Albania and Italy have officially resolved a trade disruption affecting wine imports from small wineries, following a joint clarification on digital documentation procedures.
The Drejtoria e Përgjithshme e Doganave announced today that the issue blocking wine imports from Italian small-scale wineries—specifically those eligible for differentiated excise treatment up to 10,000 hectoliters—has been successfully addressed in coordination with Italian authorities.
According to an official communication from the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli, the dispute centered on the legal validity of Certified Electronic Mail (PEC) under Italian law. Authorities confirmed that PEC, as defined under Legislative Decree No. 82/2005 (Digital Administration Code), holds full legal value equivalent to registered mail with return receipt, ensuring identification of both sender and recipient, as well as certification of dispatch and delivery.
The clarification also involved Italy’s Ministero dell'Agricoltura, della Sovranità Alimentare e delle Foreste (MASAF), which uses PEC communication to notify wineries eligible for excise reductions. Italian authorities confirmed that PEC ensures legal integrity of communication and does not require additional digital signatures, resolving procedural uncertainties that had contributed to the import delays.
Following the resolution, the Albanian Customs Administration has urged importers to resume wine import operations in line with the updated guidance, restoring normal trade flows between the two countries. The development is expected to benefit small and medium-sized wineries by ensuring smoother access to the Albanian market and reducing administrative barriers.