Wine Australia Licensing and Approval System
The export approval process encompasses the following steps (collectively the ‘export controls’) that are administered through Wine Australia’s Licensing and Approval System (WALAS):
- The system allows users to apply for a licence to export
- Register products and upload label images
- Apply for shipping approvals
- Apply for import certificates
- Manage associated exporters
- Make payments online, and
- Manage account access
Quick reference guides (QRGs)
- QRG: Create an account
- QRG: Apply for shipping approval
- QRG: Shipping exemption application
- QRG: Generate an import certificate
- QRG: Navigating around WALAS
- QRG: Register a product
- QRG: Invite an associated exporter
- QRG: Link a product to an associated exporter
- QRG: Apply for an export licence
- QRG: Electronic Data Transfer (EDT)
Certificates
Certificates are ready for collection when you can see the scanned copy in WALAS.
Go to My Records> Click on certificate record number> Record Info > Attachments
Currently, some certificates still need to be submitted by a manual application, these include the:
- Brazil certificate of origin (available at Wine Australia or NATA wine laboratories)
- Brazil typicity certificate (for wines greater than 14% alcohol)
- Taiwan alcohol health certificate
- Thai APEC Certificate
Templates can be accessed via the Forms and templates on our website.
Go to My Records> Click on certificate record number> Record Info > Scroll down to Mailing details
Export Licence
If you do not intend to export you are not required to reissue your licence. You can allow your licence to lapse and submit a reissue application once you are ready to export again.
A reminder email will be sent 30 days and 15 days before your licence is due to expire.
You can find your export licence certificate from the last reissue application > Record info > Attachments. If you have not reissued your licence yet, your most current export licence certificate would be on your licence record > Record info > Attachments.
Freight and shipping logistics agencies
Freight businesses can set up a WALAS account allowing shipping exemptions to be submitted online anytime.
You can create a WALAS Login and apply for a shipping exemption. Refer to the Quick ReferenceGuide (QRG) or WALAS User Guide for additional instructions.
Shipping exemption categories include:
- Shipments under 100 litres – defined as a consignment made up of 1 exporter, or 1 or more related exporters; on 1 ship or aircraft; to a single port of discharge; whether or not to 1 consignee;
- Contained in the personal luggage of a traveller;
- For the household of an individual who is moving;
- 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;
- For victualling supplies that are held on board a means of international transport;
- Commercial samples for a prospective buyer.
Invoices
Invoices can be paid via WALAS > View Invoices > Pay invoices
WEC invoices can be paid via WALAS > View WEC Invoices > Pay invoices
WEC invoices and declarations can be completed via WALAS > WEC Invoices. More details can be found in the WALAS User Guide.
EFT bank transfers require more time to be processed, if you have any queries about payments you can contact Finance 08 8228 2000 or finance@wineaustralia.com.
This indicates that there is an overdue monthly invoice or Wine Export Charge (WEC) invoice. Paying overdue invoices through WALAS via credit card will speed up the process of resolving the restriction.
Products
Click on Reports > enter your exporter ID
- The vintage, variety and geographical indication composition
- Certificate of analysis
- VI1 analysis (for EU approval)
- Label image files (JPEG, TIFF, PNG)
Resources
Go to Collections > Resources > Export Market Guides > click on the Name column to sort alphabetically.
Go to Collections > Resources > User manuals
Searching for records
Go to My Records, your most recent applications should be listed at the top of the table.
Go to Advanced search and enter the record number. If you do not know the record number use the Record type dropdown selection to provide additional search criteria.
Shipments
Login to WALAS > click on Apply for shipping approval.
You will need shipping information and registered product ID numbers.
Click on Reports > enter your exporter ID, departure date range is optional
Up to Estimated Departure Date (EDD)
- All changes
- Cancelling the shipment
- Up until 3 days after EDD
- have the option to select VI1 certificates (if it's optional for the custom clearance market)
- attach a COI or OPC for shipment destined for an EU market where required
Up until 5 days after EDD
- can change the customs clearance market
- mode of transport
- port of unloading
- items per carton
- no. of cartons
- change unit volume on the shipping items
Up until 90 days after EDD
- change vessel name/voyage number/flight number
- port of loading
- invoiced FOB values
- VI1 comments
Up until 365 days after EDD
- update the Actual Departure Date (ADD) field. Please note this one is more for Wine Export charge purposes. The ADD field will be populated with the same date as the EDD until it is changed.
WALAS user accounts
Admin users can update authorised contacts via Licence Management > Manage users.
A Deactivated status will keep the user listed but will prevent the user from accessing the export licence and receiving any email notifications until updated back to Active. A Remove status will delete the contact and access from the licence.
New user will need to create a WALAS login account. The system will link the email used on the login account to the list of authorised users and provide access to the licence.
Check with the Admin user of your licence that the email address is selected to receive notifications. Check emails have not been sent to your Junk folder. Contact Export Assistance if you are still not receiving emails.
WALAS system slowness or unusual behaviour
Occasional system slowness or unusual behaviour can be due to caching issues with your computer. The steps below outline the process of clearing your cache which might be causing issues.
Clearing your cache in Microsoft Edge
From within your Edge browser click on the three dots located at the top right of the screen to open the dropdown menu.
- Select Settings from the list.
- From your settings menu, scroll down to Clear Browsing Data, click on choose what to clear.
- From the new window, ensure that Cached data and files is selected. Note: You can deselect the other options if you do not wish to clear the data related to them.
- Click on Clear.
Clearing your cache in Google Chrome
- From within the Chrome click on the three dots located at the top right of the screen to open the dropdown
- Select Settings from the list.
- Type the word cache into the settings search field.
- Select Clear browsing data.
- From the new window, ensure that Cached images and files is selected. Note: You can deselect the other options if you do not wish to clear the data related to them.
- Choose a time range that reflects how long you have been using WALAS prior to your password issue occurring.
- Review your selection and click Clear data to proceed with the clearing of your cache. Note: This will clear all cached images and files, not just those related to WALAS.
System maintenance
Like all software systems WALAS requires maintenance and upgrading from time to time.
To ensure optimum availability and to assist exporters in their planning we have identified 7pm -10pm ACT on Thursdays as the time that the system is least likely to be used and will schedule routine maintenance for that time.