mall wineries will once again be exempt from paying the certification service fee for alcoholic beverages intended for sale on the domestic market. The decision was made following consultations with representatives of the sector.
The certification service fee for small wineries will be waived. According to Georgia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, small wineries will be exempt from the fee for issuing certificates of conformity for alcoholic beverages intended for the domestic market.
The change will take effect after the relevant procedures are completed.
What Will Change for Small Wineries?
The certification service became subject to a fee on September 1, 2026. The change followed legislative amendments to Georgia’s Law on Vine and Wine, which introduced certification fees for wine producers regardless of their size.
The new requirement created an additional cost for small wineries. Representatives of the sector pointed out that the fee could be particularly noticeable for smaller producers, where production and individual orders are often limited.
Under the new decision, small wineries will once again be able to obtain the relevant certification service without paying the service fee.
Certification Will Still Be Mandatory
Importantly, the removal of the fee does not mean that the certification requirement itself will be removed.
Small wineries will still have to complete the required certification procedures and obtain the necessary documentation for their products.
The certification requirement remains in place to support product quality and consumer safety.
Why Was the Decision Changed?
Georgia’s Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Davit Songhulashvili, said the decision to waive the fee for small wineries was made following consultations with representatives of the sector.
According to the ministry, the approach is intended to support the development of small wineries while maintaining the certification system and quality requirements.
Small wineries will once again be exempt from the certification service fee, while the certification requirement itself will remain in place. The change will take effect after the relevant procedures are completed.
Travel News will continue to cover developments and new opportunities affecting Georgia’s wine and tourism sectors.
