What is the main difference in preferential certification of origin under ATP and AA EU-MD DCFTA?

The DCFTA rules of origin (Protocol II and its further amendment for its alignment to PEM rules of origin) introduce some new elements in EU-MD preferential trade which are not found under ATP, such as:

  • Prohibition of no-drawback of, or exemption from, customs duties;
  • Possibility for granting approved exporters status to MD economic operators (under ATP such status was foreseen only for EU exporters)
  • Possibility for diagonal cumulation with other countries of the PEM zone with which the EU and Moldova have free trade agreements with identical rules of origin 
  • Possibility for Moldovan customs to request from EU Member States customs authorities to carry out subsequent verification of proofs of origin issued in the EU