[Display omitted] • Simulated transport vibration accelerated the quality deterioration of table grapes during storage. • Vibration stress changed the morphology and chemical profile of cuticular wax in table grapes. • SO 2 treatment ameliorated vibration stress-induced losses in the postharvest quality of table grapes. • SO 2 treatment increased triterpenoid wax abundance by regulating related genes expression. The cuticular wax layer as a natural defensive barrier plays a key role in postharvest fruit quality maintenance. This study investigated the effects of simulated transport vibration (STV) on the berry quality and cuticular wax, and the ability of sulfur dioxide (SO 2) to ameliorate STV damage in table grapes during cold storage. Results showed that STV damage accelerated the deterioration in grapes quality, and resulted in degradation and melting of cuticular wax, accompanied by a decrease in load of total wax, triterpenoids, fatty acids, alcohols, and olefins while an increase in alkanes and esters content during subsequent storage. However, SO 2 effectively reversed the adverse impact of STV damage by increasing most wax fraction levels and corresponding genes expression, especially triterpenoids, although it had no apparent effect on wax structure. Overall, SO 2 delayed the quality deterioration caused by vibration damage that occurs during transportation and storage by altering cuticular wax composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]