Complicated repayments
So far the strictly economic repercussions, then there is the chapter of refunds opened by the rulings of the Supreme Court first (which rejected the 15 per cent tariffs) and the International Court (which also rejected the subsequent 10 per cent tariff).
“In reality,” explained Federvini’s deputy director, Francesca Migliarucci, “the road to obtaining compensation for tariffs paid and not due because they are illegitimate is very bumpy. The measure is directed, in the first place, at American importers since the case that led to the Supreme Court’s ruling was brought by importer Victor Schwartz and his company Vos Selection. On the other hand, it is the importers who materially pay the tariffs when wines enter the US market. Therefore, the only Italian wineries that can initiate the process for reimbursement of tariffs are those that have their own import and distribution companies in the US. There are, but they are few and certainly not representative of the universe of Italian wineries. In addition, according to the practice that is becoming established, even importers who are entitled to request refunds are recognised, in this first phase, at most a percentage of 37% of what was actually paid’.
Long time for justice
Even more complex, moreover, is the procedure for the vast majority of Made-in-Italy wine companies that have often tried to neutralise the impact of tariffs by sharing, often in equal parts, the expense with their importers. ‘Even in these cases,’ adds Migliarucci, ‘it is the importer who has to apply for a refund. But whether, once obtained, he will also decide to return part of it to the manufacturer will depend on the dynamics of their relationship’.
So far, the rather convoluted ways to obtain a partial refund on tariffs. The only alternative is the judicial route (‘court claim’) with timeframes that lengthen out of all proportion and results that are far from certain.
“It is a complex scenario,” adds Federvini’s director general Gabriele Castelli, “The vast majority of Italian wineries have decided to share the burden of tariffs with their importers by acknowledging a reduction in product prices.
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