Skip to main content
Notice

Production, distribution and use of denatured alcohol (Excise Notice 473)

This notice is about the production, distribution or use of denatured alcohol in the UK. Denatured alcohol is alcohol that has been made unsuitable for drinking by the addition of denaturants.

Updates to this page

From:
HM Revenue & Customs
Published:
1 July 2013
Last updated:
18 November 2025
Show all updates

  1. The links to use to contact HMRC have been updated.

  2. The list of formulations and uses for trade specific denatured alcohol in section 18 has been updated.

  3. Information about alcoholic product producers’ approved premises has been added to section 5.2.

  4. We have updated this notice to align with changes to Alcohol Duty that came into effect on 1 August 2023.

  5. References to the Alcohol Liquor Duties Act 1979 have been changed to the Finance Act (No. 2) 2023. Due to this change ‘alcohol’ is now known as ‘alcoholic product’.

  6. Sections 9.2 and 11.7 have been updated to reflect the new process for moving goods between Northern Ireland and the EU.

  7. The link to guidance about temporary changes to the use and supply of denatured alcohol and duty-free spirits has been removed as this guidance is no longer in use.

  8. Guidance on obtaining denatured alcohol in Section 11 has been updated.

  9. The postal address for HMRC Excise Written Enquiries Team has been updated in the glossary.

  10. This page has been updated because the Brexit transition period has ended.

  11. The guidance has been updated with changes to sections 10.7, 11.4.2, 11.5.2 and 18.

  12. Information added about temporary changes to the use and supply of denatured alcohol and duty-free spirits, to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

  13. Guidance updated with changes to the way applications for authority to receive and use IDA or TSDA are made. Also updated EU CDA formulations in section 16.

  14. The postal address has changed, paragraphs 1.2, 2.6, 13.2, 13.4, 13.5, 19.1, 19.2 and section 20 have been updated to reflect changes effective from December 2016.

  15. First published.

Documents

Production, distribution and use of denatured alcohol (Excise Notice 473)

HTML

Details

This notice has been amended to reflect the UK’s exit from the EU and the end of the transition period.

Sign up for emails or print this page

Related content