Whisky from the UK will have zero tariffs in the United States from today after an agreement reached during His Majesty The King’s visit in April came into effect.
The government said distilleries across the country are set to benefit from improved access to the US, described in the announcement as the largest market by value for whisky exports.
UK whisky exports to the US were worth £1 billion in 2025, almost 20% of all whisky exported from the UK. The Scotch Whisky Association says the industry supports 41,000 jobs in Scotland and a further 25,000 across the UK.
Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander visited Pernod Ricard’s Strathclyde Distillery in Glasgow to mark the change. The site produces grain whisky used in blended Scotch whiskies exported overseas, including Ballantine’s and Chivas Regal.
The government said the US tariff removal follows other trade developments for the sector this month. It said the India Free Trade Agreement, which came into force earlier in July, immediately reduced whisky tariffs from 150% to 75%, with a further reduction to 40% over 10 years.
Officials also cited recent deals involving China, the Gulf Co-operation Council, the EU and the US. Industry representatives welcomed the return of tariff-free trade for Scotch whisky in the US, according to the government announcement.