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A Country-by-Country Breakdown of Asia's Wine Taxes

A Country-by-Country Breakdown of Asia's Wine Taxes

China’s Biggest Wine Influencer Is Calling it Quits/ Hong Kong Cuts Spirits Tax to 10%

Natalie Wang
October 16, 2024

Hello, this is Natalie.

What a week in the world of wine and spirits! Hong Kong has just unveiled a groundbreaking policy, slashing the spirits tax from 100% to 10%—but there's a twist. Find out what this means for the local spirits industry in our full story.

In a surprising turn of events, Wang Shenghan, better known as Lady Penguin to her millions of fans, announced on her 36th birthday that she’s stepping back from her role as the beloved wine influencer and scaling down her company. In an emotional video, she opened up about the burnout and personal struggles behind her decision. Get the full scoop on what’s next for her.

Meanwhile, China Taiwan has quietly become one of Asia’s hottest markets for wine, which has been outperforming other alcoholic beverages with remarkable growth over the past decade—so much so that some now refer to it as “red gold.” Don’t miss our in-depth look at the local market and its top importers.

Ever got so confused by different wine taxes across Asia? Here's a country-by-country breakdown to look at different wine taxes from wine paradise like Hong Kong to extremely prohibitive and dry Muslim country Malaysia.

Plus, learn from the cautionary tale of a Hainan merchant selling low-alcohol wine in China, and stay informed on Treasury Wine Estates’ AU$65 million class action settlement over “misleading” earnings guidance.

Stay updated on all the key stories shaping Asia’s wine industry. Don’t forget to subscribe for access to exclusive content and help spread the word to others who might be interested!

How Much Are Wine Taxes in Asia? A Country-by-Country Breakdown

How much wine taxes do you have to pay for imported wines in Asia? Here, we offer a country-by-country breakdown to help wineries and importers tap into these markets.

Breaking: Hong Kong Cuts Spirits Tax to 10%

Hong Kong has announced a major reduction in its spirits tax, slashing it from 100% to 10% on spirits priced above HKD 200 (US$25) per bottle, in a bid to replicate the success of its earlier wine tariff removal.

Taiwan’s Wine Imports Surge 8% Annually Over Last Decade

Taiwan’s wine imports have grown at an average annual rate of 8% over the past decade, outpacing all other alcoholic beverages. This steady increase has led supermarkets to view wine as a lucrative “red gold,” eager to seize the business opportunities it brings.

China’s Biggest Wine Influencer Is Calling it Quits

In the emotional video, Wang didn’t hold back and shared her personal struggle with burnout and emotional exhaustion. Wang shared that her life in recent years has been “painful most of the time, with only occasional relief.” She expressed frustration over working tirelessly but still failing to make the company profitable, while also seeing a drop in engagement and traffic.

Treasury Wine Estates to Pay AU$65 Million to Settle Class Action Over 2020 Downgrade

However, there was a bright spot: the mainland China market, ranked seventh, recorded growth in both volume and value, highlighting the rising popularity of New Zealand wines, particularly white wines, in China.

France Further Lowers 2024 Wine Production, With Burgundy Down by 35%

It is expected that 2024 will be one of the smallest vintages in recent history for renowned wine regions like Burgundy, Champagne, and Bordeaux, while the impact on Burgundy prices remains uncertain.

Hainan Merchant Fined for Selling Expired Moscato Amid China’s Wine Glut

A wine merchant in Hainan, China’s southernmost province, has been fined more than 100 times the retail price for selling expired Moscato from Accolade Wines, Australia’s second-largest wine producer, amid ongoing struggles to deplete aging inventory.