Australia has one of the world's most developed wine markets, and it's common for businesses, collectors and travellers to import wine from overseas.
Wine may be imported into Australia for a range of reasons, including:
- distributors importing wines for sale
- retailers sourcing international wines
- hospitality venues expanding their wine lists
- collectors purchasing wines overseas
- travellers shipping wines home from international wine regions
- overseas wineries sending samples to Australia for evaluation
While importing wine into Australia is relatively straightforward, there are specific customs, tax and regulatory requirements that must be followed to ensure shipments clear border control without delays.
This guide explains how wine can be imported into Australia, the duties and taxes involved, and how Get Freighted helps businesses and consumers manage the process.
Can Wine Be Imported into Australia?
Yes. Wine can be imported into Australia by both businesses and private individuals.
However, all wine shipments entering Australia must comply with Australian Border Force and food import regulations. Important factors that affect the import process include:
- the volume of wine being imported
- whether the receiver is a business or private consumer
- the declared value of the shipment
- the alcohol percentage of the wine
Unlike many other goods entering Australia, wine imports are always subject to duties and taxes, regardless of shipment value.
Duties and Taxes When Importing Wine into Australia
Wine imported into Australia is subject to several taxes and charges. These typically include:
- Import Duty: 5%
- GST: 10%
- Wine Equalisation Tax (WET): 29%
The Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) is calculated based on the value of the wine once duty and freight costs have been applied. In simplified terms:
WET is calculated on the customs value + duty + transport and insurance costs.
Because of this layered tax structure, the total duties and taxes payable when importing wine can be higher than many people expect.
Our team regularly assists importers in estimating duties and taxes before shipment so there are no surprises when the wine arrives.
The $1,000 Low Value Import Threshold Does Not Apply to Wine
Many goods entering Australia are exempt from duties and taxes if their value is below AUD $1,000. However, this threshold does not apply to alcohol or wine. This means:
- duties and taxes apply to all wine shipments entering Australia, regardless of value
- even small shipments or wine samples may attract duties and taxes
Duty and tax calculations for alcohol are also influenced by alcohol percentage, rather than purely by product value.
Import Clearance Times
Most wine shipments entering Australia clear customs relatively quickly. Typical clearance time is 1 to 2 business days.
However, some shipments may be selected for Imported Food Inspection by Australian authorities. If this occurs, the shipment may require inspection before it can be released.
Inspection fees typically range between AUD $100 and $160, and the process can take up to two weeks in some cases. These inspections are a standard part of Australia's food safety and import control processes.
Imported Food Inspection Requirements
Wine shipments that meet certain conditions may be referred to the Imported Food Inspection Scheme. This may occur if a shipment:
- contains more than 1 litre of alcohol, or
- weighs more than 1 kilogram
When this happens, both the shipper and the importer may need to provide documentation confirming details about the wine.
Required Import Documentation
When wine is imported into Australia, authorities may request additional declarations to confirm the contents of the shipment.
Shipper declaration
The shipper may be required to provide a declaration on company letterhead that includes:
- shipment date
- AWB (air waybill) number
- product name
- lot or batch numbers
- exact quantities
- name, title and signature of the responsible person
Importer declaration
The importer may also be required to provide a declaration including:
- date
- AWB or entry number
- product names
- quantities and batch numbers
- name, title and signature
- intended end use of the wine
Examples of end use may include:
- private consumption
- samples for evaluation
- commercial sale
Providing these documents promptly helps ensure shipments clear customs without unnecessary delays.
Correct Product Descriptions Are Important
When importing alcohol into Australia, it is important that customs documentation uses clear and accurate product descriptions. Documentation should refer to the type of product, not the brand name.
- Correct: vintage, producer, grape varietal, alcohol content, bottle volume
- Incorrect: a specific brand name
Australian Border Force has strict rules regarding the accurate declaration of imported goods, and incorrect or misleading product descriptions can result in penalties or clearance delays.
Incoterms and Import Shipping
When importing wine into Australia, shipments are usually sent under one of two Incoterms that determine who pays the duties and taxes when the wine arrives. The two most common options are DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) and DDP (Delivered Duty Paid).
DDU: Delivered Duty Unpaid
Under DDU, the duties and taxes are paid directly by the receiver when the shipment arrives in Australia. Australian Border Force will calculate the applicable charges, which may include:
- import duty
- GST
- Wine Equalisation Tax (WET)
- any inspection fees if the shipment is selected for Imported Food inspection
These charges must be paid before the shipment can be released for delivery.
This is the most common option used when importing wine, as it allows the receiver to pay the duties and taxes directly to Australian customs.
DDP: Delivered Duty Paid
Under DDP, the duties and taxes are paid upfront by the shipper through the freight carrier.
When importing wine with Get Freighted under DDP terms, the duties and taxes will be charged to the Get Freighted carrier account and then invoiced to you by Get Freighted.
This option can simplify the delivery process because the shipment has already had duties and taxes processed before arrival.
Choosing the right option
Both DDU and DDP are commonly used when importing wine into Australia. The best option depends on:
- the shipper's preference
- who is responsible for paying the duties and taxes
- how the shipment has been arranged
The Get Freighted team can advise on the most appropriate Incoterm for your shipment and ensure the import process runs smoothly.
Packaging Is Critical for International Wine Shipments
Wine is fragile and requires careful packaging for international transport. Bottles are made of glass and contain liquid, which makes them heavy and vulnerable to breakage during shipping.
International shipments often pass through multiple transit hubs, so strong packaging is essential. Wine should always be packed using:
- strong double walled cartons
- protective dividers between bottles
- packaging that prevents internal movement
Proper packaging helps ensure wine arrives in the same condition as when it was packed.
Prohibited Ingredients
Australia has strict food import regulations. Wine containing glycol is prohibited from being imported into Australia.
Ensuring wines meet Australian regulatory standards is an important part of the import process.
Why Businesses and Importers Choose Get Freighted
Get Freighted has been assisting customers with wine logistics for over 30 years and has become Australia's leading wine freight forwarder over the past decade. Our team specialises in helping both businesses and consumers import wine into Australia safely and compliantly.
We assist with:
- international shipping coordination
- customs documentation preparation
- duties and taxes guidance
- packaging recommendations
- import clearance support
Our goal is simple: to ensure your wine arrives safely and clears Australian customs smoothly.
Shipment Monitoring and Support
When shipping wine with Get Freighted, our team monitors shipments from booking through to final delivery.
If any issues arise during transit or customs clearance, our team can:
- liaise with carriers
- assist with customs documentation
- help coordinate inspections or declarations
This proactive monitoring helps prevent delays and ensures shipments move smoothly through the supply chain.
Australian Based Support 365 Days a Year
Get Freighted provides Australian based phone and email support 365 days a year. Our team regularly assists with:
- wine imports into Australia
- international sample shipments
- distributor shipments
- personal wine imports
Having access to experienced wine logistics support helps make importing wine significantly easier.
Check Import Shipping Costs
Shipping costs for importing wine into Australia depend on:
- origin country
- shipment size
Indicative pricing can be found on the Get Freighted Import Rate Card.
Start Importing Wine into Australia
For wineries, distributors and businesses
Create a free Get Freighted account to access discounted international freight rates and our wine shipping platform: register here.
Your account provides access to:
- discounted international shipping rates
- compliant customs documentation generation
- detailed wine shipping guides by country
- expert support from the Get Freighted logistics team
For collectors and private customers
If you are looking to import wine into Australia for personal consumption, the Get Freighted team can guide you through the process.
- Email: support@getfreighted.com.au
- Phone: 1300 878 078
We can advise on:
- duties and taxes
- shipping options
- customs documentation
- delivery arrangements