1. Establish responsibility for each stage
State explicitly who buys, imports, transports and distributes the wine in Romania. Identify the companies, not just individual contacts. For EU imports, the Commission's guide identifies the need for EORI identification and checks on import and marketing conditions.[3] Ask each operator to confirm the authorisations and registrations required for the activity it will undertake.
For a shipment from Moldova to Romania, the goods arrive from outside the EU. The initial import must be distinguished from subsequent movement of goods released for free circulation, for which import customs formalities are not repeated at every internal border.[3] Check the tax and marketing requirements applicable to subsequent movements separately.
2. Build a specification for each wine
Request the product name, category, declared alcoholic strength, container volume, packaging type, producer and batch identification. Attach proposed labels, available analysis and transport and storage requirements. Use a consistent reference on the order, invoice and packing list so quantities can be reconciled at receipt.
Do not automatically transfer conclusions about a still wine to a sparkling wine or another wine-based product. Requirements depend on the actual product; Access2Markets recommends checking restrictions, compliance, packaging and labelling.[3] Arrange a label review for the destination market before printing the full production run.
3. Check origin and separate the cost components
The EU–Moldova agreement makes preferential treatment conditional on compliance with rules of origin.[4] An invoice issued by a supplier in Moldova does not replace the required proof of origin. Use Access2Markets to review product classification, origin, destination and relevant documents, then confirm the position applicable on the import date.
Budget separately for the wine, freight, insurance, customs representation, handling and storage. Customs duty, VAT and excise treatment are different components; the Commission distinguishes import tariffs from internal taxes, including those concerning alcoholic beverages.[3] Request a calculation for the actual consignment rather than carrying over a rate from another product or earlier shipment.
4. Clarify VI-1 and any VI-2 extracts
Article 20 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/273 describes VI-1 as the document combining certification and an analysis report for imports of wine products. Article 21 provides exemptions.[7] For each consignment, check whether the document is required, in what form and who may issue it. For any exemption, check all applicable conditions, not just the size of the shipment.
The Commission publishes the list of competent bodies and designated laboratories in third countries for VI-1 documents.[5] Consult the current list and confirm the issuer of the supplier's documents. VI-1 should not be treated as an automatic substitute for evidence of preferential origin.
VI-2 is a regulated extract, not simply a photocopy. Articles 22–23 govern its preparation and use, including when a consignment is split before release for free circulation.[7] If you plan such a split, discuss the procedure before arranging transport.
5. Prepare for receipt, not just border clearance
- Check bottle, carton and pallet counts against the final documents.
- Confirm transport conditions and the suitability of the storage space.
- Agree checks on batch identities, packaging and any damage.
- Identify who handles non-compliant labels, shortages and returns.
- Keep commercial and receiving documents linked to the relevant batch.
For the commercial discussion, see Moldovan wine distribution; for the file, read the customs document preparation guide. Send specifications to [email protected]. This guide provides general information and does not replace legal or tax advice for your transaction. Before dispatch, check the rules in force and the authorities' requirements, as well as the authorisations of the operators involved.