TTB Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau,update

 

Electronic Payment Mandate

July 17, 2026

TTB Label Approval Basics Associations and state partners: Please feel free to share the article below in your newsletters, websites, and communications to educate your industry members on federal label approval.   Have you ever wondered when, and how, to get label approval from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)? These quick tips will help you to get approval and stay compliant with federal labeling requirements!  When is TTB label approval required?  Obtaining a certificate of label approval (COLA) from TTB is required for products that fall under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (FAA Act). The FAA Act applies to the following products when they are sold, shipped, or otherwise introduced in interstate commerce:   Distilled spirits  Wines that contain 7% to 24% alcohol by volume  Malt beverages (for example, beers that contain both malted barley, and hops)   Distilled spirits and wines (with an alcohol content from 7% to 24%) that are sold only within the state where they are bottled may qualify for a certificate of exemption instead of a COLA.  Malt beverages that are only sold intrastate do not need a COLA or a certificate of exemption.  For domestic products, a COLA (or certificate of exemption) must be obtained by the bottler prior to bottling. This applies even when contracting with another entity to produce products for you: The bottler gets the COLA.  For imported products, the importer must obtain the COLA prior to removal from Customs custody.   Wines containing less than 7% alcohol by volume and beers that do not contain both malted barley and hops do not need a COLA (or certificate of exemption) from TTB, but may still be subject to labeling requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act administered by TTB and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act administered by the Food and Drug Administration.  When you want to make changes to an approved label, consult the complete list of allowable revisions—you may not need to send us the revised labels at all.  What are the requirements for label approval?  The requirements of the FAA Act and its implementing regulations vary for distilled spirits, wines, and malt beverages, but all labels must be truthful, not misleading, and include all mandatory information. Applications that do not meet these requirements will be returned for correction.   TTB’s website, TTB.gov, provides all the resources you need to understand labeling requirements. The Anatomy of a Label tool and Mandatory Information Checklist— found on TTB’s Distilled Spirits Labeling, Wine Labeling, and Malt Beverage Labeling pages—are particularly helpful, as is the topic-specific guidance. TTB also offers labeling overview videos on its Boot Camp Video Series page.   How do I get a COLA for my product?   You can apply for a COLA using COLAs Online. Once you’ve registered for an account, just follow the instructions and prompts for submitting your online application. If no corrections are needed, you're done. There is no fee to apply, and approval often takes less than a week!  Does my product also need formula approval?  Certain beverages require an approved formula to ensure proper classification. This includes products with added flavors, colors, or artificial sweeteners, as well as specific categories like flavored spirits and imported gins. To find out whether your product needs formula approval, simply answer a few questions in TTB’s online formula tool.   If required, you will need to obtain formula approval prior to applying for labeling approval. You can find everything you need to know about formula approval on TTB’s Formulation page, including how to apply. Note that you may need formula approval even if your product doesn’t require label approval.  Who can I contact for more information?   If you still have questions after reviewing the resources on TTB.gov, you can reach out to the Alcohol Labeling and Formulation Division on their contact form or by calling 866-927-ALFD (2533). Customer service representatives are available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday (except for federal holidays).  TTB Labeling Resources

TTB Accepts Offer in Compromise  We recently accepted an Offer in Compromise from The 21st Amendment Brewery Café, LLC for allegedly failing to timely file returns and pay excise tax.    You may view all TTB administrative actions on TTB.gov.   Offers in Compromise  U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee Postponed  TTB-regulated industries may find this notice of interest.    SOURCE: Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 132 / Monday, July 13, 2026    AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security    ACTION: Notice of postponement of open Federal Advisory Committee meeting    SUMMARY: The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (Committee) has postponed its quarterly meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, 2026, in Washington, DC, until September 23, 2026.   Read CBP Notice

What's Trending on TTB.gov: Labeling Public COLA Registry   Processing Times for Label Applications   List of Allowable Changes to Approved Labels  Allowable Changes Sample Label Generator  Distilled Spirits Labeling: Health Warning Statement

Upcoming TTB Outreach Activities August 4-6: NSSF Import/Export Conference  August 17-19: American Distilling Institute (ADI) Craft Spirits Conference

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