Both the retail and wholesale of alcohol require appropriate permits. Moreover, trading not only in spirits, but also in beer, involves the payment of certain fees, which are increasing every year. Regulations in this scope change almost from month to month. In recent years, the ban on the sale of alcohol at a distance (mainly via the Internet) in the European Union has caused particular agitation. This topic "has returned to favor" due to the widely understood pandemic. The spreading COVID-19 affects the global economy in different ways, creating turmoil in virtually every industry.
Prohibition of selling alcohol at a distance in the EU
Poland is the only, after Great Britain, country of the Community in which the distance selling alcohol is still prohibited. In the era of dynamic development of e-commerce, the loss of such a key distribution channel may keep wholesalers awake at night. This aspect is important because many entrepreneurs operating in the catering industry, as well as alcohol producers, are fighting hard against "COVID-19 in their own backyard". Companies fail and businesses fail. Even a temporary frostbite in selected sectors, combined with an ineffective anti-crisis shield, did not have a positive impact on the sale of high-percentage drinks. The most obvious Internet in the time of the epidemic - due to unjustified alcohol prevention - is still waiting for its chance.
No changes in the regulations regarding the sale of alcohol in the EU countries
Regulations concerning wholesale of goods in the territory of the European Union have been appropriately harmonized and apply jointly and severally without exception. However, taking into account the state of emergency in which not only the Old Continent was found, but almost the entire world, it should be borne in mind that some issues in this regard may have changed. Assuming that it is only a transitional period, it is worth recalling the basic legislation regarding the sale of alcohol in the territory of the European Union.
Most European countries require entrepreneurs to have the appropriate permits to sell alcohol. There are exceptions, for example in Austria or Germany. The key restrictions on the trade in spirits come down to the lower age limit (ban on selling alcohol to minors). The prohibition on selling alcoholic beverages to individuals in a state of intoxication is also often respected. Selected countries, such as Belgium, place particular emphasis on the opening hours of points selling alcoholic beverages. For wholesalers, restrictions on the monopoly on trade in alcohol of a certain strength are particularly important. Scandinavia is at the fore in this aspect.
Excise and Customs
As mentioned earlier, wholesale alcohol requires a license and payment of fees. However, this is not the end of the costs that an entrepreneur who wants to conquer international markets must take into account. The customs union rules do not apply to goods intended for sale. When it comes to excise duty, units dealing with commercial activity may apply for, i.e. suspension of its collection. The suspension of collection procedure comes down to the application of a zero excise duty rate. The conditions for meeting the conditions entitling to "omit" the excise duty are specified in the Act on excise duty.