Questions & answers

Frequently asked questions

On this page you will find frequently asked questions and answers related to selling whisky. Is your question not here? Please do not hesitate to contact us !

I want to auction a bottle. How do I start?: At European Whisky Auctions, you can auction whisky in two ways. You can do it yourself or you can leave it to us. You can read all about it in our quickstart for selling whisky . That is a good starting point.
Can I auction anything related to whisky?: Well, almost everything... At the regular auctions we only accept whisky. Once in a while we also hold a special auction for whisky related items such as books, art objects, cask ends and so on. Keep an eye on our website for these announcements.
Are there any bottles that you do not accept?: Yes, there certainly are.

Bottles with broken seals cannot be auctioned. An exception is made for broken customs seals (as long as the original bottle seal is intact).

Also bottles with a too low filling level (less than the low shoulder) cannot be accepted.

Bottles of which the label is too damaged will also not be admitted to the auction.

(Official) re-fill bottlings.

Finally, ceramic decanters of which the weight (as a determination of the filling level) is too low will also not be accepted.
Is it allowed to bid on my own bottles?: No, this is strictly forbidden and even considered illegal in many countries. We actively monitor this and as soon as we notice that people are bidding on their own lots (or via friends and acquaintances), we are allowed to immediately exclude these users from the platform.
I want to receive a minimum price for my bottle. Is that possible?: It is possible to set a reserve price as a kind of insurance. You can set a reserve price for the small amount of € 6,50 (including VAT). If the minimum price is not reached, the bottle does not have to be sold. If the hammer price is less than 10% of the reserve price, you will automatically receive a message with allowing you to indicate whether you still want to sell the bottle. However, this is not necessary.
How do I take good photos of my bottle?: Good photos are a very important factor for a good hammer price for your bottle. We have therefore put a number of photography tips together with examples. Use them to your advantage!
How do I ensure that my bottles reach the buyer in one piece?: This can be a real headache! Mail carriers do not always handle bottles in the same way as you do. It is therefore important not to leave anything to chance and to pack your bottle very carefully. Here are some practical tips .
What happens if my bottle is not sold?: If your bottle is not sold at the auction, we offer you the opportunity to relist it once free of charge. If your bottle remains unsold after the free reintroduction, you will have to pay the listing fee of € 2,00 again for each time you relist the bottle.
What fees are involved as a seller?: As a seller you have to pay the sellers commission (a percentage over the hammer price), a listing or registration fee for the bottle and a fee for placing a reserve price (if set). Additional prices apply to our auction service.

You can find the current prices here .
I am outside the European Union. Can I sell with you?: Yes, you can. However, there are some restrictions. You can only sell through our auction service . That means you also have to ship your bottles to us in advance. Always contact us before sending bottles to us! Also, as a seller you are responsible for any customs or VAT dusties when sending the bottles to us.
I do not want it to be known that I collect or sell whisky. Can you help with that?: Yes, you can. That's what our auction service is for. We take over the work so that you do not have to get in touch with the buyer of your bottle. Lots offered via our auction service are marked with a blue hammer. If you buy one, you remain anonymous as a buyer.
When will I get my money?: As soon as the auction is over, the invoices for the buyers are automatically generated and sent out. Buyers must pay within three working days. Once payment has been received, you will be notified that the bottle can be dispatched. Upon receiving it, the buyer must indicate within three days whether everything is ok or not. We pay out within five working days after acceptance of the bottle.
Who is responsible for the bottles at each stage of the auction?: It is the seller's responsibility to ensure the proper handling of the sale and shipment of the bottles. From the moment the bottle is registered until the moment the sold bottle is with the buyer, you as the seller are responsible.

If the seller has opted for our auction service, we are responsible from the moment we receive the bottle(s). The seller is therefore responsible for the shipment to our office. We are not responsible for damage due to customs inspection. If customs returns a package, the shipping costs are for the seller. These will not be refunded.