Importing Samples for Trade Shows and/or for Soliciting Orders
Samples of alcoholic beverages imported strictly for use at trade shows and/or for soliciting orders may, under certain conditions, be imported without a certificate of label approval (COLA). Importers of such samples may apply for a waiver from the COLA requirements from TTB in the form of a letter request.
The letter must include:
- The specific type and quantity of each alcohol beverage. “Type” for wine means identification as “red wine”, “white wine”, “sparkling wine”, and/or identification with a varietal if the wine is so labeled; for distilled spirits, the type means, for example, “rum,” “brandy,” “vodka,” etc., as appropriate; for malt beverages, type means “beer,” “ale,” “porter,” etc., as appropriate.
- The country of origin of each product
- The brand name of each product
- The purpose for importing the samples (if for a specific event, include dates and location)
- The Federal Importer’s Basic Permit number
The letter must also include a statement that the following conditions will be met:
- The products will be imported by the holder of a Federal Importer’s Basic Permit
- All applicable taxes and duties will be paid
- A sticker will be affixed to every container (bottle or box) which reads, “For Trade Show (or Sample) Purposes Only – Not for Sale”
- A label will be affixed to every container which bears the Health Warning Statement in accordance with 27 CFR Part 16
- In the case of wine, an additional label will be affixed which reads, “Contains Sulfites”
- The products indicated in this letter will be in compliance with the labeling requirements above prior to the product arriving at the U.S. port of entry.
A template of this letter is available for download – Template (MS Word).
You may mail or fax the letter request to the address or fax number below. Please do not mail a copy of a waiver that has been already sent by fax or vice-versa.
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
Attention: INTERNATIONAL TRADE DIVISION
1310 G St. NW, Suite 400W
Washington, DC 20220
Fax: 202-435-7020
Please note that is the responsibility of the importer to ensure that the product in question does not enter into interstate or intrastate commerce without having received an approved Certificate of Label Approval (COLA).
If you have any questions, please contact the International Trade Division at (202) 927-8110, or by e-mail at ITD@ttb.gov.
This notice supersedes previous notices, articles, or instructions.
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