Vastorg

Country knowledge base

Routing rules, required documents, authorisations, and key points to watch when shipping wine to each destination.

European Union

Routing

  • Duty-suspension regime: the wine moves without excise being paid, under cover of an e-AD (electronic administrative document) via the EMCS system. The shipper must be an authorised warehousekeeper (shipping from a tax warehouse) and provide a guarantee; excise is paid at destination by the recipient.
  • Duty-paid: excise has already been paid in France. Bottles carry a CRD capsule (optional for bottles of 3 litres or less). A commercial invoice accompanies the shipment.
  • B2B (to a business): movement under duty suspension via e-AD, with delivery to the tax warehouse that discharges the e-AD; or duty-paid under CRD capsule.
  • B2C / distance selling: when shipping to a private individual in another member state, excise is due in the destination country. The seller must guarantee payment of the excise before shipping and, in most member states, appoint a tax representative in the destination country. VAT is also due in the destination country.

Documents

  • Commercial invoice (€0 invoices are not accepted).

United States

Routing

  • Distribution goes through a licensed importer in the United States (importer of record / customs broker), who handles the entry of the goods and the payment of duties and taxes.

Documents

  • Commercial invoice.
  • Packing list.
  • FDA Prior Notice.
  • COLA.
  • For champagne: certificate of origin from the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne.

Authorisations

  • TTB Importer's Basic Permit: federal permit for importing alcohol.
  • COLA (Certificate of Label Approval): issued by the TTB. To be filed 5 to 15 days before shipping, free of charge.
  • State licence: where the destination state requires one in addition to the federal permit.
  • Customs bond (single or continuous): mandatory for any alcohol shipment, regardless of value.

Territorial restrictions

  • The delivery network depends on the destination state.
  • States not served: Mississippi, South Dakota, Utah.

Key points to watch

  • File an FDA Prior Notice systematically, or the shipment will be blocked on arrival. It must be registered at least 24 hours before arrival, for each shipment. The Prior Notice number must appear on the invoice and the waybill; FDA approval conditions customs release.
  • Signature of an adult aged 21 or over required on delivery.
  • €0 invoices prohibited: minimum €2/bottle.
  • Samples: real value + mention “not for resale, value for customs purpose only”.
  • Every alcohol shipment is cleared through a formal entry procedure, regardless of the value of the goods.

Annex: creating an FDA Prior Notice

Procedure for filing a Prior Notice on the FDA portal (access.fda.gov). The declaration is free of charge and must be registered at least 24 hours before the goods arrive. The number obtained (Confirmation Number) must be reported on the invoice and the waybill.

  1. 1. Getting started

    • Log in to the FDA portal, then under “Other FDA Systems”, click “Prior Notice Interface”.
    • Click “Create New Prior Notice”.
    • At “How will you be sending your shipment”, select “Consumption, Express Courier”.

  2. 2. Shipment Details

    • Do you have a customs entry number: No.
    • Click “Save & Continue”.

  3. 3. Carrier

    • Carrier type: Air.
    • Mode of transportation: Express Courier – Air.
    • IATA Code: according to the express air carrier used.
    • Carrier Name: name of the express transport company.
    • Airway bill or tracking number: waybill tracking number.
    • State / Port of arrival: state and port of entry into the United States.
    • Anticipated arrival date: shipping date + 1 day. Anticipated port arrival time: 20:00 (default value).

  4. 4. Submitter Details

    • Select “Creating for Myself”.
    • Country: France.
    • Submitter information: “I do not have the Submitter's Food Facility Registration Number”.
    • Click “Save & Continue”.

  5. 5. Importer Details

    • Click “I am not the Importer”.
    • Click “Select from my favorites” and select the registered importer.
    • On the “Submission” page, click “Add Food Article”.

  6. 6. Article and Product Information

    • Strict rule for wine: one Prior Notice per producer, per product type, and per packaging type.
    • Click “Create a New Food Article”.
    • Enter the FDA Product Code: still white wine 32BCP01; still red wine 32BCP02; still rosé wine 32BCP03; champagne 32BCP04.
    • Common or Usual Name: usual description of the wine.

  7. 7. Quantity and Packaging Information

    • Click “Packaged Shipment”.
    • Enter quantities from the largest container down to the smallest (cartons, then bottles per carton, then volume per bottle).
    • Carton: Package Count = number of cartons; Package Type = Carton; then “Add Row”.
    • Bottles: Package Count = number of bottles; Package Type = Bottle Protected Cylnd.
    • Base Unit Measure: size of the smallest packaging (e.g. 750 Centiliter).

  8. 8. Refusal Information

    • Click No.

  9. 9. Manufacturer / Shipper / Owner

    • Manufacturer: Do you have a Food Facility Registration Number: No; Reason: K (Unable to determine the registration number).
    • Shipper: Article Shipped from Country: France; Registration Number: No; reuse a previously entered entity where applicable.
    • Owner: Registration Number: No; reuse a previously entered entity where applicable.

  10. 10. Ultimate Consignee

    • Do you have a Food Facility Registration Number: No.
    • Name: name of the final recipient.
    • Address: recipient's address in the United States.

  11. 11. Finalising

    • Click “Submit to FDA”.
    • Retrieve the Prior Notice as a PDF via “Generate PDF” (top right).
    • The Prior Notice number is the “Confirmation Number” (not the “Envelope Number”).

United Kingdom

Routing

  • Distribution goes through an importer. A UK EORI number is required. For duty-suspended storage, the importer uses a bonded warehouse.

Documents

  • Commercial invoice.
  • Packing list.

Key points to watch

  • The % ABV must appear on the invoice: it directly determines the excise amount.
  • The invoice must state the reason for export (domestic use, samples…).
  • A UK EORI is essential on the importer's side.
  • Samples are accepted but must be valued for customs duty, excise, and VAT.

Switzerland

Routing

  • Importing wine for commercial purposes is only permitted for licensed importers. Private individuals may import wine without a licence (B2C possible).

Documents

  • Commercial invoice.

Authorisations

  • Licensed importer for commercial imports.
  • For a B2C shipment over 20 kg (around 12 bottles), the recipient must hold an import licence.

Key points to watch

  • As duty is charged by weight, bottle format and packaging affect the cost: optimise the packaging.
  • Commercial imports reserved for licensed importers.
  • Allow for customs clearance time (D+2-3 by express).

Norway

Routing

  • Sales to end consumers go through Vinmonopolet (state monopoly). Businesses may import any quantity if they obtain an import licence from the Norwegian Directorate of Health and register with the tax administration. B2C is possible but heavily taxed.

Documents

  • Commercial invoice.

Authorisations

  • Import licence + tax registration for the importer.
  • Spirits > 60% vol. are prohibited (not applicable to wine).

Key points to watch

  • Total taxes often exceed the value of the wine itself: factor this into the price.
  • Retail sales reserved for Vinmonopolet.

Japan

Routing

  • Distribution goes through a licensed importer in Japan. For resale, the importer must hold a wholesale spirits licence. An import permit from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) is required.

Documents

  • Commercial invoice.
  • Packing list.

Authorisations

  • Import permit from the MHLW (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare).
  • Proof of EU origin (statement of origin on the invoice) to benefit from zero customs duty under the EPA.

Key points to watch

  • Confirm EU origin and the statement of origin on the invoice.

South Korea

Routing

  • Distribution goes through a licensed importer in Korea. A food quarantine is required and the importer must present an import licence/permit.

Documents

  • Commercial invoice (stating the wine's production date).
  • PCCC (Personal Customs Clearance Code) for shipments to a private individual.

Authorisations

  • Importer's import licence / permit.
  • Proof of EU origin (statement of origin on the invoice) to benefit from zero customs duty under the FTA.
  • Recipient's import licence required beyond 5 items.

Key points to watch

  • Confirm EU origin and the statement of origin on the invoice: this is what unlocks the zero customs duty.
  • Food quarantine on entry (possible delay).
  • Beyond 5 items, the recipient needs an import licence.
  • Maximum 9 litres (12 bottles) per shipment.

Hong Kong

Routing

  • Distribution goes through a local importer. For wine (≤ 30% vol.), no import permit or duty payment is required: the goods move freely. An import declaration to customs is still due for commercial shipments.

Documents

  • Commercial invoice.
  • Packing list.

Authorisations

  • Import declaration to customs for commercial shipments (wine untaxed).
  • No import permit required for wine (the permit only concerns alcohol > 30% vol.).

Key points to watch

  • No limit on the number of bottles.
  • Structural advantage: no duty, no VAT. Import costs are limited to transport and logistics.
  • Check the alcoholic strength: alcohol > 30% vol. falls into the taxable, permit-required regime.
  • The customs declaration remains mandatory even though the wine is untaxed. It must be filed within 14 days of the shipment's arrival.

Macao

Routing

  • Distribution goes through a local importer. Both B2B and B2C are possible. No licence is required for wine (only alcohol > 30% vol. requires an import licence from the Macao Economic Services).

Documents

  • Detailed commercial invoice.
  • Packing list.

Authorisations

  • No import licence is required for wine.

Key points to watch

  • A corridor with very low tax friction, like Hong Kong.
  • Check the alcoholic strength: > 30% vol. switches to the licensed regime.
  • Maximum 9 litres (12 bottles) per shipment.

Singapore

Routing

  • Distribution goes through a registered importer in Singapore. The importer must be a registered company (ACRA / UEN), registered with Singapore Customs, and hold a licence from the Food Control Division (SFA, formerly AVA).

Documents

  • Commercial invoice.
  • Certificate of origin.

Authorisations

  • Import permit (SFA licence / formerly AVA — Singapore Food Agency).
  • Unique Entity Number (UEN) and importer registration with customs (commercial use).
  • Customs import permit to be obtained before the goods enter.

Key points to watch

  • Excise depends on the volume of pure alcohol (litres × ABV): a high ABV increases the tax. State the % ABV correctly on the invoice.
  • The importer must be a locally registered company (ACRA / UEN) with an SFA licence: no direct shipment to an unregistered private individual for commercial use.
  • Import permit to be obtained before the goods arrive.
  • Maximum 68 litres (90 bottles) per shipment.

Taiwan

Routing

  • Distribution goes through an importer (IOR). For an IOR not registered as a trader with the NTA, shipments are limited to 5 litres (B2B and B2C alike). For a registered trader, the limit is USD 1,000 per shipment; beyond that, NTA approval is required.

Documents

  • Commercial invoice.

Authorisations

  • IOR registration with the NTA (trader) for high-value shipments.

Key points to watch

  • All wine is taxable, with no de minimis threshold.
  • 5-litre limit per shipment for an IOR not registered as a trader.

Australia

Routing

  • Distribution goes through a licensed importer in Australia, who handles the entry of the goods and the payment of duties and taxes.

Documents

  • Commercial invoice.
  • Packing list.

Territorial restrictions

  • Coverage depends on the destination state or territory. These zones vary by carrier and period; revalidate according to the network used.
  • Served: New South Wales, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania.
  • Not served: Queensland and Northern Territory (alcohol regulations specific to certain communities).

Labelling

Above 0.5% alcohol by volume, the label must state:

  • Alcohol content expressed as a proportion of alcohol.
  • Number of standard drinks per package.
  • Identification lot number.
  • Information written in English.
  • To exclude: the mentions “low alcohol”, “non-alcoholic”, “non-intoxicant”, and nutritional or health claims (other than energy/carbohydrate value).

Key points to watch

  • A declared value of $0 is systematically refused.
  • Check the status of the destination state/territory before shipping.

New Zealand

Routing

  • Distribution goes through a licensed importer, listed with the MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries).

Documents

  • Commercial invoice.

Authorisations

  • Importer listed with the MPI, complying with wine import standards.
  • Importer code for any goods > NZD 1,000.
  • Alcohol gift shipments are excluded (importer and recipient must be licensed entities).

Key points to watch

  • Importer must be listed with the MPI.
  • Importer code required above NZD 1,000.
  • Alcohol gift shipments prohibited via the express network.