Taking Homebrew from EU to UK

[xozzx]

Someone here might know the legalities of this.... from a google search I cannot find any answers.

So I am currently living in Bucharest, Romania and work have transferred me back to UK. They will pay to ship all my belongings back, I have about 40L cider and 25L beer which I didn't manage to finish :whistle:

Do you think I can (legally!) ship these back with my belongings? I want to keep the bottles but may as well keep the brew in them too if I can... I recon if they are not for resale I should be fine...

 

[Razor]

This is from the Royal Mail site, but I'm pretty sure it would be the same for any uk shipping.

Alcoholic beverages and liquids (24% ABV or less)

Including beer, lager, wine and champagne.

Wrap in polythene and seal with tape. Surround with absorbent material such as newspaper and sufficient cushioning material to protect each item from breakage. Volume should not exceed 1 litre per item. Mark as ‘FRAGILE’ when sending glass bottles. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

Alcoholic beverages and liquids (more than 24% ABV but not more than 70% ABV)

Including whisky, vodka and most spirits and liqueurs.

The items must be securely closed and placed in a leak-proof liner, such as a sealed polythene bag. Surround with absorbent material and sufficient cushioning material to protect each item from breakage. Volume must not exceed 1 litre per item. No more than two items can be sent in any one package. Mark as ‘FRAGILE’ when sending glass bottles. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

These items must be presented at a Post Office[emoji768] counter.

Alcoholic beverages and liquids with an alcohol content greater than 70% ABV are prohibited. Please see www.royalmail.com/prohibitedgoods

So I think as long as your beer and cider is packaged correctly and less than 70% you should be ok.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ale]

https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/arrivals-from-eu-countries

There you go

 

[xozzx]

https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/arrivals-from-eu-countries

There you go

I found this one but 2 points are an issue

transport them yourself
will use them yourself or give them away as a gift
have paid duty and tax in the country where you bought them


A third party shipper will transport them, I think this link is more related to flying/driving into the country with the booze as luggage.
I didnt technically buy them, and didnt pay any duty.

Im sure it will be ok, just curious if it is actually legal.

 

[DoctorMick]

@Dutto takes homebrew to France I think, maybe he can help?

 

[Dutto]

Since Romania has been a member of the EU since 2007 and we haven't left the EU at the moment there should be absolutely no problem shifting home-brewed beer between the two countries up until April Fools Day 2017! (A significant date that I am sure everyone will remember!)

We usually transport beer out to France (on the last trip we took +/-75 litres) and bring "en vrac" wine back using in a couple of the empty MK's.

Personally, I have never worried about customs between the EU and the UK because everything I transport is for either my own or my wife's consumption. (If we are ever challenged we intend to point out the we should carry "You Don't Want Our Liver Cards" in place of the normal Organ Donor Cards!)

We usually transport the stuff in our motorhome and trailer rig but, in your case, there could obviously be a problem with the shipping company. However, they will have their own Rules and Guidelines that will have to be followed; but from a legal standpoint I can see no reason why home-brewed wine and beer made in the EU shouldn't be brought back to the UK.

One final problem that could be encountered is that because none of the bottles, kegs, DJs etc will be sealed by a recognised brewery or vineyard it may be viewed with suspicion by HMCR on the basis that it could be illicit hooch or something for making bombs out of.

If that happens they may just ask you to pour it down the drain ...

... but you will still have the kegs and bottles! :thumb:

 

[serum]

Should be fine, there's no limit to what you can take as long as it's for personal consumption.

 

[Ale]

Just saw this again. There may be an issue if its found by customs as they wont know what it is. If it were me I would put a piece of paper in the box clearly stating what it is making it look like it was labels for me to know when I opened the box.