Duty Stamps abolition

Duty stamps abolition

The UK is abandoning its duty stamps regime for spirits.

The scheme will remain mandatory until 01 May 2025, so all eligible products imported or released from duty suspense before that date will need a duty stamp, with severe penalties for non-compliance, including seizure of all unstamped bottles.

We understand the proposal is simply to abolish the provisions requiring stamping, so there will be no prohibition on selling stamped products and no requirement to obliterate UK duty stamps on products being sold in the UK or exported. 

Therefore after 30 April next year, businesses will be able to sell spirits >30% abv in bottles of 35cl or larger in the UK, without having to apply duty stamps. The restrictive duty stamps regime has acted as a barrier to EU and other international businesses wishing to make direct to consumer sales by internet. If your business sells spirits and would like to expand to offer these to the UK, 4 Eyes Ltd can assist.