Monitor Thy Drink: Alcohol Import Regulations Under the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau)
On January 3, 2025, outgoing US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new advisory outlining the alleged causal link between alcohol consumption and cancer, claiming “numerous high-quality observational studies and...more
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”) of the United States Department of Transportation has published a final rule amending regulations that govern wine and distilled spirits containers that adds thirteen...more
The U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau (TTB) recently released a new final rule authorizing new standards of fill for wine and distilled spirits containers. The rule, available here, is scheduled to be published...more
We have updated and republished this March 2024 blog post for a year-end summary. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s (TTB) Office of Field Operations is responsible for ensuring industry members comply with...more
We frequently receive questions about the differences between contract brewing and alternating proprietorships, as well as questions concerning the key details the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and other...more
The final quarter of the year is the alcohol industry’s busiest period, accounting for approximately 70% of annual business. Many holiday-themed seasonal products are beginning to make their way to market, and it is important...more
Many alcohol beverage industry clients are faced with lawsuits attacking product labels. These lawsuits can be frustrating for clients, particularly when the labels at issue were previously approved by the Alcohol and Tobacco...more
While growing in popularity, hard alcoholic seltzers have caused a great deal of confusion for state and federal regulators who have struggled to determine how these products fit into an existing regulatory framework that...more
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s (TTB) Office of Field Operations is responsible for ensuring industry members comply with the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, the Internal Revenue Code and all related...more
As we previously reported, the Treasury Department released a 2022 report on Competition in the Markets for Beer, Wine, and Spirits (the Competition Report) recommending, in part, that the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade...more
While there has always been theft in the alcohol industry, there has been a significant uptick in large-scale larceny in recent months. Because of this reality, alcohol industry members should take steps to prepare for...more
In the world of healthy food and beverages, a crucial first step towards bringing a new product to the crowded U.S. market is identifying and understanding the regulatory authorities that oversee your product. This is not...more
Given the continued strength of the US alcoholic beverage market, the alcohol industry presents numerous opportunities for acquisitions, investments and other strategic transactions from a wide variety of players. These range...more
With less than a week and a half remaining to avert a government shutdown, Congress appears no closer to finding a solution. This means that a shutdown could occur as early as October 1, 2023. Alcohol industry members should...more
On July 13, 2023, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) published Procedure Number 2023-1, providing brewers with updated guidance on the transfer of beer without tax payment between breweries not of the same...more
If a large beverage company is considering purchasing or selling a craft beverage producer, it’s essential to understand how the craft producer may lose its earlier eligibility for reduced tax rates under the Craft Beverage...more
In 2022, the alcohol industry saw significant developments in the regulatory space. As we look to 2023, industry leaders continue to adapt to the changing needs of consumers, driving more innovation than we’ve seen in years...more
In the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s (TTB) final Industry Circular of the year, they provided DSPs guidance on how to calculate effective tax rates for distilled spirits products eligible for the Craft Beverage...more
Due to the uptick in alcohol advertisement on social media platforms, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) issued guidance on advertising via social media and how TTB’s rules on advertising generally apply in...more
Each year the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) issues “Industry Circulars” that apply statutory or regulatory requirements to a “specific circumstance or set of facts” or restate existing requirements. TTB also...more
On November 9, 2022, the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB” or “Agency”) announced that the Agency is considering updating the alcohol trade practice regulations for the first time in 20 years. The current...more
On August 2, 2021 and March 3, 2022 we reported on Executive Order 14036 (E.O. 14036) and the subsequent Treasury report entitled, “Competition in the Markets for Beer, Wine, and Spirits” (Report), which, among other things,...more
The alcohol industry has proven to be quite resilient in 2022. As palates change and customers seek exciting new flavors and compositions, companies must be nimble to keep up with consumers’ needs and demands. Producers and...more
If you run a brewery, winery, or distillery, you'll want to hear what's new at the TTB. Under a new initiative, the TTB is poised to take a more enforcement-focused approach to permitting...more
Massachusetts farmer-breweries, farmer-distilleries and farmer-wineries seeking to diversify their offerings and attract new customers will often add new commodities to their existing operations. Under Massachusetts law, the...more