The United Kingdom Government confirmed on 15 October, through an update of the guide on the import and export of wine, that from 1 January 2022 the single accompanying document for the import of wine products (certificate VI-1) will no longer be required for products from EU countries and third countries.
After the introduction of this obligation had been delayed several times, a careful cost analysis conducted by the WSTA (Wine and Spirit Trade Association) led the UK Government to definitively abandon the controversial VI-model1, with the aim of not prejudicing the commercial traffics of this specific field.
Indeed, such a requirement would have meant an increase in costs, estimated at £70 million a year, as well as substantial bureaucratic bottlenecks for producers and operators in the sector and for final consumers.
Finally, as regards the rules for bottlers, it is confirmed that from 1 October 2022 the name and address of an importer or bottler located in the United Kingdom will be on the label.
The UBFP Law Firm remains available to provide clarification on the topics briefly discussed here.