Exporting wine from Australia is very strictly controlled in order to protect the reputation of Australian wine in the international marketplace.
Australian government control of wine exports
Three levels of control have been instituted by the Australian Government to ensure that minimum standards are maintained. These are Export Licensing, Export Approval, and Export Authorisation.
Export Licensing
Only companies that have a licence to export are permitted to send wine out of the country. These licences are granted by The Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation under an Act of the Federal Parliament, and the number granted is limited.
Licences are reviewed every year. Renewal is not automatic and depends on the licensees performance.
Export Approval
No wine can be exported from Australia until it has been tested at a laboratory. It will then undergo authorisation for export by an expert tasting panel.
Approvals are valid for one year, on a per wine basis.
Export Authorisation
Every shipment of wine above 100 litres must be authorised by The Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation.
Exporters must submit to the Corporation a detailed breakdown of all wines in each consignment and show the current export approval number of each wine.
Wine export countries
Australia exports wine to numerous countries. The following are currently considered major international markets for Australian wine:
- China
- Hong Kong
- Singapore
- Taiwan
- Canada
- Ireland
- United Kingdom
- United States
Common questions on wine exports from Australia
How much wine does Australia export to china?
China is one of Australia’s biggest markets. In 2018, Australian wine exports to China were worth A$1.54 billion (US$1.06 billion), making it the country’s second-most valuable export market after the United States.
China is additionally Australia’s fastest-growing export market for wine, with sales increasing by nearly 50% in 2017–18.
The majority of Australian wine exported to China is red wine, which accounts for around 70% of the total value of exports.
The most popular variety of Australian wine exported to China is Shiraz, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Various white wines make up the remainder of exports.
How to export wine from Australia
The regulations for exporting wine from Australia vary depending on the destination country, but generally the steps listed above for government regulations apply to all.
If you plan to export wine to the United States you will need to complete an application with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).
Some requirements you will likely need to adhere to are as follows:
• Obtaining a winery license (which will need to be renewed annually)
• Complying with labelling and packaging regulations
• Meeting health and safety requirements
How much wine does Australia export?
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade recorded approximately A$2.62 billion worth of wine exports from Australia in 2018. This made Australia the sixth-largest wine exporter in the world over the fiscal year.
Australia’s main export markets are China, United States, and the United Kingdom.
Australian wine suppliers
| Australian Legend (South East Australia) | https://www.apw.com.au/legendwines |
| Bidgeebong Wines (Tumbarumba, Gundagai, New South Wales) | https//www.bidgeebong.com |
| Eldredge Wines (Clare, South Australia) | https://www.apw.com.au/eldredgewines |
| Gods Hill (Barossa Valley, South Australia) | https://www.godshillwines.com |
| Hoggies Estate (Yelta, Victoria) | https://www.hoggieswine.com |
| Hopwood (Echuca, Victoria) | https://www.hopwood.com.au |
| Kopparossa (Coonawarra / Limestone Coast, South Australia) | https://www.apw.com.au/kopparossawines |
| Murdoch Hill (Adelaide Hills, South Australia) | https://www.murdochhill.com.au |
| Narkoojee Wines (Gippsland, Victoria) | https://www.narkoojee.com |
| O’Shea & Murphy (Macedon, Victoria) | https://www.osheamurphy.com |
| Olivia Signature Series (Coonawarra, South Australia) | https://www.hoggieswine.com |
| Pfeiffer Wines (Wahgunyah, Victoria) | https://www.pfeifferwines.com.au |
| S. Kidman Wines (Coonawarra, South Australia) | https://www.kidmanwines.com.au |
| Shantell Wines (Yarra Valley, Victoria) | https://www.shantellvineyard.com.au |
| Sieber Road Wines (Barossa Valley, South Australia) | https://sieberwines.com/ |
| Thomas Wines (Hunter Valley, New South Wales) | https://www.thomaswines.com.au |
| Wayne Thomas Wines (Mc Laren Vale, South Australia) | https://www.apw.com.au/waynethomas |
| Will Taylor Wines (South Australia) | https://www.willtaylor.com.au |
Available agents in wine export countries
| China Retail | Australasian Wine Pty Pty Co (Ao Hua) No 17 Third Zhidi Plaza Yongjing Garden Contact: Tony Liang Tel: 0011 86 8882 3368 Fax: 0011 86 760 8882 3368 Email: australasianwine@gmail.com |
| China Retail | Aynak Guangzhou Trading Co., Ltd No 1, South 2nd Street Siyouxin Road Contact: Li Ze Sen Tel: 86 13903000766 Email: eec@vip.163.com |
| China | Guangdong Yihua Department Store 9th Floor West Bld. Yihua Commercial Bld,Zhongshang 3rd Rd Zhongshan, Guangdong China |
| China Retail | Guangzhou LK MEDIA Level 6 / 222 YueXiuBei Road Guangzhou, China Contact: Ms Li Xiang Tel: 86 20 836 42625 |
| China | Guilin Aullican Food Company Ltd. Industrial Park Bali Street, Guilin Guang Xi 541213 China |
| China | Shanghai Heng Tuo Trading Co. Ltd. 1108 Cao Bao Rd Ming Hang District Shanghai China |
| Ireland Wholesale/Retail | Karwig Wines Ltd Kilngleary Carrigaline Contact: Joe Karwig Tel: 0011 021 437 2864 Fax: 0011 021 437 2864 |
| Singapore Retail | Cellar Deluxe 301 Upper Thomson Road #01-79 Thomson Plaza Contact: Daniel Lim Tel: 0011 65 556 0696 Fax: 0011 65 556 0949 |
| Singapore Wholesale/Retail | Pioneer Wines Pty Ltd 40A Craig Road Singapore Contact: PK Chee Tel: 0011 65 6220 1115 Fax: 0011 65 6223 1197 Email: pkchee@pioneerwine.com.sg |
| Sweden | STELLAN KRAMER AB Rinkebyvagen 15 182 36 Daderyd Contact: Cecilia Martenson Tel: +46 8 544 905 90 Fax: +46 8 544 905 99 www.stellankramer.se Email: cecilia.martenson@kramer.se |
| Taiwan | Chailease Resources Trading Co Ltd 5th Floor, 361 Fu Hsing 1st Road Kweishan, Taoyuan Hsien Contact: Nesace Chang Tel: 886 3 328 7070 Fax: 886 3 328 7079 Email: nesace@crtc.com.tw |
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