Compliant Always
Get in touch

Exporting soft drinks and other beverages from Australia

In Australia, dairy drinks made from cow's milk are prescribed goods under the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021, drinks described as organic need an organic goods certificate, and other plant-based drinks are controlled only where a phytosanitary certificate is required. Consignments over A$2,000 need an export declaration, and exports can be GST-free.

Updated · Each section links to the official source it comes from

Dairy drinks
Prescribed goods under the Milk Rules, above 10 litres
Organic drinks
Organic goods certificate in force at export
Other drinks
Prescribed only where a phytosanitary certificate is required
Customs
Export declaration for goods over A$2,000
GST
Exports GST-free if exported within 60 days of payment or invoice

Before the goods leave

The questions to answer, in the order they usually come up.

  1. 1Is the drink a milk product, or described as organic? Read more
  2. 2Does the importing country want a government certificate for it? Read more
  3. 3Is an export declaration needed? Read more
  4. 4Will the goods leave within the GST-free export window, and will the buyer claim an FTA tariff? Read more

The rules, by area

What each area covers, the texts that set it, and what the official pages say.

Export controls on drinks

Where the Export Control Act 2020 reaches beverages.

  • Milk and milk products from cattle intended to be exported as food are prescribed goods; liquid milk and milk products in a consignment of not more than 10 litres are not, unless an importing country requirement must be met through the Act.
  • Prescribed milk products are prepared at a registered establishment under an approved arrangement, and the exporter holds an export permit.
  • Plant products other than prescribed grain, fresh fruit and fresh vegetables become prescribed only where the importing country requires a phytosanitary certificate.
  • Goods described as organic, biodynamic or similar, or as including such ingredients, need an organic goods certificate in force at export.
  • A government certificate may be issued for goods that are not prescribed, where the importing country requires certification.

How we help: Compliant Always records which Export Control Rules apply to each drink and destination, and keeps the certificates with the shipment. Ask about this

Export declaration, GST and origin

Customs entry, tax treatment and preferential origin for exported drinks.

  • Goods worth more than A$2,000, goods needing an export permit and goods on which duty drawback is claimed are reported on an export declaration.
  • There are no customs duties on export.
  • A supply of goods is GST-free if the supplier exports them within 60 days, or a longer period the Commissioner allows, after receiving any of the payment or giving an invoice (section 38-185, GST Act).
  • Exporters claiming Australian origin for a preferential tariff keep the records behind the claim; for Japan, for at least five years.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the declaration, the dates that set the GST export window and the origin records with each shipment. Ask about this

Duty drawback on imported inputs

Refunds of customs duty on imported goods that are exported.

  • The ABF refunds customs duty on imported goods that are exported unused, or after being treated, processed or incorporated into other goods for export.
  • Claims are lodged within four years of export, at least A$100 each, with records kept for five years.
  • Imported goods used in manufacturing, such as machinery or filtration material, are not eligible.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the import and export records a drawback claim traces through, by lot. Ask about this

Who answers for what

WhoWhat they answer forHow we help
ExporterThe export declaration, any certificates and origin claims.The documents for each consignment kept together and dated.
ManufacturerPreparing prescribed dairy drinks at a registered establishment.Registration and batch records kept by product and lot.
Customs brokerLodging the export declaration for the owner.Permit and certificate numbers ready from the record.

Ports and certifying bodies

Export controls on food, plants and organic goods are Commonwealth law under the Export Control Act 2020, administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, with registered establishments and accredited properties across the states and territories.

Export declarations go to the Australian Border Force through the Integrated Cargo System, or at an ABF counter in each state or territory.

Where are the goods going?

Most of what soft drinks and other beverages have to meet is set where they are sold. Each guide sets out the rules on arrival, with the official source for each.

Questions businesses ask

Do I need an export licence for soft drinks from Australia?
Not as a rule. Under the Export Control Rules, drinks are prescribed goods when they are cow's milk products, described as organic, or plant products for which the importing country requires a phytosanitary certificate. Customs entry still applies above A$2,000.
Do flavoured milk drinks need an export permit?
Milk products from cattle exported as food are prescribed goods under the Milk Rules, so the exporter needs an export permit and preparation at a registered establishment. Liquid consignments of not more than 10 litres are generally outside the Rules.
Does fruit juice need a phytosanitary certificate to export from Australia?
Plant products other than prescribed grain and fresh produce become prescribed only where the importing country requires a phytosanitary certificate. The Secretary may then issue one once an export permit is in force and the goods are assessed.
How do I export organic juice or kombucha from Australia?
Goods described as organic or biodynamic, or as including organic ingredients, are prescribed organic goods. An organic goods certificate must be in force when they are exported.
Can I get a health certificate for exported drinks?
The Export Control Act 2020 allows government certificates for prescribed and non-prescribed goods, on matters a country requires certified before import.
Are exported drinks GST-free?
A supply of goods is GST-free if the supplier exports them within 60 days of receiving any payment or giving an invoice, or a longer period the Commissioner allows.
Is there customs duty on exports from Australia?
No. The ABF says there are no customs duties on export, though goods are under customs control once brought to a place for export.
When is an export declaration needed for beverages?
For goods worth more than A$2,000, goods that need an export permit, goods on which duty drawback is claimed, and dutiable or excisable goods with duty unpaid.
How does Compliant Always help with exporting from Australia?
Our team reads the rules for the routes you ship. Compliant Always shows which export documents apply to your product, keeps them with the shipment beside what the destination asks for, and watches the sources for changes. It shows what the requirements say and what your documents show; you decide.

Sources

Compliant Always is a product of Lettuce Labs LLC. It shows what requirements say and what your documents show. It is not legal advice, and you decide.

Tell us what you make, and we will show you the rules for it.

Name the product and the markets you sell in. We will come back to you with what applies in Australia and what your paperwork needs to show.

Get in touch

No card, no account, and no call to book. Tell us what you make and where you sell it, and we will come back to you.

Get in touch