Sell Whisky Online in the UK — Legally and Simply

If you’re wondering how to sell whisky online in the UK, the key requirement is alcohol licensing. Private individuals are not permitted to sell alcohol directly online or on platforms such as eBay. Southwest Spirits provides a compliant solution by acting as the licensed seller of record, allowing individuals and distilleries to sell whisky and other spirits legally through eBay.

Can You Sell Whisky Online in the UK?

Yes, but only through a licensed alcohol retailer. UK law and eBay policy restrict the sale of alcohol to approved sellers. This means most private individuals cannot sell whisky online themselves, even if the bottle is duty-paid and legally owned.

Southwest Spirits is a UK-licensed alcohol retailer authorised to sell alcohol on eBay. We offer a consignment service that allows you to sell whisky online legally without holding an alcohol licence yourself.

How Our Whisky Consignment Service Works

Send Us Your Bottle

You send your whisky to our licensed UK premises or arrange a local drop-off. We assess condition, authenticity, and suitability before listing.

We Sell the Whisky on eBay

We photograph, describe, and list the bottle on eBay under our permitted alcohol seller account. All sales are UK-only in line with eBay rules.

You Get Paid

After the bottle is sold, delivered, and the eBay standard 30 day returns period ends, we deduct our agreed commission and pay you the remaining balance with a clear sales breakdown.

Why Use a Licensed Retailer to Sell Whisky Online?

Compliance with UK alcohol licensing law
Eligibility to sell on eBay
Secure storage and dispatch
Age-verified delivery
No need to use specialist whisky auction sites

Using a licensed retailer removes legal uncertainty and ensures your bottle is sold correctly and transparently.

What Types of Whisky Can Be Sold?

We can sell most duty-paid UK whisky, including:

Single malt Scotch whisky
Blended Scotch whisky
Limited edition and collectible bottles
Closed-distillery releases
Older and inherited bottles

All bottles are subject to approval based on condition, authenticity, and market demand.

Selling Whisky on eBay Through Southwest Spirits

Private individuals cannot sell whisky directly on eBay. Alcohol listings are restricted to approved sellers with the correct permissions and licences.

Southwest Spirits is permitted by eBay to sell alcohol products and lists whisky on behalf of clients by acting as the licensed seller of record. Bottles are held and dispatched by us, ensuring compliance with eBay’s alcohol and anti-dropshipping policies.

Fees, VAT, and Payments

We operate on a consignment basis. When acting as an agent, VAT is charged only on our commission and not on the full bottle price. Private individuals do not need to register for VAT.

Our service operates on a commission basis. Commission is calculated as a percentage of the sale price, with a minimum fee applying. All commission rates are inclusive of VAT. A full breakdown is provided after sale and before payment is made to you, and can also be seen in our FAQ.

You receive:

A full sales breakdown
Clear commission deduction
Prompt payment after completion

Who Uses This Service?

Private Individuals

People selling inherited whisky, old bottles, or personal collections.

Collectors

Collectors downsizing without using specialist auction platforms.

Distilleries

UK distilleries selling limited releases or visitor-centre exclusives on eBay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell whisky online in the UK?

Yes, but only through a licensed alcohol retailer. UK law and eBay policy restrict alcohol sales to approved sellers. Southwest Spirits enables individuals to sell whisky online legally by acting as the licensed seller of record.

Is selling through Southwest Spirits dropshipping?

No. Dropshipping involves items being shipped directly from a third party. All bottles sold through Southwest Spirits are held at our licensed UK premises and dispatched by us, making this a compliant consignment retail service.

Is VAT included in your commission?

Yes. All commission rates charged by Southwest Spirits are inclusive of VAT. No additional VAT is added on top.

Get a Free Whisky Valuation

If you’re unsure whether your bottle is suitable for sale, we offer a free, no-obligation valuation. Send us the bottle details and photos, and we’ll advise on expected value and next steps.

Email: contact@southwestspirits.co.uk

Sellers Form

First name

Last name

Phone

What bottle would you like to sell?

Proposed sale price (Buy It Now preferred) eBay charges additional fees for auction reserve prices. Buy It Now listings are usually recommended. Contact us if you wish to discuss an auction.

I understand payment is made after the eBay returns period has passed and the transaction is complete.

I understand Southwest Spirits charges a commission of 15% on the first £100 of the sale price and 5% on any amount above £100, with a minimum fee of £10. All commission rates are inclusive of VAT.

I understand that, due to UK law and eBay policy, Southwest Spirits must dispatch the bottle to the buyer and that I am responsible for sending the bottle to Southwest Spirits prior to sale.

I understand that if a bottle is returned to me, return postage costs will be my responsibility.

Please give details of the condition of the bottle and packaging (mint, new, worn, no packaging) and any additional information.

Upload Images (up to 9)

While this page focuses on selling whisky online, we can also sell other duty-paid alcoholic beverages such as wine, cognac, rum, and other spirits through the same licensed eBay consignment process. For more details, see our homepage or contact us directly