Drinks wholesalers face stiff "penalties" for not registering with HMRC
All wholesalers that sell alcohol will have to register with the HMRC by 2017 under new rules set to be introduced early next year.
Drinks warehouses must be HMRC registered by 2017New rules set to be in place next year
All wholesalers that sell alcohol will have to register with the HMRC by 2017 under new rules set to be introduced early next year.
Equally any drinks retailer or on-trade outlet that sells alcohol from a non-registered wholesaler could then face "significant penalties", according to Harpers sister tile, The Publican's Morning Advertiser.
The move is part of the government's bid to clamp down on the illicit sale of alcohol in the UK which is said to cost taxpayers over £1 billion a year and "make it more difficult for criminals to distribute tax-unpaid alcohol".
The new process will be known as the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme and will give HMRC new powers to tackle any wholesaler that does not sign up. This will involve seizing any alcohol on the premises of the unregistered wholesaler whether duty has been paid or not. Serious offenders will receive fines of £5,000 or more.
The move will also "remove the excuse of ignorance" from any off-trade or on-trade outlet found selling alcohol from an unregistered wholesaler. A new online checking system will be put in place to allow retailers, restaurants, bars, pubs and hotels to check quickly whether a wholesaler is registered.
The HMRC is reported to be looking to issue this autumn technical consultation on the draft legislation in the Finance Bill 2015.
The scheme was first announced in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement in 2013
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