Frequently asked questions

We've shared our clients' most commonly asked questions below. If your query isn't addressed then please reach out to one of our expert global teams or Group CEO Patrick O'Connor

BUYING WINES + SPIRITS

FINE+RARE gives our customers and clients unparalleled access to a vast global treasure trove of the world's finest wines and spirits.

Some of these items are available for delivery immediately from our own stock and private reserves, and some are available through our ever-growing global network of producers and merchants.

When you select products on our site, you are making a request for us to source and supply them. As soon as you make that enquiry or place an order, you will automatically be sent a confirmation and reference number, and we will get back to you as soon as possible to let you know when to expect your selected items.

Sourced on demand:

The vast majority of our listings are available via our global network of producers and merchants – and subject to a 6-12 week lead time. We strive to get as close to source as possible, purchasing wines and spirits direct from the producer or trusted suppliers whenever possible. We work with suppliers across the globe, giving us unrivalled access to a huge diversity of products: at any one time we have over 50,000+ discrete listings.

Available now:

We also list a large number of wines and spirits which are immediately available, held within FINE+RARE's own stockholdings or sourced via our private reservists. Delivery of these items can be organised immediately upon payment.

Marketplace wines and spirits are sourced from a wide range of suppliers all over the world.

We consolidate imports, handle the wines with care to avoid damage, and condition-check them on arrival. This process can take between 6-12 weeks. However, please note that in many cases, the lead time may be significantly lower depending on the current location of the wines or spirits.

If you require a fast turnaround on an order, please speak to your Account Manager and they will be able to advise accordingly.

Our minimum order value is £200. Any orders below this might incur a discretionary fee.

FINE+RARE has a one-of-a-kind retail, office and events space called HOME Hong Kong located in the prime Central district of Hong Kong.

In the UK, our premises include an office at London's Monument and our storage warehouse within London City Bond at Tilbury Docks. Although we do not currently have a retail space, we can offer Next-Day Delivery on all Immediately Available wines and spirits to Central London and Home Counties addresses for orders placed before 12 noon.

Yes, you will receive notification as soon as your wine and/ or spirits arrive so you can then organise delivery, export or storage via Portfolio

You can see the status of your wines or spirits and if they have arrived at our warehouse by signing into your Portfolio account.

PAYMENTS

Sign in to your Portfolio account to pay online using the secure payment page link. Alternatively, settle your invoice by direct bank transfer.

Our bank account details are as follows:

Fine and Rare Wines Limited

HSBC Bank Plc

Account No: 62756250

Sort Code: 40-14-13

IBAN: GB17HBUK40141362756250

Please include your F+R account number or invoice number in the payment reference. These can both be found on your invoice.

We accept payment via Visa, MasterCard, American Express or by direct bank transfer.

When making a payment by bank transfer, please include your F+R account number or invoice number in the payment reference. These can both be found on your invoice.

Unfortunately we are unable to accept PayPal payments at this time.

You can view and download all recent invoices by signing into your Portfolio account and visiting My Accounts or Outstanding Balances.

UK VAT is currently set at 20%. UK alcohol duty rates are as follows from 1st August 2023 **:

Wine (per 75cl):

Still + sparkling wine (8.5% alcohol): £1.82

Still + sparkling wine (9% alcohol): £1.92

Still + sparkling wine (9.5% alcohol): £2.03

Still + sparkling wine (10% alcohol): £2.14

Still + sparkling wine (10.5% alcohol): £2.24

Still + sparkling wine (11% alcohol): £2.35

Still + sparkling wine (11.5- 14.5% alcohol): £2.67

Still + sparkling wine (15% alcohol): £3.21

Sherry (15% alcohol): £2.23

Port (20% alcohol): £2.98

Spirits (per litre of pure alcohol):

0 to 1.2% alcohol: £0

1.3% to 3.4% alcohol: £9.27

3.5% to 8.4% alcohol: £24.77

8.5% to 22% alcohol: £28.50

**A full breakdown can be found here

DELIVERY

The easiest way to organise delivery of your wines or spirits is through the Deliver page on Portfolio.

Simply select Add For Delivery next to the relevant wines or spirits to conveniently manage your deliveries.

Yes, you can. A transfer within London City Bond costs £8 ex VAT for an unlimited number of cases. Delivery to all other bonded storage providers costs £16 ex VAT for up to 10 cases (10 x 12x75cl or equivalent) in line with our standard delivery charge. For large shipments we reserve the right to charge for packaging when required.

Exports to EU bonded warehouses are available via our third-party shipping partners. Simply request delivery via the Deliver page on Portfolio.

Yes, it is. For shipments to private EU residences, we require UK duty and VAT to be paid before release of wines or spirits to a shipping agent of your choosing.

We have a number of recommended third party shipping partners. Simply sign into your account and request delivery via the Deliver page on Portfolio.

STORAGE

Yes, we can store your wines and spirits in our climate-controlled warehouse within London City Bond at Tilbury Docks. These will be placed in an account in your name, cared for by dedicated FINE+RARE trained staff.

Please note, we are no longer receiving duty paid wines for storage; you may still store duty paid spirits. Any duty paid wines received at our chamber without prior notice will be rejected and returned to the original sender.

Please view our Storage Terms and Conditions for more information.

From half-bottles to imperials, we store both singles and cases, in bond or duty paid.

Please note that we inspect the condition of wines upon arrival and reserve the right to reject items on the basis they are not suitable for storage (because of woodworm, leakage etc).

Please also note that we do not accept wines or spirits into our facility without prior warning. A shipping list reference will be needed by our warehouse in order to accept deliveries, which can be generated by signing into your account and using the Add Product function within Portfolio.

Yes, all wines and spirits stored with us are fully insured at their full replacement value.

Our annual storage rate is £13.80 ex VAT per 12x75cl case or equivalent. This will be charged pro-rata, in six-month arrears.

SELLING

Yes, you can sell your wines or spirits, providing they are stored with us or can be transferred. We are no longer accepting duty paid wines for sale; you may still sell duty paid spirits.

We have a dedicated Global Portfolio Management team to support and service the needs of our reservists, actively looking to market their wines and identify sales opportunities.

Any wines that are placed on sale are stored free of charge for a maximum of 90 days (subject to the exception that they fall below ‘floor’ and therefore are no longer available for purchase).

You can look up the current market value of the wines and spirits in your collection by signing into your Portfolio account.

PORTFOLIO

You can find an inventory of the wines and spirits you have purchased from FINE+RARE online when you sign into Portfolio.

The summary page provides an indication of which orders have arrived and are currently in your storage account, as well as wines that you have had delivered home from FINE+RARE (please note that these can be removed from your Portfolio if you wish).

Through Portfolio, you can also place wines on sale and request delivery of your wines in storage.

You can sign in to your Portfolio, reset your password or create a new account via our website.