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Global Drinks Awards (GDI) – Terms & Conditions

Last updated on 16/02/2026
  1. By submitting an entry to the Global Drinks Awards (“the Awards”), you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions.
  2. All deadlines for entry submission and sample receipt must be strictly followed. Entries or samples received after the published deadlines may be disqualified without refund.
  3. Entries are only valid once the online entry form is completed in full and the entry fee has been paid.
  4. Entrants are responsible for all UK customs duties, taxes, import charges and shipping costs. GDI may invoice entrants for any unpaid charges incurred on receipt or refuse entry and return the goods to sender. Samples shipped unpaid or incorrectly declared may be destroyed or refused without liability to GDI.
  5. Entrants are responsible for ensuring their chosen courier is licensed to ship alcohol to the UK.
  6. GDI accepts no responsibility for bottles that are lost, damaged, delayed or held in customs. Administrative and judging costs are incurred upon entry; therefore, no refunds or credits will be issued for samples delayed, damaged, rejected or not received.
  7. For judging, GDI must receive by the deadline either 2 x 70cl/75cl/1L or 3 x 50cl bottles per entry, unless otherwise specified in category guidelines, at the address provided. Overseas entrants must include a commercial invoice (see Shipping Guidelines: https://globaldrinksawards.com/shipping-guidelines).
  8. Entry fees exclude UK VAT, which will be added for UK-based entrants.
  9. GDI may change the judging panel without notice and may reassign entries to more suitable categories. Category placement and final judging methodology remain at GDI’s sole discretion. All judging decisions are final, confidential, and no correspondence will be entered into.
  10. By entering, you grant GDI a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use entry materials for Awards reporting, editorial coverage and promotional activity across print, digital and social channels. Winners consent to the use of their name, brand name and photographs for publicity.
  11. All entries must be approved by the brand owner and entrants confirm they hold all necessary rights and permissions for the materials submitted and that all information provided is accurate at the time of entry.
  12. Entrants confirm that all products submitted comply with relevant alcohol regulations in their market of sale and with applicable UK regulations for the purposes of judging and with any export restrictions or documentation requirements in the country of origin.
  13. GDI reserves the right to disqualify any entry that is incomplete, inaccurate, misleading, non-compliant, or which may bring the Awards or GDI into disrepute.
  14. If samples arrive damaged, replacement bottles may be accepted at GDI’s discretion, provided they can still be received before the published deadline. Damaged bottles cannot be returned.
  15. Samples submitted will not be returned. GDI reserves the right to use remaining product samples for judge calibration, staff training, promotional activity, industry education or charity fundraising initiatives.
  16. GDI does not guarantee that any entry will receive an award or medal. Medal artwork and logos may only be used in accordance with GDI’s published brand-usage guidelines.
  17. Any feedback provided reflects the professional opinion of judges at the time of assessment and does not constitute product certification or regulatory approval.
  18. GDI reserves the right to withdraw awards or medals if information provided is later found to be inaccurate, misleading, or if the product is subsequently found to be non-compliant with relevant regulations.
  19. GDI reserves the right to correct any published errors relating to entries, results or promotional materials.
  20. GDI reserves the right to postpone, reschedule or amend the judging process in the event of circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to venue issues, transport disruption, public health events, or government restrictions.
  21. GDI’s total liability to any entrant shall not exceed the amount of the entry fee paid.
  22. These Terms & Conditions are governed by English law and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
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