During the Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced the end of the Alcohol Duty Stamp Scheme, coming into effect from 1st May 2025.

The scheme, originally introduced in 2006, was an anti-fraud measure which required manufacturers, importers, and wholesales to ensure duty stamps, which they applied for, were attached to retail containers of alcohol and other fermented products before they entered the UK market to be sold by retailers.

To help prepare for the change, ACS have created a briefing document to explain what the scheme is, how to prepare for the closure of the scheme, as well as how to verify the legitimacy of alcohol products.

Here’s what you can expect to change from 1st May this year:

• From this date alcohol manufacturers, importers and wholesalers no longer need to register, obtain, or apply Alcohol Duty stamps to retail containers previously covered by the scheme.
• Producers may continue to supply them in the same way, as the government has not required businesses to obliterate or remove stamps already attached. From this date, however, businesses are free to remove duty stamps without restriction.
• From 1 May 2025, both legacy stamped product, and unstamped products may be sold and supplied by retailers – there will no penalties against retail businesses that sell stamped products after this date.

To help verify alcohol products are legitimate, businesses should continue to comply with all of their legal obligations, due diligence, and the requirements of the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme.

You can access and download ACS’ guidance document on the portal, here.

For any questions about the upcoming legislation, please email [email protected]