International Standards

The government of Georgia has adopted a system of “voluntary” standards and certification, according to which, the importer can choose to conform his products to Georgian standards or the standards of any EU or OECD member country.  If foreign standards are chosen, they must be registered by the importer in the National Agency for Standardization, Technical Regulations and Metrology.  Standards for food products are administered by the Ministry of Agriculture. 

National Agency for Standardization is the one, responsible for the Standard organization in the country. The Agency has the following responsibilities:

- the preparation, promotion and implementation of standards in all sectors of the economy;

- the promotion of quality systems, quality control and simplification in industry and commerce;

- the certification of products, commodities and processes.

PRODUCT CERTIFICATION

If the exporter chooses the Georgian Trade Standards, he/she has to know, that the following list of products requires the Product Certification:

- Electrical Products;

- Products from the chemical, perfume and pharmaceutical industries;

- Food, drinking water and mineral water, alcoholic and non‐alcoholic beverages;

- Composition of soil and mineral resources;

- Oil and mineral oil products;

- Glass products;

- Paints and dyes;

- Building materials; and,

- Radio engineering products.

TARIFFS

The Rates of duty on imported goods fall into three groups:

- 0 percent;

- 5 percent;

- 12 percent.   

Nearly 90 percent of goods benefit from a zero rate of duty.  Import of agricultural goods, food products, clothes, construction materials, wood and wood products, plastics, wire and cable, iron, steel, soap, organic surface‐active agents, and washing preparations which are produced in Georgia in whole or in part, are major areas of goods taxed at higher rates.  A combined rate of customs tariffs are applied to alcoholic beverages. 

An 18 percent value added tax (VAT) applies to most imported goods.  Fixed excise tax rates apply to certain goods such as alcoholic drinks, ethyl alcohol, ethyl petrol for cars, and cigarettes.  The customs value of goods for customs clearance is defined based on the customs declaration.  Export, transit, and reexport of goods are exempt from customs duties and fees.  

PROHIBITED ITEMS

Georgia prohibits the import of goods that pose a threat to the health and safety of Georgia or its citizens, including:

- narcotics;

- pornography;

- nuclear materials.  

Weapons and ammunition have complex licensing requirements, and interested parties should contact the Ministries of Justice and Internal Affairs prior to any importation. 

LABELING REGULATIONS

Manufacturers are advised to take note that all labels require metric units although dual labeling is also acceptable.  The use of language on labels has to be the Georgian or English, including the detailed information about the product.

The labels on the imported product has to contain the following information: 

1. All the information about the product has to be printed on a label securely affixed to the package or printed on the package itself;

2. All the products with only one standard label are allowed to pe placed on the market;

3. All products with false, misleading or deceprive representation are not allowed to be placed on the market;

4. The content on the label has to be clear, prominent, indelible, and readily legible by the consumer.

Packaged food must carry a statement identifying either:

1. the country where the food was made, produced or grown; 

2. the country where the food was manufactured or packaged and that the food is a mix of ingredients imported into that country or a mix of local and imported ingredients.

Country of origin labeling applies to unpacked fresh and processed fruit, vegetables, nuts, spices, herbs, legumes, seeds, fish (including shellfish) and meat (pork, beef, sheep and chicken).

For example, the following unpacked foods are required to have country of origin labeling:

1. fresh and sun-dried tomatoes;

2. processed ham and bacon;

3. fresh and smoked fish fillets, and crumbed fish fillets;

4. fresh apples and dried apples;

5. chicken, pork, beef and lamb.

CONTACTS

National Agency for Standardization, Technical Regulations and Metrology  
http://www.economy.gov.ge/en/minister/deputy-minister/georgian-national-agency-for-standards-and-metrology  

Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia  
http://moa.gov.ge