Export documentation
Some customs authorities or importers require additional certification for wine imports. Refer to the Export Market Guides for country specific information. Wine Australia is authorised to issue VI-1 documents for exports to the European Union and United Kingdom and Certificates of Origin for most markets. Wine Australia can also issue Certificates of Free Sale.
Exporters can apply for most export documents online via Wine Australia Licensing and Approval System (WALAS). Please refer to the applicable fees.
Certificates of Origin
Certificates of Origin are issued in accordance with the destination market's requirements, which determine whether a non-preferential or preferential type is required. Non-preferential Certificates of Origin support trade with most countries by facilitating statistical data collection and administering measures such as government sanctions, anti-dumping regimes, quotas, and general tariffs. Preferential Certificates of Origin apply when the destination country has a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Australia. These Certificates of Origin help Customs authorities verify compliance with Rules of Origin and eligibility for preferential tariff treatment under the relevant FTA. Some of Australia’s FTAs allow self‑declaration or self‑certification of origin.
Non-preferential Certificates of Origin and China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) Certificates of Origin can be obtained through WALAS. Other authorised issuers, accredited under Australia's FTA Certificate of Origin Recognition Scheme, also provide a range of certificates. For details on accredited bodies, refer to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Certificate of Origin .
Certificates of Free Sale
A Certificate of Free Sale certifies that wine can be legally sold freely without restrictions in Australia (subject to State Licensing Laws) and is approved by Australian regulatory authorities. Certificates of Free Sale can be obtained through WALAS and other accredited bodies.
China-Australia Free Trade Agreement
Wine Australia is an authorised body under the ChAFTA to issue Ccertificates of Origin for wine. For information about China’s self-registration and labelling requirements, please refer to the China Export Market Guide.
VI-1 documents for the EU and the UK
VI-1 documents are required for imports to the EU, including in relation to products exported from Australia to the UK, and subsequently re-exported to the EU. In these circumstances, the process is that Wine Australia will provide a VI-1 certificate to the exporter, and a second VI-1 will need to be obtained from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in the UK and provided to the EU customs authority.
Exporters must obtain a VI-1 analysis report for each product destined for the EU.
The analysis can be obtained from any NATA-accredited laboratory.
The analytes required for the VI-1 document differ for packaged and bulk wine and include the following parameters:
| Analytical parameter | Packaged | Bulk |
|---|---|---|
| Total alcoholic strength – % v/v | ♦ | |
| Actual alcoholic strength – % v/v | ♦ | ♦ |
| Total dry extract – g/L | ♦ | |
| Total acidity – g/L | ♦ | ♦ |
| Volatile acidity – meq/L | ♦ | |
| Citric acidity – g/L | ♦ | |
| Sulphur dioxide – mg/L | ♦ | ♦ |
You do not need a VI-1 document for wines exported from Australia to the EU that is:
- labelled containers of not more than five litres fitted with a non-reusable closing device where the total quantity transported, whether or not made up of separate consignments, does not exceed 100 litres
- in quantities not exceeding 30 litres per traveller contained in the personal luggage of travellers
- in quantities of not exceeding 30 litres, sent in consignments from one private individual to another
- forms part of the belongings of private individuals who are moving house
- for trade fairs - provided that the products in question are put up in labelled containers of not more than two litres fitted with a non-reusable closing device
- imported for the purpose of scientific or technical experiments, subject to a maximum of 100 litres
- or bound for diplomatic, consular or similar establishments and imported as part of their duty-free allowance
- held on board international means of transport as victualling supplies
Organic Goods Certificate
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry administers the export organic program for the organic and biodynamic sector in Australia.
Australia’s agricultural export legislation comprises the Export Control Act 2020 (Cth) and the Export Control (Organic Goods) Rules 2021 (Cth) (Organic Rules). Under the Organic Rules, the export from Australia of goods described as ‘organic’, ‘biodynamic’ (or indication of similar meaning, including ‘biological’, ‘ecological’ and ‘in-conversion to organic or biodynamic’) in a wine’s description and presentation is considered an organic claim. Wines with organic claims require an Organic Goods Certificate (OGC) issued by an approved certifying body prior to export. It is an offence to export a product labelled as organic or biodynamic in the absence of an OGC and significant penalties apply.
Exporters of organic wine must upload an OGC to WALAS prior to gaining shipping approval.
Most markets including China, Japan, South Korea, the United States of America, Canada, the EU and UK have specific requirements for organic products that must be met to ensure market access.
Wine Australia has published an Organic Wine Export Requirements Guide.