loNDoN eDitioN WInTer 2016 ILLICIT ToBACCo And ALCoHoL tAKe CAre whAt you buy I llicit tobacco and alcohol are bad news for business so remember the golden rule If the price that suppliers are asking is ridiculously cheap, it is a clear sign that the goods are illicit If you sell alcohol or tobacco that is fake or not properly taxed, you could end up in big trouble. not only do you risk ending up in court and having to pay the unpaid duty plus a penalty of the same amount but you could also lose your licence for up to three months, or even go out of business. So how can you prevent yourself from falling foul of the law? The golden rule is: never buy tobacco or alcohol from anyone who brings the goods to your shop. no matter how convincing they seem, dont be fooled. However, some dodgy alcohol has also been sold from cash and carries, so you need to know how to spot fake products if you are to keep your business safe. do some basic checks on spirits especially if you are using a new supplier. does the duty stamp change colour under ultraviolet light? And watch for clues that duty stamps might be fake: are the back labels straight, with no trapped air and no dried glue showing? Look out for boxes of spirits that have been resealed they might have been opened to replace the back labels with fake ones. If the price that suppliers are asking is ridiculously cheap, it is a clear sign that the goods are illicit. Make sure everything you buy including free goods is fully listed on invoices, then you will know from where any suspect stock originated. other retailers should not get away with undercutting your prices by selling fake or untaxed stock, so contact your local Trading Standards Service if you see competitors selling tobacco and alcohol at ridiculously cheap prices, or getting deliveries from unmarked vans at unusual hours. For a quick fix, contact London Trading Standards using our anonymous online reporting link. For further information please contact your local Trading Standards Service