Authorisation to sell alcohol
good morning all.
I have a wine shop. I was hoping to open a store on Amazon for bulk orders and they, rightly asked for a personal and premises licence. No problem, I’ve uploaded them. The first was declined and no reason stated. The second was declined and stated that I needed to upload a valid personal and premises licence… which I thought I already had. The third was declined for the same reason… and now my applications are being automatically declined by AI. 3 times I have asked what I am doing wrong or what I need to do, but have never had a clear response (and the responses I HAVE had, I could not reply to. One of them told me to reapply in a couple of days and change the name of the uploaded files… which was wild).
Seller support told me that the team that looks at applications are uncontactable and I must wait for them to look at my appeal… but I should have had a reply 3 days ago and I’m still waiting. Support told me that there’s nothing they can do… so to me, it looks like I’m just in limbo, with no route in or out… this can’t be right, can it?! I’ve been trying for almost 4 weeks!
I wouldn’t mind so much but I’m literally paying for a store that, if I can’t sell wine through, is completely pointless… coz I’m, ya know, a wine shop. What should I be looking for? What’s the obvious thing that I’m missing here?
Authorisation to sell alcohol
good morning all.
I have a wine shop. I was hoping to open a store on Amazon for bulk orders and they, rightly asked for a personal and premises licence. No problem, I’ve uploaded them. The first was declined and no reason stated. The second was declined and stated that I needed to upload a valid personal and premises licence… which I thought I already had. The third was declined for the same reason… and now my applications are being automatically declined by AI. 3 times I have asked what I am doing wrong or what I need to do, but have never had a clear response (and the responses I HAVE had, I could not reply to. One of them told me to reapply in a couple of days and change the name of the uploaded files… which was wild).
Seller support told me that the team that looks at applications are uncontactable and I must wait for them to look at my appeal… but I should have had a reply 3 days ago and I’m still waiting. Support told me that there’s nothing they can do… so to me, it looks like I’m just in limbo, with no route in or out… this can’t be right, can it?! I’ve been trying for almost 4 weeks!
I wouldn’t mind so much but I’m literally paying for a store that, if I can’t sell wine through, is completely pointless… coz I’m, ya know, a wine shop. What should I be looking for? What’s the obvious thing that I’m missing here?
26 replies
Seller_ZJhFeE3tNKzfh
Do the personal and premises licence addresses match the address you have on amazon?
Seller_k2X0L9mVRT0pW
is the alcohol license in exactly the same name and address you have registered on Amazon ?
Seller_mS10UjVYuuGor
Not sure what you mean by bulk orders, most Amazon customers buy by the bottle or two. Big names such as Virgin and Naked wines sell cases on here but most independent sellers have to take single bottle orders.
As for getting verified does the address of your premises licence, VAT certificate and companies house registration all match exactly with each other and with your seller central details? Note it does need to be your own premises licence if you dispatch from LCB/EHD/Coterie Vaults or any other storage facility Amazon will not accept the licence. If your just uploading the licence summary page try uploading the whole licence instead or vice verca.
Is the personal licence holder (presumeabley also DPS) named on your seller central account? i.e. had their home address verified by Amazon to match that of their personal licence. Are you uploading the certificate as well as scanned images of both sides of the card?
Seller_mS10UjVYuuGor
It does for Amazon.
The good news is we now know the problem, the bad news it will take a few actions to fix.
To sell wine (or any alcohol) on Amazon your companies house registration, VAT registration and seller central business address all need to tally with your premises licence address. Amazon rules exceed what is legal to trade.
The personal licence should be at your home address so that is fine.
Before you reapply you'll need to move the addresses to your premises licence address and get new documents, there are no guarantees after that but at least all documents will meet Amazon rules.
Good luck getting it sorted.
Seller_SlzTh3rIBjgi9
I’ve solved this issue now. For anyone that was interested: I changed my address to my shop address, which is on the premises licence, as opposed to my personal licence and business registration address. I then sent a message to seller support, attaching my documentation again. It took about 13 days to get a response, 7 days longer than they suggested it would. But we got there.
Thanks for all your help.
Seller_mS10UjVYuuGor
Well done for getting it sorted.
One final tip, remember everything has to be shipped on an age restricted service so price that into your delivery cost calculation. Amazon know as the tracking numbers are different e.g. Royal Mail age restricted postage tracking starts PG. I once sent a high value champagne special delivery to cover me for the insurance and got a policy violation because it wasn't age restricted!
Sarah_Amzn
Hello @Seller_SlzTh3rIBjgi9,
Thank you for taking the time to share your insights and solution; that's exactly what these forums are all about - swapping ideas and experiences to help each other out.
This will undoubtedly help many others who encounter similar challenges.
Kind regards,
Sarah.
Seller_SlzTh3rIBjgi9
thanks for letting me know this. With tiny margins, this makes a real difference!
Seller_AL1bVGICCmLSy
@Sarah_Amzn
I am reaching out for your help please. My application to Amazon has been rejected. Amazon keeps telling me to provide a valid premises licence. I have raised a case many times to find out what the problem is so that we can work together to get this resolved. Legally i am able to sell alcohol as per my Premises Licence. I understand fully that Amazon has their own requirements which i am fully supportive of. However, if i do not know what information that Amazon requires in the format you need it is I am guessing on what is wrong. Even the county council who issued the Premises Licence is unable to figure this out. I have looked at Amazon T&Cs and I am unable to work this. Please can you help me. The case ID is 10759333332. Thank you
Sarah_Amzn
Hello @Seller_AL1bVGICCmLSy,
Did you have an opportunity to review and apply the suggestions from @Seller_SlzTh3rIBjgi9 and @Seller_mS10UjVYuuGor?
Best,
Sarah.
Seller_AL1bVGICCmLSy
Hi @Sarah_Amzn
yes, i have been looking through these forums for weeks and been raising cases with seller support to understand what is wrong but they are not helping me. I really want to get this resolved and work with Amazon to get this fixed. I have even been to the County council and they too are unable to establish what is wrong. Amazon keeps telling me to submit a valid license. i have check the details against my seller central account and everything matches line by line. Please would you be able to help me. My case ID is 10829705302
Thanks
Seller_AL1bVGICCmLSy
@Sarah_Amzn
@Winston_Amazon
please can you help. i have been over the forums, seller central guidance as i still do not know why amazon keeps giving blanket responses as to why the premises license is invalid. I have again visited the county council who issued the premises licences and they too are unable to work out why it is invalid, please would you be able to help me , my case ID is 10829705302
Sarah_Amzn
Hello @Seller_AL1bVGICCmLSy,
I have reviewed both of your cases and I need to inform you that these types of investigations are handled by a specialized team with restricted access.
As Forum moderators, we don't have visibility into their investigation process or results, nor can we request new investigations on your behalf.
I understand this may not be the answer you were hoping for, and I apologize that I'm unable to provide further assistance in this matter.
If you receive any new information or updates about your cases, please feel free to share them here.
Kind regards,
Sarah.
