Chinese authorities lift heavy wine tariffs on Australia.

people tossing their clear wine glasses

As a sign of strengthening relations between the two nations, China announced on Thursday that it will remove tariffs imposed on Australian wine more than three years ago.

The decision will go into effect on Friday, according to China's Ministry of Commerce.

When the bilateral relationship was at its lowest point in 2020 and 2021, Beijing agreed to review the tariffs five months ago as part of a gradual unwind of the trade barriers it imposed on approximately $20 billion of Australian exports.

Given that China was Australia's top wine export market, the tariffs severely hurt the country's wine producers. Declaring in a statement that the tariffs were lifted at a "critical time for the Australian wine industry," the Australian government applauded the decision.

Nothing is free like a free press. Give now to help sustain independent journalism in your community.

It's evident from recent events that there has never been a better moment to support local news. Donate now to help sustain independent reporting.

In a Joint media release with:

  • Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia

  • Senator Don Farrell, Minister For Trade And Tourism, Special Minister Of State

  • Senator Murray Watt, Minister For Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

The Australian Government has been notified that, from 29 March 2024, China will remove its duties on Australian bottled wine.

We welcome this outcome, which comes at a critical time for the Australian wine industry.

The re-entry of Australian bottled wine into the Chinese market will benefit both Australian producers and Chinese consumers.

This outcome affirms the calm and consistent approach taken by the Albanese Labor Government and follows the success of the similar approach taken to remove duties on Australian barley.

Since 2020, China's duties on Australian wine effectively made it unviable for Australian producers to export bottled wine to that market. Australia's wine exports to China were worth $1.1 billion in 2019.

We acknowledge and thank Australian grape growers and wine producers for their fortitude and support during a challenging period.

The removal of duties means that Australia will discontinue its legal proceedings at the World Trade Organization.

The Australian Government's approach is to cooperate with China where we can, disagree where we must and engage in our national interest – the outcomes on barley and wine reflect that approach.

We will continue to press for all remaining trade impediments affecting Australian exports to be removed, which is in the interests of both Australia and China.

Trade diversification is a key element of the Government's trade policy strategy. The Government will continue to support Australian businesses to sell their world-class products on the global stage.

Have a tip or media release?

Contact our editor via Proton Mail encrypted, X Direct Message, LinkedIn, or email. You can securely message him on Signal by using his username, Miko Santos.