ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT OF CUSTOMS LOGISTICS OF FOOD PRODUCTS WITH GEOGRAPHICALLY PROTECTED NAMES

Abstract

The article examines the peculiarities of moving food products with geographical indications (GIs) across the customs border of Ukraine within the framework of international commitments and national legislation harmonized with the EU. According to the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU, protected European GIs such as “Cognac,” “Champagne,” and “Feta” cannot be used for Ukrainian products. To ensure compliance, Ukraine adopted a special law in 2022 regulating GIs for alcoholic beverages and a comprehensive act in 2024 on agricultural and food products, establishing schemes of quality and traditional guaranteed specialties. Currently, Ukraine’s GI register contains 3133 objects, including 29 exclusively domestic products such as Hutsul cow brynza, Hutsul sheep brynza, and Melitopol cherry. The paper emphasizes the customs procedures applied to goods with protected GIs, highlighting the role of the State Customs Service in maintaining an IP register and implementing EU, WTO, and WCO standards. Cognac serves as the case study, as its designation is strictly protected by French and European law through the National Interprofessional Bureau of Cognac (BNIC). The article details classification issues under the Ukrainian Commodity Classification for Foreign Economic Activity, tariff and non-tariff regulation measures, excise and VAT application, as well as licensing requirements. Special attention is paid to the prohibition of importing or marketing products misleadingly labeled as “Cognac” after November 2022. Furthermore, Ukraine is obliged to fully abandon the domestic use of the term “Cognac” by January 2026, transitioning to “brandy” or other national denominations. This legal and regulatory transformation requires adaptation of customs control, protection of consumer rights, and restructuring of branding strategies for Ukrainian producers. The findings underline that effective customs regulation of GI-protected products is essential not only for compliance with EU law but also for safeguarding intellectual property rights, supporting regional development, and strengthening consumer trust in both domestic and international markets.