To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much delay occurs at UK ports when importing alcoholic drinks from the EU in order to deal with VAT, currency and excise differences.
Answered on
29 October 2018
Legitimate consignments of goods (including alcohol) arriving from the EU are subject to the EU principle of free movement and as such as they can enter and exit the port without the need for a declaration and normally without Border Force intervention.
Imported alcohol normally travels into the UK under EU wide duty suspension arrangements. The duty is paid by producers or warehouse keepers when products are released onto the UK market for consumption.
Border Force has a remit to conduct customs revenue work and protect the revenue at the border. This involves making interventions and taking appropriate action when alcohol fraud and illicit consignments are detected.
Border Force and HMRC work together to facilitate legitimate movements of alcohol across the border but will take action when fraud and evasion is detected.