Ethyl-Alcohol Manufacturers Beware! Exceeding the 5% Analytical Tolerance on Ethyl Alcohol Could Now Lead to Penalties

In 2012, the Director-General of Customs and Excise (“ Director-General ”) introduced Regulation No. 53/BC/2012 on Procedures for the Mixing and Destruction of Ethyl Alcohol Exempted from Excise (“ Regulation 53/2012 ”), which has been amended several times, most recently by Regulation No. 17/BC/2018 (collectively referred to as “ Regulation 53/2012 ”). As its title suggests, Regulation 53/2012 broadly outlines the mechanism for the mixing and destruction of ethyl alcohol that is granted excise exemptions (“ Exemptions ”), as well as a list of the aforementioned ethyl-alcohol products.