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TTB NEWSLETTER | Weekly News

April 16, 2021

IN THIS ISSUE

Greetings! This week’s TTB Newsletter includes announcements about a new ruling on how members of foreign missions can purchase tax-exempt domestic tobacco products in the U.S., the proposal of a new American Viticultural Area, an offer in compromise stemming from a trade practice investigation, a TTB job opening, as well as some advice on how to speed up the label approval process if your labels contain foreign text.

NEW RULING ISSUED ON TAX-FREE SALES OF DOMESTIC TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO MEMBERS OF FOREIGN MISSIONS IN THE U.S.

Last week, we issued TTB Ruling 2021-1 which establishes the procedures to allow foreign diplomatic and consular officials to purchase tax exempt domestic tobacco products for consumption in the United States, under the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Foreign Missions (OFM) procedures (“diplomatic sales”).  This authorization allows domestic manufacturers of tobacco products to deliver their products to duty-free stores for diplomatic sales purposes.

To learn more, read TTB Ruling 2021-1.

AVOIDING COMMON ERRORS ON LABEL APPLICATIONS – PROVIDING TRANSLATIONS OF FOREIGN TEXT

One of the most common problems we encounter when reviewing applications for label approval (COLAs) are labels that contain foreign text without a translation provided on the application. On many labels for imported products, the mandatory label information appears in English, as required by TTB regulations, but often other label text, such as an explanation of the production process, the history of the manufacturer, or a description of how the product tastes, is not in English.

Foreign text on a label is subject to all the same rules that apply to English text. The most efficient way for TTB to ensure foreign text is not misleading or prohibited, and that it doesn’t conflict with mandatory label information, is for the applicant to provide a translation.

If your label contains foreign text, save yourself time by proactively providing the translation when you submit the application Translations should either be entered or uploaded in step 3 of the online application

UPPER LAKE VALLEY AVA PROPOSED

We are accepting comments through June 15, 2020, on Notice No. 200, Proposed Establishment of the Upper Lake Valley Viticultural Area and Modification of the Clear Lake Viticultural Area, which was published in the Federal Register on Friday, April 16, 2021.  The proposed 17,360-acre Upper Lake Valley American viticultural area (AVA) is located in Lake County, California.  We are also proposing to expand the boundary of the existing 1,093-square mile Clear Lake viticultural area so that the proposed Upper Lake Valley viticultural area is wholly within it.  Both the established Clear Lake viticultural area and the proposed Upper Lake Valley viticultural area are entirely within the established North Coast viticultural area.

We are making this proposal in response to a petition filed on behalf of local grape growers and winemakers.  We designate viticultural areas to allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase.

You may submit comments electronically on this proposal and view copies of the proposed rule, selected supporting materials, and any comments we receive about this proposal at Regulations.gov within Docket No. TTB–2021–000X.  A link to that docket is posted at our Wine – Notices of Proposed Rulemaking page under Notice No. 200. You also may view the proposed boundaries on our AVA Map Explorer.

TRADE PRACTICE INVESTIGATION RESULTS IN AN $850,000 OFFER IN COMPROMISE

TTB has accepted an $850,000 Offer in Compromise (OIC) from RN Acquisition, LLC and City Beverage – Markham, LLC of Chicago and Arlington Heights, Illinois for alleged violations of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act’s tied house and exclusive outlet provisions, and for allegedly operating without a basic permit at one warehouse.

For additional details see the press release.

TTB CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

We are looking for candidates to fill the position of Support Services Specialist in the Acquisition and Facilities Management Division located in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Among other things, this position is responsible for coordinating repair/maintenance, installation and upgrades of equipment, furniture, and facilities programs at our National Revenue Center.

For more details, view the vacancy announcement: 21-TTB-40-P

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