In short
- HM Revenue & Customs included data from April 2023 to April 2024 in the latest report.
- HM Revenue & Customs updated figures for 2025 in the Tackling alcohol smuggling: outputs report.
What happened
HM Revenue & Customs released an updated report on alcohol smuggling outputs, reflecting figures up to April 2021 and including new data for tax years 2021 to 2022, 2022 to 2023, and April 2023 to April 2024. The report details enforcement actions, alcohol seizures, and the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme.
The report, titled 'Tackling alcohol smuggling: outputs — April 2020 to March 2026', is part of HMRC's ongoing alcohol strategy, aiming to promote compliance, prevent tax losses, and respond to fraud. Previous versions are available for review on The National Archives website.
Tackling alcohol fraud is an HMRC priority, as set out in the HMRC Alcohol Strategy.
Named in this item
Organization, regulator GB — —
What compliance teams should check
- Review the Tackling alcohol smuggling: outputs — April 2020 to March 2026 report for updated enforcement and seizure data.
- Cross-check compliance procedures with the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme as referenced in the HMRC report.
- Compare your internal controls against the HMRC Alcohol Strategy priorities outlined in the latest outputs report.
Why it matters
This updated report from HM Revenue & Customs provides compliance officers with the latest figures and enforcement actions related to alcohol smuggling, including data up to 2026. Understanding these outputs is crucial for aligning internal controls with regulatory expectations, monitoring industry vulnerabilities, and ensuring compliance with the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme. Reviewing the HMRC Alcohol Strategy helps identify areas where fraud prevention and enforcement impact may be strengthened, supporting robust AML/CFT frameworks.
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