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NEW TO TTB.gov!! Application and informational packets to guide you through the permit process, help you request a special service, or fulfill a business requirement. Read more.

WWTG Members Complete Signature of Labeling Agreement
Members of the World Wine Trade Group met on January 23rd, 2007 in Canberra, Australia, to complete signature of the Agreement on Requirements for Wine Labelling, which had previously been initialed in September 2006. Read more.

Reminder to File Report of Wine Operations, Form 5120.17 (12/13/07)

The Fall 2007 Treasury Semiannual Regulatory Agenda and Plan (Unified Agenda) is Available (12/13/07)

First COLAs Online Workshop Being Held in Florida (12/12/07)

TTB Signs MOU with People’s Republic of China (12/11/07)

TTB recently published two new Industry Circulars: 2007-2, Certification and Analysis of U.S. Wine for Export to the European Community, and 2007-3, County of Origin Certification Requirements for Imported Wines and Distilled Spirits. Questions regarding either circular may be directed to the International Trade Division at 202-927-8110 or ITD@ttb.gov. (7/03/07)

New Tutorial for Form 5620.8b Now Available (4/30/07)

New Tutorials for 5110 Forms Series Now Available (4/24/07)

TTB Includes Rulemaking Materials on Regulations.gov Web site(4/5/07)

Importing Samples for Trade Shows and/or For Soliciting Orders Samples of alcoholic beverage imported strictly for use at trade shows and/or for soliciting orders may, under certain conditions, be imported without a certificate of label approval (COLA). (3/29/07) Read more.

Drawback Tutorial for TTB Form 5154.1
We have developed a tutorial to help industry members complete Form 5154.1, Formula and Process for Nonbeverage Product. Read More.

Nonbeverage Products Laboratory Organized Seminar for Industry Members: Chemists in the Nonbeverage Products Lab presented a full-day seminar entitled "Nonbeverage Formula Seminar: The Present and Future". The aim was to provide industry members with information about the upcoming regulatory changes involving the certification of nonbeverage formulas and with tools to accurately complete TTB Form 5154.1. The seminar was held in the US Commerce Department’s auditorium and was attended by about 80 alcohol beverage and flavor industry members. View Presentations.

Direct Shipping Compliance Reminder(10/01/2006)

Language Links for International Trade Information
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Three New Viticultural Areas Established: On December 7, 2005, TTB published final rules in the Federal Register establishing three new viticultural areas - the Texoma area in north-central Texas, the Ramona Valley area in San Diego County, California, and the Wahluke Slope area in eastern Washington State.

Santa Rita Hills Viticultural Area Name Abbreviation: TTB has published a final rule abbreviating the name of the existing Santa Rita Hills viticultural area to "Sta. Rita Hills."

Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request Notice. On October 14, 2005, we published a notice in the Federal Register requesting comments on the alcohol-related information collection titled "Formulas for fermented products," OMB No. 1513-0118. Comments are due on or before December 13, 2005.

Fall 2005 Treasury Department Unified Agenda: On October 31, 2005, the Treasury Department published its Fall 2005 Unified Agenda in the Federal Register. The agenda describes all the final and proposed regulations the Department, including TTB, is working on or has recently published in the Federal Register.

T.D. TTB-35, Establishment of the Red Hill Douglas County, Oregon Viticultural Area. This final rule establishes the 5,500-acre "Red Hill Douglas County, Oregon" viticultural area within the existing Umpqua viticultural area in southwestern Oregon, effective November 14, 2005.

T.D. TTB-34, Establishment of the Dos Rios Viticultural Area. This final rule establishes the 15,500-acre "Dos Rios" viticultural area at the confluence of the Eel River and the Middle Fork of the Eel River in Mendocino County, California, effective November 14, 200

T.D. TTB-33, Establishment of the Niagara Escarpment Viticultural Area. This final rule establishes the 18,00-acre "Niagara Escarpment" viticultural area in Niagara County, New York, effective October 11, 2005.

T.D. TTB-32, Expansion of the Russian River Valley Viticultural Area. This final rule adds 30,200 acres to the existing 126,600-acre Russian River Valley viticultural area (27 CFR 9.66) in Sonoma County, California, effective October 11, 2005.

Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request Notice.On September 8, 2005, we published a notice in the Federal Register requesting comments on six alcohol- and tobacco-related TTB forms, including the Excise Tax Return--Alcohol and Tobacco and the Change of Bond (Consent of Surety) forms. See the Federal Register notice for complete details. Comments are due by November 7, 2005.

Certification Requirements for Imported Wine. Section 2002 of the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2004 amended section 5382(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which sets forth standards regarding what constitutes proper cellar treatment of natural wine. The Act added new certification requirements regarding production practices and procedures for imported natural wine. TTB has issued a temporary rule to implement this change, and is soliciting comments on the temporary rule. For further information, click here.

Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request Notice. On August 15, 2005, we published a notice in the Federal Register requesting comments on a new form, TTB F 5100.51, Formula and Process for Alcohol Beverages, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. Comments are due by October 14, 2005.

Notice No. 50, Seven Proposed Lodi, California Viticultural Areas. TTB seeks comments on the proposed establishment of seven new viticultural areas within the existing Lodi viticultural area in southern Sacramento and northern San Joaquin Counties, California. The seven proposed areas are: Alta Mesa, Borden Ranch, Clements Hills, Cosumnes River, Jahant, Mokelumne River, and Sloughhouse. We must receive comments by October 14, 2005.

Industry Circular 2005-2, Alternating Proprietors at Brewery Premises.This industry circular provides guidance to brewers and others regarding the qualification and operation of alternating proprietorships at breweries. In addition, this circular announces that all previous approvals of alternating proprietorships will not be valid as of September 1, 2006, and that all alternating proprietors must resubmit an application for approval of an alternative method of operation under 27 CFR 25.52 by that date.

Proposed Information Collections; Comment Request Notice. On July 21, 2005, we published a notice in the Federal Register requesting comments on 13 information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. Please see the Federal Register notice for details on the particular TTB forms and recordkeeping requirements in question and for details on how to comment. Comments are due on or before September 19, 2005.

FDA Public Meeting on Gluten-Free Labeling of Foods; Request for Comments. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will hold a public meeting on August 19, 2005, in College Park, Maryland, regarding the use of the term "gluten-free" on food labels, which includes alcohol beverage labels. You must register for the meeting by August 12, 2005. The FDA will accept written comments on this issue until September 19, 2005. Please see the FDA's Federal Register notice of July 19, 2005, for complete details.

Wine Industry Seminar in Florida June 16 and North Carolina June 30. TTB will hold two wine industry seminars in June. The seminars are scheduled for June 16 in Orlando, Florida, and June 30 in Dobson, North Carolina. Topics discussed will include the application process, recordkeeping and reports, changes to reports after qualification, taxes, and labeling. To view the flier for the Florida seminar, click here. To view the flier for the North Carolina seminar, click here.

TTB Clarifies Advertising Requirements for Malt Beverages. TTB released an announcement regarding the advertisement of malt beverages containing ingredients associated with non-alcohol energy drinks. Read more.

FAQs on Special Occupational Tax (SOT) Suspension. In November 2004, we issued Suspension of Special Occupational Tax Payments Press Release. We are providing FAQs to respond to your many questions regarding the SOT suspension. You may call the National Revenue Center at 1-800-937-8864 or 1-877-882-3277 if you have additional questions.

TTB Considers Changing Vintage Date Rules for Wine Labels. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau intends to initiate a rulemaking to consider changing the vintage date rules for wine labels. This action is in response to an April 12, 2005, petition from the Wine Institute, a trade association representing California wineries. The rulemaking will offer interested parties the opportunity to provide TTB with views on the proposed change. The Bureau plans to publish a formal notice of proposed rulemaking in the near future. We request that interested persons wait for the publication of that notice so that their comments may be considered as part of the official rulemaking record. Click here to view the petition.

Proposed Information Collections; Comment Request Notice. On April 15, 2005, we published a notice in the Federal Register requesting comments on three information collections as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. These information collections are: (1) TTB Form No. 5620.8, Claim--Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Taxes; (2) TTB Form No. 5120.17, Report of Wine Premises Operations; and (3) TTB Form Nos. 5200.24 and 5200.25, Tobacco Bond--Surety and Tobacco Bond--Collateral, respectively. Comments are due on or before June 14, 2005.

Methanol Levels and Good Manufacturing Practices for Fruit Brandies. TTB seeks comments on a proposed voluntary manufacturing practices survey of fruit brandy producers and importers. Comments on the proposed survey are due on or before May 31, 2005. See our recent Federal Register notice.

Industry Concerns Regarding Varietal Authentication Testing Addressed. Recently the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau embarked on a program to develop scientific methods to authenticate the varietal designations of grapes used in the production of wine by testing samples from finished, bottled wine. View letters TTB sent to the Wine Institute and Wine America explaining the program and its purpose.

Temporary Suspension of Special (Occupational) Tax Payments. On October 22, 2004, Public Law 108-357, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, was signed into law. As part of this act, the payment of Special (Occupational) Tax (SOT) will be suspended for some businesses for the period of July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2008. No SOT is due for operations conducted between these dates. Read more.

Industry Circular 2005-1, Pay.gov Updated with Distilled Spirits Operational Reports: TTB announces the addition of the monthly Processing, Production, and Denaturing reports for distilled spirits plants to the "Pay.gov" system. The Pay.gov system allows industry members to electronically create and submit these three reports, as well as Federal excise tax returns and payments. Read Industry Circular 2005-1 for more details.

TTB Seeks Comments on 15 Information Collections. As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act, we invite comments on 15 continuing information collections (TTB forms or recordkeeping requirements). For details on these information collections and how to comment, see the Federal Register notice we published on February 28, 2005.

Notice No. 49, Proposed Changes to Vintage Date Requirements. TTB seeks comments on a proposal to change the minimum content requirement for vintage date statements on some wine labels. We take this action in response to a petition from a California wine industry association. Comments on this proposal are due on or before August 30, 2005.

Notice No. 42, Comment Period Extension for Proposed Fort Ross-Seaview Viticultural Area. In response to an industry member request, TTB extends the comment period for Notice No. 34, Proposed Fort Ross-Seaview Viticultural Area, located in Sonoma County, California, until June 8, 2005.

Notice No. 39, Proposed Shawnee Hills Viticultural Area: TTB seeks comments on the proposed establishment of the "Shawnee Hills" viticultural area in southern Illinois. Comments are due June 7, 2005.

Notice No. 38, Proposed Ramona Valley Viticultural Area: TTB seeks comments on the proposed establishment of the "Ramona Valley" viticultural area in central San Diego County, California. Comments are due May 31, 2005.

Notice No. 37, Proposed Dos Rios Viticultural Area: TTB seeks comments on the proposed establishment of the "Dos Rios" viticultural area in northern Mendocino County, California. Comments are due May 31, 2005.

Notice No. 33, Proposed Niagara Escarpment Viticultural Area: TTB seeks comments on the proposed establishment of the "Niagara Escarpment" viticultural area in Niagara County, New York. We must receive comments on this proposal on or before April 11, 2005.

Notice No. 32, Proposed Covelo Viticultural Area. TTB seeks comments on the proposed establishment of the "Covelo" viticultural area in northern Mendocino County, California. We must receive comments on or before April 4, 2005.

Notice No. 31, Proposed Red Hill Douglas County, Oregon Viticultural Area. TTB reopens the comment period for Notice No. 960, Proposed Red Hill (Oregon) Viticultural Area, for 30-days to solicit comments on a new proposed name for the area, "Red Hill Douglas County, Oregon." We must receive comments on or before March 4, 2005.

Notice No. 30, Proposed Expansion of the Russian River Valley Viticultural Area. TTB seeks comments on a proposed 30,200-acre expansion of the existing Russian River Valley viticultural area in Sonoma County, California. We must receive comments on this proposal on or before April 1, 2005.

Notice No. 29, Proposed Realignment of the Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco Viticultural Areas. TTB seeks comments on the proposed transfer of about 200 acres of land from the Arroyo Seco viticultural area to the Santa Lucia Highlands viticultural area in Monterey County, California, in order to end the division of a large vineyard between the two areas. Comments must be received on or before May 25, 2005.

Notice No. 28, Proposed Establishment of the High Valley Viticultural Area. TTB seeks comments on the proposed establishment of the "High Valley" viticultural area in Lake County, California. The proposed High Valley area is largely within the existing Clear Lake and North Coast viticultural areas). Comments must be received on or before March 25, 2005.

Notice No. 27, Proposed Establishment of the Horse Heaven Hills Viticultural Area. TTB seeks comments on the proposed establishment of the "Horse Heaven Hills" viticultural area in Washington State in portions of Klickitat, Yakima, and Benton Counties. Comments must be received on or before March 25, 2005.

Craft Brewers Conference Slated for April 13-16, 2005. The Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America will be held on April 13-16, 2005, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. TTB representatives will attend conference seminars and receptions, and be available to answer questions. For more information, contact the Association of Brewers at 888-822-6273, or see the conference website. (1/12/05)

2005 Brewery Seminars: The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau is sponsoring Federal regulations and compliance training for the brewery industry. The next seminar is being offered in Portland, Oregon on April 26, 2005. There is no charge for the seminars, but registration is required. For additional seminar dates and locations, view the flier.

TTB to Initiate Rulemaking on Serving Facts Panels. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau announced December 28, 2004, its intentions to initiate a rulemaking to consider placing serving facts panels on alcoholic beverages. View the press release.

Comment Request on New Certification Requirements for Imported Wine. An amendment to section 5382 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code would add a requirement for production practices and procedures for wine imported into the United States after December 31, 2004. TTB is accepting comments on implementation of this requirement until January 15, 2005. See Notice No. 26 for details.

T.D. TTB-27, Establishment of the Ribbon Ridge Viticultural Area. This final rule establishes the "Ribbon Ridge" viticultural area in northern Yamhill County, Oregon, effective on July 1, 2005.

T.D. TTB-26, Removal of Tobacco Products for United States Use in Law Enforcement Activities. TTB amends its tobacco regulations to allow the removal of tobacco products, without payment of tax, for use in Federal law enforcement activities, and to exempt such products from the tax-exempt labeling requirement. We take this action to timely meet the needs of Federal law enforcement operations, particularly investigations into tobacco product diversion and smuggling. You may comment on this temporary rule on or before June 14, 2005.

T.D. TTB-25, Recodification of Liquor Dealer Regulations. In this final rule, TTB recodifies its regulations regarding liquor dealers from 27 CFR part 194 to 27 CFR part 31. We also make the nomenclature and administrative changes required by TTB's creation by the Homeland Security Act of 2002.

TTB T.D.-21, Flavored Malt Beverages and Related Regulatory Amendments. This Treasury decision makes amendments to the regulations concerning the composition, production, labeling, and advertising of beer and malt beverages. See TTB T.D.-21 for details.

TTB T.D.-20, Establishment of the Yamhill-Carlton District Viticultural Area. This Treasury decision establishes the "Yamhill-Carlton District" viticultural area in portions of Yamhill and Washington Counties, Oregon, effective February 7, 2005. This new viticultural areas is entirely within the existing Willamette Valley viticultural area.

TTB Releases Regulations on Alcohol Content of Flavored Malt Beverages. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau announced December 28, 2004, final regulations restricting the alcohol makeup of flavored malt beverages. The regulations will be published in the Federal Register January 3, 2005. View the press release.

E-Mail Outage. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is in the process of completing a system migration. In the interim, e-mails to various addresses are being returned to our customers as undeliverable. If you experience a problem with e-mail delivery, you may send alcohol and tobacco related questions to the general e-mail address at TTBInternetQuestions@ttb.gov. Please direct other questions to TTBWebmaster@ttb.treas.gov. Thank you for your patience.

Wholesaler/Importer Seminars: TTB is sponsoring Federal regulations and compliance training for wholesalers and importers of alcohol beverages. The next seminar is being offered in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on February 1, 2005. Space is limited so please make sure you are registered early. Please see our flier and agenda for additional information.

Bioterrorism Act Compliance Reminder. TTB reminds members of the alcohol beverage industry that they must comply with certain provisions of the Bioterrorism Act (Public Law 107-188). In general, businesses that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food--including alcohol beverages--must register with the FDA, alcohol beverage importers must give prior notice of import to the FDA, and industry members must keep certain records. For more information, see TTB's revised Bioterrorism Act Web page or visit the FDA's Bioterrorism Act Web page.

Industry Circular 2004-3, Alcohol and Tobacco Export Documentation Procedures. TTB answers some Frequently Asked Questions about this circular. Click Here.

Relocation of TTB Offices in Puerto Rico. The TTB field office in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and its satellite office in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, have new locations and mailing addresses. Also, TTB staff members based in Puerto Rico have new individual telephone numbers. Read More.

Frequently Requested Listings. TTB has received numerous requests for related records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). We are required by FOIA to make that information available to the public through our Web site (Electronic Reading Room). To read the requirements and see our Frequently Requested Listings click here. To make a FOIA request for information that is not found on our site, click here.

Ordering Forms from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). TTB is continually striving to make it easier to do business with our agency. There are now three ways to order TTB Forms for conducting business, paying taxes and filing reports. You can mail in a request, call our toll-free number and speak with a Customer Service Representative, or you can e-mail the request directly to TTB. Please visit our Forms page at www.ttb.gov/forms for more information. All forms are in the process of being updated to reflect the new agency. If you still have a supply of ATF forms, you may continue to use them until an official notice is made to discontinue their use.

TTB Administrator Retires. Early in the coming year, Arthur J. Libertucci, Administrator of the newest Bureau in the Treasury Department, will retire. When we got together for a recent interview, he talked of how he came to work in Federal service, how our organization and work have changed over the years, and what the future may hold. Read the entire article.

Message from the Administrator

TTB Hemp Policy. TTB wants to remind you of our policy concerning alcohol beverages containing hemp or a hemp component. We have specific requirements for formulas/statments of process, imported hemp products, and label approval. Read the policy.

Winemaking Kit for Commercial Wine Production. We have found that a number of commercial wine producers are making wine from kits intended for home winemakers. In a new FAQ, we discuss the winery’s responsibility to document any label claims made on wine from kits. Read the FAQ.

Industry Circular 2004-3, Alcohol and Tobacco Export Documentation Procedures. TTB announces a new alternative procedure to allow alcohol and tobacco exporters to retain export documentation at their premises. Effective on November 29, 2004, we will rescind all previously approved export documentation alternative procedures. If you wish to retain export documentation at your premises, you must obtain our approval and replace any current alternative procedure with the new procedure described in this Industry Circular.

T.D. TTB-16, Recodification of Part 275 as Part 41. On August 26, 2004, as part of our ongoing effort to reorganize 27 CFR chapter I, we published a final rule in the Federal Register (69 FR 52421) recodifying Part 275, Importation of Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes, as Part 41. We also made administrative and nomenclature changes to this part to reflect the separation of TTB from ATF under the Homeland Security Act of 2002. The final rule did not make any substantive regulatory changes to this part.

COLA Statistics Online. We are now posting the number of COLA applications received to date and the average processing time for our web-based electronic COLA applications. These statistics are updated every Monday to reflect the data received and processed during the prior week.

COLAs Online New Look and Feel is Here! The deployment of the COLAs Online electronic filing system and the Public COLA Registry has been completed. The new features correspond with the look and feel of our redesigned Internet site. In addition to the new appearance, the enhanced programs provide a friendlier feel to our users. Visit www.ttbonline.gov now.

TTB and Small Businesses. The small business community is crucial to our country’s economic well-being. To this end, we strive to maintain a close working relationship with the small business entities we regulate. We utilize a variety of methods and resources, including our website, publications, plain language, customer service hotlines, and attendance at industry seminars and events, to assist small business entities in complying with TTB’s laws and regulations. Read more.

Electronic Appellation Initiative. We are providing listings of authorized U.S. appellations of origin. This is the first step in developing an electronic "warehouse" of all U.S. and foreign authorized appellations of origin. The International Trade Division is leading this initiative and will soon give foreign governments the opportunity to review its appellation listing prior to publication on our site. See our Quick Links section to access this information. (07/16/04)

Complete Industry Circular Archive Now Available Online. Due to popular demand we have made available all the Industry Circulars issued by TTB, the former Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and their predecessor agencies since the Internal Revenue Service's former Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Division issued the first circular in 1954. Read more.

T.D. TTB-10, Temecula Valley Viticultural Area. This final rule changes the name of the "Temecula" viticultural area (27 CFR 9.50) to "Temecula Valley." We take this action to better differentiate between the city of Temecula (formerly a small unincorporated village and now a city of 75,000) and the surrounding rural agricultural land. See the final rule for details. (Pub. 4/19/04)

New TTB Ruling on Caloric and Carbohydrate Representations in Alcohol Beverage Labeling and Advertising. On April 7, 2004, TTB issued TTB Ruling 2004-1, offering guidance to industry members on caloric and carbohydrate statements, such as "low-carb," in the labeling and advertising of wine, distilled spirits and malt beverages. Read TTB Ruling 2004-1. Read the press release

Regulations.Gov. We are taking part in eRulemaking in order to make the rulemaking process more accessible and allow citizens and small businesses to quickly access and comment on open proposed rules from all Federal agencies. Visit www.regulations.gov to see open rulemaking projects for all Federal agencies. You may continue to view and comment on our proposed rulemaking from our Notices page.

Ordering Forms @ TTB. We are constantly exploring ways to better serve our customers. As of April 1, 2004, we will no longer use the Distribution Center for managing and distributing large quantities of forms. Instead, we are using an automated system to order and mail forms to our customers. If you need a copy of a form, please see our Forms page or call 1-877-TTB-FAQS (1-877-882-3277) and a Customer Representative will assist you.

TTB Treatment of Taxpayer Letters Relating to Taxes Not Administered by TTB. We have been receiving copies of taxpayer letters and other documents addressed to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). These mailings take various forms but they share certain characteristics. Read more.

TTB Wine Industry Seminars. We are having a series of one-day seminars on federal regulations and compliance training specifically for new Northern California wine premises (qualified since Jan.1, 2003). The seminars will be held June 15-17 and will cover recordkeeping and reports, changes after qualification, taxes, labeling and exports. Read more.

Correction of Letter Regarding Special Occupational Tax. An annual inquiry letter dated February 13, 2004, was issued to approximately 38,000 payers of Special Occupational Tax. The due date of the letter was inadvertently printed out as July 1, 2004, instead of July 1, 2003. If you received an inquiry letter dated February 13 stating you had penalties and interest due on Special Occupational Tax due on July 1, 2004, please note this due date is printed in error. The actual due date on the letter should have been July 1, 2003. (Read More)


TTB Wine Industry Seminars. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) announces a series of one-day seminars on Federal regulations and compliance training for the Southern California wine industry. We plan to hold the seminars on April 20 – 26 (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Each session will cover recordkeeping and reports, changes after qualification, taxes, labeling and exports. To find out more click here.

Maintaining Copies of Certificatesof Label Approval (COLAs). It has come to our attention recently that certain alcohol beverage wholesalers believe that TTB requires them to maintain copies of Certificates of Label Approval (COLAs) for all products that they maintain on their premises. 27CFR, Part 4.30 (wine), 5.51 (distilled spirits), and 7.31 (malt beverages), outline label approval and release requirements. TTB does not require wholesalers to maintain this type of information. Read more.

Notice to Industry Members Regarding Tie-In Sales (Tied Houses). The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) wants to remind proprietors of distilled spirits plants, breweries, wineries, tax paid wine bottling houses, wholesalers, importers and retailers of beverage alcohol products, and others concerned that Tie-In Sales are unlawful trade practices. For definitions and examples of tie-in sales click here. (02/23/04)

Focus on Labeling, Advertising, Tax, and Trade Practice Compliance. Passage of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 split the former Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) into two entities on January 24, 2003 . We became the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) in the Department of the Treasury, and the former ATF became the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the Department of Justice. ( 01/29/04 ) Read more

T.D. TTB-9, Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley Viticultural Area. TTB has published a final rule establishing the "Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley" viticultural area in Napa County, California, effective on April 26, 2004. This 8,300 acre area is located entirely within the existing Napa Valley viticultural area, between the town of Napa and the Yountville viticultural area. See the final rule for details. (Pub. 02/25/04).

T.D. TTB-8, Exportation of Liquors; Recodification of Regulations. As part of our ongoing efforts to reorganize title 27, chapter 1, Code of Federal Regulations, we have recodified Part 252, Exportation of Liquors, as Part 28, Exportation of Alcohol. While the requirements of this part have not changed, we did update the part's language to reflect TTB's creation and reorganization under section 1111 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002. See the final rule for details. (Pub. 01/27/04).

Applying for Permits Using ePackets. At TTB, we continue to seek ways to improve and speed up the permit application process. So please ask us about our "e-packets" of permit application materials and forms when you call or correspond with our office. E-packets contain electronic versions of our forms and can be sent to you via e-mail. If you have WinZip or other disk compression software on your computer, you may view and print the application material s and forms using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software and return to us for processing. We hope to add electronic return to this feature in the future. ( 1/23/04 )

Preprinted TTB Alcohol and Tobacco Excise Tax Returns.
Read more. ( 01/13/04 )

Alcohol and Tobacco Federal Excise Tax Due Dates for the 2004 Tax Year.
Click Here (1/05/04)

TTB has issued Industry Circular 2003-7, Alternating Proprietors at Bonded Wine Premises.(12/11/03)

FDA Publishes Compliance Policy Guide for Registration of Food Facilities. Under the Bioterrorism Act (Public Law 107-188), all domestic and foreign facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food, including alcohol beverages, for consumption in the United States must register with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) beginning on December 12, 2003. To help the food industry comply with this provision, the FDA has published a Compliance Policy Guide entitled "Registration of Food Facilities Under the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002." To learn where to obtain a paper copy of this guide or where to send comments on it, read the FDA's Federal Register notice. (1/02/04)

Excise Taxes Paid by Electronic Funds Transfer.
Read entire text.(12/29/03)

Notice No. 24, Proposed Trinity Lakes Viticultural Area.
Read Press Release. (Pub. 12/17/03).

FDA Publishes Compliance Policy Guide for Imported Food. Under the Bioterrorism Act (Public Law 107-188), prior notice must be given for all food, including alcohol beverages, imported or offered for import into the United States as of December 12, 2003. To help importers comply with this law, the Food and Drug Administration has published a Compliance Policy Guide entitled "Prior Notice of Imported Food Under the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002." To learn where to obtain a paper copy of this Compliance Policy Guide or where to send comments on it, read the FDA's Federal Register notice. (12/16/03)

FDA Bioterrorism Act Compliance Guides for Small Businesses. The FDA has published "small entity compliance guides" for the interim final rules on Registration of Food Facilities and Prior Notice of Imported Food issued under the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (the Bioterrorism Act). Under the Bioterrorism Act, these regulations apply to producers and importers of alcohol beverages. These compliance guides are designed to help small businesses better understand the FDA's registration and prior notice regulations. To learn where to obtain paper copies of the compliance guides or where to send comments on them, read the FDA's Federal Register notice. (12/16/03)

Focus on Labeling, Advertising, Tax, and Trade Practice Compliance.
Read more ( 01/23/04)