How to Export French Wines?

Wine is not a commodity like any other. Unlike other consumer products, the wine trade is subject to complex regulations in the international market. Applicable laws can vary widely from one country to another, and an exporting company must be aware of all current regulations in the markets it wishes to export to.
Beyond the legal aspect, national consumption trends can also differ in the international market.

Before investing time and energy into developing sales in a new market, it is crucial to study wine consumption trends there.

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Key rules for exporting French wines

Each country approaches the distribution and consumption of alcoholic products within its borders differently. From excise duty policies to the documentation required for wine entry into the territory, it is important to understand all legal and administrative aspects before considering entry into a new market.

Required documents for international wine shipments

As with any excisable product, the international movement of wines must comply with fiscal and administrative obligations.

In this regard, every international wine shipment must be declared online via the GAMM@ e-procedure (within the framework of EMCS: “Excise Movement and Control System”).

An e-AD (Electronic Administrative Document) is then generated online. It is highly recommended to print a copy to attach to the shipment along with the corresponding commercial invoice. This will facilitate any unannounced inspection of the goods during international transport and prevent the shipment from being held up.

Keeping abreast of national specificities

Some countries are more restrictive than others regarding the control of alcoholic product entries into their territory. It is therefore essential to be informed of these national specificities.

Phytosanitary Certificate, back label, and Certificate of Origin for China; a specific analysis detailing the metals contained in the wine for Peru; the corresponding TARIC code on each line of the commercial invoice for Greece, Kazakhstan, etc.

In short, learn everything you can, be organized, and don't take your knowledge for granted: regulations evolve!

Analyze the target country's consumption trends

Wine is a complex product. The quality indicators for wine vary from country to country and depend on numerous criteria.

Firstly, market 'Maturity' is a key indicator. Some countries, considered mature markets, have been importing wine for centuries. In these countries, wine importers are seasoned market experts with a deep understanding of global wine production, appellation systems, pricing, and more.

These countries are generally more receptive to lesser-known appellations and estate names, provided the quality satisfies their palates!

Other countries have started importing wine much more recently.

Importers in these markets generally seek well-known appellations (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, etc.), as the popularity of these names reassures consumers less familiar with the world of wine, serving as a guarantee of quality.

Finally, it is crucial to thoroughly understand the economic situation of the target country (this will significantly impact the average unit purchase price sought by importers), as well as consumption trends in that market (pairings with local cuisine, average annual per capita consumption, etc.).