A-Z Cargo (Import & Export) & General Merchant Limited is a London-based logistics company established in 2009. We specialize in global import, export, and merchant services with a focus on compliance and reliability. Our end-to-end solutions ensure smooth, secure, and efficient international trade operations.

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Beverages & Tobacco

A-Z Cargo

Products

At A-Z Cargo (Import & Export) & General Merchant Limited, we pride ourselves on offering specialized logistics and merchant services across the full spectrum of the United Kingdom’s most significant export commodities. Built upon more than fifteen years of experience—since our incorporation on 18 June 2009 in London—we understand that each product category poses unique challenges, from regulatory compliance and handling requirements to packaging, transport modes, and customs intricacies. Below is an in-depth overview of the ten core product lines we manage. Each category links to its own dedicated page for exhaustive details on our capabilities, case studies, and tailored service offerings

Beverages & Tobacco

Global Market Overview

The UK’s beverages and tobacco exports—including Scotch whisky, gin, craft beer, fine wines, and premium tobacco blends—totaled approximately £11.8 billion for the year ending February 2025. The global spirits market is projected to grow from USD 1 trillion in 2024 to USD 1.2 trillion by 2028. British products continue to command exceptional brand recognition and consumer loyalty across North America, Asia, and Europe, particularly in the premium and heritage categories.

Regulatory & Compliance Requirements

Exporting alcohol and tobacco products requires rigorous attention to excise rules, packaging laws, and destination-specific compliance standards.

  • Excise & Duty Protocols: Alcohol shipments under duty suspension must be registered through the EMCS (Excise Movement and Control System), using acid-resistant MRNs to track movements. Tobacco products often involve both excise and public health levies.
  • Labelling & Packaging Laws: Each unit must clearly state country of origin, ABV, health warnings, producer details, and lot codes. Labelling must align with regional laws—such as FDA rules for the U.S. or EU Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 for spirits.
  • Age-Verification & Security: High-value or restricted products require tamper-evident seals and proof of consignee compliance with minimum age sales laws—particularly important for raw tobacco exports.

Logistics & Handling Challenges

Alcohol and tobacco are sensitive to temperature, light, and handling forces, requiring specialised packaging and transport controls.

  • Temperature & Light Sensitivity: Fine wines and craft beers are susceptible to heat and UV exposure. Temperature-controlled containers with UV-blocking liners are used to preserve product quality.
  • Fragility & Breakage Risk: Glass packaging demands layered cushioning, reinforced corner guards, and pallet stabilisation to prevent in-transit breakage.
  • Regulatory Inspections: Many destination countries perform customs health inspections, including sampling and quantity checks. Delays can lead to product degradation and increased storage fees.

A-Z Cargo’s Tailored Solutions

  • Bonded Consolidation & EMCS Expertise: We manage the complete EMCS process from bonded warehouse dispatch to destination duty payment, minimising upfront tax exposure for shippers.
  • Custom Crate Engineering: Our packaging teams develop sustainable, shock-resistant crates using moisture-barrier coatings and honeycomb inserts designed for high-density glass transport.
  • Destination-Ready Compliance Pack: All product labelling, translated certificates, and destination health authority approvals are bundled digitally to speed up border checks and reduce inspection delays.
  • Climate-Monitored Containers: Active reefers equipped with real-time temperature and humidity sensors ensure product integrity during long-haul summer or equatorial transits.

Case Study: Scotch Whisky to Japan

A boutique Scottish distillery required shipment of 10,000 bottles of single-malt Scotch whisky to Tokyo during peak summer season. A-Z Cargo:

  • Processed excise suspension and export clearance through our London bonded warehouse.
  • Designed UV-resistant, insulated liners to maintain optimal temperature inside a 40-foot container.
  • Handled Japanese customs clearance and managed local certifications for legal age-sale compliance.
  • Delivered to a bonded facility in Tokyo ready for domestic distribution—achieving zero product breakage and uninterrupted duty suspension.

This shipment preserved product quality throughout transit and facilitated a seamless launch into one of Asia’s most discerning spirits markets.