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Greece
The following information must appear on the label in Greek (other languages may be used on the label as long as the necessary labeling information is also provided in Greek):
For more information on labeling specific to alcohol beverages, please visit: http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l32005.htm. Wine-Specific Labeling: The following must appear on a label in a single field of vision (i.e. can be viewed without having to turn the bottle), except for the Importer’s details, the Lot number, and allergenic ingredients.
Please note that wine variety and vintage may NOT be shown on labels of wine with non-geographical origin – only wine with a proper geographical indication may display such information. Allergen Labeling for Wine: EU GM (Genetically Modified) Food Labeling: According to Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003, products containing more than 0.9 percent of genetically modified ingredients must be labeled with the following statement: “This product contains genetically modified organisms.” Food products containing or consisting of GMOs, produced from GMOs or containing ingredients produced from GMOs must be labeled in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003. This regulation can be found online at: http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2003/l_268/l_26820031018en00010023.pdf. Please see USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s GAIN report on “Labeling of Genetically Modified Food Products,” which discusses the two main regulations (Regulations (EC) No. 1829/2003 and (EC) No. 1830/2003) concerning labeling and traceability of GMO’s and foods containing GMO’s, at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200310/145986500.pdf. Also, visit the GMO section of the U.S. Mission to the European Union’s FAS website at: http://www.useu.be/agri/GMOs.html for up-to-date information on GM regulations and labeling. Annex III of EC Council Directive 75/106/EEC sets out general standards of fill for alcohol beverages, including wine, distilled spirits, and malt beverages (beer). Please note that this Directive does not apply to pre-packages containing the products listed in Annex III:
A chart derived from this Annex with the pertinent alcohol products can be found on our website: http://www.ttb.gov/itd/eu_standard_fill.shtml. OENOLOGICAL PRACTICES (WINEMAKING STANDARDS) On March 10, 2006, the U.S. and EU signed the Agreement between the United States and the European Community on Trade in Wine. The agreement provides for the recognition of each other's existing current winemaking practices, as well as a consultative process for accepting new winemaking practices. As such, the EU must allow entry of U.S. wine products made in accordance with U.S. winemaking standards into the EU. Accepted EU oenological practices and process are outlined in Commission Regulation (EC) No 1622/2000. The Regulation also contains a list of restrictions and requirements pertaining to the use of certain substances authorized for oenological purposes. The following is a list of documents that are required to import into Greece:
CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) Import Licenses are required for wine imported from “third countries” such as the U.S into any country in the E.U. Such import licenses, often referred to as AGRIM Certificates, are issued in Greece by the Organismos pliromon kai elenchou koinotikon enischyseon prosanatolismou kai engyiseon - OPEKEPE (Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aid), part of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food. An import declaration is required for goods imported into the EU from third countries such as the U.S. When goods are imported into Greece, it is the responsibility of the importer or his authorized agent to declare them to Customs. A Single Administrative Document or SAD is used for this purpose. This is the approved form for the import declaration process. Further information on the SAD can be found on the EU website below: http://europa.eu.int/comm/taxation_customs/customs/procedural_aspects/general/sad/index_en.htm. The Single Administrative Document (SAD) may be submitted to the Greek Customs Administration through physical means. An electronic declaration method is being put in place. For more information on the electronic declaration, please contact: Ypourgeio oikonomias kai oikonomikon Goods are released from Customs for “free circulation” once the pertinent documents have been filed and payment of tariff duties has been completed. After paying the value added tax (VAT) and any other applicable excise duty, goods are also released for consumption and ready to be marketed. Wine-specific Import Requirements: Third Country (i.e. U.S.) wines imported into the European Community must also be accompanied by a VI1 document until such wine is put into free circulation. For more information on the VI1 document, please visit the “VI1 Forms for Exporting Wine to the European Union” section of our Export Documents page. Further information on EU import regulations for wine can be also found on the Wine section of the U.S. Mission to the European Union website. Greece is a member of the European Union and shares the Common External Tariff regime. EU duties are charged by the General Customs and Excise Department on the CIF (cost, insurance and freight) value of the product imported into Greece.
Most of the information in this guide was obtained from direct contact with various governmental organizations and embassies, as well as online sources. The FAS Attaché reports at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/attacherep/default.asp served as the primary (online) sources used for this report.
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