Entry terms & conditions

1. Definitions and Interpretation

1.1 In these Terms and Conditions unless the context otherwise permits, the following words shall have the following meaning:

‘Agent’ shall mean an appointed forwarding agent of IWSC as detailed on the Website under ‘Shipping Samples’

‘Business Days’ shall mean a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) when banks in London are open for business.

‘Classes’ shall mean Trophy, Gold, Gold Outstanding, Silver or Bronze.

‘Competition’ shall mean the annual International Wine and Spirit Competition held by International Wine and Spirit Competition Limited.

‘Data’ shall mean all information recorded upon the Entry Form by the Entrant.

‘Depot’ shall mean the Agent’s Depot local to the Entrant as detailed in the Entry Brochure.

‘Entrant’ shall mean the producer/ importer/retailer of the Entry.

‘Entry/Entries’ shall mean the Wines, Spirits and Alternative Drinks entered into the competition by the Entrant.

‘Entry Brochure’ shall mean the Entry Brochure and/or E-Brochure, produced by the IWSC and included on the Website and/or Entry Pack.

‘Entry Pack’ shall mean the Entry Brochure, the Entry Form and T&C’s.

‘IWSC Foundation’ shall mean the charitable trust of the IWSC that encompasses all charitable giving of the IWSC. (Registered Charity No. 1180436)

‘IWSC Fulfilment Partners’ shall mean Sensible Wine Services (SWS) of Dana Trading Estate, 10 Transfesa Rd, Paddock Wood, TN12 6UT.

‘IWSC Bank Account’ shall mean the bank account held by IWSC; details of which are contained in the Entry Brochure.

‘IWSC’ shall mean a business of The Conversion Group, Unit 208, Canalot Studios, 222 Kensal Road, London W10 5BN (company registration number 6795023) and other subsidiaries.

‘IWSC Medal Artwork’ shall mean the downloadable low- and high-resolution logos corresponding to particular medal and scores won by entries.

‘IWSC Website’ shall mean the information and entry website of the IWSC at www.iwsc.net

‘Legal Information’ (for Entries produced in the EU) shall mean the information required to be included on all labels for wines and spirits in conformity with EU legislation.

‘Legal Information’ (for Entries outside the EU) shall mean the name and address of the producer, the alcohol content by volume, the name of the product, vintage (if applicable) and region of production.

‘Marketing and PR Strategy’ shall mean IWSC marketing and advertising strategy from time to time.

‘T&C’s’ shall mean these Terms and Conditions.

‘Website’ shall mean www.iwsc.net.

‘Winners Marketing Package’ shall mean the separate package which can be purchased online containing high resolution medal artwork

1.2 The section headings are included for convenience only and have no legal effect.

1.3 References to sections are references to sections of these T&Cs.

1.4 Words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa.

1.5 These T&Cs, the Entry Brochure and the Entrant’s completed Entry Form set out the entire agreement between the Entrant and IWSC in respect of the Entrant’s participation in the Competition and in the event of any conflict between them, these T&Cs shall prevail.

1.6 By submitting the Entry Form to the IWSC, the Entrant agrees to be bound by these T&C’s.

2. Application Process

2.1 The Entrant must enter the Competition by submitting an Entry Form to IWSC, paying the Entry Fee, and delivering the Entries to IWSC in accordance with section 5.

2.2 The completed Entry Form must be submitted to IWSC online and/or by email. It is the Entrant’s responsibility to ensure they obtain confirmation that the emailed Entry Form has been received by IWSC. IWSC will not accept any liability for any undelivered Entry Forms.

2.3 The Entrant must retain at least one copy of the Entry Form either manually or in their online IWSC account for the purposes of section 5.7.

3. Entries

3.1 All Entries must be finished and in their final container and sealed with the final seal, unless special dispensation has been granted by the IWSC.

3.2 Temporary labels may be applied to the final container but must include all Legal Information and lot numbers.

3.3 Entries must not contain any illegal additives. Any products submitted with illegal additives will forfeit their right to be tasted in the competition and all entry fees.

3.4 We are unable to accept drinks which are not legal to import into the UK, including (but not limited to) drinks with 1mg THC or greater per container.

3.5 Tank samples will not be accepted as Entries into the Competition.

3.6 In the event that the Entrant is not the producer of the Entries, the Entrant warrants that it has all necessary consents and permissions to enter the Entry into the Competition. The Entrant will indemnify the IWSC for any claims which arise as a result of the Entrant submitting an Entry which it does not have the authority to submit.

3.7 Entries submitted under the incorrect category will be reclassified and/or will forfeit their entry and entry fees.

3.9 For products where multiple liquids/flavours are included in an individual pack/SKU, each different liquid/flavour must be entered as a separate entry.

4. Payment

4.1 Each Entry Form must be accompanied by full payment of the Entry Fee, details along with an authority for the IWSC to charge the credit card, or a request for an invoice.

4.2 For Entries submitted online, the Entry Fee must be paid online by credit card or bank transfer. By special arrangement we can accept cheque or banker’s draft. Please contact the IWSC for further guidance.

4.3 For Entries submitted by email, the Entry Fee must be paid by credit card or bank transfer. By special arrangement IWSC can except cheque or banker’s draft. Please contact the IWSC for further guidance.

4.4 Where an Entrant is unable to make payment of the Entry Fee without an invoice, the Entrant may request an invoice from the IWSC. The IWSC may decline to accept a request for an invoice.

4.5 Where the IWSC decline to accept a request for an invoice the Entrant must make payment of the Entry Fee by one of the payment methods stated in section 4.3.

4.6 Entry Fee payments must clear into the IWSC’s Bank Account before the Entry in respect of which the Entry Fee has been paid, will be judged.

4.7 No refund or credit of an Entry Fee will be given in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances in which an Entry is disqualified, withdrawn, lost, damaged or fails to arrive on time.

4.8 Cancellation of Entry up to 3 months ahead of the commencement of judging will receive a full refund. Cancellation up to 30 days before the commencement of judging will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made within 30 days of the commencement of judging will not receive a refund. By submitting an Entry to the IWSC, the entrant agrees to abide by these terms and conditions.

5. Delivery, Risk and Title

5.1 It is the Entrant’s responsibility to ensure that the Entries are delivered to the IWSC Fulfilment Partner in accordance with the deadlines detailed under ‘Deadlines’ section of the website.

5.2 The Entrant may deliver the Entries directly to the IWSC Fulfilment Partner.

5.3 Alternatively the Entrant may deliver the Entries to the Agent or their nominated Depot. The Entrant is responsible for contacting the Agent directly to confirm the Agent’s delivery deadline for delivery to the Depot.

5.4 It is the Entrant’s responsibility to ensure they deliver the Entries to the Depot before the Agent’s deadline.

5.5 In the event that the Entrant misses the scheduled shipment by the Agent, the Entrant must contact the IWSC’s head office at the telephone number provided on the website prior to making alternative transportation arrangements.

5.6 Four (4) samples of all wine, sake and alternative drinks for bottle sizes - 500/700/750ml, or six (6) cans, and two (2) samples of all spirts must be submitted to the IWSC Fulfilment Partner or their Agents, unless special dispensation has been granted by the IWSC.

5.7 Each Entry must be accompanied by the summary sheet inside the container. The outside of the container must have the printable shipping label adhered along with Entrant name and requested details filled in.

5.8 The Entrant will be responsible for all delivery charges, the Agent’s fee, taxes, customs duty, insurances and storage. All such charges must be paid by the Entrant in advance of receipt of the Entry by the IWSC. The IWSC and IWSC Fulfilment Partners will not be held responsible for any late or undelivered entries resulting from shipments sent with duties or taxes unpaid. 

5.9 The Entrant will be responsible for making sure all legal paperwork is supplied to the Agent or courier when shipping. Please refer to the Shipping Information for wines, spirits and everything else for details of appropriate paperwork to include.

5.10 The Entries will be transported at the Entrant’s risk and it will be the Entrant’s responsibility to arrange adequate insurance. The IWSC will not be liable for any loss or damage to the Entries whatsoever whilst the Entries are in the possession of the Entrant, the Agent or at any stage during the delivery process.

5.11 Title in the Entries will pass to the IWSC upon receipt of the Entries to the IWSC Fulfilment Partner.

5.12 The IWSC will not be responsible for any loss or damage to the Entry, whilst in the possession of the IWSC and/or its fulfilment partner prior to or during the Competition.

5.13 In the event of loss or damage to the Entry, whilst in the possession of the IWSC and/or the IWSC Fulfilment Partner prior to the Competition, the Entrant will be required to submit a replacement at their own expense.

5.14 The Agent, IWSC Fulfilment Partner and the IWSC are unable to return any unopened or excess Entries to the Entrant once they have been received by the Depot or the IWSC Fulfilment Partner.

5.15 Upon completion of the Competition, any unopened Entries will be donated to auction houses in favour of the IWSC Foundation or used for promotional activities throughout the year.

5.16 In the event of liquid being deemed faulty by IWSC judges, no refund or credit of an Entry Fee will be given in these circumstances.

6. The Competition

6.1 All entries will be judged in adhere to the IWSC judging process. We are not able to incorporate specific individual serve preferences.

6.2 Feedback will be given on non-award-winning entrants with the exception of our add-on awards (Design Awards, Mixer Awards).

6.3 The judges’ decisions will be final and will not be open to challenge.

6.4 Entrants will not have any involvement in the appointment of the judges.

7. Winners

7.1 By submitting their Entry all Entrants agree that in the event of gaining a winning entry, they agree to take part in any publicity reasonably requested by the IWSC.

7.2 The names of all winners in all Classes will be published on the IWSC Website on completion of each Competition.

7.3 Publication will be in accordance with the IWSC’s Marketing strategy.

7.4 Winning Entrants agree that the IWSC may publish details and particulars of the winning Entries in all classes in accordance with its Marketing and PR strategy.

7.5 Entrants agree that the IWSC may photograph and reproduce photographs of Entrants and/or winning Entries. The IWSC warrant that they will obtain the necessary permissions and consents for the purposes of reproduction of photographs.

7.6 Entrants agree that they will only use the IWSC’s name, logo and Winners Marketing Package to promote specific winning Entries and not to promote their whole range. Only the winning Entries may be promoted as winners of the IWSC awards.

7.7 Winning Entrants will cease to use the IWSC name, logo, and Winners Marketing Package at any time upon 14 days’ notice from the IWSC requiring them to do so.

7.8 Winning Entrants may publicise their award provided the year in which it was won is stated.

7.9 The IWSC logo is the property of the IWSC and any unauthorised use, reproduction or alteration is strictly prohibited. Any breach may result in a ban from entering the IWSC in the future, a penalty and/or prosecution.

7.10 Winners may download low resolution and/or high resolution purchased logos from the website. In doing so they agree that these will only be used for the promotion of winning entries in a specific year.

7.11 Medal logos may not be reproduced as stickers unless written permission is given by the IWSC.

7.12 Bottle stickers must be purchased directly from the IWSC unless written permission is granted by the IWSC.

7.13 Sticker delivery is free of charge, but it is the responsibility of the receiver to pay any import costs to the shipping carrier, such as VAT, duties and clearing fees, upon delivery.

7.14 The IWSC medal artwork is the property of IWSC and any unauthorised use, reproduction or alteration is strictly prohibited. Any breach may result in a ban from entering the IWSC in the future, a penalty and/or prosecution.

7.15 If the name of the wine/spirit/alternative drink and/or packaging changes during the life span of the medal, then written permission must be sought from the IWSC to confirm that the award may be transferred. Analytical proof that the contents of the wine/spirit/alternative drink remain unchanged from the time of the original entry may be required.

7.16 Entry names may be edited for publication in order to comply with the IWSC's style guide.

7.17 The entrant takes responsibility for ensuring that all of the information supplied relating to the entries is correct. The IWSC reserves the right to withdraw an entry if false information has been provided.

8. General

8.1 The IWSC may vary these T&Cs at any time without notice to the Entrants. Any revision of these T&Cs will be placed upon the Website without notice to Entrants. In the event that the Entrant does not agree to be bound by any amended T&Cs, they must withdraw from the Competition.

8.2 All Data will be held on databases operated and maintained by the IWSC, Nexus, and Ecce Media Ltd. Such data will be used for the purposes of maintaining business contact records, updating Entrants on the IWSC’s and Nexus’ activities and for use upon the Website.

8.3 Notices shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or sent by pre-paid first-class post to the IWSC at their head office address and to the Entrant at the address set out on the Entry Form. A correctly addressed notice sent by pre-paid first-class post shall be deemed to have been received two Business Days after posting in the case of a notice sent from an address in the United Kingdom to another address in the United Kingdom and 5 Business Days after posting if sent to or from an address outside of the United Kingdom. Notices shall not be valid if sent by email.

8.4 Any waiver by the IWSC of a breach of any of the Entrant’s obligations under these T&Cs shall not amount to a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same obligation or any other obligation under these T&Cs.

8.5 Any breach of the T&Cs will result in the disqualification of the Entrant and their entries and the forfeit of all fees paid.

8.6 The IWSC reserves the right to cancel the Competition at any stage, and for any reason including circumstances which are outside of the IWSC's control.

8.7 In the event of a dispute, the IWSC’s decision will be final.

8.8 These T&Cs shall be governed by English law and the parties irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.

This document was updated 26 July 2023