Everything a trade buyer needs before sending an enquiry: minimum orders, lead times, shipping terms and how we quote. If something here is not clear, ask — we would rather answer before you order than after.
Who we supply
We supply trade buyers only: retailers, convenience stores, supermarkets, wholesalers, distributors, importers, hospitality venues and e-commerce businesses. We do not sell to the public.
Drinks Empire Company is the trading name of Empire Drinks Ltd, registered in England and Wales, company number 11475056, VAT GB302674131, registered at 193 Stafford Street, Walsall, England, WS2 8ED.
Are you a licensed alcohol wholesaler?
Yes. We are approved under HMRC’s Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme, AWRS URN XZAW00000111737. You can verify that number with HMRC before you order.
If you buy alcohol to resell, checking your supplier is a legal obligation on you as the buyer — see how to check an AWRS number. We publish ours so you can complete your due diligence without asking.
What is the minimum order?
There is no overall minimum order value. Each product carries its own minimum order quantity, shown on the product page.
MOQs vary by line: fast-moving beer and soft drinks have lower minimums than premium spirits, because the capital tied up per case is different. Mixed orders across categories are welcome and we consolidate them into a single shipment.
What are your lead times?
UK orders dispatch within 3–5 working days of confirmation. Export orders typically ship within 2–3 weeks, allowing for documentation and container consolidation.
Export timings depend on destination, documentation and sailing schedules. We confirm a specific date with every quote rather than leaving you to assume.
Which Incoterms do you quote on?
We quote on FOB, CIF and DAP. Tell us which you want and we will price accordingly.
| Term | We arrange | You arrange | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOB | Delivery to UK port, export clearance, loading | Freight, insurance, import clearance, duty | Buyers with their own freight forwarder |
| CIF | Freight and insurance to destination port | Import clearance, duty, onward delivery | Buyers wanting a single landed price to port |
| DAP | Delivery to your named place | Import duty and taxes | Buyers wanting minimal handling |
New to shipping terms? Incoterms explained covers what each one means for cost and risk.
Where do you export to?
We export from the UK to Europe, the USA, Asia, the Americas and Africa. Alcohol leaving the UK is not subject to UK excise duty, though the destination country will levy its own.
Import duty, taxes and any product registration in the destination market are the buyer’s responsibility. See UK alcohol duty explained for how duty affects what you pay.
How is pricing quoted?
Trade prices are quoted per case or per pallet and exclude VAT. Every quote states the Incoterm, whether the price is duty-paid or under bond, and the lead time.
We do not publish prices on the site. Wholesale pricing moves with volume, destination and shipping terms, so a listed figure would be wrong for most buyers. Tell us what you need and we will quote the real number.
What should I include in an enquiry?
Products, quantities and destination country. Those three tell us everything needed to quote accurately first time.
If you have a target price, a required delivery date or a preferred Incoterm, include those too. It saves a round of emails.
How do I get a quote?
Use the quote button on any product, message us on WhatsApp, or send your list through the contact form. Quote requests from product pages arrive with the product and reference already attached.
Browse wholesale spirits, beer, wine, soft drinks, energy drinks or confectionery, or ask us to source something we do not list.
More on how we work: wholesale drinks suppliers UK, wholesale alcohol suppliers and FMCG distribution and export.