New customs controls are set to cut the cost of importing wine by millions of pounds every year, it has been announced.

The report comes after the UK Government approved legislation scrapping the requirement to include VI-1 certificates on wine imports to Great Britain from 01 January 2022.

VI-1 certificates are used by the UK to certify that third country of origin wine exported or moved from Great Britain to the EU or Northern Ireland complies with EU regulations and has been produced using winemaking practices that are either or both:

• authorised by the EU (or provided for in trade agreements that are concluded by the EU)
• produced in accordance with winemaking practices recommended and published by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine.

But new rules – coming into effect on 01 January 2022 – will remove the requirement to complete such declarations on all wine imported to Great Britain.

The move is set to save importers around 10p per bottle of wine, or around £130 million a year.

The latest statistics suggest that the UK imported and consumed around £2.2 billion of wine in 2020, making it the second largest wine market in the world.

Commenting on the changes, Food and Drink Minister Victoria Prentis said: “By removing this pointless red tape, our businesses are in a stronger and more competitive position than before.

“Ending the requirement for import certificates is an important measure in supporting this vital industry, and a clear benefit of our now having the freedom to determine our own rules.”

Miles Beale, Chief Executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), added: “This week marks the final hurdle in a two-year battle to remove unnecessary and costly inherited EU red tape on wine imports.”

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