Licence To Export: Wine

For producers targeting the growing ASEAN wine market, the export journey begins with a single, mandatory requirement: securing a Licence to Export from Wine Australia. This foundational step, required for all shipments over 100 litres, involves a detailed application and strict compliance obligations. As the second part of our series on exporting wine, this guide breaks down the official criteria and conditions for obtaining and maintaining the Licence to Export.

Application Assessment

A person or business must apply to Wine Australia for a licence to export grape products. This follows a formal assessment process based on specific matters detailed in the governing Regulations.

Key Criteria

When deciding whether to grant a licence, Wine Australia must consider several key factors to determine an applicant’s suitability. A critical component of this assessment is whether the applicant is a “fit and proper person.” The complete list of matters Wine Australia considers includes:

• Any matter that may adversely affect the export trade in grape products.
• Any other matter relating to the promotion of Australian grape products that relates to the applicant.
• Whether the applicant, or an associate, has previously had a licence suspended or cancelled.
• Whether the applicant or an associate has been convicted of an offence against the Act.
• Whether a debt is due and payable by the applicant or an associate.
• Whether Wine Australia export charges have been paid.
• Whether a previous application for a grape product approval has been refused or revoked.

Licence To Export

Once granted, a Licence to Export is subject to several important conditions. For example, the licences are valid for 12 months and non-transferrable. Any change in the licensee’s circumstances, such as a change in business address, must be advised to Wine Australia as soon as practicable and within 14 days. It is also important to note that licence application fees are not refundable if the applicant withdraws or the application is not granted.

Suspension Or Cancellation

A licence may be suspended or cancelled if the exporter breaches the Act or if Wine Australia considers the exporter is no longer fit and proper to hold the licence. The Regulations provide specific circumstances where this may occur, for example, if an exporter has:

• Committed an offence relating to the description and presentation of a grape product (for example, the vintage, variety or origin of a product is incorrectly described).
• Failed to keep accurate records verifying claims made about the vintage, variety or origin in accordance with the LIP.
• Sold or exported a grape product that does not comply with the Food Standards Code.
• Engaged in an activity that might adversely impact the reputation of Australian wine overseas (such as having engaged in the production of copycat brands that are intended to leverage from the reputation of existing brand owners through causing confusion in market).

Conclusion

The Licence to Export process involves a rigorous assessment and demands strict ongoing compliance to avoid cancellation. Because these administrative duties require significant attention, they are a distinct responsibility from the physical transport of goods, which requires specialized services like cold chain logistics. Engaging a freight forwarder to handle the complexities of the supply chain ensures that your logistics are managed professionally while your business concentrates on its core production and regulatory obligations.

With your logistics planned, you can focus on compliance. Contact Arc Freights to manage your freight forwarding needs while you navigate the licencing process. We are Australia’s leading Freight Forwarder offering QUALITY & RELIABLE logistics services in more than 140 countries. Having plied our expertise in ASEAN for nearly two decades, we are the trusted partner for logistics between Australia and Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. With expert knowledge, advanced technology, and a commitment to reliability, we provide seamless logistics management, including door-to-door sea freight services, that helps you focus on what matters most—growing your business.

Look out for Part 3 of our series, where we will cover the product and label registration in further detail.