THE GOVERNMENT'S ALCOHOL WHOLESALER REGISTERATION SCHEME

(AWRS)

Anteros Wine and Spirits Merchant Limited ("AWSM" or "the Company") is a government approved wholesaler of alcohol under Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme (AWRS). Our government registration record can be checked against the official website (https://www.gov.uk/check-alcohol-wholesaler-registration) with our URN number supplied to you as your supplier displayed below.


Under the AWRS, the Company has a legal obligation to conduct due diligence checks on all the companies that Anteros Wine and Spirits Merchant Limited supplies to in order to assist HMRC to tackle the illicit alcohol trade, prevention of crime, and protecting the economic well-being of the United Kingdom. As such, we are displaying in the public our due diligence policy statement in line with the government's requirements and guidance.


AWRS Unique Reference Number (URN): XQAW 000 0011 5023


ANTEROS WINE AND SPIRITS MERCHANT LIMITED – CUSTOMER DUE DILIGENCE POLICY

 

For a retailer (Off License) / Department Stores/ Restaurants & Bars / Hotels register your online account through clicking HERE or via our customer service through telephone, or in writing to open an account, Anteros Wine and Spirits Merchant Limited (“AWSM”) require the following:


In order for a business to register for trade, Anteros Wine and Spirits Merchant Limited (trading name – “Anteros Wine and Spirits”) will require the following documents:


·        Copy of Incorporation Certificate

·        Copy of VAT Certificate

·        Company Bank Details

·        Owner Photo ID details such as Passport or Driving License

·        Copy of Business Utility Bill (Less than 3 months old)

 

Once AWSM has collated this information, the necessary checks will be conducted before opening the account. Payment methods are Cash or Card or Bank Transfer only (Anteros Wine and Spirits Merchant Limited) preferred method is bank transfers and Cards for online sale). AWSM accept cheques, however, they must be endorsed by the responsible officers who issues or issued the cheque from a bank account that is registered by the company / customer that is purchasing the goods from AWSM. Cash payments have a cap of £500/month and are only applicable to onsite sale and can only be accepted under the Money Laundering Regulations.

 

For a wholesaler or online account through clicking HERE or via our customer service via telephone or in writing to open an account:


In order for a business to register as a wholesaler, AWSM will require the following documents:


·        Copy of Incorporation Certificate

·        Copy of VAT Certificate

·        Company Bank Details

·        Owner Photo ID details such as Passport or Driving License

·        Copy of Business Utility Bill (Less than 3 months old)

·        AWRS URN

·        Picture of business address, if applicable


Once the information has been gathered, the appointed officer or another qualified member of staff will complete a risk assessment. Any customers identified as high risk will undergo further questioning. High risk customers that are accepted will be evaluated every three months; all other customers will be reviewed on an annual basis.

 

All customers who do not pass the internal check will be notified that their account will not be opened and customers with suspicious behaviour will be reported to HMRC in a timely manner.

 

For individuals through clicking HERE only:


An account must be opened online through clicking HERE by providing following documents:


-       Photo ID details such as Passport or Driving License

-       Delivery of products will only be done to Card’s registered name and address. Individual must be of the age of 18 .


ANTEROS WINE AND SPIRITS MERCHANT LIMITED – SUPPLIER DUE DILIGENCE POLICY

 

As a part of the new Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme (AWRS), Anteros Wine and Spirits Merchant Limited (AWSM), is required to conduct due diligence checks on partners involved in the supply chain for alcoholic drinks. AWSM will require the following documents for a wholesaler to open an account to start trading:


·        Company Introduction stating nature of business and products available

·        Completion of Know Your Supplier Questionnaire

·        Copy of Incorporation Certificate

·        Copy of VAT Certificate

·        Copy of company’s last filed set of accounts

·        Copy of Money Laundering Certificate, if applicable

·        Owner/Director’s/ Proprietor’s ID Details

·        Company Bank Details

·        AWRS number, if this has been issued and UK based supplier

·        Copy of Business Utility Bill (less than 3 months old)

·        Headed paper complete with Director’s Signature

·        Proof of Due Diligence the company carries out

·        Copy of company’s term

·        If you are a UK duty paid supplier, please provide us with copies of form W-5 (or similar document) showing evidence of duty payment

 

Once the supplier has sent the above information, the appointed accounts officer or another trained member of the team will review it. The overall risk of the supplier will be established. If the business is identified as a high risk supplier, further questions will be asked and site visits will be conducted as appropriate. Any suspicious retail pricing at uneconomic levels or improper trading patterns will be reported to HMRC in a timely manner.

 

All high risk suppliers will be reviewed every three months; all other suppliers will be reviewed on an annual basis.

 

Existing suppliers who are already supplying AWSM at the date of this policy will need to provide AWSM with the relevant documents (as above) to continue as a supplier. As with new suppliers, each supplier's risk will be established. Regular visits to the supplier’s premises will also be made by AWSM representatives to verify business records.

 

AWSM’s Due Diligence Code of Conduct (DDCOC) sets out the basic rules we will follow and the values that will guide our decisions. It also points us to a more detailed processes and procedures relating to the purchase and supply of alcoholic products.

 

The DDCOC is built on the premise of ‘knowing your customer or supplier and the commercial transactions that will be involved. Supply chains are only as strong as the weakest link and the purpose of AWSM’s DDCOC is to prevent entering into commercial transactions with any illicit customer or supplier. The policy will aid in ensuring all customers and suppliers are regularly reviewed so any changes of activities are identified and the appropriate action taken.

 

Specific guidelines have been developed for customers and suppliers. All customers and suppliers must provide the required list of documents and completed questions for AWSM to undertake a risk assessment before any account is open. AWSM will only trade with a customer or supplier if they have passed the necessary risk assessment checks. AWSM will only work with suppliers in the alcohol industry who accept payment by cheque or bank transfer. Cash payments are not permitted.

 

Designated Accounts officer or another authorised member of the team will review the submitted information on a case-by-case basis and Arthur Lau will conduct the final sign off. Any customer or supplier who fails to pass the risk assessment will immediately have all transactions ceased pending review. If the review is unsatisfactory, the account will be closed indefinitely.

 

Regular reviews of customer and supplier information will be conducted by Accounts officer or another authorised member of the team and the final sign off will be conducted by Arthur Lau.

 

All initial checks and further reviews will be documented in the customer or supplier file and maintained on an on-going basis. Reminders for checks should be logged onto the accounting software and online calendars.

 

The DDCOC will be implemented and maintained by the designated Accounts officer. All training of the DDCOC must be authorised by Arthur Lau and any changes in staff will undergo full training on the DDCOC. Part of the DDCOC is to ensure day-to-day checks are in place to identify transactions that may lead to fraud or involve goods on which duty may have been evaded. Checks in purchase order processing and customer orders are two areas where daily checks are performed.

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