The sale of alcohol through e-commerce in the United Kingdom is a growing industry. According to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, online sales of alcohol in the UK grew by 23% in 2020. However, with the sale of alcohol comes specific regulations that e-commerce retailers must follow. One of the most crucial aspects of e-commerce for alcohol is the fulfilment process.

Fulfilment refers to the process of receiving an order, picking the products, packing them, and delivering them to the customer. The e-commerce fulfilment process can be more complicated than in traditional brick-and-mortar stores because of the additional steps required to ensure that the sale of alcohol is compliant with UK laws. With DEVLND’s order fulfilment service, you can be sure that orders will be processed and delivered with superior care and efficiency.

Here at DEVLND, we take care of your logistics & inventory management at our fulfilment centre,

There are several things e-commerce businesses need to keep in mind when setting up their fulfilment process for alcohol sales. Here are some of the most important considerations:

Age Verification

Age verification is crucial when it comes to the sale of alcoholic products. In the UK, it is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 18. E-commerce businesses must verify the age of the customer before completing the sale. This can be done in several ways, such as requiring customers to enter their date of birth or using an age verification service.

Delivery Options

E-commerce businesses that sell alcohol must ensure that their delivery options comply with UK laws. For example, it is illegal to deliver alcohol to someone who is intoxicated. Delivery companies may also have their own policies on delivering alcohol, such as requiring a signature from someone over the age of 18.

Packaging

When it comes to packaging, e-commerce businesses must ensure that their products are packaged in a way that complies with UK regulations. For example, alcohol must be packaged in a way that prevents it from leaking or breaking during transport. It must also be labelled correctly, including the name and address of the seller, the type of alcohol, the volume of alcohol, and the strength of the alcohol. Our in-house warehousing team are trained in expertly handling delicate items such as glass, as well as picking, packing and despatching with superior accuracy.

Licences and Permits

E-commerce businesses that sell alcohol must have the appropriate licences and permits. In the UK, businesses must have a Personal Licence and a Premises Licence to sell alcohol. The Personal Licence allows an individual to sell alcohol, while the Premises Licence allows a business to sell alcohol from a specific location. E-commerce businesses may also need a Home Office licence to sell alcohol online.

Tax and Duty

E-commerce businesses that sell alcohol must pay tax and duty on their products. In the UK, there are several types of tax and duty that apply to alcohol, including Excise Duty, Value Added Tax (VAT), and Duty Stamps. E-commerce businesses must ensure that they are paying the correct amount of tax and duty on their products.

Secure Storage and Handling

E-commerce businesses must ensure that their products are stored and handled correctly. For example, alcohol must be stored in a cool, dry place and away from direct sunlight. It must also be handled carefully to prevent damage to the packaging or the product itself. Using DEVLND as your fulfilment provider means that appropriate storage and handling is taken care of, leaving you without hassle and more time to focus on your business.

Returns and Refunds

E-commerce businesses that sell alcohol must have a clear policy on returns and refunds. In the UK, customers have a legal right to return products within 14 days of receiving them. However, there are restrictions on returning alcohol, such as if the seal on the bottle has been broken. E-commerce businesses must ensure that their policies comply with UK laws. As your fulfilment partner, we handle your returns promptly and with upmost care and consideration for your brand.

Fulfilment solutions for businesses that sell alcohol in the UK is more complicated than for other products due to the specific regulations that apply. E-commerce businesses must ensure that they are complying with UK laws when it comes to age verification, delivery options, packaging, licences and permits, tax and duty, storage and handling, and returns and refunds.

DEVLND are fully integrated with many top ecommerce platforms such as Shopify, Woocommerce, and more! See our Integrations page for further info.

Choosing DEVLND for your alcohol fulfilment service will ensure that your business’s orders are taken care of in a professional, bespoke and efficient manner. No matter the size of your business, find out you can grow your online store with DEVLND by getting in touch with us today!