Export Market Guide - China
This content is restricted to wine exporters and levy-payers. Some reports are available for purchase to non-levy payers/exporters.
Regulatory information for exporting wine to China, including the regulatory environment, duties and taxes, and wine standards.
Unless an exemption has been granted by Wine Australia, grape products exported from Australia must comply with the Food Standards Code. Accordingly, the labelling and wine standards information in Wine Australia’s Export Market Guides should be read in conjunction with Wine Australia’s Licensing and Compliance Guide which contains the requirements of the Food Standards Code and applicable exemptions.
Until November 2020 Australian wine exports benefited from China-Australia Free Trade Agreements (ChAFTA) signed on 17 June 2015 and came into effect December 20, 2015.
In 2020, The China Alcoholic Drinks Association (CADA) requested the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) launch separate anti-dumping and countervailing duties investigations on Australian wine in China. MOFCOM initiated an anti-dumping investigation (18 August 2020) and a countervailing duties investigation (31 August 2020). These investigations were due to be completed in August 2021.
MOFCOM announced a decision to impose temporary deposit tariffs from 28 November 2020 of between 107.1 per cent and 212.1 per cent on Australian wine in containers of up to 2 litres ahead of finalising the ongoing anti-dumping investigation.
For the countervailing duties investigation, MOFCOM announced a decision to impose temporary countervailing duty deposit from 11 December 2020 of between 6.3 per cent and 6.4 per cent on Australian wine ahead of finalising the countervailing duties investigation.
On 26 March 2021, MOFCOM confirmed that temporary deposit tariffs of between 116.2 per cent and 218.4 per cent on Australian wine in containers of up to 2 litres would remain in place for five years.
On 22 October 2023, the Australian Government reached an agreement with China to expedite a review of its import duties on Australian wine. During the five-month review period, the Australian Government agreed to suspend Australia’s WTO wine dispute with China.
On 12 March 2024, MOFCOM announced an interim decision which found that, in view of the changes in the Chinese wine market, the imposition of anti-dumping duties and countervailing duties on imports of relevant wines originating in Australia are no longer necessary.
Wine Australia welcomed the announcement by MOFCOM on Thursday 28 March 2024 that the duties on Australian wine to mainland China will be removed effective Friday 29 March 2024.
IP Protection in China
This guide provides helpful tips for Australian wine companies looking to secure IP and brand protection in China.
In market labelling and quality control guide for Australian wine bottled in China
This guide is designed to assist exporters with labelling requirements and quality control for bulk wine bottled in China.
Download the latest China Export Market Guide in Chinese:
下载最新版本中国市场指南（中文)
Regulatory environment
In March 2018, the National People’s Congress approved a sweeping government restructuring plan. China has established a new super regulator – the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), which has merged and undertaken the responsibilities previously held by numerous agencies including the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC), Standardisation Administration of China (SAC) and the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA). The SAMR has a broad mandate, overseeing everything from drug safety supervision, quality inspection, fair competition and commercial bribery, issuance of business registrations, certifications and accreditations, management of intellectual property rights and comprehensive supervision and management of the market order.
The Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) previously under AQSIQ has been merged in to SAMR, while the entry and exit inspection and quarantine function of the state CIQs have been absorbed into a new customs agency called the General Administration of Customs China (GACC).
Exporters should also be aware of the Consumer Rights Protection Law which allows for compensation to consumers for purchases of noncompliant food products. This has given rise to ‘professional buyers’ who make claims of wrongdoing to seek financial compensation at the expense of traders and producers. Careful attention should be paid to labelling as labelling errors have reportedly been the highest cause of non-compliance complaints submitted by ‘professional buyers’. China has released draft Implementing Regulations for the Consumer Rights Protection Law which aims to limit the rise of the professional buyer.
“PROSECCO” has legal protection as a geographical indication in this market. Wine Australia understands Australian producers are prohibited from exporting Australian wine described and presented as “Prosecco” to this market.