Frequently Asked Questions
Beverage Alcohol Lab | Pre-Import Analysis | Consumer Complaints | 5010 Tax Credit | Nonbeverage Alcohol Lab | Specially Denatured Alcohol
If you have a question not listed please email us at laboratory@ttb.treas.gov and we will respond in a timely manner.
Beverage Alcohol Laboratory
Q: My shipping company does not recognize Ammendale as a city. What should I do?
A: The alternate shipping address to the lab is Beltsville. Both cities use the same zip code.
Q: How long does the lab analysis for pre-import approval take?
A: Lab analysis for pre-import approval takes 21 days. The results are then forwarded to the formulation section of the Advertising, Labeling and Formulation Division (ALFD).
Q: I sent in my pre import samples over 21 days ago. How do I find out the status?
A: Contact the Customer Service line of the Advertising, Labeling and Formulation Division (ALFD) at 202-927-8140.
Q: The documents my producer sent are not in English. Should I submit them anyway?
A: If the producer does not provide documents in English please have them translated to English. Then submit the originals and the translation to us. The translation should be signed and dated by the translator.
Q: My alcoholic beverage contains a compounded flavor. What information do I need to provide about the flavor?
A: You must provide the name and address of the flavor manufacturer as well as the TTB (or ATF) number for the flavor. If the flavor manufacturer does not have a TTB number for the flavor, the flavor itself must be submitted to TTB’s Nonbeverage Products Laboratory with the formula information on an TTB F 5154.1. The alcoholic beverage cannot be approved if it contains compounded flavors that do not have TTB numbers and/or has not been evaluated by the Nonbeverage Products Laboratory.
Q: Should I submit my label application when I send in my samples for laboratory analysis?
A: No. For products that require laboratory analysis you must first receive a pre-import approval letter from the Advertising, Labeling and Formulation Division ALFD before submitting a label application.
Q: How do I know if my product requires a laboratory analysis?
A: Please refer to Industry Circular 2002-2 for a complete list of products that require laboratory analysis, pre-import letters only, or label applications only. This Industry Circular can be found on our Web site under Public Information at http: . Select Publications, then Industry Circulars.
Q: I have applied for a Basic Import Permit. Can I send in samples for laboratory analysis before I receive my Basic Import Permit?
A: No. Only importers with current Basic Import Permits can request laboratory analysis. When you receive your Basic Import Permit send a copy of it with your sample submission.
Q: My bottle does not have a commercial label. Can I still submit it to the laboratory?
A: Yes. The bottles do not have to have commercial labels or labels in English. However, please attach a handwritten label with the product name or number the bottles and the corresponding paperwork so the laboratory can identify each product.
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Pre-Import Analysis
Q: For laboratory analysis of my product what do I need to submit?
A: You need to submit the following for each sample that requires a laboratory analysis:
- A 750 ml sample of the product
- A List of ingredients of the product submitted on the official letterhead of the manufacturer, sign, and dated (if in a foreign language, submit the original along with a copy of the English translation). Please note, a chemical analysis report of a product is not a substitute for a ‘list of ingredients’. The ‘list of ingredients’ is a list of the materials used to manufacture the product, e.g., agricultural source of alcohol, additives, colors, herbs and spices, etc.
- A description of the method of manufacture of the product submitted on the official letterhead of the manufacturer, sign, and dated (if in a foreign language, submit the original along with a copy of the English translation). Please make sure that the method of manufacture includes the “proof at distillation” information. A common confusion appears to be in understanding the difference between “proof at distillation” and “proof of the finished product”. The “proof at distillation” is the highest proof of the distillate before it is diluted with water for bottling.
- A copy of the TTB issued Basic Importers Permit
Q: Can I submit fax copies of the list of ingredients, methods of manufacture and the basic permit?
A: Yes. Please fax your copies to 202-435-7052.
Q: Were do I send my pre-import samples for laboratory analysis?
A: Submit all pre-import samples to: National Laboratory Center, Beverage Alcohol Laboratory, 6000 Ammendale Road, Beltsville, MD 20705.
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Consumer Complaint
Q: The complainant does not have any sample left; he poured it out, shall I send the empty container?
A: Do not send the empty container that is totally free of contents because there is nothing to work on. Ask the complainant to directly contact the producer whose telephone number is given on the product label.
Q: How long should I wait for the laboratory results?
A: The Beverage Alcohol Laboratory sends a laboratory report to the TTB’s National Coordinator for consumer complaints at Bureau Headquarters approximately 30 days after receiving the samples. The coordinator then communicates the TTB actions to the TTB investigator on the case.
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5010 Tax Credit
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Laboratory Certification Program
Q: Are my graduate transcripts sufficient?
A: No, please provide undergraduate and graduate transcripts, along with a resume.
Q: What qualifications should do I need to be certified under this program?
A: This program is open to graduate chemists and/or enologists engaged in the analyses of wines and/or spirits (Revenue Procedure 69-22; ATF Procedure 86-2; Industry Circular 92-3).
Q: Since I am qualified to get certification when should I submit my samples?
A: TTB has two certification periods a year, in June and December. To be considered for the June period the application (including sample and analytical data) must be received by April 30. To be considered for the December period the application (including sample and analytical data) must be received by October 31.
Q: Where do I send the samples?
A: To the National Laboratory Center, Beverage Alcohol Laboratory, 6000 Ammendale Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
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Nonbeverage Products Laboratory
Q: Where do I start if I want to make nonbeverage products?
A: Call the National Revenue Center in Cincinnati at 513-684-3335 and tell them you want to become a manufacturer of nonbeverage products (MNBP) and they will send you an information packet.
Q: When do I have to file my formula?
A: There is no requirement that you file before you manufacture. However, you run the risk of your product not being determined unfit for beverage purposes. If that is the case, you will not receive your tax money back and you cannot sell the product. To avoid a penalty, you must file a formula within two quarters after the quarter in which you manufactured the product. For example, if you made the product on January 15th (first quarter of the year) you must file by September 30th (end of the third quarter) in order to avoid a $1000 penalty.
Q: What is a proof gallon?
A: The Federal Excise Tax on distilled spirits is based on the proof gallon. It is defined as a gallon of 50% alcohol. Therefore, if you have one gallon of 200 proof alcohol, you have two proof gallons.
Q: I have alcohol from wine and distilled spirits in my product. Can I claim drawback on both?
A: No. You can claim drawback only on the distilled spirits. There is no drawback on the taxes paid on wine or beer.
Q: If my formula is approved, does that mean that I can automatically sell it for use in an alcohol beverage?
A: No. It depends on the quantity of your flavor that the beverage manufacturer uses in their finished product. TTB needs to make sure that the quantities of FDA and TTB limited ingredients are not exceeded.
Q: Where can I obtain a copy of the Formula and Process for Nonbeverage Product form?
A: You can find it on the Forms page of our Web site under TTB F 5154.1.
Q: My formula was disapproved. Can we just pay the tax and sell the product to a customer?
A: No. Your tax stamp allows you to manufacture nonbeverage products. If you manufacture a product that is fit for beverage purposes, you must qualify as a distilled spirits plant. Also, your product must be classified, labeled and sold as an alcoholic beverage.
Q: What size sample do you need at the lab?
A: We need a 4 oz. sample.
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Specially Denatured Alcohol
Q: Where do I send my formulas?
A: National Laboratory Center, Nonbeverage Products Laboratory, Attn: SDA, 6000 Ammendale Road, Ammendale (Beltsville), MD 20705
Q: Where do I start if I want to make a product using specially denatured alcohol (SDA)?
A: Call the National Revenue Center in Cincinnati, Ohio toll-free at 877-882-3277 and inform them that you want to be an SDA user and they will mail you an information packet. You will also need to become familiar with Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations part 20 and part 21.
Q: When do I have to file my formula?
A: You have to file a formula and receive approval before you manufacture and sell a product that contains specially denatured alcohol (SDA). There are a few exceptions to this and they can be found in Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations Parts 20.111 – 20.119.
Q: Where can I obtain a copy of the Formula and/or Process for Articles made with Specially Denatured Alcohol (SDA)?
A: You can find it on the Forms page of our Web site under TTB Form 5150.19.
Q: Who can I contact for help when filling out the Formula and Process for Articles made with Specially Denatured Alcohol (TTB Form 5150.19)?
A: If the information that you are looking for cannot be found in the instructions, you can contact Tomika Moore at tomika.moore@ttb.gov or Janet Scalese at janet.scalese@ttb.gov.
Q: When do I need to file a revised formula?
A: You need to file a revised formula if the quantity of an ingredient changes, or an ingredient is added or removed from an approved formula. An exception would be the change in a color from one to another, or from an ingredient identified in the formula by a brand name to the same quantity of a chemically identical ingredient acquired under a different brand name. Please see 27 CFR 20.93.
Q: How can I check the status of my SDA formula submission?
A: You may contact Lakisha Bryant, Legal Instruments Examiner, at 240-264-1666 or by e-mail at Lakisha.Bryant@ttb.gov.
Q: Do I need to file a formula if I am manufacturing the same product at a different location?
A: Yes. Each permitted manufacturing location needs an approved formula. To expedite the approval process, complete Item 4 on TTB Form 5150.19 with the name and location of the company that received prior approval and the approval date. A copy of the formula may also be included.
Q: If I have an SDA permit, do I still need to file a formula on TTB Form 5150.19 for my product or process?
A: Yes. The permit allows you to purchase SDA. However, an approved formula on TTB Form 5150.19 is still needed. There are a few exceptions to this and they can be found in Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations Parts 20.111 – 20.119.
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