Alcohol Beverage Law & Excise | Legal.ge

AlcoholBeverageLaw

Are excise stamps mandatory for Georgian wine?

Excise stamps are not required for locally produced wine (if alcohol content is below 15%), but they are mandatory for imported wine and all strong spirits.

What is a PDO wine?

PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) refers to wines like Khvanchkara or Kindzmarauli, which can only be produced in specific micro-zones using specific grape varieties.

How to get an export certificate?

You must apply to the National Wine Agency, submit samples for laboratory testing, and pass an organoleptic examination (tasting).

Can I sell homemade wine legally?

Small family wineries can register and sell wine under simplified rules, but they must still comply with basic labeling and hygiene standards.

Alcohol Beverage Law: Production, Certification, and Excise

Alcohol Beverage Law is a strategic field in Georgia, especially for the winemaking sector. This area covers regulations for the production, labeling, certification, excise stamping, and sale of alcoholic beverages. Producers must adhere to strict requirements of the "Law on Vine and Wine," undergo control by the National Wine Agency, and obtain compliance certificates for export. Additionally, the import and local sale of alcoholic beverages are subject to excise taxation, creating additional tax obligations. Lawyer assistance is essential for brand protection (Appellations of Origin), simplifying export procedures, and avoiding fines.

What Does This Service Cover?

Specialists on Legal.ge offer full legal services for the alcohol business:

Certification: Managing the certification process for wine and alcoholic beverages (laboratory testing, tasting) for export.
Excise Stamps: Legal oversight of obtaining, accounting for, and fulfilling stamping obligations for excise stamps.
Labeling: Compliance of label design and content with Georgian and international (e.g., EU) regulations.
Appellation of Origin (PDO/PGI): Obtaining rights to use Protected Designations of Origin and registering them with Sakpatenti.
Production Rules: Compliance of technological processes (e.g., sugar content, additives) with the law.
Export Contracts: Drafting international distribution agreements and resolving trade disputes.

Common Situations When You Need a Lawyer

In the alcohol business, lawyer assistance is needed when:

Certificate Refusal: The National Wine Agency refused to issue an export certificate due to quality non-compliance.
Counterfeiting: You discovered fake wine of your brand being sold on the market and need a response.
Excise Dispute: The Revenue Service fined you for incorrect use or shortage of excise stamps.
Label Issue: Exported wine was stopped at the border because the label did not meet the importing country's requirements.
License: You want to open a spirits production facility and need a full permit package.

Georgian Legal Framework

The main law is the "Law on Vine and Wine." Regarding excise, the Tax Code of Georgia applies. Also important are government technical regulations on "General Rules for Wine Production" and "Rules for Labeling Alcoholic Beverages."

Process: How Collaboration with a Specialist Works

The process includes:

Audit: Checking production processes and documentation compliance.
Registration: Registering the wine company in the relevant database.
Stamping: Ordering and managing excise stamps.
Certification: Submitting samples and receiving the certificate.
Protection: Protecting intellectual property (brand, PDO).

Why Choose Legal.ge?

Georgian wine goes to the global market, requiring thorough knowledge of international standards. Legal.ge connects you with lawyers specializing in alcohol law who will help you successfully and safely sell your products. Find an industry expert on Legal.ge.