Industry Circular

Number: 73-3

Date: March 28, 1973

Department of the Treasury

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

Washington, DC 20226

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Bottle Strip Stamps

Proprietors of distilled spirits plants, importers and others concerned:

Purpose. This circular is to advise you that all shipping or delivery charges for bottle strip stamps shipped direct from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Washington, D. C., are paid by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and such stamps are laden by use of a Government Bill of Lading.

Background. It has been brought to our attention that requests have been made to some of you for payment of a $25.00 delivery charge prior to unloading the stamps at your premises. This misunderstanding apparently results from delivery company employees not being informed about the Railway Express Agency's strip stamp delivery policies.

Suggested Procedure. In order to insure that bottle strip stamps which are shipped direct from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing are delivered to you free of charge and to correct the existing problem, the following procedure is suggested:

(1) Refuse to make any payment to the truck driver delivering the stamps;

(2) Request the truck driver to wait while you telephone, collect, Mr. Frank Miller, REA Government Traffic Manager, and advise him that you have been asked to pay delivery charges for strip stamps consigned to you. Mr. Miller's telephone number is (202) 899-1695 and he can be contacted between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., EDT; and

(3) Mr. Miller will personally speak to the truck driver and advise him that present REA policy does not require a shipping or delivery charge to be collected from consignees for delivery of bottle strip stamps shipped direct from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

Inquiries. Inquiries concerning this circular should refer to its number and be addressed to your Regional Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Rex D. Davis

Director