The process for exporting wine
The requirements on this page are for wine.
Export requirements vary for wine products, depending on your destination market. We’ve created a step-by-step process so you can see what’s involved.
Meet New Zealand requirements for wine
New Zealand legislation, wine standards management plans, and labelling.
Legal requirements
Your legal requirements are set out in the:
- Wine Act 2003
- Wine Notice: Export Requirements and Exemptions [PDF, 255 KB]
- Wine regulations
- Wine Notice: Good Operating Practices [PDF, 218 KB]
Exemptions
Export eligibility requirements don’t apply to trade samples of up to 110 litres in any one consignment, as long as those samples are not intended for retail sale and are clearly marked "not for sale".
Check with your import agent or freight forwarder about any certification requirements for samples, as rules for samples vary by market.
Wine for consumption on an aircraft leaving New Zealand is also exempt from export eligibility requirements.
New Zealand grape wine up to a maximum of 27 litres in a single consignment that is being exported for reward or trade is exempt from export eligibility certificate requirements provided the wine has current export eligibility within Wine e-Cert prior to export, and the wine business keeps a record of the:
- exporter's name
- consignee's name
- volume
- destination country.
New Zealand Winegrowers
New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) is the industry body. If you sell your grapes or wine, you must pay a levy to NZW. This levy entitles you to membership of the group. NZW also publishes an international wine-making guide and a wine labelling guide.
Set up a Wine Standards Management Plan
If you want to export your wine it must be made and packaged under a Wine Standards Management Plan (WSMP). Your WSMP must be registered with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
Find out how to develop your Wine Standards Management Plan
Get your plan verified
You must get your WSMP verified by an approved verifier within 6 months of registration, or before your first export (whichever is the soonest). MPI will set an anniversary date based upon your first verification. After that, you must schedule a verification every 12 months.
You can schedule verification of the WSMP up to 28 days before your anniversary date. If you schedule it for sooner than that, your anniversary date will change.
If you can’t schedule a verification before your anniversary date, contact your verifier and MPI as soon as possible.
Email wine.query@mpi.govt.nz
Find out about wine verification
Meet labelling requirements
In general, the rules for labels apply to grape wine made in New Zealand whether it is sold locally or intended for export. But if your destination market has labelling requirements that are different from New Zealand's, you need to meet the destination market requirements instead. As an exporter, it is your responsibility to ensure label compliance with your destination market. New Zealand Winegrowers provides advice about international labelling requirements. It also has a labelling guide you can download on the members’ section of its website.
Wine labelling and composition requirements
Guide to grape wine labelling requirements [PDF, 869 KB]
Keep records
For traceability purposes, exporters must keep accurate records for each lot or batch of wine, you must record:
- the Wine Standards Management Plans ID number the wine was made under. (There may be more than one number if, for example, it was produced under one plan and bottled under another).
- documents that show the wine complies with any export eligibility and relevant overseas market access requirements
- the quantity, storage location, and package type
- the person or business the wine was bought from and sold to.
Keeping this information in Wine e-Cert helps you keep track of which batches of wine are eligible for which markets, where wine has been sent, and the balance of available eligible litres. We have more information about Wine e-Cert in the other steps on this page.
When wine is made and branded by someone else
If you are exporting grape wine that's already been produced and branded in New Zealand, you don't need your own registered WSMP, but the wine producer and packager must have one.
You do not need access to Wine e-Cert but you must work with the wine producer to ensure you only export wine that meets:
- export eligibility requirements under the Wine Act, and
- any relevant overseas market access requirements.
You will need the wine producer to apply for export documentation on your behalf, listing your details in the 'exporter' field of the consignment request in Wine e-Cert.
Extra requirement for organic wine
If you export organic wine, you may also need to register as an organic exporter, depending on your destination markets.
Check destination requirements for wine exports
Check wine OMARs
Some countries have special requirements that you have to meet. These include labelling and official assurance requirements, and rules about oenological (winemaking) practices. You need to check the Overseas Market Access Requirements (OMARs) for your destination country. There are 4 OMARs you may need to look at:
- Wine to USA – OMAR [PDF, 59 KB]
- Wine to the EU – OMAR [PDF, 337 KB]
- Wine to Great Britain – OMAR [PDF, 350 KB]
- Wine to Brazil – OMAR [PDF, 308 KB]
As part of your application for batch eligibility, you will need to make declarations for each batch of wine to show that your wine meets any relevant OMARs. Verifiers will check that winemaking records are consistent with these declarations.
If you are exporting organic wine, you should also check if there are any requirement documents for exporting organics
Need help with OMARs?
If you're unsure of OMAR requirements, consult the New Zealand Winegrowers International Winemaking Practices guide. This guide is available to New Zealand Winegrowers' members on its website. The guide explains permitted oenological practices for the European Union (EU), Great Britain and Brazil, as well as other key markets.
New Zealand Winegrowers website
You can also contact MPI.
When exporting to a country with no OMAR
Most countries do not have certification requirements for wine exports.
If there is no OMAR for your destination country, we recommend you work directly with your importing agent to check for certification and any other requirements.
Check if there are other market requirements
Besides meeting general wine export requirements, some countries also require you to include particular documents or official assurances with your consignment.
Official assurance means a general statement issued by MPI to a foreign government (or its agent) attesting that certain conditions apply.
MPI issues the documents listed in this table to help you access these markets.
Destination |
Document required |
European Economic Community |
EU VI-1 document (including laboratory test results) |
Brazil |
Certificate of origin and Certificate of analysis (including laboratory test results) |
South Africa |
Cultivar Certificate |
China |
Free Sale Certificate (only where requested by the market) |
Costa Rica |
Free Sale Advice Statement for product registration |
Colombia |
Free Sale Advice Statement for product registration |
Dominican Republic |
Free Sale Advice Statement for product registration |
Guatemala |
Free Sale Advice Statement for product registration |
Indonesia |
Free Sale Advice Statement for product registration |
Kazakhstan |
Free Sale Advice Statement for product registration |
Myanmar |
Free Sale Advice Statement for product registration |
Panama |
Free Sale Advice Statement for product registration |
Paraguay |
Free Sale Advice Statement for product registration |
Peru |
Free Sale Advice Statement for product registration |
Philippines |
Free Sale Advice Statement for product registration |
Turkey |
Free Sale Advice Statement for product registration |
Ukraine |
Free Sale Certificate (only where requested by the market) |
Venezuela |
Free Sale Advice Statement for product registration |
Vietnam |
Free Sale Advice Statement for product registration |
How to request statements and certificates
You can request all these documents, except Cultivar Certificates and Free Sale Certificates for Ukraine, through Wine e-Cert.
If you need help, a help guide is available in Wine e-Cert called Creating a consignment request and obtaining export documentation. Or email wine.certification@mpi.govt.nz
If you need Cultivar Certificates or Free Sale Certificates for Ukraine – or you're asked for an export document not in the table – email wine.query@mpi.govt.nz
Register for wine e-Cert
About Wine e-Cert and how to register and add or remove users.
Who needs to register?
If you are a wine producer, bottler, or an exporter with your own wine brand, you need access to Wine e-Cert to apply for approval to export New Zealand grape wine.
If you are a contract winemaker or bottler you will need access to Wine e-Cert so that you can confirm winemaking/bottling/filling run details for your clients.
All New Zealand grape wine export applications are handled through Wine e-Cert. To get access for your company and for company users, follow the steps (1 to 3) as follows.
1. Complete and return the user registration form
Complete the form WA13 and email it to wine.query@mpi.govt.nz
(WA13) Wine e-Cert Company and User Registration or Amendments [PDF, 829 KB]
After we've completed your registration, you'll get an email with an authorisation code to enter when you first log in to Wine e-Cert.
Terms and conditions for using MPI web electronic certification systems [PDF, 169 KB]
2. Set up a RealMe account
If you already have a RealMe account, you can go straight to step 3. If you don't already have one, you'll need to set up a RealMe account to access Wine e-Cert.
To set up your RealMe account, go to the Wine e-Cert login page. In the RealMe box on that page, there is a link to create a new account.
3. Log in and enter the authorisation key
When you log in for the first time, you'll be prompted to enter the authorisation key that has been emailed to you.
Adding or changing users
If you need to change your user access details or add new users to an existing company for Wine e-Cert, complete the WA13 form and email it to wine.query@mpi.govt.nz
(WA13) Wine e-Cert Company and User Registration or Amendments [PDF, 829 KB]
Wine e-Cert resources
Below are some guidance documents to help you learn how to use Wine e-Cert.
Wine e-Cert: Accessing Wine e-Cert [PDF, 1.4 MB]
Wine e-Cert: Quick reference card [PDF, 1.3 MB]
Wine e-Cert: Getting started [PDF, 1.3 MB]
Wine e-Cert: Creating a Batch for Export Eligibility Assessment [PDF, 2 MB]
Wine e-Cert: Wine Standards Management Plan Confirmation [PDF, 896 KB]
Wine e-Cert: Creating a consignment request and obtaining export documentation [PDF, 1.9 MB]
Wine E-Cert videos
Introduction to the MPI Wine e-Cert system
Transcript – show/hide
Narrator: “In this video, I’m going to give you a quick introduction to using the MPI wine export certification system online. To access the system, you can type winecert.mpi.govt into your browser, or you can just Google MPI wine e-Cert and it’s the first result that comes up.
Once you get to this landing page, you’ll need to use your RealMe login. If you don’t have a RealMe login you’ll need to create one, but it’s the same login you might have used to access the company’s office for instance. The first time you enter, you may need to provide an activation key, which will be supplied to you by MPI.
Once you’re in this home screen, you’ll have different options available to you depending on your level of access to the system. The main menu is here on the left. This link lets you add a batch and this one requests a consignment. This link lets you request a free sales advice statement. These are issued to enable product registrations in some markets.
The search feature lets you search through all your submissions on the system. When you hover on it, you can find batches, samples, requests and export information. Hovering on ‘Data Management’ lets you find consignees and exporters, as well as adding new ones. You can also find freight forwarders and add your contacts.
On the main screen, you’ll also see these two bars: ‘Batch Management’ and ‘Consignment Management’. Both bars include ‘Action Required’ buttons. If you click on these, they’ll show you any items that need your input or any batches or consignments you’ve been working on recently. Under ‘Batch Management’, you’ll also see current testing which shows any tests you have underway.
This button will display any expiring batches. ‘Consignment Management’ also includes ‘Recently Actioned’, so you can quickly access a consignment you’ve been working on.
Underneath the left-hand side menu, there’s a menu for helpful PDFs. These guides let you navigate the e-Cert system, so you can refer to them at any time. They give you more details and walk you through the system every step of the way.
Now, I’m going to start by searching for a batch so you can see what’s displayed. This form shows you all the fields and you can enter any one of them to narrow down the choices displayed below. That means you can filter by any qualifier, whether it’s your code, the country it’s being exported to or the grape variety.
The same system works with sample searches and request searches. When you’ve picked a batch by clicking the batch number, you can see a batch menu at the top. Any red text tells you about actions that need to be taken before eligibility can be confirmed. Once you’ve completed a step, like adding packaging, the option will disappear from your top menu.
I’m going to go into the add packaging form as an example of what the forms look like. When you’re in these forms, you can move between fields using your mouse or by using the tab key.
A black arrow on the right indicates a drop-down menu. A red star here means it’s a required field so you can’t save your form without filling it in. If a field is greyed out, like these ones, you can’t enter any data. It usually means the field will populate automatically. These small arrows on the left of the titles will minimize or maximise the sections of the form. If your form hasn’t been successful, it usually means you have left a field empty or entered invalid information.
The system should show you where with a red outline around the field and red text. Like here, I’ve clicked on cases and I haven’t included the number of total letters.
That’s a very basic guide to using the wine e-Cert system. Remember, you can find more help in the PDFs under the important information bar on the left-hand side. For more detailed explanations, you might like to view the modules on adding a batch, adding packaging, adding samples and requesting a consignment.”
[End of video and transcript]
MPI Wine e-Cert – Adding a batch
Transcript – show/hide
Narrator: “In this video, I’m going to show you how to add a batch using the MPI wine e-Cert system.
Once you’ve logged into the wine e-Cert system using your RealMe login, you’ll see a screen that looks a bit like this one. Depending on the different kinds of tasks you undertake in the system, you might have different levels of access.
The first step to adding a batch is to find ‘Add Batch’ on this left-hand side menu. Click ‘Add Batch’ and you’ll be taken through to this screen. You’ll see the name of your wine company at the top of the page. Underneath that, most of the fields have a red asterisk here.
That means you need to fill these out in order to add the batch. I’m going to start by adding the vintage and region. I’m going to pick 2017 and Central Otago.
Choose a special process if you need to, like single vineyard. Then, to choose a wine variety, start typing and you’ll see the search refined as you type. If I type P-I-N, up will pop all the options and as I keep typing, they will narrow down. You’ll see the year and wine name have automatically populated in these grey boxes. You can’t alter those.
The other two-name boxes are optional, and they allow you to include a brand name or another detail about the provenance of the wine within the permitted naming rules. I’m going to call my wine the 2017, Cloudy Skies, Central Otago Single Vineyard Pinot Noir, Block One.
Here you need to enter the WSMP Number of the WSMP that the wine was made under. Under the winemaker reference, you enter your code for traceability, identifying the particular tank of wine that you are confirming the WSMP on.
For colour and style, I’m going red (still wine). Then the tank volume, 10,000 litres.
You might want to add an alternative wine name here if you are going to do different branding for specific markets or customers. You can create wine names for documents if a name that’s different to the main wine name is required, but this must still meet labelling rules. Once you’ve filled in all the mandatory fields, press save.
If something’s not quite right, the system will let you know. You can see here it’s given me some red text letting me know that the tank volume (litres) should not be empty.
Once you’ve correctly filled out the form, you will see the view batch screen. You’ll notice that the red text at the top of the screen is telling me I need to create a sample before export eligibility can be confirmed. Before I do that though, the next step is actually to add packaging, which is covered in another module.
Hopefully you should now be able to successfully add a batch. Remember, you can find more help in the PDFs under the important information bar on the left-hand side of the page.”
[End of video and transcript]
MPI Wine e-Cert – Adding packaging
Transcript – show/hide
Narrator: “I’m now going to show you had to add packaging to your batch in the MPI Wine e-Cert system.
If you haven’t just entered your batch, you’ll need to start by opening the batch you want. You can find it under ‘Batch Management’, ‘Action Required’, or you can go over to ‘Search’, hover on ‘Search’ and click on ‘Batches”. This opens up the search batches screen. You can either type the search term into any of these fields or just scroll down for a list of your recent batches.
Click a batch number and it will take you through to this view batch screen. This top menu has options for your batch. It’s telling me to create a sample but for cases of wine, first I need to add packaging using this link. Remember that for bulk wine, you create a batch, then you go straight to adding a bulk sample. You should only add your packaging once you’ve filled your flexi and know what the final volume is.
So, I select add packaging and it opens up the edit batch screen, where it shows you all the information you’ve already entered. Scroll down a bit and you’ll see this packaging details bar. Start by selecting bulk or packaged, flexitank or cases. The format you pick here will be the only format that you can export the batch in, and you can’t put both packaged and bulk details on the same batch.
First, I’m going to show you how you would add bulk packaging to this batch. So, I’m going to pick ‘bulk (flexitanks)’ here that pops me up some more options. First, I’m going to put in the packager WSMP. Now I can add my filling runs, starting with the date. This field gives you a calendar to choose your date. Then add your reference and the litres, and you can click calculate total litres.
I can add another run using this ‘add run’ button. But if I’ve made a mistake and I want to delete this second run, I can choose this check box and it gives me the option here to delete runs.
Once the packaging details are saved, you cannot change them from bulk to packaged or packaged to bulk. Now I’m going to show you how you would add package details to a different batch. I’ve switched over to this batch of Pinot Grigio and I’m going to choose packaged instead of bulk and you can see that gives me different options. Again, I start with the packaging WSMP and the bottler who bottled the wine or filled the flexi.
Then I fill in the number of cases, extra bottles, size, date and a reference. I’m going 100 cases, 2 extras, 6 per case. I’ve only got one bottle size option here. If you bottle to various sizes, you’ll need to load each bottle size as a separate run. When it comes to the bottler reference, remember this must match what is on the bottles. MPI uses it to match up the bottles to the paperwork.
When you’ve done that and checked it, you need to select this ‘complete’ tick box. The box can only be ticked on or after the date of packaging. The bottling is not yet complete if you come back and tick it later, but your eligibility won’t be assessed until it’s ticked.
You can add another run here using this button and again, if you want to delete it, use this checkbox, and then select delete runs. The total litres will be calculated here and cannot significantly exceed the estimated tank volume for the batch, which is what I’ve done. This information gets used later when you’re processing your eligibility. Remember you can only save bulk or packaged formats to a batch and not both. Don’t enter your packaging details until you know if you’re exporting the wine as bulk or packaged product. When you’ve saved the packaging information, you can click save.
Now you’ll notice here this red text is telling me it didn’t work, and the reason is I left out my bottler reference and so once you’ve filled in all the correct fields, you will be able to save it. Now I’ve got it right, it’s taking me back to my view batch screen. The next step, as the red writing is telling me, is to create a sample. You can also look at what else needs to be done by looking in the batch status section. Here you can see how your export eligibility is progressing and anything that may still need to be done or that could be delaying it.
Are you still finding the system tricky? Try watching the introduction to Wine e-Cert screen record for a few tips or try the other modules for advice on specific tasks. And remember, you can find more help in these PDFs under the important information bar on the left-hand side of the page.”
[End of video and transcript]
MPI Wine e-Cert – Adding samples
Transcript – show/hide
Narrator: “In this video, I’m going to show you how to add samples to your batches in the MPI wine e-Cert system.
First, you need to find your batch. I’m going to hover over the search button and click batches and then scroll down to my most recent batch.
By clicking here on the batch number, it takes me through to this view batch screen, which shows me all the details for my batch. At the top here, I have my batch menu. By clicking ‘add package sample’, I get to this screen. At the top, I have a summary of my batch and then further down, I can add in my sample details. I only have the option of adding a bottling date because this batch was packaged in cases.
If I had chosen a batch packaged in bulk, I’d have to add a bulk sample. You can see the bottling date and reference have been automatically populated from the information I added earlier. That will happen if there’s just one packaging run. If there’s more than one, you will have to choose that using the drop-down menu.
Then, I can put in the date the sample was collected using the calendar field. Let’s say Wednesday 31st of May. When I scroll further down, I will see the option to provide the sensory declaration response. When I select confirm here, the assessment date will auto-fill, together with the name of the experienced winemaker. This name is drawn from the person who had logged into the wine e-Cert system at the time in making the declaration. If you are making this declaration on behalf of the experienced winemaker, please contact MPI through the wine.query inbox and provide the name of the experienced winemaker, so that the name in the declaration is accurate.
Now, if this wine is not going to the EU or Brazil, I can save at this point and the process of adding a sample is complete. But for the EU and Brazil, I’m going to need to use this ‘add chemistry test’ button up here. Once I’ve clicked on it, I can scroll down and see that there is an extra section to fill out at the bottom of the form. If I want to get rid of this at any point, I can click ‘delete chemistry test’.
The first step here is to select the lab from the drop-down menu and the chemistry test required. The choices are ‘EU’ and ‘EU and Brazil’. In this instance, I will select ‘EU’. Then, I can put in the expected alcohol content, say 12%. This field is optional so if you leave it blank the information will still save.
I will now click ‘save’ and this red text here at the top of the screen tells me that the sample created was successful. Scrolling down further, I can see the wine test number here. This is a number that needs to be put on the sample that is sent to the chemistry lab. Remember that sample results are valid for a limited time; three months for bulk wine and for packaged products it’s two years for sensory and one year for chemistry.
By going to the batch, I can see here that my sensory testing sample was passed, and my chemistry testing sample is created. Once this has been completed by the lab, it will show as being completed.
The next step is to request a consignment and you can see this in another video. Remember you can always find more help and details in the PDFs under the important information section on the left-hand side of the page.”
[End of video and transcript]
MPI Wine e-Cert - Requesting a consignment
Transcript – show/hide
Narrator: “This video is going to run you through requesting a consignment to export your wine. You won’t be able to request a consignment for a particular batch until you’ve completed the other steps, creating the batch, adding packaging and completing the sampling process. But once you’ve done all that, it will be on your available list of wines to export. If you’re going through this process and you can’t see your batch on the list, it’s either not eligible for that country or it’s a different packaging format.
Start by using this left-hand side main menu and clicking ‘request consignment’. You’ll see your company name has already been populated at the top of the form. Fill in your order number here. Choose a destination country. The country you choose will limit the eligible wines available to you. If you choose an EU country or Brazil, only eligible wines for those markets will be able to be selected.
If this wine is being exported by another party, by ticking this check box you have the option to enter the exporter’s name in this field. If it’s a new exporter, this button lets you add their details directly into the system. Put in their name and address and they’ll be added to your list, or you can go back to the ordinary drop-down list and pick one of your usual exporters.
Then choose the consignee, the destination details for where you’re sending the wine. Again, you can use the drop-down menu, or you can click new consignee and add their details manually.
The transport section lets you choose sea or air freight, as well as a shipping date. It’s important to check the shipping date because it’s easy to get this wrong. You’ll see the date is automatically populating with tomorrow’s date, but I can change that using the calendar.
If you’re exporting to Brazil, a port of discharge will open up here. You’ll need to enter a specific Brazilian port. The freight forwarder section lets you choose an existing freight forwarder. If the freight forwarder company you want to use is not on this drop-down list, you will need to contact MPI to get the company added.
Under packaging details, is this flexitank or bottled wine? And then, from here, you can choose available, relevant wines that meet the market requirements for that destination. You can use the filter to find something you want, typing in ‘rosé’ for instance, and then narrowing your search.
Once you’ve found a batch that you want to use, tick the wine using the check box and scroll down here and click on ‘add wines’ under the line items bar.
Looking at this specific wine, I can see there’s over 3,000 available litres. I’m going to export 100 cases and 2 extras, 6 bottles per case and 750mls. That gives me 451 litres, which is well within the amount I have available. Now, I’m going to need to adjust the total number of cases manually to account for the 2 extra boxes, so my total cases will be 101. I can add several different wines at once if they’re bottled but if you’re doing bulk consignments to the EU each flexitank needs to have its own separate consignment. Just work through each flexitank, creating one export consignment per tank. Once you’ve filled in all the fields, click submit.
MPI will check your application and if it’s approved, all the required documentation will be issued. If there is any problem with your application, its status will be marked as incomplete with details of what was wrong for you to correct by editing the application resubmitting it. The most common error is an incorrect shipping date so you might like to double check that field.
Hard copies of the official assurance documents are also sent out but remember these go to the freight forwarder so if you don’t receive these, don’t panic – check with your freight forwarder.
If you need to generate other documents, you can find help in the help guide titled “creating a consignment request and obtaining export documentation”.
Hopefully you can now request consignments easily. For more information, watch our other modules on adding batches, adding packaging, adding samples and general tips for the wine e-Cert system. Remember you can always find more detailed help on the PDFs under the important information bar on the left-hand side of your screen.”
[End of video and transcript]
Apply for batch approval of wine exports
Every wine export needs export eligibility approval.
Use Wine e-Cert
You must use Wine e-Cert for this step.
Remember, you need to register before you can use Wine e-Cert.
How to apply
Details are recorded in Wine e-Cert about the registration of lot or batches of wine for export, including:
- confirmation of relevant market access information, and
- request for sensory assessment, and
- analysis to meet market access requirements.
This information helps the exporter keep track of which batches are eligible for which markets, where it has been exported to and the balance of available eligible litres.
1. Complete an application
In Wine e-Cert, apply for export eligibility approval for each batch of your wine prior to export.
For each batch, you'll need to provide:
- details of the wine,
- information about your intended destination markets,
- a declaration by the applicant that the wine is free from obvious fault,
- confirmation of your wine's compliance with the requirements of your destination market.
It is important that the information is identical to label otherwise you will need to make additional alternative wine names.
A guide called Creating a batch for export eligibility is in Wine e-Cert if you need more information.
You can track the application status of each batch through Wine e-Cert.
2. Obtain a free from obvious fault declaration for your wine
A sensory evaluation and declaration of your wine must be completed by an experienced winemaker. Contact the Wine Assurance team for more information on how to complete a sensory declaration at wine.query@mpi.govt.nz
If you need chemical analysis of your wine
Some overseas markets require an official assurance showing the chemical analysis of the wine. For these countries, a sample must be sent to an MPI-recognised laboratory.
Create a sample on Wine e-Cert and request chemistry testing. Choose a recognised laboratory for testing export wine and send a physical sample with the following details on the label:
- a wine test (WT) number from Wine e-Cert
- the wine company's name
- the vintage, variety, and lot/batch code of the wine being tested.
Find an MPI-recognised laboratory for export wine analysis
Export eligibility
Once the following is complete, the batch will automatically assess for eligibility:
- all required information has been entered and checked,
- packaging/filling run details entered and checked,
- sensory declaration complete,
- testing is complete (if required).
Apply for consignment approval of wine exports
Apply for approval for the consignment of wine.
Submit a consignment request
Once you have your batch approved, submit your consignment request in Wine e-Cert prior to export.
Getting your export eligibility statement
When we approve your request, an export eligibility statement will be emailed to your freight forwarder as they require this information to complete the NZ Customs Export Entry. A copy is also available for you to download from Wine e-Cert.
The export eligibility statement:
- lists each batch of wine in the consignment
- contains a unique permit number to enable wine to clear New Zealand Customs.
Without this statement, Customs will not clear your consignment for export.
If you're exporting someone else's wine, they'll need to apply for an export eligibility statement on your behalf.
Getting official assurance
If you are exporting to a country that requires an official assurance, this will automatically be generated as part of your consignment approval request. A printed copy of this document will be sent to your freight forwarder.
If the documentation is needed urgently, you will need to arrange your own courier to transport it from MPI to your freight forwarder. Arrange this in advance by emailing wine.certification@mpi.govt.nz
Additional documentation like Free Sale Certificate (are arranged within the consignment) and Free Sale Advice Statement, must be requested separately.
A guide – Creating a consignment request and obtaining export documentation – is available in Wine e-Cert if you want more information.
If you have not received expected documentation, email wine.certification@mpi.govt.nz