A new border checkpoint has been created in the vicinity of the “Otaci” crossing point. The customs post will work non-stop, in order to avoid traffic congestion and jams created by long-haul trucks. All customs procedures will take place in the customs control zone, 1.5 km away from the border, allowing the passage point to only register crossing instances and to authorize the exit of merchandise, IPN reports.

According to a press release by the Customs Service, in the initial phase, the area will deal with export and re-export operations, whereas other customs services will be provided only based on pre-submitted requests.

The new customs control area is on the R-9 Soroca-Otaci route (km 40), at the intersection of several traffic arteries, and will have a processing capacity of 120 trucks per day. The post also hosts a parking lot for 35 trucks, two warehouses, and an evidence room.

The Customs Service is currently undertaking feasibility studies for constructing such checkpoints for three other border points with high traffic: Giurgiulești (MD-RO), Sculeni, and Costești. Infrastructure expansion works are also planned for customs points Leușeni, Sculeni and Giurgiulești. These were developed as part of the 2014-2020 Romania-Moldova Operational Program, funded by the EU.