Guide

Minimum unit pricing compliance for alcohol retailers

How to calculate and apply minimum unit pricing for alcohol sales in Scotland, including enforcement and penalties.

Scotland

All alcohol sold in Scotland must be priced at or above the minimum unit price. This applies to both on-sales (pubs, restaurants) and off-sales (shops, supermarkets). Selling below the minimum price is a criminal offence.

How to calculate the minimum price

Multiply these three figures together:

  1. Alcohol by volume (ABV) — shown on the label as a percentage
  2. Volume in litres — convert ml to litres (divide by 1000)
  3. Minimum unit price — currently 65p

Formula: ABV × volume (litres) × 65p = minimum price

Examples

  • 750ml bottle of wine at 13% ABV: 0.13 × 0.75 × 65p = £6.34 minimum
  • 500ml can of lager at 4% ABV: 0.04 × 0.5 × 65p = £1.30 minimum
  • 700ml bottle of whisky at 40% ABV: 0.40 × 0.7 × 65p = £18.20 minimum

Multi-buy ban

Scotland also bans quantity-based discounts on off-sales alcohol. You cannot offer 'buy one get one free' or volume discounts on alcohol in off-sales premises.

Enforcement and penalties

Licensing Standards Officers (LSOs) and Trading Standards monitor compliance. Breach of minimum pricing is a criminal offence that can result in fines up to £20,000, imprisonment up to 6 months, and licence review or revocation.

Alcohol licensing in Scotland

How alcohol licensing works in Scotland under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 — five licensing objectives, Licensing Boards, premises and personal licences, occasional licences, overprovision, and minimum unit pricing.

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Alcohol licensing requirements

How to obtain a premises licence to sell alcohol in England and Wales, including application process, fees, designated premises supervisor requirements, and licensing objectives.

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