Step 1: Export Licence

Applications for an export licence, and licence renewals can be made online.

Licences are not transferable, but an exporter may give permission to another exporter to ship their approved products as an associated exporter (see below).  

It is a condition of granting the licence that exporters have read and understood the Export Manual (Guide to Export) (PDF) and the provisions of the Label Integrity Program.

Licence criteria

The Corporation considers each application against the following criteria specified in Regulation 5(3) of the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation Regulations.

(a) the financial standing of the applicant;

(b) whether the applicant has a place of business in Australia;

(c) the applicant's ability to obtain grape products from Australian suppliers;

(d) matters applicable to the person that relate to the promotion of the export of grape products, including matters that may affect adversely the export trade in grape products;

(e) any other matters relating to the promotion of the export of grape products, including the number of licences in force authorising the export of grape products in respect of which the applicant has applied for a licence; and

(f) whether the AWBC has cancelled a licence held by the applicant; and

(g) if the applicant is an individual – whether the Corporation has cancelled a licence held by a corporation of which the applicant was a director or a shareholder who held a controlling interest.

Each grape product to be exported is required to meet the standards and requirements of Australian wine law unless the AWBC has exercised its discretion where a conflicting importing country standard exists.

Some departure from the Australian standard may be considered where an exporter is able to demonstrate that he/she is complying with a purchaser’s specification and/or the requirements of the importing country.

Associated exporter

An exporter or producer may give permission to another exporter to ship their approved products by becoming associated exporters. The exporter or producer who owns the Continuing Approval Numbers needs to send a signed letter to the AWBC on company letterhead with the following text;

I, the undersigned, hereby request that (name of Exporter) be added as an Associated Exporter.

I acknowledge that (name of Exporter) will be able to enter the Continuing Approval Numbers I provide them to their Shipping Application.

I understand this grants the Associated Exporter no additional authorisation beyond the ability to apply for an Export Permit.

This is effective immediately and will continue until otherwise notified in writing.

The Associated Exporter must have a current Licence to Export Grape Products and must obtain the Continuing Approval Numbers from the owner of the numbers. The Associated Exporter is not able to access any information related to the Continuing Approval Number nor apply for label approval. The Associated Exporter can then complete a shipping application to obtain an Export Permit.

The AWBC must be advised in writing if the arrangement is discontinued.