Industry Circular

Number: 76-16

Date: July 28, 1976

Department of the Treasury

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

Washington, DC 20226

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WINE CASE MARKINGS

Proprietors of bonded wine cellars, and others concerned:

Purpose. This circular is being issued to advise you that you may use existing stocks of metric wine cases on hand, or on order, which are not in compliance with 27 CFR 240.562, as revised by Treasury Decision ATF-26, effective July 1, 1976.

Background. Prior to T.D. ATF-26, section 240.562 required all wine cases, including cases containing metric bottles, to be marked with the wine gallonage or with the number and size of bottles within the case. This section was revised effective July 1, 1976, to require marking the content in liters, or the number and size of bottles within the case, on cases con- taining metric bottles. Since this Treasury decision was pub- lished on May 28, 1976, and effective July 1, 1976, it appears likely that many winery proprietors have on hand, or on order, cases for metric bottles which reflect the wine gallonage and thus do not comply with revised section 240.562. In these instances, the Bureau intends to allow proprietors to exhaust supplies of nonconforming wine cases. You are advised to order cases conforming to the revised regulations as your present supply of cases is exhausted. You need not apply to your regional director for permission to use your existing supply of cases and no period of time is specified for their use-up.

Other effects. This circular only applies to metric wine cases not conforming to revised section 240.562. The amended recordkeeping and taxpayment procedures outlined in T.D. ATF-26 for metric wine containers are effective July 1, 1976.

Inquiries. Inquiries concerning this circular should refer to its number and be addressed to the Assistant Director (Regulatory Enforcement), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20226.

Rex D. Davis

Director