Crazy "Spirit Swap" idea I just had
Discussion
I'm 98% certain the answer to this is no, but it feels "equitable" and perhaps there is an alternative thing I've not considered so just in case:
Is there any kind of way to "swap" duty on spirits by taking some UK duty paid spirits out of the country, and bring non UK duty paid spirits back into the country of the equivalent quantity?
The reason I am asking is that I am on a family trip soon where I will be taking (amongst other things) whisky out of the UK (as presents) and coming back with Zambian Cachasu (moonshine, basically - it has an indescribable taste which makes it great to give to guests). Usually I only bring back a bottle (and thus it's under personal allowance) but I'd like to bring back a few litres this time because due to expecting a child I probably won't be back for at least 18 months. So some kind of "swap" scheme would be ideal.
If no such thing exists - and realistically I appreciate it probably doesn't but no harm asking - are customs ok in principle with moonshine? It obviously won't be in labelled bottles or anything and won't meet UK food hygiene laws but it's for personal consumption and you could say the same thing about yank Mountain Dew for instance - so am I fine to take it to the red channel and just ask to pay tax on it? Ultimately it's just an alcoholic beverage at the end of the day, just not a respectable one.
Is there any kind of way to "swap" duty on spirits by taking some UK duty paid spirits out of the country, and bring non UK duty paid spirits back into the country of the equivalent quantity?
The reason I am asking is that I am on a family trip soon where I will be taking (amongst other things) whisky out of the UK (as presents) and coming back with Zambian Cachasu (moonshine, basically - it has an indescribable taste which makes it great to give to guests). Usually I only bring back a bottle (and thus it's under personal allowance) but I'd like to bring back a few litres this time because due to expecting a child I probably won't be back for at least 18 months. So some kind of "swap" scheme would be ideal.
If no such thing exists - and realistically I appreciate it probably doesn't but no harm asking - are customs ok in principle with moonshine? It obviously won't be in labelled bottles or anything and won't meet UK food hygiene laws but it's for personal consumption and you could say the same thing about yank Mountain Dew for instance - so am I fine to take it to the red channel and just ask to pay tax on it? Ultimately it's just an alcoholic beverage at the end of the day, just not a respectable one.
The duty is about £12 for a litre bottle if it's normal strength.
You might be able to buy UK duty free for export, but it's hard to avoid paying through the nose for a few bottles.
Then you might have to pay duty on arrival.
There are a few urban legends of some more 'off the beaten track' spirits not being allowed into the UK, a few issues like containing methanol which makes you go blind, or 'psycho-active substances'.
You might be able to buy UK duty free for export, but it's hard to avoid paying through the nose for a few bottles.
Then you might have to pay duty on arrival.
There are a few urban legends of some more 'off the beaten track' spirits not being allowed into the UK, a few issues like containing methanol which makes you go blind, or 'psycho-active substances'.
OutInTheShed said:
The duty is about £12 for a litre bottle if it's normal strength.
You might be able to buy UK duty free for export, but it's hard to avoid paying through the nose for a few bottles.
Then you might have to pay duty on arrival.
There are a few urban legends of some more 'off the beaten track' spirits not being allowed into the UK, a few issues like containing methanol which makes you go blind, or 'psycho-active substances'.
I'm absolutely certain that it's "legit" moonshine in the sense that there are no psychoactive chemicals added intentionally. Of course with the crazy legal highs ban who knows... You might be able to buy UK duty free for export, but it's hard to avoid paying through the nose for a few bottles.
Then you might have to pay duty on arrival.
There are a few urban legends of some more 'off the beaten track' spirits not being allowed into the UK, a few issues like containing methanol which makes you go blind, or 'psycho-active substances'.
Tony1963 said:
I’d be disappointed if such a product was allowed into the U.K. it would probably be easier, but illegal, to make it yourself.
I would be disappointed if it were allowed in to be sold to random folk on the street at the nearest off licence, but to consenting adults, what's the issue? And me making it myself (if I even had a clue how) would lose all of its "magic". It's for things like dinner parties, for example when my CEO comes around I will often give him some. Middle class people who don't really venture outside the west much enjoy authentic African moonshine. This is totally understandable.It is very important to me to do the importation legally and strictly by the book, even if it means faffing around in the red channel for a while after 16 hours in the air. Previously it's always come under personal allowance. I've never made a customs declaration before.
Anyway the main question was about "swapping" duty - I am not remotely surprised that this doesn't exist but just checking no one has heard of it? Is there perhaps, as an alternative, a way to claim back duty on spirits I am taking over to Zambia as personal gifts? I could then offset it against the duty of what I'm bringing in.
I just calculated our total baggage allowance (including hand luggage) is 220kg so plenty of scope for a decent amount...
Edited by Somewhatfoolish on Sunday 14th May 01:33
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