TTB,alcohol and tobacco tax and trade bureau:newsletter

 

Importer Claims System at myTTB

June 9, 2023

Making Wine for Commercial Sale from a Kit?  You Might Need Formula Approval and a Statement of Composition Recently, TTB has seen more applications for formula and label approval from producers using winemaking kits. Winemaking kits for wine that require formula approval typically contain concentrate, yeast, juice from multiple fruits and/or agricultural products, flavor packets, artificial sweeteners, acids, sulfites and wood chips.  These kits provide sufficient materials to produce several bottles of wine. As a reminder, TTB does not generally regulate the production, sale, or use of winemaking kits. However, TTB does regulate the commercial production of wine (i.e., wine that is produced for sale or production in excess of the personal or family use limitations in 27 CFR 24.75), which can include the production of wine from kits.  TTB’s IRC and FAA Act authority requiring formula and label approval apply.  See TTB FAQ W14b  Producers using winemaking kits for commercial production are fully responsible for obtaining formula approval, when required, and obtaining the necessary information about the content of the kits to support any statements made on the label. See TTB FAQ W14a. Formulas:  You can use TTB’s wine formula tool to determine if your wine requires formula approval.  When making wine from a kit for commercial sale, keep in mind that you will need formula approval if, among other things: The kit contains both fruit and authorized agricultural products (for example, strawberry and honey); The wine produced from the kit is mixed with juice or wine produced from a different type of fruit or authorized agricultural product (for example, the kit produces apple wine that is mixed with rhubarb juice or wine after the apples were fermented); Any of the following are added, either as part of the kit or separately: Flavors Artificial sweeteners Colors Labels: You must obtain a Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) for wine 7 % alc./vol. and above that is bottled for sale in interstate commerce and will be required to provide enough information on the label to adequately inform the consumer about the identity and quality of the product in accordance with TTB regulations. See TTB FAQ W14b. Note: Winemakers must maintain complete records so that any information (whether mandatory or optional) that is stated on the formula application or on the label may be verified by a TTB audit (see TTB FAQ W14c)  Alcohol Beverage Formula Approval

TTB Boot Camp for Distillers Webinar Series: Videos Now Available We periodically conduct “boot camps” to assist industry members in understanding TTB regulations and requirements. Typically, these popular boot camps are conducted in person. In 2022, we also began conducting our boot camps as a webinar series, starting with TTB Boot Camp for Distillers. All six webinars in our TTB Boot Camp for Distillers Webinar Series are now available to watch on-demand!   Check out the new TTB Boot Camp Webinar Series page to view the recordings and download the slides. And be sure to stay tuned for information on additional boot camp webinars—TTB Boot Camp for Brewers Webinar Series will be announced soon!   TTB Learning Center: Get Training Personal Importation of Beverage Alcohol Products We are frequently asked about the requirements that apply when people are moving back to the United States with alcohol – for example, bringing your wine collection into the United States.   While TTB regulates the importation of beverage alcohol products for commercial use, we do not regulate personal importations. Even if an importation is for personal use, Federal, state, and local taxes may apply as well as state, local, or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requirements, depending on the specific circumstances.   If you intend to bring back a substantial quantity of alcohol for your personal use, you should contact the CBP entry branch at the port of entry where your shipment will be entering the country in advance to discuss your situation. It may also be useful to contact the carrier you plan to use, as many have strict guidelines regarding the shipment of alcohol beverages.   For more information on TTB.gov, see Personal Importation of Beverage Alcohol Products. For information on CBP requirements, please visit the CBP homepage.   Additional Resources (from CBP.gov) Requirements for importing alcohol for personal use Bringing alcohol (including homemade wine) to the U.S. for personal use Moving to the U.S. - How to ship a wine collection / cellar Personal Importation of Beverage Alcohol Products

What's Trending on TTB.gov: Business Central Maintaining Compliance in a TTB-Regulated Industry Requirements for Brewery Operations Requirements for Winery Operations Requirements for Beverage Distilled Spirits Plant Operations Requirements for Alcohol Importers

Upcoming TTB Outreach Activities June 11-14: NCSLA Annual Conference June 14-15: 2023 DISCUS Annual Conference