Exporting wine

Exporting wine overseas for the first time can seem very complicated, but the staff of the Analytical Service can assist in making the process as easy as possible.

When the AWRI issues export certificates you can be confident your wine complies with the strict requirements of overseas markets. Certificates are delivered reliably and quickly whether they are for sweet or dry wine, still or sparkling, bulk or packaged. Our experienced customer service team can advise you on what certificates you require. Please contact us for further information, or if you require assistance.

General information about exports

Every wine leaving Australia, as part of a consignment of more than 100 litres, requires inspection and approval from the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation (AWBC). To gain approval for your wine, you need the following:

• two bottles of the wine for which approval is required (finished, bottled product);
• correct labels; and
• a completed and signed 'Continuing Approval Application', which includes an analysis component. The Continuing Approval Application is the document that every wine requires to be allowed to leave Australia.

The analysis required for the 'Continuing Approval Application' can be performed by the Analytical Service.

The AWBC holds inspections on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings. To be included in the inspection, samples and certificates must be at the AWBC before 4.00 pm the day before.

What happens once my wine is approved?

After the wine has passed inspection, an approval number is issued. This approval number is entered on your 'Shipping Application'. These forms are available from the AWBC. For more information about Shipping Applications, export permit numbers and other export documentation, please contact the AWBC.

Telephone: +61 8 8228 2000
Facsimile: +61 8 8228 2022
E-mail: awbc@awbc.com.au

Analysis for export

To obtain a 'Continuing Approval Application' for export approval, which is required for all international destinations, send 2 x 750 mL bottles of each wine to The AWRI Analytical Service with a completed purchase order using the free freight system. We can also forward samples to the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation for their compulsory export inspection at no extra cost. If you wish to take advantage of this service please include two extra bottles of each wine in your consignment, making the total requirement of each wine 4 bottles.

Some countries, such as Japan and European countries, require additional export certificates. These certificates are required for your wine to be permitted access to the specific country, and have specific analysis requirements. The analysis for these export certificates can be performed by the Analytical Service. Additional export certificates are outlined below.

Export to Europe or Japan

Wines destined for Europe require a VI-1 certificate of analysis, in addition to the compulsory Continuing Approval Application. There are three different types of VI-1, for packaged, bulk, and for late harvest/botrytised products. The analytical requirements differ for each certificate. Wines destined for Japan require a Japanese Export Certificate which includes a different combination of tests to those required for Europe.

Multiple export certificates

It is often easier and more cost effective to obtain certificates for more than one destination at the same time, as many of the certificates have analyses in common. The cost of extra certificates is minimal, when compared to the cost of individually issued certificates.

Export upgrades

From time to time, it may be necessary to upgrade your export certificate to include another export destination. The Analytical Service offers export upgrades for this purpose, which may prevent the expense of re-analysing the wine. One of the reasons we request two bottles when we are analysing your wine for export certificates, is to allow us to keep a cellar or reference sample. This sample is kept for 1 year, which means extra analysis can often be performed immediately without the lengthy delays associated with the re-submission of samples.

Repeat certificates

The Analytical Service can re-issue certificates for an export wine from the original analysis. Please note that the AWBC sensory analysis expires after a two year period and the wine will have to be re submitted to the AWBC.

Certificate re-issue - $40

Analytical Requirements

This table shows the different analysis required for various export certificates.

Analytical Requirements