• The importer must have a TTB-issued certificate of label approval (COLA). To obtain a COLA, you must file an Application for and Certification/Exemption of Label/Bottle Approval, Form 5100.31 with TTB’s Advertising, Labeling and Formulation Division (ALFD). Please visit the Labeling section of the TTB Web site for more information on COLAs.
• As part of the COLA process, the importer may have to obtain pre-COLA product approval. For information on pre-COLA product approval, see Industry Circular 2002-2 and our FAQs.

Certification

• The importer of a natural wine produced after December 31, 2004, must comply with certification requirements set forth under the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2004 to ensure that the practices and procedures used to produce the imported wine constitute proper cellar treatment.

Please see the wine certification page for additional information regarding the certification requirements for imported natural wine.

• The importer must ensure that the producer of the alcohol beverage is registered with the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and provide FDA with advance notification of an importation.  FDA administers these requirements which are part of the 2002 Bioterrorism Act.
• The importer is responsible for all applicable Federal excise taxes and duties. For more information on excise taxes, please see our tax and fee rates. For information on duties, visit the U.S. Customs Web site.

Please see the wine certification page for additional information regarding the certification requirements for imported natural wine.

• The importer must meet all State and local requirements. State and local jurisdictions may have their own importation requirements in addition to Federal requirements. Please contact your State and/or local authorities for more information.
• The importer must ensure that the producer of the alcohol beverage is registered with the FDA and provide FDA with advance notification of an importation. FDA administers these requirements which are part of the 2002 Bioterrorism Act.

For additional information on importing beverage alcohol into the U.S., please read the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau FAQs.

Links

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
http://www.ttb.gov/
http://www.ttb.gov/itd/impreq.shtml (FAQ page)

National Conference of State Liquor Administrators
http://www.ncsla.org/states.htm

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
http://www.fda.gov/default.htm

US Customs Service
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/

Food-Agent.com
(leading authority on United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) compliance for the worldwide food industry)
http://www.food-agent.com/english/index.html

Robert C. Lehrman PLLC
(law firm specializing in the regulation of a wide array of beverages under a broad array of rules and regulations.)
http://www.bevlaw.com/index.html