Whisky Forum - Ordering whisky from Switzerland

CGRenn · Master Of Malts Joined: 09 Feb 2015 Posts: 684

Odd guestion - Has anyone order a bottle of whisky from Switzerland to the UK? Iâ€™ve found a really good deal on a rare malts bottles and woundered if I would get stung at Customs?

James T · Master Of Malts Joined: 05 Feb 2011 Posts: 2963

I am not really sure were Switzerland stands these days, Switzerland do participate to some extent in the EUs single market but I think that is now under negotiation as they have withdrew their application to join the EU.

Cant the seller tell you for sure as it may be no different from receiving whisky from any non EU countries which is if it has a value of Â£15 up to Â£135 it will be subject to import VAT, over Â£135 it will be subject to import VAT and customs duty. I suppose parcels can sometimes sneak through without incurring tax and duty, its the chance you take.

torcross · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2017 4:52 pm Post subject:

I'm pretty sure all alcohol outside of EU are liable to duty & VAT .'. as Switzerland is outside EU duty & VAT will be payable normally by the courier company who will bill you for it.

Off topic but if you do purchase alcohol to the UK from the EU online it is the responsibility of the seller to take care of the VAT duty etc, hence why on some sites it will calculate the VAT from the county you are in under the sale of excise goods from one EU country to another.

lincoln imp · Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2017 12:10 am Post subject:

torcross · Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2017 7:06 am Post subject:

Here is what it says from HMRC for EU to EU

11.3 If I purchase goods from another member state, for example, over the internet, am I also responsible for paying the UK duty?
No. The vendor in the member state of dispatch is responsible for ensuring that the UK duty is paid before they send the goods. However, the vendor is likely to pass on this cost in the purchase price. If the vendor does not make sure that the UK duty is paid, the goods are liable to forfeiture on arrival in the UK.

So you are not liable for duty etc but if it is not paid goods liable to be seized.

RN Rob · Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2017 8:57 pm Post subject:

Yes but Switzerland is not a member state of the EU

CGRenn · Master Of Malts Joined: 09 Feb 2015 Posts: 684

Seems like an absolute Nightmare. Iâ€™ve been looking hard and think Iâ€™ve found something available at the same price elsewhere. Iâ€™ll keep ya all updated