The Government announced in the Autumn Statement of 2013, its intention to address alcohol fraud such as alcohol duty fraud, smuggling and diversion of alcoholic drinks into the UK with duty unpaid. It estimates that such fraud costs the taxpayer £1billion per year. There have been significant increases in the illicit trade in alcohol. This high level of fraud has prevented legitimate wholesalers and retailers from competing fairly.
The intention of the legislation is to introduce a registration scheme (“the Scheme”) for all wholesalers of alcohol. The legislation will also impact on those businesses that purchase alcohol from wholesalers. The scheme is included in the Finance Bill 2015 to come into effect in January 2016.
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