Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
How is duty calculated on ready-to-drink canned cocktails, and what are the duty rates in the UK and France?
Duty on RTD cans depends on the **base of the alcohol** in the product, not just the ABV alone. If the product is over 50% fermented base (e.g. wine), it falls under wine duty; if it's spirit-based, it falls under spirit duty. **UK Duty Rates:** - **Wine Duty** applies to made-wines and wine-based RTDs. The rate depends on ABV: - More than 1.2% to 4%: 91.68p per litre - More than 4% to 5.5%: 126.08p per litre - More than 5.5% to 15%: 297.57p per litre - More than 15% to 22%: 396.72p per litre - More than 22% ABV: charged at spirit duty rate - **Spirit Duty** applies to spirit-based RTDs: £28.74 per litre of pure alcohol - **Fortified wines** (e.g. port, where approximately 1/3 is spirit): duty is calculated based on the wine component percentage, not the spirit content **France Duty Rates:** French duty on canned RTDs is significantly higher and is described by members as "basically prohibitive to sell RTDs in France." Members report rates of approximately €110 per litre of pure alcohol, plus additional levies: - Standard rate plus premix tax: approximately €0.23 + €1.38 = €1.61 per 5% ABV can - Products with no or very low sugar may avoid some of these levies, though confirmation is unclear **Key caveat:** Members note that French duty makes RTD cans economically unviable for export to France, and several have flagged this as a significant cost burden across the spirits industry more broadly.
What are the practical options for getting RTD canned cocktails into the French market given the combined alcohol duty and sugar tax?
France's combined alcohol duty (€0.23 per unit) and sugar tax (€1.31 per unit) effectively closed the RTD canned cocktail market almost overnight—it was a deliberate policy to target youth drinking. Retail viability is extremely difficult under current taxation, but members identified a few approaches others have attempted: - **Desperados** — the primary successful RTD retail brand in France; uses a tequila base, suggesting spirit-based positioning may help navigate the tax structure - **Féfé** — another visible RTD brand, though category presence remains minimal - **Reformulation to malt-based or sugar-free**: Members suggest swapping sugar for sweeteners (referenced as a tactic Britvic uses) or moving to a neutral malt base to reduce tax exposure. One member offered to help with reformulation and can share ingredient suppliers if needed - **Increase ABV**: One experienced producer noted "up the abv is the only way" - **Contact Aston Manor**: They have a parent company in France and produce high-sugar-content perry and cider-based cocktails; worth approaching for market-entry insights **Important caveat**: The market is heavily constrained. Members noted that RTD cocktails "barely exist" in France at present. The category has been largely replaced by flavoured beers (mango, raspberry, etc.), which sit in a different tax bracket. France remains "a nightmare for the category" overall.
What is the difference between BPANI and standard lacquered cans, and which markets require BPANI?
BPANI stands for "Bisphenol A non-intent," meaning there is no BPA intentionally added to the can's internal coating. Standard lacquered cans may contain BPA or other bisphenol-based substances. Market requirements vary by jurisdiction: - **France** is the primary market known to require BPANI cans. French food contact regulations restrict the use of Bisphenol A in food contact materials, and cans must be certified as compliant with these restrictions. - Some export markets will not accept BPA-containing cans, so BPANI compliance may be necessary depending on your target markets. Can suppliers can typically certify compliance with French regulations and confirm that cans contain no intentionally added BPA or BPX (a generic description for bisphenol-based substances). If you are exporting to France or similar markets with BPA restrictions, confirm BPANI certification with your can supplier before ordering.
Which hauliers do members recommend for exporting spirits to France?
Members recommend several established hauliers with France export experience: - **Sustainaholics** — mentioned as a reliable option - **Blue Sky** — listed as a France export specialist - **Continental** — recommended for this route - **Ampualla** — named as an experienced France haulier - **MSE International** — specialises in arranging and clearing exports; members can be put in touch - **STI Internazionale SpA** — recommended for France shipments - **KC Shipping** — praised by members for European shipments including France - **JS Wines & Spirits** — received multiple endorsements from members shipping to France - **Wineflow** — used by at least one member for European logistics Members note there are more options beyond those listed. If you're looking for a new haulier, asking for direct introductions to contacts at firms members already use (e.g. MSE International) can be helpful.
What is the best and most cost-effective way to ship palletised goods to France?
For palletised shipments to France, members recommend contacting **Albatrans**, a reliable freight forwarder. David Graham is the primary contact at Albatrans (D.graham@albatrans.com) and can advise on options for shipping multiple pallets to France.