Acknowledgement: Many thanks are due to Vladimir Babich, one of the world's leading experts on Moldovan philately, who has kindly supplied me with virtually all of the information contained in these listings.

Introductory Notes:- What are these stamps? In the early to mid-1990's, these stamps were used provisionally for three main reasons: Firstly, there was a severe shortage of postage stamps and they were expensive to produce. Secondly, hyperinflation meant that stamps that did exist were obsolete within just a few months or weeks. Thirdly, the huge currency exchange differences between Moldova and the PMR meant that the PMR could not afford to buy stamps from Moldova and preferred to issue it's own stamps which were restricted to local deliveries. Tariff stamps were very cheap and easy to produce. They could have their face values altered quickly and easily and they could be used in conjunction with the large quantities of existing postal stationery of the former USSR.

Introductory Notes:- How were these stamps used ?  The tariff stamps were hand or machine stamped directly onto prepaid postal stationery (postcards and envelopes) of the former USSR. In many cases the idea was to increase the face value of the envelopes or cards by adding the tariff amount to the face value of the pre-printed USSR stamp. To achieve this, the tariff stamp should appear beside the original USSR stamp. But in some cases, the tariff stamp's own face value alone was considered as the postal charge. Full details are provided within the pages of this catalogue.

Introductory Notes:- Where were these stamps used ?  The tariff stamps that were inscribed with the word "Moldova" (in either Latin or Cyrillic type) were valid for use all over Moldova and PMR. The tariff stamps that were inscribed "PMR" (in either Latin or Cyrillic type) were valid for use within the PMR only.

Introductory Notes:- What is the scope of this catalogue ?  Tariff stamps issued by Moldova were valid for use all over Moldova and the PMR. Tariff stamps issued by the PMR were valid for local deliveries only. Often the two territories used common designs and it can be very difficult to distinguish which is which. I have therefore decided to include ALL types of "numeric" and "letter" tariff stamps in these listings, whether they were issued by Moldova or by the PMR. Detailed notes regarding their uses are provided. "Numeric" designs are those featuring large numerals.  "Letter" designs are those featuring large letters instead of numeric values. Two types of tariff stamps are excluded here. They are: firstly, the Moldovan "towns" types and  secondly, any machine stamp bearing the old USSR inscription "CCCP".

Introductory Notes:- Accuracy, Omissions and Errors :  Every known type and value has been included in these lists. Other examples may exist and I would be very pleased to hear from anyone with more information. Please contact me at info@pmrstamps.org with details and scans if possible. Where an original example is not available for scanning or no proper image can be located, I have graphically reproduced the stamp. In these cases, the images will not be 100% accurate, but be close enough for identification purposes.

The catalogue prefix "TF" is used in all cases.