From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Published: 31 December 2020
Last updated: 24 March 2021, see all updates
Importing wine from the EU to Great Britain (GB)
UK VI-1 certificates are not required for EU wine imported into GB (England, Scotland and Wales) from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021.
Labelling wine imported from EU and non-EU countries in GB
Importers and bottlers must follow certain rules when labelling wine that’s imported into GB.
Rules for importers
You can use the name and address of an importer that’s based in the EU, GB or NI, on the label of wine marketed in GB until 30 September 2022.
Rules for bottlers
You can use the name and address of a bottler that’s based in the EU, GB or NI, on the label of wine marketed in GB until 30 September 2022.
From 1 October 2022, wine marketed in GB must be labelled with the name and address of an importer or bottler located within the UK.
Exporting wine from GB to the EU
The European Commission has granted third country listing to the UK competent bodies for the issuing of VI-1 documents.
Consignments of wine exported from GB to the EU are subject to EU third country requirements for wine, including having an EU VI-1 for third country of origin wine exports. There are some situations where you do not need an EU VI-1 to export wine from GB to the EU. Check exemptions to the EU VI-1.
Wine produced in GB and exported to the EU is subject to self-certification rules. These requirements are necessary due to the terms of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the UK and EU. You must complete a self-certificate before exporting wine that’s produced in GB to the EU.
Exemptions to the VI-1
There are some instances where you do not need a VI-1 to:
- import wine to GB
- export wine from GB to the EU
- move from GB to NI
You do not need a VI-1 for wines that are:
- in labelled containers up to 10 litres with a single use stopper, where the total quantity of the shipment (which can be in separate consignments) is less than 100 litres
- your personal property if you’re moving to the UK
- in the personal luggage of travellers, up to a maximum of 30 litres
- sent in non-commercial consignments from one private individual to another, up to a maximum of 30 litres per consignment
- for trade fairs if the wine is in labelled containers of up to 2 litres with a single use stopper
- imported for the purpose of scientific and technical experiments up to a maximum of 100 litres
- held in stores on board ships and airplanes operating in international transport
- originating from and bottled in the UK, exported and then returned to the UK to be sold
- originating from and bottled in the EU, exported and then returned to the EU to be sold
- traded for diplomatic purposes in accordance with the Vienna Convention or the New York Convention
You’re still able to use the simplified VI-1 for importing wines from Australia and Chile. Wines from the United States of America (USA) can use a simplified VI-1 and US wineries can continue to self-certify their VI-1s.
