Buying Alcohol from EU (online)

Debub

Hi - came across this site today. The prices are really good as compared to here. The website states that its legal to buy from them as long as the buyer is in EU and they are only charging a shipping/delivery cost, no other charges.

Can we buy booze legally like this by post from within the EU (for personal comsumption off course) - I was under the impression that we can carry it with us on a trip back, but not get it posted out?

Anyone know if this is legit?

Thanks

https://www.mybooze.eu/content/8-shipping-and-payment

https://www.mybooze.eu/

Buddy97mm

No, in a nutshell.

It even references that in its section "Is this legal", wherein it states that excise duty is not chargeable if for personal use and "transported by himself".

If ordering for someone else to deliver, this does not qualify as transporting yourself - you must accompany the goods to get duty exemption.

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118241884#Comment_118241884

This.

People will try and maintain otherwise. Some people get upset when told that their assumptions are wrong. Many online retailers give out false information regarding this and claim to be compliant. No one has yet to provide evidence of an overseas online seller actually charging Irish VAT and duty.

Your booze is at risk of being seized.

Debub

Thanks - thats what I thought, but, they also have this on the website:

https://www.mybooze.eu/content/16-alcohol-tax

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118245105#Comment_118245105

That's their interpretation, aka, a crock of horseshlt.

But it's no wonder that consumers are confused when retailers come out with stuff like that.

CardBordWindow

I have had alcohol seized when purchasing from France, and from Belgium.

This is the letter I received in regards to 2 bottles from France.

"Dear Sir,

The Revenue Commissioners wish to acknowledge receipt of your recent notice of claim, in respect of the above seizure.

There is no relief due on unaccompanied alcohol, that enters the State via the postal system or by courier, unless evidence is provided that excise duty and Irish Vat have been secured prior to the alcohol arriving into the country. 

Having reviewed your case, the Commissioners are willing, without prejudice, to release the whiskey to you on payment of duties and taxes owing.

The total amount due to Revenue is €41.10 – (Excise Duty €29.79 and VAT €11.31). Payment is by Bank Draft or Postal Order and should be made payable to the Revenue Commissioners.

If you wish to avail of this offer please send payment for €41.10 to the undersigned and I will request my colleagues in the Dublin Parcel Hub to release the whiskey.

Please quote the above seizure number and provide your PPS number when replying.

Alternatively If you are registered for ROS or My Account with Revenue, it may be possible to make the payment on either of those systems.

If you are registered for either I have attached an instruction above, detailing how to make a payment by ROS or My ACCOUNT.

If you successfully make the payment, using one of these two systems, please e-mail me the confirmation with a reference number and I will get an officer in the Dublin Parcel Hub to release the whiskey to you.

The Commissioners wish to inform you that similar leniency may not be shown where future importations of excisable products are detected."

Beanstalk

That's very interesting and great that you are given the option to pay the extra duties if you weren't aware you had to do so. By releasing it, does it mean it goes back out to post to you or do you have to collect it?

CardBordWindow

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118255712#Comment_118255712

Once the duty was paid, it was released back to An Post for delivery.

However, as far as I know, it is at their discretion whether or not to allow you to pay the tax. They can just destroy it. As you have to supply your PPS number, if you are doing it regularly, they may not give you the option.

Debub

so the reason I posted this was that a colleague at work had ordered from them - I saw him ordering and asked him about it. His order arrived today at work, 9 bottles of whiskey and other spirits. This was his second order from them and he says that it is a bit of a dodge/loophole/workaround, but has worked for him (or he may have been lucky both times). After reading the comments here I have decided not to go ahead with my order (had my basket ready for checkout) as tempting that it was.

Thanks for the inputs

CardBordWindow

You can be lucky. I placed 2 orders with LMDW in France on the same day. One got through with no hassle, the other got stopped.

s8n

I've been ordering from some German sites through the pandemic and never had any issues

Debub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118261465#Comment_118261465

Hi - so what happens to the payment that you have already done? thats gone isn't it if the order gets stopped... there is no refund if customs stops your shipment, is there?

spurious

Are there different rules for deliveries of cases of wine?

BeerNut

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118263743#Comment_118263743

No. Different duty rates apply but the rules are the same.

CardBordWindow

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118263614#Comment_118263614

I wouldn't say you have a leg to stand on for a refund. They shipped it.

Not their problem that you haven't cleared the relevant customs charges I suppose.

BeerNut

It is absolutely their problem. When buying inside the EU there is no method for the customer to pay local taxes: that has to be done by the supplier. It's on them if they haven't done their homework.

ted1

I order wine regularly from a Portuguese company. I've had one order of 30 bottle seized by customs, I paid the duty and VAT and it was released, at the same time the company sent me replacement order which arrived. They also apologised and have changed their shipping method, since then I have got about 5 orders through not an issue.

this is who I order from: www.garrafeiradailha.com

Debub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118276554#Comment_118276554

the website does say the below - so in theroy can be cancelled if the order gets caught by customes I guess

Quackster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118276597#Comment_118276597

Very risky continuing to smuggle alcohol onto the country via post if you've already been caught once as Revenue are less likely to be so lenient the second time!

rubadub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118296326#Comment_118296326

what do you think is likely to happen. Sounds like you have heard of cases like this before, have you?

I am obviously talking of private individuals ordering amounts for personal use as described in this thread.

Quackster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118315508#Comment_118315508

They're likely to seize and 'destroy' if you're a repeat offender and you'll be left out of pocket.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118315508#Comment_118315508

Prosecute for illegal importation would be the ultimate if you kept doing it.

Very likely on a second capture, it'll be destroyed rather than any offer to be let pay the tax.

ohnonotgmail

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118245234#Comment_118245234

Even if their interpretation of "distance selling" is correct this negates it

For buyers: Make sure the vendor includes the excise duties of your Member State in the selling price. If the vendor does not comply with the requirements under Article 36(4)(a) of Directive 2008/118/EC you may become the person liable under Article 36(3). Also make sure that the price of transport is included in the price. If you agree to arrange the transport separately you become liable for the excise duty in “your” Member State.

lostinsuperfunk

You've got to love the explanation on the "Is this legal?" page!

[quote]So you are sitting for example in a coffee shop in Germany having one of those world-class coffees they have (not!), wondering how disgusting and boring that **** is while you waste an incredible amount of time just scrolling through Facebook watching silly puppy cats. Then you have the greatest idea of the week: pouring some booze in that **** you are drinking and making something out of your day![/quote]

rubadub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118315679#Comment_118315679

that is what I would expect, I know a few who have been caught and did just forfeit it as the taxes were more than it was worth to them.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118315964#Comment_118315964

have you ever heard of prosecutions like this, again for similar circumstances to what is going on in this thread, personal use and not ridiculous amounts.

I know guys who have been repeatedly caught trying to import illegal drugs and they still just get customs letters of seizures, I find it really strange as it would be well over 500 euros worth going by gardai valuations.

JackieChang

So has anybody taken a chance and ordered from these folks recently?

sceach16

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118452308#Comment_118452308

I used. Had it seized. Had to pay up. Got it released. Got warned further shipments liable to be seized. In fairness, got a refund from my booze of the addotional amount so not out of pocket.

Unless it is something exceptional, I will not be buying again from them but I still miss them!

I think the change in VAT rules last summer ( Irish vat for sales to Ireland) had a by product of highlighting imported booze. The system put in place for checking VAT found lots of heavy parcels! 😂

JackieChang

So MyBooze refund you the vat/duty etc?

Might be worth importing a few slabs then if that's the case.

yoyo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118452308#Comment_118452308

I have 4 slabs on the way. Will let you know how it goes..

sceach16

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118454933#Comment_118454933

Yes but for how long.......they will soon be gone if they are having to pay up! Imagine if the lot was seized! Having said that, it is their business how they run the shop so presumably they will continue to ship while they are making money on Irish sales . Time will tell.

JackieChang

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118454944#Comment_118454944

Best of luck!

Debub

This is what they have at the end, if you go throuigh with the checkout, just before the payment

Debub

took a punt and ordered (5 bottles of whisky), fingers crossed

Beanstalk

I'd love to order something from the Shlenkerla Brewery in Bamburg but they definitely have the beer art on their boxes so probably a bad idea...

JackieChang

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118454944#Comment_118454944

Well, 10 days later. Any luck?

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118515445#Comment_118515445

Not sure about Yoyo but I got 2 slabs delivered yesterday. Not sure how long it will last though before a crackdown.

yoyo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118515445#Comment_118515445

Sorry I updated another thread think on Bargain Alerts Forum I can't remember. All slabs arrived after 5 days no problem. 2 shots of some German liqueur thrown in as a freebie (Kleiner Klopfer). All in all everything went smoothly and without issues. Cans arrived in good condition and decent beer to boot.

JackieChang

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118515513#Comment_118515513

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118515548#Comment_118515548

Nice one folks. Might put in an order so. How much did it end up costing ye per can?

yoyo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118519425#Comment_118519425

€131 including shipping for 96 cans (48 @ 5% and 48 @ 4.8%). So considerably cheaper than MUP Irish prices

JackieChang

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118519668#Comment_118519668

Wow! Great value indeed.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118519425#Comment_118519425

€70 for 48 cans @ 5% shipping included.

JackieChang

A month later... Anybody else chance this site?

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118658482#Comment_118658482

Got 6 bottles of spirits delivered yesterday, but to be honest a lot of orders appear to be getting stopped by customs now so that's me sorted for the year and doubt i'll risk another order now. Over on the https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058138611/booze-deals-megathread-2#latest thread some got caught by customs.

berbeer

If you really want well worth for money I suggest whopperdrink. I personally ordered 30 bottles wine and spirits, everything went as planned. Shipping is fast and I got tracking number. Others might want know this shop too so I post it here > whopperdrink.com

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118463599#Comment_118463599

(this thread was bounced by a spambot but I felt it was worth replying to this post anyway)

This text is a typical "I am very clever and think I've found a loophole in the legislation that means I'm not actually selling alcohol" block of text. They're trying to claim that you are in fact buying the alcohol off someone else and they're just handling it; making it a personal limit thing

But it absolutely doesn't; and it won't fool any Revenue equivalent anywhere.

bobbysands81

I’ve ordered from beerrepublic.de 5 or 6 times. My last order at the start of December got “seized” and I had to pay excise on it. The letter was worded quite strongly though and stated that they could destroy if they wanted and that they were giving me the option to pay this time. However, they were of the opinion that I had already broken the law and I was lucky they were being lenient.

I want to order again now from them, the beers I’ll be getting will be ones not available elsewhere in Ireland so I don’t mind paying the excise on them… but I just don’t know how to do it. If I place the order and then contact Revenue to make the payment myself would that be allowable?

L1011

As with the impression you got, Revenue are not required to even offer you the chance to pay and I doubt you'll be accommodated if you ask in advance. You need a liquor licence to import like that normally.

I also suspect that if its seized again, they won't offer you the chance to pay and it'll just be destroyed.

Tea2

the communications I got suggested so thing similar - they are willing to accommodate private purchasers who want to import alcohol as long as they prepay the duty at their local revenue office. As with you, they didn’t tell me how to do this and at the time the revenue offices were all shut

i did, however, notice that in my ros.ie account, they recorded the duty I had paid to release the seized alcohol and appeared to have added the ability to compete an excise declaration to my PRSI number. Sadly the form was completely incomprehensible, so I’m in dark as to whether this is how they want me to pay going forward or how to fill in the form.

would love to get a clear answer as the duty is not really that expensive and I’d love to be able to confidently bring spirits in from overseas

Glenbeigh

I allowed my neightbour use my name and address to order 4 boxes of whiskey and wine .all 4 boxes confiscated by tralee customs and excise .my neighbour has said they will pay relevant taxes BUT that option has yet even to be given to me .I am really worried about it

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120750260#Comment_120750260

Not sure why anyone would let a neighbour use their name and address to import illegal alcohol tbh. They could have just ordered it under their own name and taken the chance like the rest of us here did when doing it. Most likely be ok and it will either be destroyed or tax and duty will need paying if they are willing to release it. Just be hopeful they don't decide someone was taking the piss trying that and take it further.

Glenbeigh

They asked me as a favour and I trusted them .has anyone ever be prosecuted over this ?