WINE01030 - Introduction: law and regulations

Main Laws

• The Finance (No. 2) Act 2023
• The Wine and Made-wine Regulations 1989 (WMWR)

These laws govern the production, holding and movement of wine and other fermented product.

Purpose and application of the law

There will be occasions when you will be faced with issues not precisely covered by these guidelines. In such cases, you, or your line manager, will need to consider whether or not a trader's request or problem can be accommodated within the law.

We expect that most problems will be resolved locally. However, issues that may affect policy or practices in other parts of the country should be referred to the Alcohol Technical Support Team. 

Other legislation that applies to wine producers

• The Customs and Excise Management Act 1979
• The Revenue Traders (Accounts and Records) Regulations 1992
• The Excise Goods (Drawback) Regulations 1995
• The Excise Goods (Holding, Movement and Duty Point) Regulations 2010

Council Directive 92/83/EEC

This is the main European Directive dealing with the harmonisation of the structures of excise duty on alcohol and alcoholic beverages. Section 2 of the Directive is concerned with wine. This Directive still applies for Northern Ireland, subject to amendments made through the Windsor Framework Agreement.