Report Highlights:
As of July 1, 2013, U.S. grape juice producers are allowed to use a "Simplified VI-1" document to export grape juice to the EU. Companies wishing to export grape juice can self-certify compliance with EU rules and it is no longer needed for the U.S. Government to sign the certificate. A sample certificate and explanatory note are provided at the end of this report.
Changes to Export Certification for U.S. Grape Juice
Simplified Certification
The EU has agreed that as of July 1, 2013, U.S. operators can start using a simplified VI-1 certificate to accompany grape juice exports to the EU. The U.S. Government no longer needs to sign certificates attesting that grape juice destined for the EU market is produced in accordance with EU wine-making practices. U.S. exporters of grape juice are now allowed to self-certify that the grape juice will not be used in wine-making. The simplified certificate removes the EU requirement for a laboratory test saving U.S. exporters of grape juice approximately $250 per shipment. Please see the next page for a sample certificate.
Background
Grape juice falls within the scope of the EU’s wine regulation 479/2008. Despite the fact that this regulation prohibits the use of grape juice imported from non-EU countries for wine-making purposes, a certificate was required to attest compliance with EU wine-making practices including a specific analysis of the product. As U.S. grape juice was not even allowed under EU rules to be used for the purposes for which the certification was intended, FAS and USTR have been working with the European Commission to reach agreement on the use of a simplified certificate. The U.S. exported $1 million of grape juice to the EU in 2012.
