Selling alcohol online

[getsetgonline]

Not sure if this has been covered, but what licenses are required to sell alcohol over the web?
My idea will be in the bulk sale and not individual.

Cheers

 

[swisslogistics]

Id be very intrested to know how this thread goes... A freind of mine was looking at something similar with both fags and booze but it never got off the ground due to the restrictions in place.

Personally I think the best bet would be to buy a boat, take it to the nearest place in europe or just out of europe, fill it with lots of cheap booze and fags, anchor say 15miles of the cost of england (in international waters) and let the customers come to you... possible have a few small motor launches that can be operated by people in the UK to facilitate shoppers.

I remember one guy doing such a thing for quite a while and there was not a thing customs could do about it, I think he got bitten when his boat was taking on water and he came into port without declaring what was on board, but if he had declared what was on board he would have got away with it... just remeber...never get caught in the get away car!

Does anyone else agree with me that fags and booze are too heavily taxed in the UK?

Those that do should come up with some ideas on how we can within the law get around this... its goto be something creative and out of the box to work, like the guy in international waters !

Best Regards

 

As a qualified licensee, that has taken the exams: - and also owned offlicenses- till I sold my retail business a few months ago -

dont try to get clever with HMCE, they will make it a mission to beat you, and they have resources to do it, you dont!

One of the interesting things to check out in the law ( and I dont know the answer) is when studying for the exam I noticed a snippet that you dont need a regular license to wholesale booze - that is if the quantities are greater than 2 cases per transaction. I dont remember the details - it might be worth checking out.

 

[swisslogistics]

Dont really agree with the statement that one shouldnt get clever with HMCE...

Im all for it, as long as you are WITHIN the law, then why not try it on?

They take the p*** with legit traders on a daily basis, becuase they can, so the same holds true in reverse, if you are 200% sure that your not breaking any laws go for it, watch them squirm and run around like headless chickens!

They can try and try and try, BUT it stands...if you are within the law they can huff and puff but they cant blow your house down.

Ive had many many instances where HMCE have either wanted to inspect my goods, or they cast doubt over the paperwork, the goods or just felt like being gits, BUT every single time ive come down on them as hard as I possibly can (but in a nice way, never rant and rave, always be polite, to the point and make them belive they are important, and busy etc etc) and not once have they refused to clear goods at an accpetable pace.

Alot has been said in many places that HMCE are a law within the law, this is true and false, just because they are HMCE does not mean they are not answerable to anyone...

Maybe im more confrontational with regards to HMCE than others, but they certainly dont do me any favours...

 

[ChrisMono]

Does anyone else agree with me that fags and booze are too heavily taxed in the UK?

If the governement showed any sign of efficiency then I would disagree with you. Although the government take advantage of the inelasticity and de-merit status of the products, it is a good, excusable way to create tax. But the waste a lot of money.. so Im undecided

 

Thats not what i meant

I am willing to have a go at any government body, to save any pennies I can: and i can tell you , I took one tax issue beyond losing the appeal process, to win in the end. I proved that the investigatino had been incompetent. But it didnt set any precedents.

What I was trying to say, was if you find a loophole, that is in danger of becoming a massive precedent - that welsh booze vessel - that is when they will make it a mission to beat you!

Check out the rules on wholesaling. It might lead to an interesting conclusion....

 

[getsetgonline]

So can I gather that the same rules apply to online enterprises as do the average corner shop?

 

So can I gather that the same rules apply to online enterprises as do the average corner shop?

Absolutely! you need a liquor license , and these days now it is out of magistrates hands the process is tougher and less objective - if you want to do this, go work in an off license part time - put yourself thru a professional licensing exam, and then apply for the license.

A new license takes a long time.

If you want to short circuit that, buy a store which has a license, and use that as a base for your delivery op - but even then you will need a qualified DPS.

 

UNLESS

As i said there used to be a loop hole for wholesalers selling multiple case quantities. Check out the rules on this.

 

[Osiris]

The loophole for selling alcohol in wholesale quantities went out with the old licensing act I'm afraid. There's a slightly different exemption now which only applies to sales of alcohol 'to a trader for the purpose of his trade' which pretty much just means sales to pubs/bars/restaurants/etc (people who are in the business of selling alcohol) are exempt.

If you're selling direct to the public or even to a business that doesn't sell alcohol in the course of their trade you'll need a licence, or at least whoever is taking care of the distribution will need a licence. The question of where the licence applies to can be complicated and you'll need to get specific advice on it to be certain you're not going to get into trouble.

 

Out of interest how are you going to prove that sales are being made to someone genuinely over the legal age? We all know kids can go online and buy things with mummies credit card, but at least in an offlicence the shopkeeper can demand some form of proof, but how do you guarantee that online?

 

[sendit.co.uk]

Out of interest how are you going to prove that sales are being made to someone genuinely over the legal age? We all know kids can go online and buy things with mummies credit card, but at least in an offlicence the shopkeeper can demand some form of proof, but how do you guarantee that online?

I'll be interested to see how this thread goes. I am looking to add personalised champayne bottles to my store, which will be sent out by a third party.

Would I need any form of license? How should I ensure that the customer is over 18?! Would I be liable if I sold a bottle and it was sent out to somebody under the age of 18?!

Trevor

 

[Osiris]

I am looking to add personalised champayne bottles to my store, which will be sent out by a third party.

Would I need any form of license? How should I ensure that the customer is over 18?! Would I be liable if I sold a bottle and it was sent out to somebody under the age of 18?!

Trevor

Without knowing the exact ins and outs of what you're suggesting, if the distributor is allocating which particular bottle of champagne goes to which particular customer then it's most likely they're the ones who would need a licence for their premises. It really does depend on the exact circumstances though.

Also, it's the distributor who would be likely to be first in line for any underage sale prosecutions, but that's not to say that a licensing authority wouldn't come after you too. However, there are plenty of safeguards you could put in place to protect yourself.

It's a bit hard to advise much further without getting into specifics and I hope you understand that's what I try to make a living from!

 

[Goodegging]

i demand to have some booze! (hic)

 

[phil knight]

According to Leeds City Council Licencing department you need a liquor licence if you are retailing from a premises or in any way 'handle' the alcohol yourself. Therefore for an on-line business it isn't necessarily a requirement. However, either your wholesaler or distributor would need the requisite licenses

 

[Virtual_Karen]

I wonder if anyone can help.

We have a company who will be sending out the alcohol (which will be kept in a secured location), our role will be to place orders for the alcohol from the alcohol company and also accept payment for an online business selling alcohol online to the public.

What kind of licences would I need to do this?

 

[phil knight]

Karen

You'll need to discuss your exact business model with your local city council.

They each interpret the licensing laws slightly differently and have authority to grant/revoke licenses pretty much at a whim.

As I understand it, if you do not handle the alcohol yourself you should be ok but you'll need to think about returns, urgent orders etc where the pressure would be on you to receive alcohol at your business address.

Ensure you get a name from the council if they say you don't need a licence as well. You may need to prove at some later stage that you checked as they probably won't give you a written letter confirming that you don't need a licence !