AWRS80000 | Deregistration: wholesaler notifies they have ceased to trade

Wholesaling businesses that are intending to cease trading must notify HMRC at least 30 days in advance of the planned date of cessation, by logging into their AWRS account and entering the date of cessation. The wholesaler will be shown as being deregistered on the online look-up system from the date trading ceased. Failure to notify changes is a breach of Section 5(3) of The Wholesaling of Controlled Liquor Regulations 2015 and attracts a regulatory penalty of £500. The penalty may be issued under Section 21 of the same regulations, subject to any reasonable excuse provided for by Section 23.

The wholesaler will not be able to trade in controlled liquor after the date of cessation and must have disposed of all alcohol stock prior to cessation, or they will be liable to a penalty under Schedule 10 Finance (No.2) Act 2023 for trading without approval.

Any stock that has not been disposed of by the cessation date may be liable to forfeiture.

.