Buyer Fees and Payment Terms
Whisky Auctioneer is dedicated to ensuring our customers have trust and confidence in our services. We are transparent about all fees and charges at every step of the auction process.
Detailed information about buyer fees and payment terms can be found below. Please note, all fees quoted are exclusive of VAT.
Registration fee
£5
Our one-off registration fee provides lifetime access to buy and sell in all of our actions. It is required to help us authenticate our customers and mitigate against illegitimate bidding.
Buying Commission
12.5% of final hammer price.
Buyers commission is added to your invoice during the checkout process, against all lots won.
Conditional Fees
Non-UK or EEA Credit Card Surcharge
3.5% - This charge will be added to all credit card payments for buyers from outside the UK or European Economic Area (EEA).
Corporate Card Surcharge
A 3.5% surcharge applies to all payments made using a corporate credit card, regardless of location.
Local Taxation/Custom Charges
Please be aware that local taxation, customs charges or additional shipping costs may apply. Read more about this in our Shipping information.
Loss and Breakage Assurance (LBA)
4% of the Hammer Price. This optional cover will provide reimbursement for breakage or loss during transit. Full details and exclusions can be found on our Shipping page.
Please note that VAT may be applicable on charges, including additional charges such as, but not limited to; Registration fees, Listing fees and Reserve Fees.
Payment methods
We accept all major debit and credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Payment can also be made via bank transfer.
Payment terms
Payment for lots won must be made within 72 hours of the auction closing. A compulsory late payment charge of 3% of the outstanding balance will be applicable to any payments made after 72 hours.
Buyer's Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Businesses are required to pay VAT on their sales. As an auctioneer, we do not own the bottles on our website and our sale is registered as the auction fees that apply to the bottle sale price. Due to this, no VAT will be applied to the hammer price of your whisky, but instead to our commission and fees. **
UK and UK+VAT Lots
The VAT rate for UK lots is 20%. Please note, this VAT is only payable when your items remain in the country of purchase. For example:
Auction fees that apply to UK lots are VAT applicable when:
- The bottles are shipped to a UK address.
- The bottles are stored in our UK warehouse.
- The bottles are relisted into a future auction.
If your shipping address is outside of the UK, no VAT will be applied at checkout. (Local customs fees and import costs will apply for international shipments, so please be aware of these prior to purchase).
If shipping stored orders outside of the UK, the VAT is reclaimable but ONLY if the bottles are delivered to you within 3 months from the date of purchase. Please contact our Client Services team for more information on this.
**The only exception to the above is with our UK+VAT lots, which are bottles being sold by a UK business. As the final hammer price will be their sale, we must also charge 20% VAT on the hammer price, as well as the 20% VAT on our auction fees. Please note, these charges are only applicable when the bottle remains within the UK, as per the above list. Should your UK+VAT items be shipped outside of the UK directly from checkout, the 20% VAT on the hammer price and the 20% on our fees will not apply. UK+VAT lots are also eligible for a VAT return under the same rules as previously noted.
EU Lots
The VAT rate for EU lots is 21%, which is in line with the local tax rate in the Netherlands. Please note, this VAT is only payable when your items remain within the EU. For example:
Auction fees that apply to EU lots are VAT applicable when:
- The bottles are shipped to an EU address.
- The bottles are stored in our EU warehouse.
- The bottles are relisted into a future auction.
If your shipping address is outside of the EU, no VAT will be applied at checkout. (Local customs fees and import costs will apply for non-EU shipments, so please be aware of these prior to purchase).
If shipping stored orders outside of the EU, the VAT is reclaimable but ONLY if the bottles are delivered to you within 3 months from the date of purchase. Please contact our Client Services team for more information on this.
Buyers have 72 hours (3 days) from the close of the auction to make payment. If payment is not received within this time, a late payment charge of 3% of the outstanding balance will be applied to the order.
In order to bid above £2,000 we require an identity check. This is to ensure the legitimacy of users so that bids are valid and fair.
You can verify your account and upload your identity documents on your Personal Profile.
Interested in Buying?
Discover and bid on old, rare and collectible whiskies in our online auctions each month.
Interested in Selling?
Our global whisky auctions give your bottles the attention they deserve. Get started with a free valuation today.