How Southwest Spirits operates in strict compliance with the UK Licensing Act 2003, Due Diligence conditions, and HMRC VAT consignment guidelines.
Southwest Spirits operates under UK Premises Licence LI24_006606 issued by Cornwall Council, and under the supervision of a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) holding a Personal Licence under Part 6 of the Licensing Act 2003. All alcohol sales facilitated through this platform are legally executed under these licences, ensuring full statutory compliance for buyers and sellers alike.
Under UK licensing law and eBay's prohibited items policy, private individuals are strictly prohibited from selling alcohol on eBay. Only pre-vetted corporate entities holding verified Premises and Personal Licences under the Licensing Act 2003 may list alcohol.
Southwest Spirits eliminates this barrier. As a fully licensed UK retailer, we act as your legal consignment sales agent. You don't need an alcohol licence or commercial registration; you list with 0% sales commission and £0 upfront costs, keep the bottle at home until sold, and let us handle all legal compliance, age verification (18+), and physical authentication.
Southwest Spirits operates as a disclosed sales agent on a consignment basis. Ownership of the consigned bottle remains with you (the consignor) until a sale is concluded. Under our 0% sales commission model, we charge zero percentage cut from your bottle's sale price. Our flat £4.99 listing fee includes UK VAT, chargeable strictly on our listing facilitation service rather than on the value of your bottle. Card payment processing costs (1.9% + 20p via Stripe) are direct pass-through transaction costs deducted only upon successful sale.
We do not operate as dropshippers. In accordance with UK licensing law and our courier insurance covenants (Evri and specialist couriers), every bottle sold must be physically received and inspected at our licensed UK hub (8 Woodway Terrace, Kingston Way, Mabe Burnthouse, TR10 9FA) before final age-verified dispatch to the buyer. Please note: UK courier regulations restrict consignments strictly to one bottle per parcel for insured transit.
Alcohol is sold strictly to persons aged 18 and over in the United Kingdom. We use courier services with mandatory Challenge 25 age-verification upon delivery. A valid photo ID (driving licence or passport) is required upon receipt.
