Guides, Supply Chain

Wine Exporting: Product, Label, & Shipping Approval

Wine Exporting

Exporting to the diverse ASEAN region means navigating varied import requirements. Before tackling country-specific rules in places like Singapore or Vietnam, however, all wine must first clear Australia’s domestic approval process. This article details the steps that follow the Licence to Export: securing the necessary approvals for each product and consignment to meet national standards.

Product Registration

While the first step (Licence to Export) focused on qualifying the exporter as an individual, this second step vets the grape product itself. As a result, the applicant has to provide specific product information via the Wine Australia’s Licensing and Approval System (WALAS) portal. These details include the wine’s vintage, variety, and origin composition, its analytical data, and the intended destination market. When reviewing the application, Wine Australia will consider the following:

  • Whether the grape product complies with the Food Standards Code
  • Whether the grape product is sound and merchantable
  • Whether the description and presentation of the grape product is appropriate, having regard to the requirements of the Act, other Australian laws, and the laws of other countries

Analysis is checked within WALAS to ensure compliance, and any organic or biodynamic claims must be supported by the relevant certificate. Upon approval, packaged products are issued a unique PP number, while approved bulk products receive a PB number. The approval may, in certain cases, be conditional, like only valid for exporting to specific countries.

Associated Exporter

Associated Exporter

As per the Compliance Guide, an exporter may authorise another exporter to ship their approved products by nominating them as an associated exporter in WALAS. This is done through the “Invite an associated exporter” button in WALAS, where, after accepting the invitation, the latter can be granted access to specific labels and volumes through the “Link products to an associated exporter” function. Associations are not permanent, i.e., it can be ended at any time through WALAS.

Label Registration

The labels are the next to be subject to compliance checks. Here, exporters are required to upload clear front and back images of their labels into WALAS. The files should be in either JPG, PNG, or TIFF format, along with a minimum size of 600 by 600 pixels at 72 ppi. These are then synchronized to Wine Australia’s Label Directory, which the public can access through its Export Label Image Search System (ELISS). This database allows brand owners to monitor for potential intellectual property breaches. Consumers can also, through ELISS, verify whether a label has originated in Australia.

Shipping Approval

Shipping Approval

The final administrative step for any consignment over 100 litres is to obtain Shipping Approval. The licensed exporter must submit a shipping application through WALAS, providing the shipping details, destination country, a full list of products with volumes and FOB values, and the consignment’s Export Permit Number (WBC number) from the Australian Border Force. This application must be submitted to Wine Australia at least five days before the scheduled date of export.

Shipping Exemptions

The Regulations do allow for specific exemptions to the standard licensing and registration requirements under certain conditions. The two primary categories for exemption are consignments of 100 litres or less, and grape products intended for specific non-commercial uses. The latter includes grape products that are:

  • Contained in the personal luggage of a traveller.
  • Belonging to an individual who is moving house, for their domestic use.
  • For display at a trade fair or comparable event.
  • For a scientific or technical purpose.
  • For diplomatic or consular establishments as part of the duty-free allowance.
  • Held on board a means of international transport as victualling supplies.
  • Commercial samples for a prospective buyer.

Next Steps

The product, label, and shipping approval stages represent the final, detailed checks required to clear specific consignments for export. Completing these administrative steps with accuracy is essential for an exporter to proceed to the physical logistics phase with full legal compliance and confidence.

Have your export approvals in place? Contact Arc Freights today for a quote on our specialized wine logistics services and let us handle the journey. 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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *