WSTA
UK’s WSTA urges the government to temporarily suspend tariffs on wine bottles imported to the country. Credit: Terry Vlisidis on Unsplash.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has urged the UK Government to temporarily suspend tariffs on wine bottles imported into the country in the case of a no-deal Brexit, following claims that leaving the EU without a deal would increase wine prices to an all-time high.

The trade association claims that the combination of a no-deal Brexit with the planned duty increase from 1 February this year would add an additional £0.20 to the price of a bottle, which currently costs £5.73.

There are currently no import tariffs levied on wine bottles received from the EU, Chile or South Africa.

“Since the referendum, the WSTA has campaigned consistently for a deal with the EU that delivers frictionless trade in goods with no additional tariffs or costs.”

According to the WSTA, a temporary suspension on all wine tariffs for a period of six to 12 months could reduce the strain on the supply chain that a no-deal Brexit is expected to bring about.

WSTA CEO Miles Beale said: “Since the referendum, the WSTA has campaigned consistently for a deal with the EU that delivers frictionless trade in goods with no additional tariffs or costs.

“If the UK ends up with a no-deal Brexit then wine businesses will have to cope with additional tariffs, as well as another duty rise, which is highly likely to end up full square in the consumer’s lap, bumping up wine prices to an all-time high.

“We are calling on the government to clarify their tariff plans now and, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, to commit temporarily to imposing no tariffs on wines for at least six months.”

Last November, WSTA launched the #NoToNoDeal Don’t Bottle It campaign, where it urged wine and spirit businesses to write to the member of parliament (MP) of their local area to explain that a no-deal Brexit scenario would affect business.