Non duty free alcohol.

I will be going to china soon and my wife's father has asked my to bring a variety of spirits (rum, wisky, ect), non are duty free as they are bought within the uk. I've been given mixed messages about what I can bring. I was under the impression that if I go over my limit of the duty free allowance, I am subject to pay some duty. But, (as long as I'm not taking the mickey) if it's not duty free, I should be all right.