
Companies that want to
sell tobacco in Georgia need to comply with the regulations for
tobacco control and the special taxes imposed on these types of products.
Tobacco consumption and imports have increased in Georgia in recent years. Cigarettes are the most widely purchased tobacco products in Georgia and many international brands sell their products in Georgia.
If you own a trading company or an
import and export business in Georgia and you are interested in bringing cigarettes and other tobacco products into the country, our
company formation agents in Georgia can help you comply with the legislative requirements.
Requirements for tobacco imports
The taxation laws in Georgia set a special tax rate for tobacco imports. Excise duties are imposed in the country for a series of goods, such as tobacco, alcoholic beverages or petrol and diesel fuel. The import tax rate for tobacco and tobacco substitute products is 12%.
The sale of tobacco products in Georgia is prohibited to individuals under 18 years of age and in certain spaces like childcare and educational institutions, medical, schooling or cultural institutions, in retail stores where children’s toys are sold, by using vending machines or without proper packaging.
Tobacco products sold in Georgia include those destined for smoking or chewing, including cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos, piped tobacco or rolled tobacco as well as tobacco for chewing.
Tobacco control in Georgia
The following legislative documents are relevant for tobacco control in Georgia: the Law on Tobacco Control in Georgia, the Law on Food and Tobacco, the Law on Trade of Tobacco Products. According to law, tobacco products should be properly packaged, designed and labelled to include approved medical warnings.
The Georgian government has approved three types of main medical warnings, nine additional medical warnings and the letter and font size as well as the images that can be applied for these medical warnings. Tobacco producers and importers in Georgia should evenly distribute the medical warnings on the packages that are for sale. The warnings must be in the Georgian.