Notice

Excise Notice 2002: Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme

Find out the effects of the law and regulations covering the introduction of the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme.

From:
HM Revenue & Customs
Published
30 November 2015
Last updated
13 February 2024 — See all updates

Documents

Excise Notice 2002 — Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme

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Details

This notice cancels and replaces Notice 2002 (September 2020).

Updates to this page

Published 30 November 2015
Last updated 13 February 2024 + show all updates

  1. We have updated this notice to align with changes to Alcohol Duty that came into effect on 1 August 2023.

  2. This guidance has been updated to confirm new owners of an existing AWRS approved business must submit an application for AWRS approval in their own right prior to trading.

  3. This guidance has been updated because the Brexit transition period has ended.

  4. Section 6.9 has been updated to confirm that HMRC will disregard convictions that are spent under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 when considering a person’s fit and proper status.

  5. This notice has been amended at paragraph 10.4 (force of law text) Regulation 5 of the Wholesaling of Controlled Liquor Regulations 2015, to clarify the notification requirements where there is a change in business ownership

  6. This notice has been amended at paragraph 10.4 (force of law text), Regulations 5 of the Wholesaling of Controlled Liquor Regulations 2015, to clarify what you must do if you use any premises for storing alcohol other than your principal place of business.

  7. Annex A (1) (c) has been updated to explain the type of items that need to be preserved for your records.  

  8. Paragraphs 9.1, 10.4, 15.2 and Annex A have been changed to make the information clearer.

  9. A link to the AWRS online service has been added at section 6.5 of the Notice.

  10. This notice has been updated to clarify what is meant by 'controlled liquor'.

  11. Section 13 ‘Trade buyers obligations’ has been updated to advise of reasonable checks that may be applied to verify the wholesaler you are dealing with and also what to consider when making a wholesale purchase from a business not approved for Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme by HMRC.

  12. This notice cancels and replaces Notice 2002 March 2017. Details of any changes to the previous version can be found in paragraph 1.2 of this notice.

  13. Paragraph 4.5 and 13.4 amended.

  14. Sections 7.1, 12.6 and 14.6 have been updated.

  15. Sections 7.1 and 14.6 have been updated.

  16. First published.

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