Alcoholic beverage imports, distribution, storage and wholesaling are regulated in the U.S. primarily by Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). The TTB issues permits for companies to operate as an importer and wholesaler of alcoholic beverages in the U.S. TTB also strictly regulates the labels that appear on all alcoholic beverages. Each state and municipality has additional laws that may further regulate alcoholic beverage distribution, importation, storage, wholesale and retail operations. Also, each state and municipality may issue its own permit to allow businesses to perform these business operations.
- Importing
- To import alcohol into the U.S. you must meet several requirements:
- Complete an Importers Basic Permit with the TTB
- Depending on your business model, complete a Wholesalers Basic Permit with the TTB
- Obtain a TTB-issued Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) for each unique product/label.
- Alcohol is treated as a food by the U.S. FDA, therefore you must also register as a food facility under FDA’s Food Facility Registration before importing or distributing alcoholic beverages in the U.S.
- Our team assists with all TTB permits, and label reviews and assists in completing the COLA.
- Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)