 ). Protection against unfair 
competition, as stated in Article 10 bis of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property 
of 1967, is also included in the Agreement. Furthermore, the Parties are free to establish their own 
regime for the exhau stion of IPR (Article 249).  
5.37.   Copyright protection is provided for  authors, performers, phonogram producers, and 
broadcasting organisations . The term of protection for authors is 70 years after the death of the 
author, 50 years from the date of a performanc e or 70 years for phonogram performances  and 50 
years after first transmission for broadcast organisations . The Parties must also adhere to several 
international agreements, including the Berne Convention, the TRIPS Agreement, and the WIPO 
Copyright Treaty . Articles 257 -258 contain disciplines on the protection of technological measures, 
rights management information, and the resale right of artists in works of art, while exceptions and 
limitations to IP rights are covered by Article 259. A best endeavour c lause applies to cooperation 
on the collective management of rights (Article 261).  
5.38.  On trademarks, the Parties commit to complying with the Madrid Protocol, the WIPO 
Trademark Law Treaty, and the Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of  Goods 
and Services for the Registration of Marks. They also agree to make all reasonable efforts to adhere 
to the Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks52.   
5.39.  Provisions on geographical indications (GIs)  extend protect ion to GIs  for agricultural product s 
and foodstuffs in Annex XIII -C and for wines, aromatized wines, and spirit drinks in Annex XIII -D. 
The Parties also agree on the possibility to add new GIs to their lists  (Article 268)53. A GI Sub-
Committee is established under Article 276,  to monitor th e overall development of Sub -section 3 of 
Chapter 9  (provisions on GIs) and to intensify the Parties’ cooperation and dialogue on GIs. The 
Sub-Committee  also holds responsibility for amending Annexes XIII -A to XIII -D, and for monitoring 
the latest developments regarding the enforcement of the protection of GIs listed in the Annexes.  
5.40.  Protection for registered designs lasts for 25 years and can be renewed for up to five years  
(Article 278) , and unregistered designs may be protected for at least three years (Article 279). 
Designs may also be protect ed under copyright law, as determined by each Party (Article 281).   
5.41.  For patents  the Parties must adhere to the provisions of the WIPO Patent Cooperation Treaty 
and make all reasonable efforts to c omply with the WIPO Patent Law Treaty (Article 282)54. Under 
 
50 Moldova reported that in accordance with Article 16 of Law No. 131/2015  on public procurement , any 
economic operator, regardless of residency or legal status, has the right to participate in public procurement 
procedures  in Moldova . Foreign operators have the same rights as domestic operators. The only difference 
between public procurement below the thresholds and above the thresholds in the Agreement is the obligation 
to publis h the notice of intent and the notice of participation in the Official Journal of the European Union for 
procurements with a value equal to or greater than the thresholds in the Agreement . The UK confirm s that there 
is a possibility to discuss grant ing market access below the threshold.  
51 The Chapter includes Section 1 ( general provisions and principles); Section 2 ( standards concerning 
intellectual property rights) with five sub -sections: one for copyright and related Rights, two for trademarks, 
three for  geographical indications, four for designs, and five for patents; and Section 3 ( enforcement of IPRs) 
with two sub -sections: one for civil enforcement, and two for other provisions.  
52 Moldova ratified the Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks on Decem ber 16, 2008, and it has 
been in force since March 16, 2009.  In case of the UK, it ratified on October 1, 2008,  and it  has been in force 
since March 16, 2009.  
53 The Parties confirm that as of June 2023, no new GIs have been added to the Annexes.  
54 Both Parties are party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Moldova further confirmed its 
adherence to the PCT through Parliament Decision No. 1524 -XII of 26 Octobe r 1993 and is fully compliant with 
the Patent Law Treaty (PLT) by Law of the Parliament of Moldova No. 433 -XV of 17 July 2001, which has been WT/REG 439/1 
 
- 44 - 
 
  Article 283 , the Parties recognise  the importance of the Declaration of the Ministerial Conference of 
the WTO on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health (2001) and the related Decision of the WTO 
General Council (2003) . They also agree to ensure consistency with the Declaration and related 
Decision while interpreting and implementing their rights and obligations under  Chapter 9 of the 
Agreement. Medicinal and plant protection products protected by a  patent may be subject to an 
administrative authorization procedure  before being put on the market  of the Parties  (Article 284). 
Each Party shall provide a further period of protection for a medicinal or plant protection product  
which is protected by a pat ent, and which has been subject to an administrative authorization 
procedure. The Parties also agree to protect plant varieties' rights in accordance with the 
International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants  (Article 287) .  
5.42.  Provisions  on the enforcement of intellectual property include civil enforcement and  border 
measures. Regarding border measures, the Parties agree to adopt procedures that enable right 
holders with valid grounds to request customs authorities to suspend the release or detention of 
goods suspected of infringing intellectual property rights at the border  (Article 300) . In addition, 
customs authorities can also suspend the release  or detain goods on their own if they  have sufficient 
grounds for suspicion.  
5.10  Competition  
5.43.  As in the EU -Moldova Agreement e ach Party must maintain comprehensive competition laws 
that effectively address anti -competitive behaviour and maintain an operationally independent 
authority with adequate  resources to enforce these laws. Furthermore, these laws must be applied 
transparently and non -discriminatory while respecting the undertakings' rights of defence 
(Article  305). Article 306 allows the Parties to maintain State monopolies, public undertaki ngs, or 
entrust undertakings with special or exclusive rights in accordance with their respective laws, 
provided that such undertakings are subject to competition laws as long as they do not obstruct 
public interest tasks. Article 307 highlights the import ance of cooperation and coordination between 
the competition authorities of the Parties, allowing for the exchange of non -confidential information.  
5.44.  State aid granted by either Party or through its resources which distort s or threaten s to distort 
competitio n by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods and services and 
affect s trade between the Parties , shall be incompatible with the Agreement . State aid for fisheries, 
agricultur al products55, and other aids covered by the WTO Agreeme nt on Agriculture is excluded 
(Article 309). The Parties are required to maintain transparency in the area of State aid, and  report 
to each other every two years. A concerned Party may also request information on individual cases 
of State aid if it deems i ts trade relations to be affected (Article 310). 
5.45.  The Parties must keep matters under constant review, and the Political and Strategic Dialogue 
in Trade Configuration may be utilized to refer matters. The Parties have agreed to review progress 
in implementing Chapter 10 every two years unless both Parties agree otherwise (Article 312).  The 
dispute settlement mechanism in Chapter 14 of Title V does not apply to the provisions on 
competition (Article 308).  
5.11  Electronic Commerce  
5.46.  Section 6 of Chapter 6 ( Articles 226 through 232) defines electronic transmission to be the 
provision of services within the meaning of Section 3 (cross -border supply of services) of Chapter 6, 
which cannot be subject to customs duties. The Parties recognize that electronic comme rce increases 
trade opportunities in many sectors and agree to promote its development. They also agree that the 
development of electronic commerce must be fully compatible with the highest international 
standards of data protection to ensure user confiden ce (Article 226). Article 227 establishes 
cooperation between the Parties on regulatory issues raised by electronic commerce, including the 
recognition of certificates of electronic signatures, liability of intermediary service providers  with 
respect to th e transmission or storage of information , treatment of unsolicited electronic commercial 
communications, and protection of consumers.  
 
in force since 28 April 2005. The provisions of the PCT are stipulated in Moldova's Law 50/2008 on the 
protection of inventions.  
55 Products covered by Annex 1 to the WTO Agreement on Agriculture . WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  5.47.  Article 229 addresses the liability of intermediary service providers as a 'mere conduit', where 
the service provider is n ot liable for the information transmitted if they do not initiate the 
transmission, do not select the receiver of the transmission, and do not select or modify the 
information contained in the transmission. The intermediary service provider is not liable f or the 
automatic, intermediate, and temporary storage of information ("caching") as long as it complies 
with certain conditions  (Article 230) . Furthermore,  the intermediary service provider is not liable for 
the information stored at the request of a recip ient of the service as long as it does not have actual 
knowledge of illegal activity or information and acts expeditiously to remove or disable access to the 
information upon obtaining such knowledge or awareness (Article 231) .56 
5.12  Small and medium -sized ent erprises  (SMEs)  
5.48.  Title V does not contain any specific provisions on SMEs.  However, Chapter 10 of Title IV, 
which deals cooperation in industrial and enterprise policy, highlights some SME provisions.  For 
example, the Parties agree to cooperat e on industrial and enterprise policy, with a particular focus 
on improving the business environment for SMEs (Article 58).  
5.13  Other  
5.13.1   Trade -related energy  
5.49.  Chapter 11 of Title V deals with trade -related energy. As other Chapters, it is mostly the same 
as in the  EU-Moldova Agreement except for the removal of references to the relationship with the 
Energy Community Treaty. Article 314 requires  the price for the supply of gas and electricity for 
non-household customers in Moldova be determined solely by supply and demand  although  a Party 
may impose a regulated price in the general economic interest, as long as it is  clearly defined, 
transparent,  proportionate, non -discriminatory, verifiable, and of limited duration. In any event, 
prices for exports shall not be higher than on the domestic market ( Article 315 ) Articles 316 -320 
deal with transit, and each Party must take necessary measures to ensur e the uninterrupted transit 
of energy goods through its territory. The Chapter also requires that t he natural gas and electricity 
regulatory authority be legally distinct and functionally independent, ensure competition and 
efficiency, and provide impartia l decisions and appeals processes for affected operators  (Article 321).  
5.13.2   Trade and sustainable development  
5.50.  Chapter 13 of Title V of the Agreement deals with trade and sustainable development. There 
are no significant changes to the provisions covered by the  EU-Moldova Agreement. The Parties 
reaffirm their commitment to promoting international trade in a way that contributes to sustainable 
development, taking into account economic, social, and environmental factors (Article 330). Each 
Party has the right to establish its own levels of environmental and labour protection while respecting 
internationally recognized standards and agreements  (Article 331) . The Parties agree not to lower 
the levels of protection afforded in their domestic environmental or labour la w to encourage trade 
or investment (Article 338) . They also commit to respecting and implementing internationally 
recognized core labour standards and trade -related environmental issues, including climate change 
and biodiversity .57 
5.51.  The Parties will seek gr eater policy coherence between trade and labour policies, promote 
trade and investment in environmental goods and services, and strive to remove obstacles to trade 
in goods and services relevant to climate change mitigation. They further agree to promote c orporate 
social responsibility and goods that enhance social conditions and environmentally sound practices  
 
56 The definition of 'service provider' for the purposes of Article 229 refers to a provider of transmission, 
routing, or connections for digital online communication, while f or the purposes of Articles 230 and 231, it 
refers to a provider or operator of facilities for online services or network access.  
57 Regarding multilateral labour standards and agreements (Article 332), reference is made to the ILO 
Declaration on Fundamenta l Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow -up of 1998. For multilateral 
environmental governance and agreements (Article 333), reference is made to the Multilateral Environmental 
Agreements (MEAs) to which the Parties are Party and the UN Framework Con vention on Climate Change and its 
Kyoto Protocol. Concerning biological diversity (Article 335), reference is made to the Convention on Biological 
Diversity, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and other 
relevant international instruments to which the Parties are party. WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  (Article 334) .58 With regard to natural resources management, they  agree to promote trade in 
natural resource -based products through sustainable use of biological resources, share information 
on measures to prevent the loss of and pressures on biological diversity, promote the listing of at 
risk species under CITES, and cooperate to promote the conservation and su stainable use of 
biological diversity globally and regionally (Article 335).  Commitments are also made  to promote 
sustainable management of forests and trade in forest and fish products  (Articles 336 -337). The 
Parties recognise the importance of working to gether on trade -related aspects of environmental and 
labour policies, on which they may cooperate under a number of areas (Article 342).  
5.52.  A Trade and Sustainable Development Sub -Committee shall oversee the implementation of 
the Chapter and requires each Par ty to designate an office to serve as a contact point. Moreover, it 
also requires the convening of domestic advisory groups on sustainable development  as well as  a 
joint forum with civil society organizations for a dialogue on sustainable development aspec ts of the 
Agreement (Article s 343-344). The provisions on sustainable development are not subject to dispute 
settlement under the Agreement. Instead, there is a process of government  consultation s under 
Article 345  through which  the Parties shall make ever y attempt to arrive at a mutually satisfactory 
resolution of the matter. If a Party considers that the matter needs further discussion, it may request 
that the Trade and Sustainable Development Sub -Committee be convened to consider the matter. 
If the issue  is not considered satisfactorily addressed through consultations, the establishment of a 
Panel of Experts may be requested.  
5.13.3   Cooperation  
5.53.  The provisions on economic and other sectoral cooperation (Title IV) mirror those under the 
EU-Moldova Agreement. They include areas dealing with  public administration reform , economic 
dialogue , company law, accounting and auditing and corporate  governance , taxation , financial 
services , and policies related to industry, enterprise, mining, raw materials and agriculture and rural 
development.  
5.54.  Under Chapter 5 of Title IV (consumer protection), the Parties also agreed to cooperate to 
ensure a high level of con sumer protection. Cooperation may include promoting exchange of 
information on consumer protection systems, promoting training activities for consumer interest 
representatives, encouraging the development of independent consumer associations and 
collaborat ion between authorities and NGOs in consumer protection.  
 
58 In this regard, the Parties refer to the relevant internationally recognized principles and guidelines, such 
as the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the United Nations Global C ompact, and the ILO Tripartite 
Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy . WT/REG 439/1 
 
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  ANNEX 1  
INDICATORS OF TARIFF LIBERALIZATION AND MARKET ACCESS  
OPPORTUNITIES UNDER THE AGREEMENT  
1. Tables A1.1 and A1.2 below present the Parties' overall tariff elimination under the Agreement 
vis-à-vis MFN tariffs by total, agricultural ( HS Chapters 01 -24) and industrial ( HS Chapters 25 -97) 
products.  
2. As shown in Table A1.1, the UK's average applied MFN tariff in 2021 was 3.8%. Industrial 
products had an average applied MFN rate of 2.5%, while agricultural products had a relatively 
higher rate of 8.9%. The percentage of duty -free tariff lines was 47% overall, with 57.1% for 
industrial products  and 18.8% for agricultural products. Under the Agreement, the overall average 
applied tariff for imports from Moldova was 0.02%. Agricultural products had an average rate of 
0.1%, while industrial products were fully liberalized. This provided Moldovan ex porters with a 
relative margin of preference, with a 99.5% margin overall and 100% and 98.9%, respectively, for 
industrial and agricultural exports. The percentage of duty -free lines increased to 99.9% overall and 
100% and 99.6% for industrial and agricult ural products.  
Table A1. 1 UK: Indicators of MFN and preferential rates for imports from Moldova  
Origin of 
goods  Year  ALL PRODUCTS  HS Chapters 01 -24 HS Chapters 25 -97 
Average 
applied tariff  Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average 
applied tariff  Share of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average 
applied 
tariff  Share of 
duty-free 
tariff 
lines (%)  Overall 
(%) 
On 
dutiable 
(%) 
Overall 
(%) 
On 
dutiable 
(%) 
Overall 
(%) 
On 
dutiable 
(%) 
MFN 2021 3.8 7.8 47.0 8.9 12.0 18.8 2.5 5.8 57.1 
Moldova  2021  0.02 14.9 99.9 0.1 14.9 99.6 0.0 0.0 100.0  
Source:  the UK authorities.  
 
3. In the case of Moldova (Table A1.2), its average applied MFN tariff was 6.2% in 2021. 
Industrial products had an average applied MFN rate of 4.3%, while agricultural products had a 
relatively higher rate of 11.8%. The percentage of duty -free tariff lines was 35.7% overall, with 
42.4% for industrial products and 17.3% for agricultural products. Upon the Agreement's entry into 
force in 2021, the overall appl ied tariff for imports from the UK decreased to 0.3% and 1.3% for 
agricultural products, while industrial products were fully liberalized. This gave exporters from the 
UK a relative margin of preference of 95.2% overall and 89% and 100% for agriculture and  industrial 
products, respectively. As a result, the percentage of duty -free lines increased to 98.4% overall and 
100% and 94.1% for industrial and agricultural products. At the end of implementation in 2028, it 
will increase to 99% overall and 96.3% for a gricultural products.  
Table A1. 2 Moldova: Indicators of MFN and preferential rates for imports from UK  
Origin of 
goods  Year  ALL PRODUCTS  HS Chapters 01 -24 HS Chapters 25 -97 
Average 
applied tariff  Share 
of duty -
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average 
applied tarif f Share 
of duty -
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average 
applied tariff  
Share of 
duty-free 
tariff lines 
(%) Overall (%)  
On dutiable 
(%) 
Overall (%)  
On dutiable 
(%) 
Overall (%)  
On dutiable 
(%) 
MFN 2021 6.2 9.8 35.7 11.8 14.6 17.3 4.3 7.5 42.4 
UK 2021 0.3 22.0 98.4 1.3 22.0 94.1 0.0 0.0 100.0  
 2022 0.3 21.7 98.4 1.3 21.7 94.1 0.0 0.0 100.0  
 2023 0.3 21.3 98.4 1.3 21.3 94.1 0.0 0.0 100.0  
 2024 0.3 27.7 98.8 1.2 27.7 95.6 0.0 0.0 100.0  WT/REG 439/1 
 
- 48 - 
 
  Origin of 
goods  Year  ALL PRODUCTS  HS Chapters 01 -24 HS Chapters 25 -97 
Average 
applied tariff  Share 
of duty -
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average 
applied tarif f Share 
of duty -
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average 
applied tariff  
Share of 
duty-free 
tariff lines 
(%) Overall (%)  
On dutiable 
(%) 
Overall (%)  
On dutiable 
(%) 
Overall (%)  
On dutiable 
(%) 
 2025 0.3 27.3 98.8 1.2 27.3 95.6 0.0 0.0 100.0  
 2026 0.3 26.9 98.8 1.2 26.9 95.6 0.0 0.0 100.0  
 2027 0.3 26.5 98.8 1.2 26.5 95.6 0.0 0.0 100.0  
 2028  0.3 30.7 99.0 1.1 30.7 96.3 0.0 0.0 100.0  
Source:  Moldovan authorities, TPR and the WTO -IDB. 
 
4. Tables A1.3 and A1.4 below present the market access opportunities under the Agreement for 
trade between the Parties for their top 25 export products.  
5. Table A1.3 presents the market access opportunities for the top 25 export products (at the 
HS subheading  level) of Moldova in the UK, which accounted for 60.1% of Moldova's total global 
exports during 2018 -20 and covered by  180 products at the national tariff line level in the UK's tariff 
in 2021 . Out of these, 39 products were duty -free on an MFN basis  while a further 139 products 
were fully liberalized under the Agreement in 2021  for imports from Moldova. The  2 remaining 
products, fresh apples and grapes, were subject to MFN rates in 2021 of 4% from 1 January -
31 March , zero from 1 April -31 July and 8% from 1 August -31 December  for apples, and 8% for 
fresh grapes.  
Table A1.3 UK: Market access opportunities under the agreement for Moldova ' top 25 
exports to the world  
Moldova's top export products  
in 2018  - 2020 Access Conditions to UK's markets  
HS number and description  Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) MFN 2021  No. of 
duty free 
lines 
under the 
agree -
ment  
Remain 
Dutiable  
Average 
Tariff 
(%) No. of 
duty-
free 
lines  No. of 
duti- 
able 
lines  2021  
120600  Sunflower seeds  7.6 0.0 3    
854420  Coaxial cable and other coaxial 
electric conductors  7.4 2.0  1 1  
854430  Ignition wiring sets and other 
wiring sets for vehicles, aircraft or 
ships 7.0 1.8  1 1  
940190  Parts of seats  4.1 1.3 1 2 2  
100590  Maize  3.7 0.0 1    
080232  Fresh or dried walnuts  3.2 4.0  1 1  
220421  Wine of fresh grapes  2.9 *  58 58  
151211  Crude sunflower -seed or safflower 
oil 2.8 4.7  3 3  
100199  Wheat and meslin  2.7 *  1 1  
080810  Fresh apples  2.3 5.0  2 1 1 
854449  Electric conductors  2.2 1.6 1 4 4  
701090  Carboys, bottles, flasks, jars, 
pots, phials and other containers, 
of glass  1.5 0.0 17    
300490  Medicaments  1.5 0.0 1    
200979  Apple juice  1.5 22.8  5 5  
220429  Wine of fresh grapes  1.3 *  27 27  
854442  Electric conductors  1.3 1.0 1 1 1  
080610  Fresh grapes  1.0 11.0  2 1 1 WT/REG 439/1 
 
- 49 - 
 
  Moldova's top export products  
in 2018  - 2020 Access Conditions to UK's markets  
HS number and description  Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) MFN 2021  No. of 
duty free 
lines 
under the 
agree -
ment  
Remain 
Dutiable  
Average 
Tariff 
(%) No. of 
duty-
free 
lines  No. of 
duti- 
able 
lines  2021  
220820  Spirits  0.9 0.0 12    
300460  Medicaments  0.9 0.0 1    
392350  Stoppers, lids, caps and other 
closures, of plastics  0.8 6.0  2 2  
220710  Undenatured ethyl alcohol  0.8 *  1 1  
220422  Wine of fresh grapes  0.8 *  28 28  
120590  High erucic rape or colza seeds  0.7 0.0 1    
620640  Women's or girls' blouses and 
shirt  0.7 12.0  1 1  
610910  T-shirts  0.7 12.0  1 1  
Total of above  60.1  39 141 139 2 
* Dutiable tariff lines are subject to specific rates only.  
Source:  the UK authorities and UNSD.  
 
6. Table A1.4 presents the market access opportunities for the top 25 export products (at the 
HS subheading level) of the UK in Moldova, which accounted for 38.4% of the UK's total global 
exports duri ng 2018 -20 and were  covered by 97 products at the national tariff line level in Moldova's 
tariff in 2021 . Of these  78 products were already duty -free on an MFN basis. Under the Agreement 
in 2021, Moldova liberalized the remaining 19 products .  
Table A1.4 M oldova: Market access opportunities under the agreement for the UK's top 
25 exports to the world  
UK's top export products  
in 2018  - 2020  Access Conditions to Moldova's 
import markets  
HS number and description  
Share in global 
exports (%)  MFN 2021  No. of  
duty  
free  
lines  
under  
the agree -
ment  
Remain Dutiable  
Avg 
Tariff 
(%) 
duty-free  
dutia ble 
2021  
710813  Gold 5.6 5.0  2 2  
270900  Petroleum oils and oils obtained from 
bituminous  4.9 0.0 2    
300490  Medicaments  3.2 0.0 1    
880330  Parts of aeroplanes or helicopters  2.9 0.0 1    
841112  Turbojets  2.6 0.0 3    
870323  Motor cars  2.4 0.0 3    
841191  Parts of turbojets or turbopropellers  2.1 0.0 1    
870324  Motor cars  1.7 0.0 2    
220830  Whiskies  1.3 0.0  11 11  
271012  Light oils and preparations  1.3 0.0 12    
970110  Paintings  1.3 10.0  1 1  
870322  Motor cars  1.2 0.0 2    
711319  Articles of jewellery and parts thereof  1.0 10.0  1 1  
271019  Medium oils and preparations  1.0 0.0 26    
870332  Motor cars  0.7 0.0 3    
300220  Vaccines for human medicine  0.6 0.0 1    WT/REG 439/1 
 
- 50 - 
 
  UK's top export products  
in 2018  - 2020  Access Conditions to Moldova's 
import markets  
HS number and description  
Share in global 
exports (%)  MFN 2021  No. of  
duty  
free  
lines  
under  
the agree -
ment  
Remain Dutiable  
Avg 
Tariff 
(%) 
duty-free  
dutia ble 
2021  
870340  Motor cars  0.6 0.0 2    
711021  Palladium  0.6 0.0 1    
300215  Immunological products  0.6 0.0 1    
851762  Machines for the reception, conversion and 
transmission  0.6 0.0 1    
382200  Diagnostic or laboratory reagents  0.5 0.0 1    
490199  Printed books  0.5 10.0  1 1  
870333  Motor cars  0.5 0.0 3    
840890  Compression -ignition internal combustion 
piston engine  0.4 0.0 12    
870899  Parts and accessories, for tractors, motor 
vehicles  0.4 5.0  3 3  
Total of above  38.4  78 19 19 - 
Source:  the UK and Moldovan authorities, TPR and the WTO -IDB. 
  WT/REG 439/1 
 
- 51 - 
 
  ANNEX 2  
1. Table A2.1 and A2.2 below provide detailed information on tariff rate quotas (TRQs) applied 
by the UK and Moldova under the Agreement.  
Table A2. 1 UK: TRQs under the Agreement  
TRQs/Product's HS 
Codes  Tariff rates under the 
Agree ment  MFN Rates  
In-quota  Out-of-quota  
TRQ1: Products from HS Chapter 08 (2,043 tonnes)  
08094005  0 MFN 6% (01 OCT - 30 JUN), 12% (01 JUL - 30 SEP)  
TRQ2: Products from HS Chapter 08 (2,724 tonnes)  
08061010  0 MFN 8% 
TRQ3: Products from HS Chapter 08 (204 tonnes)  
08092900*  0 MFN 12% (16 JUL - 15 JUN), 6% (16 JUN - 15 JUL)  
TRQ4: Products from HS Chapter 07 (272 tonnes)  
07020000*  0 MFN 8% (01 NOV - 14 MAY), 14% (15 MAY - 31 OCT)  
TRQ5: Products from HS Chapter 07 (30 tonnes)  
07032000*  0 MFN 8% + 100 GBP / 100 kg  
TRQ6: Products from HS Chapter 08 (5,448 tonnes)  
08081080*  0 MFN 4% (01 JAN - 31 MAR), 0% (01 APR - 31 JUL), 
8% (01 AUG - 31 DEC)  
TRQ7: Products from HS Chapter 20 (68 tonnes)  
20096110, 20096951, 
20096959  0 MFN 20% 
20096919  0 MFN 40% 
* Tariff lines also subject to MFN TRQs.  
Source:  the UK authorities.  
Table A2. 2 Moldova: TRQs under the Agreement  
TRQs/Product's HS Codes  Tariff rates under the 
Agreement  MFN 2021  
In-quota  Out-of-quota  
TRQ1: Pork meat (for 2021: 681 tonnes and for 2022:749 tonnes)  
020329110, 020329130, 020329150, 020329550, 020329590  0% MFN 10% + 200 
Euro/t  
020311100, 020312110, 020312190, 020319110, 020319130, 
020319150, 020319550, 020319590, 020321100, 020322110, 
020322190  0% MFN 20% + 200 
Euro/t  
TRQ2: Poultry (for 2021: 749 tonnes and for 2022:817 tonnes)  
020712100, 020712900, 020714100, 020714200, 020714300, 
020714400, 020714500, 020714600, 020714700, 020714910, 
020714990  0% MFN 15% + 100 
Euro/t  
020711100, 020711300, 020711900, 020713100, 020713200, 
020713300, 020713500, 020713600, 020713990  0% MFN 20% + 100 
Euro/t  
TRQ3: Dairy products (272 tonnes)  
040110100, 040110900, 040120110, 040120190, 040120910, 
040120990, 040150110, 040150190, 040150310 040150390, 
040150910, 040150990  0% MFN 15% 
040510110, 040510190, 040510300, 040510500, 040510900  0% MFN 15% + 500 
Euro/t  
040520100, 040520300, 040520900, 040590100, 040590900  0% MFN 20% + 500 
euro/t  
TRQ4: Sausages and other prepared or preserved meat, meat offal or blood (232 tonnes)  
160100100, 160100910, 160242100, 160249110, 160249130, 
160249150, 160249190, 160249300, 160249500, 160290510  0% MFN 15% 
160232110, 160232190, 160232300, 160232900, 160241100  0% MFN 20% 
*TRQ5: Sugar (for 2021: 1090 tonnes and for 2022:1226 tonnes)  
170112100, 170112900, 170113100, 170113900, 170114100, 
170114900, 170191000, 170199100, 170199900  0% MFN 75% WT/REG 439/1 
 
- 52 - 
 
  TRQs/Product's HS Codes  Tariff rates under the 
Agreement  MFN 2021  
In-quota  Out-of-quota  
*TRQ6: Other sugars, including chemically pure lactose, maltose, glucose and fructose, in solid 
form; sugar syrups not containing added favouring or colouring matter; artificial honey, whether 
or not mixed with natural honey; caramel (87 tonnes)  
170230100, 170230500, 170230900, 170240100, 170240900, 
170250000, 170260100, 170260950, 170290100, 170290300, 
170290710, 170290750, 170290790, 170290950  0% MFN 75% 
* Tariff lines also subject to MFN TRQs.  
Source:  Moldovan authorities, TPR and the WTO -IDB  
__________