UK perfumers - you need to unite

[Guest guest]

Janita and I and some others have talked about this in the past - it's

near impossible to obtain high proof alcohol in the UK. Herbalists can

get it if they're licensed, and it seems if the perfumers here could

united and perhaps draft a proposal to the regulatory agency, it might

start the tide turning in your direction. One of my students is very

frustrated, and fears she might be stuck making oil-based perfumes.

Janita - I sent her your address so that she may contact you and perhaps

you can lay the process out to her. It might help to repeat it here, also.

--

Anya's Garden http://AnyasGarden.com - perfumes, aromatics, classes,

consultation

Natural Perfumers Guild + blog with daily updates

1500+ member Natural Perfumery group -

/

[Guest guest]

> Janita and I and some others have talked about this in the

> past - it's

> near impossible to obtain high proof alcohol in the UK.

> Herbalists can

> get it if they're licensed, and it seems if the

> perfumers here could

> united and perhaps draft a proposal to the regulatory

> agency, it might

> start the tide turning in your direction. One of my

> students is very

> frustrated, and fears she might be stuck making oil-based

> perfumes.

> Janita - I sent her your address so that she may contact

> you and perhaps

> you can lay the process out to her. It might help to repeat

> it here, also.

>

> --

> Anya's Garden http://AnyasGarden.com - perfumes,

Hi Anya and all Natural Perfumers

Purchasing undenatured alcohol is a positive nightmare here in the UK.

For some reason many suppliers are just very nervous at selling to us.

Just to give you an example. I managed to get some from a supplierabout seven

years ago, that went cold on me and after much pleading of my case and ethos of

my business, getting a professor of Botany (soz to some who have heard this

before :-)..to see how I worked and got him to vouch for me I was allowed again.

When I tried again I had the same problem.. I then had to take a train accross

country at my expense to explain the position...managing to take home with me a

precious four litres.

The customs and excise by this time had written to me to ask if I still had my

license... I said yes and gave them all the details for which they then said

that I didn't need a license for undenatured alcohol! As long as I paid the

full duty then everything was above board.

Once the alcohol I had triumphantly bought home was finished .. I tried again..

By that time the company had changed hands ! OH PLEEEZ... I then had to go

over absolutely everything AGAIN.... for which I then had to liase between them

and the customs.. to get the customs to write me a letter confirming what they

said. This took another 3- 6 months with all delays etc.

At last it was sorted out but on the extra information that the suppliers sent

me the alcohol that I pay with the full duty... at the end of their

financial/fiscal year they have to return the duty money they had put on to my

alcohol back to the customs! Which means a different setup for them.

THIS I think is the main problem. As some suppliers just can't be bothered in

marking their books and having the extra hassle of it all...

However, If any of you UK perfumers are willing to go that mile.. then you

should be able to get some from a sympathetic source...

I might still have the letter ... somewhere although a lot was online. When I

get a spare moment (Hah) I'll take a look ....

It really is a matter of opening up the blinkers a bit...

I just wish I could be more positive.. A united front would be good but a

standard letter one could produce from the customs would be better. I'll try

and find it.. If not... ring the customs and talk to them and they should supply

you with the information, but be prepared for a wait.

Yes, it is true that herbalists can obtain undenatured alcohol without the tax

duty .... OH, and BTW don't faint too much at the price! I pay now, at the top

of my head including tax I think about £27 -£30 per LITRE.. To you guys over in

the US it is up to $60 a LITER (your spelling - grin)

Janita Haan Natural Perfume

__________________________________________________________

Sent from .

A Smarter Email http://uk.docs./nowyoucan.html