Shipping approvals

Shipping approval

To complete the export approval process, licensed exporters must submit a shipping application to Wine Australia via WALAS for each consignment of wine leaving Australia that is in excess of 100 litres.

The application must include the shipping details including the date of export, destination country and consignee, along with a list of product labels identified by their product approval numbers and the volume in litres and FOB values that make up the consignment. If the consignment complies with all requirements, Wine Australia will issue an Export Permit Number (WBC number). The WBC number is required to obtain an Export Declaration Number from Australian Border Force.

The application to Wine Australia must be made at least 5 days before the day on which the grape product is to be exported. Exporters of organic wine must upload an Organic Goods Certificate to WALAS prior to gaining shipping approval.

In accordance with section 19 of the Wine Australia Regulations 2018 (Cth) (Regulations), Wine Australia may ask the licensee to provide it with information demonstrating that a requirement under an Australian law that relates to the description and presentation of the grape product has been met.

Wine Australia will approve a shipment for export if it is satisfied that each of the grape products contained in the consignment has been approved for export, and if any condition imposed by Wine Australia has been met.

Wine Australia must refuse to approve a shipment for export if it reasonably believes that a grape product contained in the consignment cannot lawfully be sold in the country to which it is to be exported.

Associated exporter

An exporter may authorise another exporter to ship their approved products by nominating them as an associated exporter in WALAS. 

An exporter can invite another exporter to be their associated exporter by clicking on the ‘Invite an associated exporter’ button in WALAS. You will need to obtain the exporter ID from the associated exporter before starting this process.

After the invitation has been accepted by the associated exporter you can grant access to specific labels and volumes of wine by clicking on ‘Link products to an associated exporter’.

Further information on the process can be found in the WALAS User Guide.

Shipping exemptions

The Regulations allow for specific exemptions to the general conditions of export under legislated circumstances. Exporters are exempt from the requirement to hold an export licence and register their products when one of the following conditions are met:

1. Shipments of 100 litres or less – defined as a consignment made up of one exporter, or one or more related exporters; on one ship or aircraft; to a single port of discharge; whether or not to one consignee.
2. Grape product that is:
   • 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 of the establishment
   • held on board a means of international transport as victualling supplies, or
   • commercial samples for a prospective buyer.

You can apply for shipping exemptions through WALAS.  Exporters may need to supply supporting documentation including commercial invoices as part of the application. 

Further information on the process can be found in the WALAS User Guide.