BOTTLING OF BULK IMPORTED BEER
Importers of Malt Beverages, Brewers, and Others Concerned
Purpose. The purpose of this circular is to advise
importers of malt beverages, brewers, and others concerned
that an ATF ruling concerning the reduction of the alcohol
content of imported bulk beer by the addition of water in a
customs bonded warehouse and the subsequent bottling of such
beer will be published in a future issue of the Alcohol,
Tobacco and Firearms Quarterly Bulletin. The ruling will
read substantially as follows:
Bottling of Bulk Imported Beer
Background. With the agreement to create a North
American Free Trade Zone, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms (ATF) anticipates that more consumer goods,
including beer, will move in commerce between the United
States, Canada, and Mexico. ATF has been asked to consider
whether a domestic importer or brewer can import high
alcohol beer in bulk into a customs bonded warehouse where
the alcohol content of the beer would be reduced with water
and then bottled. For example, beer with 9% alcohol by
volume would be reduced by the addition of water to 4.5%
alcohol by volume.
Discussion. The Customs Service sanctions the proposed
activity as an authorized manipulation of imported beer in a
class 8 customs bonded warehouse. In a Customs decision,
the Customs Service ruled that an equal volume of water may
be added to the beer in order to reduce the alcohol content
of the beer. C.S.D. 80-165, as published in 1980 Customs
Bulletin 1008, 1010. The Customs Service has also ruled
that such reduction of alcohol content does not apply to
beer concentrate, since such activity is manufacturing and
not manipulation. C.S.D. 82-24, as published in 1982
Customs Bulletin 713, 715.
Held: In accordance with the Customs Service decisions,
high alcohol imported bulk beer (other than beer
concentrate) may be entered into a customs bonded warehouse
and reduced in alcoholic content by the addition of up to an
equal volume of water. Upon removal of the beer from the
warehouse, the importer is liable for internal revenue
excise taxes and customs duties on the volume of beer after
the addition of water.
Held further: Such bulk beer may be bottled in a customs
bonded warehouse to the extent allowed by the Customs Service.Alternatively, the importer may remove the beer
from the customs warehouse to a brewery which has been
curtailed to receive taxpaid imported bulk beer.Such an
extension of the brewery may be on a permanent or an
alternating basis.In either case, the brewer must file an
amended brewer's notice, ATF Form 5130.10 with the regional
director (compliance) to show the curtailment.
Held further:If the beer is bottled in customs custody,
the importer must obtain a certificate of label approval
under the provisions of the Federal Alcohol Administration
Act, 27 U.S.C. § 205(e), and 27 CFR Part 7, Labeling and
Advertising of Malt Beverages before removal.If the beer
is removed from customs custody to the curtailed premises of
a brewery, the brewer must obtain the certificate of label
approval before bottling at the brewery.A certificate of
label approval is not required for removal of taxpaid bulk
beer from customs custody to a brewery for bottling.
Beer to which water has been added within the United States
is classified as an imported product.Such beer must be
labeled with the country of origin statement such as "a
product of name of country."19 CFR § 134.13(b)(2). In
accordance with 27 CFR §§ 7.25 and 7.29(a)(1), the country
of origin statement must be followed by a clarifying
statement such as "imported, prepared, and bottled in the
United States by name(s) and address(es) of the importer
(and bottler where the importer is not the bottler)," in
order to avoid misleading the consumer as to the origin,
manufacturing processes, and bottling of the beer.
Inquiries:Questions regarding the establishment of a
Customs warehouse under 19 U.S.C. § 1562 should be addressed
to the appropriate District Director of Customs. Other
questions regarding this circular should refer to its number
and be addressed to the regional director (compliance).
Stephen E. Higgins
Director
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