Activity involving precious metals and precious stones, the operation of pawnshops

Activity involving precious metals and precious stones

1. Ownership or lease of the property where the licensed activity is carried out, except for e-commerce.

2. The sale of precious metal and precious stone items only in specialized jewelry stores and sections, with an area of at least 12 square meters, where conditions for the visibility and integrity of the items are ensured. The condition regarding the sale of items made of precious metals and precious stones in stores and sections with an area of at least 12 m2 does not apply in the case of e-commerce with the respective items, carried out in accordance with the legislation on e-commerce.

3. The manufacture of items made of precious metals and precious stones, the processing of scrap and waste containing precious metals only in premises that meet technical, sanitary, and ecological requirements.

4. Compliance with the rules for the sale, receipt, storage, and recording of items made of precious metals and precious stones, the rules for the purchase from the population of precious metals and precious stones contained in items and scrap, the rules for the introduction, shipping and removal of precious metals and precious stones and items made of them into/from the Republic of Moldova, and the operating conditions of pawnshops.

5. Provision of the conditions and materials necessary for testing precious metals and determining the characteristics of precious stones, in order to determine their quality and quantity (analytical or electronic scales, chemical reagents, and the relevant instruments).

6. Annual metrological verification of analytical or electronic scales.

7. Efficient processing of scrap and waste containing precious metals, ensuring the mandatory recovery of precious metals with a minimum fineness of 995° for gold and silver and 950° for platinum and palladium.

8. Ensuring the integrity and proper storage of items made of precious metals and precious stones by equipping the premises with safes, internal and external signaling, connected to the centralized security point.

9. Mandatory marking of precious metal items manufactured in the Republic of Moldova and those imported into the country for sale with the sign of state marking, applied by the State Chamber for Marking Supervision.

10. Compliance of the applicant's activity conditions with environmental protection requirements.

11. Prompt communication to the competent public authorities, at their request, of information enabling the identification of the recipients of the services with whom these providers have concluded contracts for the permanent storage of information.

12. Confirmation without undue delay, by electronic means, of receipt of information regarding the order, including acceptance or rejection of the order made by the recipient of the services.

13. Making available to the recipient of the services appropriate, efficient, and accessible means of using electronic means, enabling them to identify and correct errors occurred when entering data before placing the order.

The operation of pawnshops

1. Insurance of items accepted for safekeeping and as security in an amount equal to the value of the property as assessed at the time of acceptance for
   safekeeping or as security, as agreed between the parties;

2. Ownership or lawful lease of premises in which the licensed activity is conducted;

3. Provision of specially equipped storage facilities (safes), together with security, intruder alarm, and fire detection systems, ensuring the safekeeping and protection of valuables accepted as security;

4. Availability of appropriate facilities, equipment, and materials for determining the fineness of precious metals and the characteristics of precious stones, and for assessing their quality and weight, including analytical or electronic scales, chemical reagents, and relevant tools;

5. Annual mandatory metrological calibration of analytical or electronic scales;

6. A pawnshop shall not accept for safekeeping or as security foreign currency, securities, items not owned by private individuals, real property, antiques, or other articles of historical or cultural value;

7. A pawnshop shall not employ or retain in employment any person who has been convicted of economic offences, offences against public or state security,
   or bribery-related offences.

Legal basis:

• Law No. 282 of July 22, 2004, on the regime of precious metals and precious stones.
• Law No. 160 of July 22, 2011, on the regulation by authorization of the entrepreneurial activity.
• Government Decision No. 204 of 28.03.1995 approving the Regulation on the organization and functioning of pawnshops (pawnshops).

List of documents to be attached to the application for the issuance/extension of the license

Activity involving precious metals and precious stones

1. A copy of the legal document certifying the right of ownership or lease of the property intended for carrying out the licensed activity.
2. Declaration on own responsibility regarding the compliance with the conditions of activity established in Law No. 282 of July 22, 2004, on the regime of precious metals and precious stones (e-commerce).

The operation of pawnshops

1. A copy of the legal document certifying the right of ownership or lease of the property intended for carrying out the licensed activity.
2. Copies of documents confirming the establishment of the minimum share capital:
   • for municipalities – 250 000 Moldovan lei;
   • for rural localities – 150 000 Moldovan lei.