Beer, Wine, & Spirits Lawyers News

3 Steps to Certificate of Label Approval – COLA

Step 1, The Submission An applicant submits the label application with complete, legible copies of labels to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), via Certificate of Label Approval's (COLA) online site, or in paper. According to the TTB, a “label” is any label affixed to the bottle. This can include front and back labels, neck labels, foils (capsules), emblems, etc. If the label is blown, embossed, or carved into the bottle, a full description must be noted on the application.
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Who Needs A Certificate of Label Approval – COLA?

The U.S. Federal Government, by way of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), reviews and approves, or rejects, every singe wine, beer, or spirit label that appears on a bottle sold in interstate commerce. This means, a label application is required to be submitted to, and approved by, the TTB prior to the product's sale at market.
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Distilled Spirits Plant Requirements

License are required for distillation, blending, processing, rectifying, warehousing, and bottling of distilled spirits. Only registered distilled spirits plants may produce distilled spirits. Production of distilled spirits for personal use is prohibited.
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Who Regulates Alcohol Today

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has the primary jurisdiction over alcohol beverage industry in the United States. Many agencies regulate alcohol in the US, though the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has primary authority.
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Types of Federal Licenses to Import. Produce, or Sell Alcohol

There are several federal licenses you need before you can produce, sell, or import beverage alcohol. The distilled spirits plant license is required if you plan to distill or bottle alcohol. Bonded winery requires a federal license, this is one that produces their own wine, or bottling houses that bottle wine in mass from vineyards.
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Brewers Notice Breweries Brewpubs

In order to begin operations as a brewer, or a brewpub you need a brewers notice. A brewers notice is required for anyone who brews beer, or produces beer for sale. Anyone who produces beer and is tax exempt, is not considered a brewer, basically those people are considered home brewers.
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Importer Wholesaler Requirements & Alcohol Export

Under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act and the regulations issued pursuant to (27 CFR [art 1), any person, except an agency of the State, or political subdivision, or any officer or employee of any such agency, intending to engage in the business of importing distilled spirits, wines, or beer for nonindustrial use is required to procure a permit.
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Federal Definition Distilled Spirits Alcohol

Distilled spirits, as defined by the federal government, is ethyl alcohol, hydrated oxide of ethyl, spirits of wine, whiskey, rum, brandy, gin, and other distilled spirits, including dilutions and mixtures thereof, for non industrial use. Fortified wines, such as Port, Sherry, and Vermouth, are not considered distilled spirits.
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