Has anyone registered with customs and excise?

[onefortheroad]

I've been and done it now! I've decided to register my brewery with the HM Revenue! Got all my paperwork through the other day and just wondered if anyone else has decided to jump!!

[trucker5774]

errrrr.....if it's not broke, don't fix it

I have found with any "authority", once they have any sort of record they will have their claws in for ever. I watched the local authority take my mum's life savings away for her care..............after she got back on her feet after they did the same to my dad.

Unless you have some reason to do such a thing, keep your head down!

[dave-o]

I thought you didn't need to do this unless you're making lots - 500l a year or something?

I agree with trucker though - don't invite the devil in.

[coatesg]

I thought you didn't need to do this unless you're making lots - 500l a year or something?

Or you want to sell your beer (regardless of quantity).

[onefortheroad]

The reason is that i've had three pubs interested in my beer, I don't want to make a full time thing out of it (YET!) But I thought it would be nice to have my your own ale behind the bar now and again. Nice idea or not?

[micmacmoc]

Its something I keep toying with, to sell from my own coffeeshop should i get round to selling beers and wines I want to do my own. How much did it all cost? Last night the wife promised to help me tile the garage this winter! She's just about given me the green light to commercialism! So why not?

[Manx Guy]

If the beer you make is 'soley for domestic consumption' then you are exempt under section 4.4 of the HMRC notice 226....(?)

I guess if you wish to sell it then you need to apply... trouble is it seems then you cant differentiate between stuff for own consumption and that you sell..

Although a quick scan revealed that you can 'conduct experiements into brewing practice'.... Thats definately what I do! most of the time the results are drinkable...




Guy

[crookedeyeboy]

Just looked at your website Mic...the amount of times Ive walked past your shop on holiday! I could have popped in to say hello! I even broke down in Mevagissey once at 10pm, the clutch cable went on my car. Couldnt have broken down in a nicer place!

[onefortheroad]

Well I downloaded/ printed the form you need to register, drew up a plan of what size brewery I have got and where abouts on my premises it is and laslty a estimate of how many hectolitres (100 litres) I would be brewing. I estimated 10 hectolitres per 12 months, anyway I got my certificate of registration of my brewery through the post and a letter saying that I was not producing enough alcahol to warrant paying duty on it, but in a way I somehow feel better for registering plus it gives me the option of taking it further.

[crookedeyeboy]

Thats interesting about not having to pay duty, first time Ive heard about it. How much has it cost to apply?

[onefortheroad]

How are you Paul? Good to hear from you, It costs bugger all to apply.

[boingy]

I haven't registered for that but I've had plenty of dealings with HMRC with self-assessment, business taxes, NI and VAT.
They are actually pretty helpful people. Any problems with the paperwork then just give the local tax office a ring. Some of the paperwork will seem daft and convoluted but it just has to be done. And best of luck with the adventure. Supplying stuff to pubs will be cool.

[onefortheroad]

There must be some kind of limit before you start paying duty, what it is I don't know??? But there is the VAT side of it though, that you need to look into when you start selling!!

[grumpysod]

The regulations regarding beer duty are quite informative, from what I read here using oftr's 10 hectolitres as an example:

Duty is currently £16.47 per HL%
if you produce 10 HL of 5% beer, you would have to pay 10x5x16.47= £823
As a single brewer producing less than 5000 HL, the duty is reduced by 50% so it would be 10x5x8.23= £411.50

[leewink]

Why is it a sore point ? how sore will you be without doing it when they come, that will sap your life savings and profits alright.

I know plenty of peeps in the "do it right" types of business, and many advisors of such, and there are plenty of tales of those who dont, its simply evading the law, and its getting tougher when you fail, your choice, i work and pay taxes, why are you any different ?

have fun, lee