LABELING AND ADVERTISING OF DISTILLED SPIRITS

• Citation: 27 CFR Part 5
• Sections: 95

§ 5.1 Definitions.

When used in this part and on forms prescribed under this part, the following terms have the meaning assigned to them in this section, unless the terms appear in a context that requires a different meaning. Any other term defined in the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (FAA Act) and used in this part has the same meaning assigned to it by the FAA Act.

Administrator. The Administrator, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Department of the Treasury.

Advertisement or Advertising. See § 5.232 for meaning of these terms as used in subpart N of this part.

Age. The length of time during which, after distillation and before bottling, the distilled spirits have been stored in oak barrels. “Age” for bourbon whisky, rye whisky, wheat whisky, malt whisky, or rye malt whisky, and straight whiskies other than straight corn whisky and straight American single malt whisky, means the period the whisky has been stored in charred new oak barrels.

American proof. See Proof.

Appropriate TTB officer. An officer or employee of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) authorized to perform any function relating to the administration or enforcement of this part by the current version of TTB Order 1135.5, Delegation of the Administrator's Authorities in 27 CFR part 5, Labeling and Advertising of Distilled Spirits.

Bottler. Any distiller or processor of distilled spirits who places distilled spirits in containers.

Brand name. The name under which a distilled spirit or a line of distilled spirits is sold.

Certificate holder. The permittee or brewer whose name, address, and basic permit number, plant registry number, or brewer's notice number appears on an approved TTB Form 5100.31.

Certificate of exemption from label approval. A certificate issued on TTB Form 5100.31, which authorizes the bottling of wine or distilled spirits, under the condition that the product will under no circumstances be sold, offered for sale, shipped, delivered for shipment, or otherwise introduced by the applicant, directly or indirectly, into interstate or foreign commerce.

Certificate of label approval (COLA). A certificate issued on TTB Form 5100.31 that authorizes the bottling of wine, distilled spirits, or malt beverages, or the removal of bottled wine, distilled spirits, or malt beverages from customs custody for introduction into commerce, as long as the product bears labels identical to the labels appearing on the face of the certificate, or labels with changes authorized by TTB on the certificate or otherwise (such as through the issuance of public guidance available on the TTB website at https://www.ttb.gov).

Container. Any can, bottle, box, cask, keg, or other closed receptacle, in any size or material, which is for use in the sale of distilled spirits at retail. See subpart K of this part for rules regarding authorized standards of fill for containers.

Customs officer. An officer of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or any agent or other person authorized by law to perform the duties of such an officer.

Distilled spirits. Ethyl alcohol, hydrated oxide of ethyl, spirits of wine, whisky, rum, brandy, gin, and other distilled spirits, including all dilutions and mixtures thereof, for nonindustrial use. The term “distilled spirits” does not include mixtures containing wine, bottled at 48 degrees of proof (24 percent alcohol by volume) or less, if the mixture contains more than 50 percent wine on a proof gallon basis. The term “distilled spirits” also does not include products containing less than one degree of proof (0.5 percent alcohol by volume).

Distilling season. The period from January 1 through June 30, which is the spring distilling season, or the period from July 1 through December 31, which is the fall distilling season.

Distinctive or fanciful name. A descriptive name or phrase chosen to identify a distilled spirits product on the label. It does not include a brand name, class or type designation, or statement of composition.

FAA Act. The Federal Alcohol Administration Act.

Gallon. A U.S. gallon of 231 cubic inches at 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Grain. Includes cereal grains and the seeds of the pseudocereals amaranth, buckwheat, and quinoa.

In bulk. In barrels or other receptacles having a capacity in excess of 1 wine gallon (3.785 liters).

Interstate or foreign commerce. Commerce between any State and any place outside of that State or commerce within the District of Columbia or commerce between points within the same State but through any place outside of that State.

Liter or litre. A metric unit of capacity equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters or 1,000 milliliters (mL) of distilled spirits at 15.56 degrees Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit), and equivalent to 33.814 U.S. fluid ounces.

Net contents. The amount, by volume, of distilled spirits held in a container.

Permittee. Any person holding a basic permit under the FAA Act.

Person. Any individual, corporation, partnership, association, joint-stock company, business trust, limited liability company, or other form of business enterprise, including a receiver, trustee, or liquidating agent and including an officer or employee of any agency of a State or political subdivision of a State.

Produced at or distilled at. When used with reference to specific degrees of proof of a distilled spirits product, the phrases “produced at” and “distilled at” mean the composite proof of the distilled spirits after completion of distillation and before reduction in proof, if any.

Proof. The ethyl alcohol content of a liquid at 60 degrees Fahrenheit, stated as twice the percentage of ethyl alcohol by volume.

Proof gallon. A gallon of liquid at 60 degrees Fahrenheit that contains 50 percent by volume of ethyl alcohol having a specific gravity of 0.7939 at 60 degrees Fahrenheit, referred to water at 60 degrees Fahrenheit as unity, or the alcoholic equivalent thereof.

Responsible advertiser. The permittee responsible for the publication or broadcast of an advertisement.

Spirits. See Distilled spirits.

State. One of the 50 States of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

TTB. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau of the Department of the Treasury.

United States (U.S.). The 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

§ 5.2 Territorial extent.

The provisions of this part apply to the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

§ 5.3 General requirements and prohibitions under the FAA Act.

(a) Certificates of label approval (COLAs). Subject to the requirements and exceptions set forth in the regulations in subpart B of this part, any bottler of distilled spirits, and any person who removes distilled spirits in containers from customs custody for sale or any other commercial purpose, is required to first obtain from TTB a COLA covering the label(s) on each container.

(b) Alteration, mutilation, destruction, obliteration, or removal of labels. Subject to the requirements and exceptions set forth in the regulations in subpart C of this part, it is unlawful to alter, mutilate, destroy, obliterate, or remove labels on distilled spirits containers. This prohibition applies to any person, including retailers, holding distilled spirits for sale in interstate or foreign commerce or any person holding distilled spirits for sale after shipment in interstate or foreign commerce.

(c) Labeling requirements for distilled spirits. It is unlawful for any person engaged in business as a distiller, rectifier (processor), importer, wholesaler, bottler, or warehouseman and bottler, directly or indirectly, or through an affiliate, to sell or ship, or deliver for sale or shipment, or otherwise introduce or receive in interstate or foreign commerce, or remove from customs custody, any distilled spirits in containers unless such containers are marked, branded, labeled, and packaged in conformity with the regulations in this part.

(d) Labeled in accordance with this part. In order to be labeled in accordance with the regulations in this part, a container of distilled spirits must be in compliance with the following requirements:

(1) It must bear one or more label(s) meeting the standards for “labels” set forth in subpart D of this part;

(2) One or more of the labels on the container must include the mandatory information set forth in subpart E of this part;

(3) Claims on any label, container, or packaging (as defined in § 5.81) must comply with the rules for restricted label statements, as applicable, set forth in subpart F of this part;

(4) Statements or any other representations on any label, container, or packaging (as defined in §§ 5.101 and 5.121) may not violate the regulations in subparts G and H of this part regarding certain practices on labeling of distilled spirits; and

(5) The class and type designation on any label, as well as any designation appearing on containers or packaging, must comply with the standards of identity set forth in subpart I of this part.

(e) Packaged in accordance with this part. In order to be packaged in accordance with the regulations in this part, the distilled spirits must be bottled in authorized standards of fill in containers that meet the requirements of subpart K of this part.

§ 5.7 Other TTB labeling regulations that apply to distilled spirits.

In addition to the regulations in this part, distilled spirits must also comply with the following TTB labeling regulations:

(a) Health warning statement. Alcoholic beverages, including distilled spirits, that contain at least 0.5 percent alcohol by volume, must be labeled with a health warning statement, in accordance with the Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act of 1988 (ABLA). The regulations implementing the ABLA are contained in 27 CFR part 16.

(b) Internal Revenue Code requirements. The labeling and marking requirements for distilled spirits under the Internal Revenue Code are found in 27 CFR part 19, subpart T (for domestic products) and 27 CFR part 27, subpart E (for imported products).

§ 5.8 Distilled spirits for export.

The regulations in this part shall not apply to distilled spirits exported in bond.

§ 5.10 Other related regulations.

(a) TTB regulations. Other TTB regulations that relate to distilled spirits are listed in paragraphs (a)(1) through (8) of this section:

(1) 27 CFR part 1—Basic Permit Requirements under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, Nonindustrial Use of Distilled Spirits and Wine, Bulk Sales and Bottling of Distilled Spirits;

(2) 27 CFR part 13—Labeling Proceedings;

(3) 27 CFR part 16—Alcoholic Beverage Health Warning Statement;

(4) 27 CFR part 19—Distilled Spirits Plants;

(5) 27 CFR Part 26—Liquors and Articles from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands;

(6) 27 CFR Part 27—Importation of Distilled Spirits, Wines, and Beer;

(7) 27 CFR Part 28—Exportation of Alcohol; and

(8) 27 CFR Part 71—Rules of Practice in Permit Proceedings.

(b) Other Federal Regulations. The regulations listed in paragraphs (b)(1) through (8) of this section issued by other Federal agencies also may apply:

(1) 7 CFR Part 205—National Organic Program;

(2) 19 CFR Part 11—Packing and Stamping; Marking;

(3) 19 CFR Part 102—Rules of Origin;

(4) 19 CFR Part 134—Country of Origin Marking;

(5) 21 CFR Part 1—General Enforcement Regulations, Subpart H, Registration of Food Facilities, and Subpart I, Prior Notice of Imported Food;

(6) 21 CFR Parts 70-82, which pertain to food and color additives;

(7) 21 CFR Part 110—Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packing, or Holding Human Food; and

(8) 21 CFR Parts 170-189, which pertain to food additives and secondary direct food additives.

§ 5.11 Forms.

(a) General. TTB prescribes and makes available all forms required by this part. Any person completing a form must provide all of the information required by each form as indicated by the headings on the form and the instructions for the form. Each form must be filed in accordance with this part and the instructions for the form.

(b) Electronically filing forms. The forms required by this part can be filed electronically by using TTB's online filing systems: COLAs Online and Formulas Online. Anyone who intends to use one of these online filing systems must first register to use the system by accessing the TTB website at https://www.ttb.gov.

(c) Obtaining paper forms. Forms required by this part are available for printing through the TTB website ( https://www.ttb.gov ) or by mailing a request to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, National Revenue Center, 550 Main Street, Room 8002, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

§ 5.12 Delegations of the Administrator.

Most of the regulatory authorities of the Administrator contained in this part are delegated to “appropriate TTB officers.” To find out which officers have been delegated specific authorities, see the current version of TTB Order 1135.5, Delegation of the Administrator's Authorities in 27 CFR part 5, Labeling and Advertising of Distilled Spirits. Copies of this order can be obtained by accessing the TTB website ( https://www.ttb.gov ) or by mailing a request to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, National Revenue Center, 550 Main Street, Room 8002, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

§ 5.21 Requirement for certificates of label approval (COLAs) for distilled spirits bottled in the United States.

(a) Applicability. The certificate of label approval (COLA) requirements described in this section apply to distilled spirits bottled in the United States, outside of customs custody.

(b) Distilled spirits shipped or sold in interstate commerce. No person may bottle distilled spirits without first applying for and obtaining a COLA issued by the appropriate TTB officer. This requirement applies to distilled spirits produced and bottled in the United States and to distilled spirits imported in bulk, regardless of where produced, and bottled in the United States. Bottlers may obtain an exemption from this requirement only if they satisfy the conditions set forth in § 5.23.

(c) Evidence of COLA. Upon request by the appropriate TTB officer, a bottler or importer must provide evidence that a container of distilled spirits is covered by a COLA. This requirement may be satisfied by providing original COLAs, photocopies or electronic copies of COLAs, or records showing the TTB identification number assigned to the approved certificate.

§ 5.22 Rules regarding certificates of label approval (COLAs) for distilled spirits bottled in the United States.

(a) What a COLA authorizes. An approved TTB Form 5100.31 authorizes the bottling of distilled spirits covered by the certificate of label approval (COLA), as long as the container bears labels identical to the labels appearing on the face of the COLA, or labels with changes authorized by TTB on the COLA or otherwise (such as through the issuance of public guidance available on the TTB website at https://www.ttb.gov ).

(b) When to obtain a COLA. The COLA must be obtained prior to bottling. No bottler may bottle distilled spirits, or remove distilled spirits from the premises where bottled, unless a COLA has been obtained.

(c) Application for a COLA. The bottler may apply for a COLA by submitting an application to TTB on Form 5100.31, in accordance with the instructions on the form. The bottler may apply for a COLA either electronically by accessing TTB's online system, COLAs Online, at https://www.ttb.gov, or by submitting the paper form. For procedures regarding the issuance of COLAs, see part 13 of this chapter.

§ 5.23 Application for exemption from label approval for distilled spirits bottled in the United States.

(a) Exemption. Any bottler of distilled spirits may apply to be exempt from the requirements of §§ 5.21, 5.22, and 5.30(h), by showing to the satisfaction of the appropriate TTB officer that the distilled spirits to be bottled are not to be sold, offered for sale, or shipped or delivered for shipment, or otherwise introduced, in interstate or foreign commerce.

(b) Application required. The bottler must file an application on TTB Form 5100.31 for exemption from label approval before bottling the distilled spirits. The bottler may apply for a certificate of exemption from label approval either electronically, by accessing TTB's online system, COLAs Online, at https://www.ttb.gov, or by using the paper form. For procedures regarding the issuance of certificates of exemption from label approval, see part 13 of this chapter.

(c) Labeling of distilled spirits covered by certificate of exemption. The application for a certificate of exemption from label approval requires that the applicant identify the State in which the product will be sold. As a condition of receiving exemption from label approval, the label covered by an approved certificate of exemption must include the statement “For sale in [name of State] only.” See §§ 19.517 and 19.518 of this chapter for additional labeling rules that apply to distilled spirits covered by a certificate of exemption.

Requirements for Distilled Spirits Imported in Containers

§ 5.24 Certificates of label approval (COLAs) for distilled spirits imported in containers.

(a) Application requirement. Any person removing distilled spirits in containers from customs custody for consumption must first apply for and obtain a certificate of label approval (COLA) covering the distilled spirits from the appropriate TTB officer, or obtain authorization to use the COLA from the person to whom the COLA is issued.

(b) Release of distilled spirits from customs custody. Distilled spirits, imported in containers, are not eligible for release from customs custody for consumption, and no person may remove such distilled spirits from customs custody for consumption, unless the person removing the distilled spirits has obtained a COLA covering the distilled spirits and is able to provide it (either electronically or on paper) upon request. Products imported under another person's COLA are eligible for release only if each bottle or individual container to be imported bears the name (or trade name) and address of the person to whom the COLA was issued by TTB, and only if the importer using the COLA to obtain release of a shipment can substantiate that the person to whom the COLA was issued has authorized its use by the importer.

(c) Filing requirements. If filing electronically, the importer must file with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), at the time of filing the customs entry, the TTB-assigned identification number of the valid COLA that corresponds to the label on the product or lot of distilled spirits to be imported. If the importer is not filing electronically, the importer must provide a copy of the COLA to CBP at the time of entry. In addition, the importer must provide a copy of the applicable COLA, and proof of the COLA holder's authorization if applicable, upon request by the appropriate TTB officer or a customs officer.

(d) Evidence of COLA. Upon request by the appropriate TTB officer, an importer must provide evidence that a container of distilled spirits is covered by a COLA. This requirement may be satisfied by providing original COLAs, photocopies or electronic copies of COLAs, or records showing the TTB identification number assigned to the approved certificate.

(e) Scope of this section. The COLA requirement imposed by this section applies only to distilled spirits that are removed for sale or any other commercial purpose. Distilled spirits that are imported in containers are not eligible for a certificate of exemption from label approval. See 27 CFR 27.49, 27.74, and 27.75 for labeling exemptions applicable to certain imported samples of distilled spirits.

(f) Relabeling in customs custody. Containers of distilled spirits in customs custody that are required to be covered by a COLA but are not labeled in conformity with a COLA must be relabeled, under the supervision and direction of customs officers, prior to their removal from customs custody for consumption.

§ 5.25 Rules regarding certificates of label approval (COLAs) for distilled spirits imported in containers.

(a) What COLA authorizes. An approved TTB Form 5100.31 authorizes the use of the labels covered by the certificate of label approval (COLA) on containers of distilled spirits, as long as the container bears labels identical to the labels appearing on the face of the COLA, or labels with changes authorized by the form or otherwise authorized by TTB (such as through the issuance of public guidance available on the TTB website at https://www.ttb.gov ).

(b) When to obtain a COLA. The COLA must be obtained prior to the removal of distilled spirits in containers from customs custody for consumption.

(c) Application for a COLA. The person responsible for the importation of distilled spirits must obtain approval of the labels by submitting an application to TTB on TTB Form 5100.31. A person may apply for a COLA either electronically, by accessing TTB's online system, COLAs Online, at https://www.ttb.gov, or by submitting the paper form. For procedures regarding the issuance of COLAs, see part 13 of this chapter.

Administrative Rules

§ 5.27 Presenting certificates of label approval (COLAs) to Government officials.

A certificate holder must present the original or a paper or electronic copy of the appropriate certificate of label approval (COLA) upon the request of any duly authorized representative of the United States Government.

§ 5.28 Formulas, samples, and documentation.

(a) In addition to any formula specifically required under subpart J of this part, TTB may require formulas under certain circumstances in connection with the label approval process. Prior to or in conjunction with the review of an application for a certificate of label approval (COLA) on TTB Form 5100.31, the appropriate TTB officer may require a bottler or importer to submit a formula, the results of laboratory testing of the distilled spirits, or a sample of any distilled spirits or ingredients used in producing a distilled spirit. After the issuance of a COLA, or with regard to any distilled spirits required to be covered by a COLA, the appropriate TTB officer may require a full and accurate statement of the contents of the container.

(b) A formula may be filed electronically by using Formulas Online, or it may be submitted on paper on TTB Form 5100.51. See § 5.11 for more information on forms and Formulas Online.

§ 5.29 Personalized labels.

(a) General. Applicants for label approval may obtain permission from TTB to make certain changes in order to personalize labels without having to resubmit labels for TTB approval. A personalized label is an alcohol beverage label that meets the minimum mandatory label requirements and is customized for customers. Personalized labels may contain a personal message, picture, or other artwork that is specific to the consumer who is purchasing the product. For example, a distiller may offer individual or corporate customers labels that commemorate an event such as a wedding or grand opening.

(b) Application. Any person who intends to offer personalized labels must submit a template for the personalized label as part of the application for label approval required under §§ 5.21 or 5.24, and must note on the application a description of the specific personalized information that may change.

(c) Approval of personalized label. If the application complies with the regulations, TTB will issue a certificate of label approval (COLA) with a qualification allowing the personalization of labels. The qualification will allow the certificate holder to add or change items on the personalized label such as salutations, names, graphics, artwork, congratulatory dates and names, or event dates without applying for a new COLA. All of these items on personalized labels must comply with the regulations of this part.

(d) Changes not allowed to personalized labels. Approval of an application to personalize labels does not authorize the addition of any information that discusses either the alcohol beverage or characteristics of the alcohol beverage or that is inconsistent with or in violation of the provisions of this part or any other applicable provision of law or regulations.

§ 5.30 Certificates of age and origin for imported spirits.

(a) Scotch, Irish, and Canadian whiskies. (1) Scotch, Irish, and Canadian whiskies, imported in containers, are not eligible for release from customs custody for consumption, and no person may remove such whiskies from customs custody for consumption, unless that person has obtained and is in possession of an invoice accompanied by a certificate of origin issued by an official duly authorized by the appropriate foreign government, certifying:

(i) That the particular distilled spirits are Scotch, Irish, or Canadian whisky, as the case may be; and

(ii) That the distilled spirits have been manufactured in compliance with the laws of the respective foreign governments regulating the manufacture of whisky for home consumption.

(2) In addition, an official duly authorized by the appropriate foreign government must certify to the age of the youngest distilled spirits in the container. The age certified shall be the period during which, after distillation and before bottling, the distilled spirits have been stored in oak containers.

(b) Brandy and Cognac. Brandy (other than fruit brandies of a type not customarily stored in oak containers) or Cognac, imported in containers, is not eligible for release from customs custody for consumption, and no person may remove such brandy or Cognac from customs custody for consumption, unless the person so removing the brandy or Cognac possesses a certificate issued by an official duly authorized by the appropriate foreign country certifying that the age of the youngest brandy or Cognac in the container is not less than 2 years, or if age is stated on the label that none of the distilled spirits are of an age less than that stated. The age certified shall be the period during which, after distillation and before bottling, the distilled spirits have been stored in oak containers. If the label of any fruit brandy, not stored in oak containers, bears any statement of storage in another type of container, the brandy is not eligible for release from customs custody for consumption, and no person may remove such brandy from customs custody for consumption, unless the person so removing the brandy possesses a certificate issued by an official duly authorized by the appropriate foreign government certifying to such storage. Cognac, imported in bottles, is not eligible for release from customs custody for consumption, and no person may remove such Cognac from customs custody for consumption, unless the person so removing the Cognac possesses a certificate issued by an official duly authorized by the French Government, certifying that the product is grape brandy distilled in the Cognac region of France and entitled to be designated as “Cognac” by the laws and regulations of the French Government.

(c) Rum. Rum imported in containers that contain any statement of age is not eligible to be released from customs custody for consumption, and no person may remove such rum from customs custody for consumption, unless the person so removing the rum possesses a certificate issued by an official duly authorized by the appropriate foreign country, certifying to the age of the youngest rum in the container. The age certified shall be the period during which, after distillation and before bottling, the distilled spirits have been stored in oak containers.

(d) Tequila. (1) Tequila imported in containers is not eligible for release from customs custody for consumption, and no person may remove such Tequila from customs custody for consumption, unless the person removing such Tequila possesses a Certificate of Tequila Export issued by an official duly authorized by the Mexican Government or a conformity assessment body stating that the product is entitled to be designated as Tequila under the applicable laws and regulations of the Mexican Government.

(2) If the label of any Tequila imported in containers contains any statement of age, the Tequila is not eligible for release from customs custody for consumption, and no person may remove such Tequila from customs custody for consumption, unless the person removing the Tequila possesses a Certificate of Tequila Export issued by an official duly authorized by the Mexican Government or a conformity assessment body as to the age of the youngest Tequila in the container. The age certified shall be the period during which the Tequila has been stored in oak containers after distillation and before bottling.

(e) Other whiskies. Whisky, as defined in § 5.143(c)(2) through (7) and (10) through (14), imported in bottles, is not eligible for release from customs custody for consumption, and no person shall remove such whiskies from customs custody for consumption, unless that person has obtained and is in possession of a certificate issued by an official duly authorized by the appropriate foreign government certifying:

(1) In the case of whisky (regardless of whether it is mixed or blended) that contains no neutral spirits:

(i) The type of the whisky as defined in § 5.143;

(ii) The American proof at which the whisky was distilled;

(iii) That no neutral spirits (or other whisky in the case of straight whisky) have been added or otherwise included in the whisky;

(iv) The age of the whisky; and

(v) The type of oak barrel in which the whisky was aged and whether the barrel was new or reused, charred or uncharred; and

(2) In the case of whisky containing neutral spirits:

(i) The type of the whisky as defined in § 5.143;

(ii) The percentage of straight whisky used in the blend, if any;

(iii) The American proof at which any straight whisky in the blend was distilled;

(iv) The percentage of whisky other than straight whisky in the blend, if any;

(v) The percentage of neutral spirits in the blend and the name of the commodity from which the neutral spirits were distilled;

(vi) The age of any straight whisky and the age of any other whisky in the blend; and

(vii) The type of oak barrel in which the age of each whisky in the blend was attained and whether the barrel was new or reused and charred or uncharred.

(f) Miscellaneous. Distilled spirits (other than Scotch, Irish, and Canadian whiskies, and Cognac) imported in containers are not eligible for release from customs custody for consumption, and no person shall remove such spirits from customs custody for consumption, unless that person has obtained and is in possession of an invoice accompanied by a certificate of origin issued by an official duly authorized by the appropriate foreign government, if the issuance of such certificates with respect to such distilled spirits is required by the foreign government concerned, certifying as to the identity of the distilled spirits and that the distilled spirits have been manufactured in compliance with the laws of the respective foreign government regulating the manufacture of such distilled spirits for home consumption.

(g) Retention of certificates—distilled spirits imported in containers. The importer of distilled spirits imported in containers must retain for 5 years following the removal of the bottled distilled spirits from customs custody copies of the certificates (and accompanying invoices, if applicable) required by paragraphs (a) through (f) of this section, and must provide them upon request of the appropriate TTB officer or a customs officer.

(h) Distilled spirits imported in bulk for bottling in the United States. Distilled spirits that would be required under paragraphs (a) through (f) of this section to be covered by a certificate of age and/or a certificate of origin and that are imported in bulk for bottling in the United States may be removed from the premises where bottled only if the bottler possesses a certificate of age and/or a certificate of origin, issued by the appropriate entity as set forth in paragraphs (a) through (f) of this section, applicable to the spirits that provides the same information as a certificate required under paragraphs (a) through (f) of this section, would provide for like spirits imported in bottles.

(i) Retention of distilled spirits certificates—distilled spirits in bulk. The bottler of distilled spirits imported in bulk must retain, for 5 years following the removal of such distilled spirits from the premises where bottled, copies of the certificates required by paragraphs (a) through (f) of this section, and must provide them upon request of the appropriate TTB officer.

§ 5.41 Alteration of labels.

(a) Prohibition. It is unlawful for any person to alter, mutilate, destroy, obliterate or remove any mark, brand, or label on distilled spirits in containers held for sale in interstate or foreign commerce, or held for sale after shipment in interstate or foreign commerce, except as authorized by §§ 5.42, 5.43, or 5.44, or as otherwise authorized by Federal law.

(b) Authorized relabeling. For purposes of the relabeling activities authorized by this subpart, the term “relabel” includes the alteration, mutilation, destruction, obliteration, or removal of any existing mark, brand, or label on the container, as well as the addition of a new label (such as a sticker that adds information about the product or information engraved on the container) to the container, and the replacement of a label with a new label bearing identical information.

(c) Obligation to comply with other requirements. Authorization to relabel under this subpart:

(1) In no way authorizes the placement of labels on containers that do not accurately reflect the brand, bottler, identity, or other characteristics of the product;

(2) Does not relieve the person conducting the relabeling operations from any obligation to comply with the regulations in this part and with State or local law; and,

(3) Does not relieve the person conducting the relabeling operations from any obligation to obtain permission from the owner of the brand where otherwise required.

§ 5.42 Authorized relabeling activities by distillers and importers.

(a) Relabeling at distilled spirits plant premises. A proprietor of distilled spirits plant premises may relabel domestically bottled distilled spirits prior to removal from, and after return to bond at, the distilled spirits plant premises, with labels covered by a certificate of label approval (COLA), without obtaining separate permission from TTB for the relabeling activity, provided that the proprietor is the certificate holder (and bottler).

(b) Relabeling after removal from distilled spirits plant premises. A proprietor of distilled spirits plant premises may relabel domestically bottled distilled spirits (or direct the relabeling of such spirits by an authorized agent) after removal from distilled spirits plant premises with labels covered by a COLA, without obtaining separate permission from TTB for the relabeling activity, provided that the proprietor is the certificate holder (and bottler).

(c) Relabeling in customs custody. Under the supervision of U.S. customs officers, imported distilled spirits in containers in customs custody may be relabeled without obtaining separate permission from TTB for the relabeling activity. Such containers must bear labels covered by a COLA upon their removal from customs custody for consumption. See § 5.24(b).

(d) Relabeling after removal from customs custody. The importer of distilled spirits in containers may relabel imported distilled spirits (or direct the relabeling of such spirits by an authorized agent) after removal from customs custody without obtaining separate permission from TTB for the relabeling activity, as long as the labels are covered by a COLA.

§ 5.43 Relabeling activities that require separate written authorization from TTB.

(a) General. Any permittee holding distilled spirits for sale who needs to relabel the containers but is not the original bottler may apply for written permission for the relabeling of distilled spirits containers. The appropriate TTB officer may permit relabeling of distilled spirits in containers if the facts show that the relabeling is for the purpose of compliance with the requirements of this part or State law, or for the purpose of replacing damaged labels.

(b) Application. The written application must include:

(1) Copies of the original and proposed new labels;

(2) The circumstances of the request, including the reason for relabeling;

(3) The number of containers to be relabeled;

(4) The location where the relabeling will take place; and

(5) The name and address of the person who will be conducting the relabeling operations.

§ 5.44 Adding a label or other information to a container that identifies the wholesaler, retailer, or consumer.

Any label or other information that identifies the wholesaler, retailer, or consumer of the distilled spirits may be added to containers (by the addition of stickers, engraving, stenciling, etc.) without prior approval from TTB and without being covered by a certificate of label approval or certificate of exemption from label approval. Such information may be added before or after the containers have been removed from distilled spirits plant premises or released from customs custody. The information added:

(a) May not violate the provisions of subpart F, G, or H of this part;

(b) May not contain any reference to the characteristics of the product; and

(c) May not be added to the container in such a way that it obscures any other labels on the container.

§ 5.51 Requirement for firmly affixed labels.

Any label that is not an integral part of the container must be affixed to the container in such a way that it cannot be removed without thorough application of water or other solvents.

§ 5.52 Legibility and other requirements for mandatory information on labels.

(a) Readily legible. Mandatory information on labels must be readily legible to potential consumers under ordinary conditions.

(b) Separate and apart. Subject to the exceptions below, mandatory information on labels, except brand names, must be separate and apart from any additional information.

(1) This does not preclude the addition of brief optional phrases of additional information as part of the class or type designation (such as, “premium vodka” or “delicious Tequila”), the name and address statement (such as, “Proudly distilled and bottled by ABC Distilling Company, Atlanta, GA, for over 30 years”) or other information required by § 5.63(a) and (b). The statements required by § 5.63(c) may not include additional information.

(2) Mandatory information (other than an aspartame declaration required by § 5.63(c)(8)) may be contained among other descriptive or explanatory information if the script, type, or printing of the mandatory information is substantially more conspicuous than that of the descriptive or explanatory information.

(c) Contrasting background. Mandatory information must appear in a color that contrasts with the background on which it appears, except that if the net contents are blown into a glass container, they need not be contrasting. The color of the container and of the distilled spirits must be taken into account if the label is transparent or if mandatory label information is etched, engraved, sandblasted, or otherwise carved into the surface of the container or is branded, stenciled, painted, printed, or otherwise directly applied on to the surface of the container. Examples of acceptable contrasts are:

(1) Black lettering appearing on a white or cream background; or

(2) White or cream lettering appearing on a black background.

(d) Capitalization. Except for the aspartame statement when required by § 5.63(c)(8), which must appear in all capital letters, mandatory information prescribed by this part may appear in all capital letters, in all lower case letters, or in mixed-case using both capital and lower-case letters.

§ 5.53 Minimum type size of mandatory information.

All capital and lowercase letters in statements of mandatory information on labels must meet the following type size requirements.

(a) Containers of more than 200 milliliters. All mandatory information must be in script, type, or printing that is at least two millimeters in height.

(b) Containers of 200 milliliters or less. All mandatory information must be in script, type, or printing that is at least one millimeter in height.

§ 5.54 Visibility of mandatory information.

Mandatory information on a label must be readily visible and may not be covered or obscured in whole or in part. See § 5.62 for rules regarding packaging of containers (including cartons, coverings, and cases). See subpart N of this part for regulations pertaining to advertising materials.

§ 5.55 Language requirements.

(a) General. Mandatory information must appear in the English language, with the exception of the brand name and except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section.

(b) Foreign languages. Additional statements in a foreign language, including translations of mandatory information that appears elsewhere in English on the label, are allowed on labels and containers as long as they do not in any way conflict with, or contradict, the requirements of this part.

(c) Distilled spirits for consumption in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Mandatory information may be stated solely in the Spanish language on labels of distilled spirits bottled for consumption within the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

§ 5.56 Additional information.

Information (other than mandatory information) that is truthful, accurate, and specific, and that does not violate subparts F, G, or H of this part, may appear on labels. Such additional information may not conflict with, modify, qualify or restrict mandatory information in any manner.

§ 5.61 What constitutes a label for purposes of mandatory information.

(a) Label. Certain information, as outlined in § 5.63, must appear on a label. When used in this part for purposes of determining where mandatory information must appear, the term “label” includes:

(1) Material affixed to the container, whether made of paper, plastic, metal, or other matter;

(2) For purposes of the net content statement only, information blown, embossed, or molded into the container as part of the process of manufacturing the container;

(3) Information etched, engraved, sandblasted, or otherwise carved into the surface of the container; and

(4) Information branded, stenciled, painted, printed, or otherwise directly applied on to the surface of the container.

(b) Information appearing elsewhere on the container. Information appearing on the following parts of the container is subject to all of the restrictions and prohibitions set forth in subparts F, G and H of this part, but will not satisfy any requirements in this part for mandatory information that must appear on labels:

(1) Material affixed to, or information appearing on, the bottom surface of the container;

(2) Caps, corks or other closures unless authorized to bear mandatory information by the appropriate TTB officer; and

(3) Foil or heat shrink bottle capsules.

(c) Materials not firmly affixed to the container. Any materials that accompany the container to the consumer but are not firmly affixed to the container, including booklets, leaflets, and hang tags, are not “labels” for purposes of this part. Such materials are instead subject to the advertising regulations in subpart N of this part.

§ 5.62 Packaging (cartons, coverings, and cases).

(a) General. An individual covering, carton, or other container of the bottle used for sale at retail (other than a shipping container), may not contain any statement, design, device, or graphic, pictorial, or emblematic representation that is prohibited on labels by regulations in subpart F, G, or H of this part.

(b) Sealed opaque cartons. If containers are enclosed in sealed opaque coverings, cartons, or other containers used for sale at retail (other than shipping containers), such coverings, cartons, or other containers must bear all mandatory label information.

(c) Other cartons. (1) If an individual covering, carton, or other container of the bottle used for sale at retail (other than a shipping container) is so designed that the bottle is readily removable, it may display any information which is not in conflict with the label on the bottle contained therein.

(2) Cartons displaying brand names and/or designations must display such names and designations in their entirety—brand names required to be modified, e.g., by “Brand” or “Product of U.S.A.”, must also display such modification.

(3) Specialty products for which a truthful and adequate statement of composition is required must display such statement.

(d) Labeling of containers within the packaging. The container within the packaging is subject to all labeling requirements of this part, including mandatory labeling information requirements, regardless of whether the packaging bears such information.

§ 5.63 Mandatory label information.

(a) Mandatory information required to appear within the same field of vision. Distilled spirits containers must bear a label or labels (as defined in § 5.61) containing the following information within the same field of vision (which means a single side of a container (for a cylindrical container, a side is 40 percent of the circumference) where all of the pieces of information can be viewed simultaneously without the need to turn the container):

(1) Brand name, in accordance with § 5.64;

(2) Class, type, or other designation, in accordance with subpart I of this part; and

(3) Alcohol content, in accordance with § 5.65.

(b) Other mandatory information. Distilled spirits containers must bear a label or labels (as defined in § 5.61) anywhere on the container bearing the following information:

(1) Name and address of the bottler or distiller, in accordance with § 5.66, or the importer, in accordance with § 5.67 or § 5.68, as applicable; and

(2) Net contents (which may be blown, embossed, or molded into the container as part of the process of manufacturing the container), in accordance with § 5.70.

(c) Disclosure of certain ingredients, processes and other information. The following ingredients, processes, and other information must be disclosed on a label, without the inclusion of any additional information as part of the statement, as follows:

(1) Neutral spirits. The percentage of neutral spirits and the name of the commodity from which the neutral spirits were distilled, or in the case of continuously distilled neutral spirits or gin, the name of the commodity only, in accordance with § 5.71;

(2) Coloring or treatment with wood. Coloring or treatment with wood, in accordance with §§ 5.72 and 5.73;

(3) Age. A statement of age or age and percentage of type, when required or used, in accordance with § 5.74;

(4) State of distillation. State of distillation of any type of whisky defined in § 5.143(c)(2) through (c)(7), which is distilled in the United States, in accordance with § 5.66(f);

(5) FD&C Yellow No. 5. If a distilled spirit contains the coloring material FD&C Yellow No. 5, the label must include a statement to that effect, such as “FD&C Yellow No. 5” or “Contains FD&C Yellow No. 5”;

(6) Cochineal extract or carmine. If a distilled spirit contains the color additive cochineal extract or the color additive carmine, the label must include a statement to that effect, using the respective common or usual name (such as “contains cochineal extract” or “contains carmine”). This requirement applies to labels when either of the coloring materials was used in a distilled spirit that is removed from bottling premises or from customs custody on or after April 16, 2013;

(7) Sulfites. If a distilled spirit contains 10 or more parts per million of sulfur dioxide or other sulfiting agent measured as total sulfur dioxide, the label must include a statement to that effect. Examples of acceptable statements are “Contains sulfites” or “Contains (a) sulfiting agent(s)” or a statement identifying the specific sulfiting agent. The alternative terms “sulphites” or “sulphiting” may be used; and

(8) Aspartame. If the distilled spirit contains aspartame, the label must include the following statement, in capital letters, separate and apart from all other information: “PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE.”

(d) Distinctive liquor bottles. See § 5.205(b)(2) for exemption from placement requirements for certain mandatory information for distinctive liquor bottles.

§ 5.64 Brand name.

(a) Requirement. The distilled spirits label must include a brand name. If the distilled spirits are not sold under a brand name, then the name of the bottler, distiller or importer, as applicable, appearing in the name and address statement is treated as the brand name.

(b) Misleading brand names. Labels may not include any misleading brand names. A brand name is misleading if it creates (by itself or in association with other printed or graphic matter) any erroneous impression or inference as to the age, origin, identity, or other characteristics of the distilled spirits. A brand name that would otherwise be misleading may be qualified with the word “brand” or with some other qualification, if the appropriate TTB officer determines that the qualification dispels any misleading impression that might otherwise be created.

§ 5.65 Alcohol content.

(a) General. The alcohol content for distilled spirits must be stated on the label as a percentage of alcohol by volume. Products that contain a significant amount of material, such as solid fruit, that may absorb spirits after bottling must state the alcohol content at the time of bottling as follows: “Bottled at ____ percent alcohol by volume.”

(b) How the alcohol content must be expressed. The following rules apply to statements of alcohol content.

(1) A statement of alcohol content must be expressed as a percentage of alcohol by volume.

(i) In addition, the alcohol content in degrees of proof may be stated on a label as long as it appears in the same field of vision as the mandatory statement of alcohol content as a percentage of alcohol by volume. Additional statements of proof may appear on the label without being in the same field of vision as the mandatory alcohol by volume statement.

(ii) Other truthful, accurate, and specific factual representations of alcohol content, such as alcohol by weight, may be made, as long as they appear together with, and as part of, the statement of alcohol content as a percentage of alcohol by volume.

(2)(i) The alcohol content statement must be expressed in one of the following formats:

(A) “Alcohol ____ percent by volume”;

(B) “____ percent alcohol by volume”; or

(C) “Alcohol by volume ____ percent.”

(ii) Any of the words or symbols may be enclosed in parentheses and authorized abbreviations may be used with or without a period. The alcohol content statement does not have to appear with quotation marks.

(3) The statements listed in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section must appear as shown, except that the following abbreviations may be used: Alcohol may be abbreviated as “alc”; percent may be represented by the percent symbol “%”; alcohol and volume may be separated by a slash “/” in lieu of the word “by”; and volume may be abbreviated as “vol”.

(4) The following are examples of alcohol content statements that comply with the requirements of this part:

(i) “40% alc/vol”;

(ii) “Alc. 40 percent by vol.”;

(iii) “Alc 40% by vol”; and

(iv) “40% Alcohol by Volume.”

(c) Tolerances. A tolerance of plus or minus 0.3 percentage points is allowed for actual alcohol content that is above or below the labeled alcohol content.

§ 5.66 Name and address for domestically bottled distilled spirits that were wholly made in the United States.

(a) General. Domestically bottled distilled spirits that were wholly made in the United States and contain no imported distilled spirits must be labeled in accordance with this section. (See §§ 5.67 and 5.68 for name and address requirements applicable to distilled spirits that are not wholly made in the United States.) For purposes of this section, a “processor” who solely bottles the labeled distilled spirits will be considered the “bottler.”

(b) Form of statement. The bottler, distiller, or processor of the distilled spirits must be identified by a phrase describing the function performed by that person. If that person performs more than one function, the label may (but is not required to) so indicate.

(1) If the name of the bottler appears on the label, it must be preceded by a phrase such as “bottled by,” “canned by,” “packed by,” or “filled by,” followed by the name and address of the bottler.

(2) If the name of the processor appears on the label, it must be preceded by a phrase such as “blended by,” “made by,” “prepared by,” “produced by,” or “manufactured by,” as appropriate, followed by the name and address of the processor. When applied to distilled spirits, the term “produced by” indicates a processing operation (formerly known as rectification) that involves a change in the class or type of the product through the addition of flavors or some other processing activity.

(3) If the name of the distiller appears on the label, it must be preceded by a phrase such as “distilled by,” followed by the name and address of the distiller. If the distilled spirits were bottled for the distiller thereof, the name and address of the distiller may be preceded by a phrase such as “distilled by and bottled for,” or “bottled for.”

(c) Listing of more than one function. If different functions are performed by more than one person, statements on the label may not create the misleading impression that the different functions were performed by the same person.

(d) Form of address —(1) General. The address consists of the city and State where the operation occurred, or the city and State of the principal place of business of the person performing the operation. This information must be consistent with the information on the basic permit. Addresses may, but are not required to, include additional information such as street names, counties, zip codes, phone numbers, and website addresses. The postal abbreviation of the State name may be used; for example, California may be abbreviated as CA.

(2) More than one address. If the bottler, distiller, or processor listed on the name and address statement is the actual operator of more than one distilled spirits plant engaged in bottling, distilling, or processing operations, as applicable, the label may state, immediately following the name of the permittee, the addresses of those other plants, in addition to the address of the plant at which the distilled spirits were bottled. In this situation, the address where the operation occurred must be indicated on the label or on the container by printing, coding, or other markings.

(3) Principal place of business. The label may provide the address of the bottler's, distiller's, or processor's principal place of business, in lieu of the place where the bottling, distilling, or other operation occurred, provided that the address where the operation occurred is indicated on the label or on the container by printing, coding, or other markings.

(4) Distilled spirits bottled for another person. (i) If distilled spirits are bottled for another person, other than the actual distiller thereof, the label may state, in addition to (but not in place of) the name and address of the bottler, the name and address of such other person, immediately preceded by the words “bottled for” or another similar appropriate phrase. Such statements must clearly indicate the relationship between the two persons (for example, contract bottling).

(ii) If the same brand of distilled spirits is bottled by two distillers that are not under the same ownership, the label for each distiller may set forth both locations where bottling takes place, as long as the label uses the actual location (and not the principal place of business) and as long as the nature of the arrangement is clearly set forth.

(5) Additional addresses. No additional places or addresses may be stated for the same person unless:

(i) That person is actively engaged in the conduct of an additional bona fide and actual alcohol beverage business at such additional place or address, and

(ii) The label also contains in direct conjunction therewith, appropriate descriptive material indicating the function occurring at such additional place or address in connection with the particular product (such as “distilled by.”)

(e) Special rule for straight whiskies. If “straight whiskies” (see § 5.143) of the same type are distilled in the same State by two or more different distillers and are combined (either at the time of bottling or at a warehouseman's bonded premises for further storage) and subsequently bottled and labeled as “straight whisky,” that “straight whisky” must bear a label that contains name and address information of the bottler. If that combined “straight whisky” is bottled by or for the distillers, in lieu of the name and address of the bottler, the label may contain the words “distilled by,” followed immediately by the names (or trade names) and addresses of the different distillers who distilled a portion of the “straight whisky” and the percentage of “straight whisky” distilled by each distiller, with a tolerance of plus or minus 2 percent. If “straight whisky” consists of a mixture of “straight whiskies” of the same type from two or more different distilleries of the same proprietor located within the same State, and if that “straight whisky” is bottled by or for that proprietor, in lieu of the name and address of the bottler, the “straight whisky” may bear a label containing the words “distilled by” followed by the name (or trade name) of the proprietor and the addresses of the different distilleries that distilled a portion of the “straight whisky.”

(f) State of distillation for whisky. (1) The State of distillation, which is the State in which original distillation takes place, must appear on the label of any type of whisky defined in § 5.143(c)(2) through (7), (15), and (16), which is distilled in the United States. The State of distillation may appear on any label and must be shown in at least one of the following ways:

(i) By including a “distilled by” (or “distilled and bottled by” or any other phrase including the word “distilled”) statement as part of the mandatory name and address statement, followed by a single location;

(ii) If the address shown in the “bottled by” statement includes the State in which distillation occurred, by including a “bottled by” statement as part of the mandatory name and address statement, followed by a single location;

(iii) By including the name of the State in which original distillation occurred immediately adjacent to the class or type designation (such as “Kentucky bourbon whisky”), as long as the product was both distilled and aged in that State in conformance with the requirements of § 5.143(b); or

(iv) By including a separate statement, such as “Distilled in [name of State].”

(2) The appropriate TTB officer may require that the State of distillation or other information appear on a label of any whisky subject to the requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this section (and may prescribe placement requirements for such information), even if that State appears in the name and address statement, if such additional information is necessary to negate any misleading or deceptive impression that might otherwise be created as regards the actual State of distillation.

(3) In the case of “light whisky,” the State name “Kentucky” or “Tennessee” may not appear on any label, except as a part of a name and address as specified in paragraph (a)(1), (2), or (4) of this section.

(g) Trade or operating names. The name of the person appearing on the label may be the trade name or the operating name, as long as it is identical to a trade or operating name appearing on the basic permit. In the case of a distillation statement for spirits bottled in bond, the name or trade name under which the spirits were distilled must be shown.

§ 5.67 Name and address for domestically bottled distilled spirits that were bottled after importation.

(a) General. This section applies to distilled spirits that were bottled after importation. See § 5.68 for name and address requirements applicable to imported distilled spirits that were imported in a container. See 19 CFR parts 102 and 134 for U.S. Customs and Border Protection country of origin marking requirements.

(b) Distilled spirits bottled after importation in the United States. Distilled spirits bottled, without further blending, making, preparing, producing, manufacturing, or distilling activities after importation, must bear one of the following name and address statements:

(1) The name and address of the bottler, preceded by the words “bottled by,” “canned by,” “packed by,” or “filled by”;

(2) If the distilled spirits were bottled for the person responsible for the importation, the words “imported by and bottled (canned, packed, or filled) in the United States for” (or a similar appropriate phrase) followed by the name and address of the principal place of business in the United States of the person responsible for the importation;

(3) If the distilled spirits were bottled by the person responsible for the importation, the words “imported by and bottled (canned, packed, or filled) in the United States by” (or a similar appropriate phrase) followed by the name and address of the principal place of business in the United States of the person responsible for the importation.

(c) Distilled spirits that were subject to blending or other production activities after importation. Distilled spirits that, after importation in bulk, were blended, made, prepared, produced, manufactured or further distilled, may not bear an “imported by” statement on the label, but must instead be labeled in accordance with the rules set forth in § 5.66 for mandatory and optional labeling statements.

(d) Optional statements. In addition to the statements required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the label may also state the name and address of the principal place of business of the foreign producer.

(e) Form of address. (1) The address consists of the city and State where the operation occurred, or the city and State of the principal place of business of the person performing the operation. This information must be consistent with the information on the basic permit. Addresses may, but are not required to, include additional information such as street names, counties, zip codes, phone numbers, and website addresses.

(2) If the bottler or processor listed on the name and address statement is the actual operator of more than one distilled spirits plant engaged in bottling, distilling, or processing operations, as applicable, the label may state, immediately following the name of the bottler, the addresses of those other plants, in addition to the address of the plant at which the distilled spirits were bottled. In this situation, the address where the operation occurred must be indicated on the label or on the container by printing, coding, or other markings.

(3) The label may provide the address of the bottler's or processor's principal place of business, in lieu of the place where the bottling, distilling, or other operation occurred, provided that the address where the operation occurred is indicated on the label or on the container by printing, coding, or other markings.

(f) Trade or operating names. A trade name may be used if the trade name is listed on the basic permit or other qualifying documentation.

§ 5.68 Name and address for distilled spirits that were imported in a container.

(a) General. This section applies to distilled spirits that were imported in a container, as defined in § 5.1. See § 5.67 for name and address requirements applicable to distilled spirits that were domestically bottled after importation. See 19 CFR parts 102 and 134 for U.S. Customs and Border Protection country of origin marking requirements.

(b) Mandatory labeling statement. Distilled spirits imported in containers, as defined in § 5.1, must bear a label stating the words “imported by” or a similar appropriate phrase, followed by the name and address of the importer.

(1) For purposes of this section, the importer is the holder of the importer's basic permit who either makes the original customs entry or is the person for whom such entry is made, or the holder of the importer's basic permit who is the agent, distributor, or franchise holder for the particular brand of imported alcohol beverages and who places the order abroad.

(2) The address of the importer must be stated as the city and State of the principal place of business and must be consistent with the address reflected on the importer's basic permit. Addresses may, but are not required to, include additional information such as street names, counties, zip codes, phone numbers, and website addresses. The postal abbreviation of the State name may be used; for example, California may be abbreviated as CA.

(c) Optional statements. In addition to the statements required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the label may also state the name and address of the principal place of business of the foreign producer.

(d) Form of address. The “place” stated must be the city and State, shown on the basic permit or other qualifying document, of the premises at which the operations took place; and the place for each operation that is designated on the label must be shown.

(e) Trade or operating names. A trade name may be used if the trade name is listed on the basic permit or other qualifying documentation.

§ 5.69 Country of origin.

For U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) rules regarding country of origin marking requirements, see the CBP regulations at 19 CFR parts 102 and 134.

§ 5.70 Net contents.

The requirements of this section apply to the net contents statement required by § 5.63.

(a) General. The volume of spirits in the container must appear on a label as a net contents statement. The word “liter” may be alternatively spelled “litre” or may be abbreviated as “L”. The word “milliliters” may be abbreviated as “ml.,” “mL.,” or “ML.” Net contents in equivalent U.S. customary units of measurement and in metric equivalents such as centiliters may appear on a label and, if used, must appear in the same field of vision as the metric net contents statement.

(b) Tolerances. (1) The following tolerances are permissible for purposes of applying paragraph (a) of this section:

(i) Errors in measuring. Discrepancies due to errors in measuring that occur in filling conducted in compliance with good commercial practice;

(ii) Differences in capacity. Discrepancies due exclusively to differences in the capacity of containers, resulting solely from unavoidable difficulties in manufacturing the containers so as to be of uniform capacity, provided that the discrepancy does not result from a container design that prevents the manufacture of containers of an approximately uniform capacity; and

(iii) Differences in atmospheric conditions. Discrepancies in measure due to differences in atmospheric conditions in various places, including discrepancies resulting from the ordinary and customary exposure of alcohol beverage products in containers to evaporation, provided that the discrepancy is determined to be reasonable on a case by case basis.

(2) Shortages and overages. A contents shortage in certain of the containers in a shipment may not be counted against a contents overage in other containers in the same shipment for purposes of determining compliance with the requirements of this section.

§ 5.71 Neutral spirits and name of commodity.

(a) In the case of distilled spirits (other than cordials, liqueurs, flavored neutral spirits, including flavored vodka, and distilled spirits specialty products) manufactured by blending or other processing, if neutral spirits were used in the production of the spirits, the percentage of neutral spirits so used and the name of the commodity from which the neutral spirits were distilled must appear on a label. The statement of percentage and the name of the commodity must be in substantially the following form: “____% neutral spirits distilled from____ (insert grain, cane products, fruit, or other commodity as appropriate)”; or “____ % neutral spirits (vodka) distilled from ____ (insert grain, cane products, fruit, or other commodity as appropriate)”; or “____ % (grain) (cane products), (fruit) neutral spirits”, or “____ % grain spirits.”

(b) In the case of gin manufactured by a process of continuous distillation or in the case of neutral spirits, a label on the container must state the name of the commodity from which the gin or neutral spirits were distilled. The statement of the name of the commodity must appear in substantially the following form: “Distilled from grain” or “Distilled from cane products”.

§ 5.72 Coloring materials.

The words “artificially colored” must appear on a label of any distilled spirits product containing synthetic or natural materials that primarily contribute color, or when information on a label conveys the impression that a color was derived from a source other than the actual source of the color, except that:

(a) If no coloring material other than a color exempt from certification under FDA regulations has been added, a truthful statement of the source of the color may appear in lieu of the words “artificially colored,” for example, “Contains Beta Carotene” or “Colored with beet extract.” See 21 CFR parts 73 and 74 for the list of such colors under Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations;

(b) If no coloring material has been added other than one certified as suitable for use in foods by the FDA, the words “(to be filled in with name of) certified color added” or “Contains Certified Color” may appear in lieu of the words “artificially colored”; and

(c) If no coloring material other than caramel has been added, the words “colored with caramel,” “contains caramel color,” or another statement specifying the use of caramel color, may appear in lieu of the words “artificially colored.” However, no statement of any type is required for the use of caramel color in brandy, rum, or Tequila, or in any type of whisky other than straight whisky if used at not more than 2.5 percent by volume of the finished product. Provided, if any amount of caramel color is used in American single malt whisky, or in straight American single malt whisky, a statement specifying the use of caramel color must appear on the label.

(d) As provided in § 5.61, the use of FD&C Yellow No. 5, carmine, or cochineal extract must be specifically stated on the label even if the label also contains a phrase such as “contains certified color” or “artificially colored.”

§ 5.73 Treatment of whisky or brandy with wood.

The words “colored and flavored with wood____ ” (inserting “chips,” “slabs,” etc., as appropriate) must appear immediately adjacent to, and in the same size of type as, the class and type designation under subpart I of this part for whisky and brandy treated, in whole or in part, with wood through percolation or otherwise during distillation or storage, other than through contact with an oak barrel. However, the statement specified in this section is not required in the case of brandy treated with an infusion of oak chips in accordance with § 5.155(b)(3)(B).

§ 5.74 Statements of age, storage, and percentage.

(a) General. (1) As defined in § 5.1, age is the length of time during which, after distillation and before bottling, the distilled spirits have been stored in oak barrels. For bourbon whisky, rye whisky, wheat whisky, malt whisky, or rye malt whisky, and straight whiskies other than straight corn whisky and straight American single malt whisky, aging must occur in charred new oak barrels.

(2) If an age statement is used, it is permissible to understate the age of a product, but overstatements of age are prohibited. However, the age statement may not conflict with the standard of identity, if aging is required as part of the standard of identity. For example, the standard of identity for straight rye whisky requires that the whisky be aged for a minimum of 2 years, so the age statement “Aged 1 year,” would be prohibited for a product designated as “straight” rye whisky, even if the spirits were actually aged for more than 2 years, because it is inconsistent with the standard of identity.

(3)The age may be stated in years, months, or days.

(b) Age statements and percentage of type statements for whisky. For all domestic or foreign whiskies that are aged less than 4 years, including blends containing a whisky that is aged less than 4 years, an age statement and percentage of types of whisky statement is required to appear on a label, unless the whisky is labeled as “bottled in bond” in conformity with § 5.88. For all other whiskies, the statements are optional, but if used, they must conform to the formatting requirements listed below. Moreover, if the bottler chooses to include a statement of age or percentage on the label of a product that is 4 years old or more and that contains neutral spirits, the statement must appear immediately adjacent to the neutral spirits statement required by § 5.70. The following are the allowable formats for the age and percentage statements for whisky:

(1)(i) In the case of whisky, whether or not mixed or blended but containing no neutral spirits, the age of the youngest whisky in the product. The age statement must appear substantially as follows: “____ years old”; and

(ii) If a whisky is aged in more than one container, the label may optionally indicate the types of oak containers used.

(2) In the case of whisky containing neutral spirits, whether or not mixed or blended, if any straight whisky or other whisky in the product is less than 4 years old, the percentage by volume of each such whisky and the age of each such whisky (the age of the youngest of the straight whiskies or other whiskies if the product contains two or more of either). The age and percentage statement for a straight whisky and other whisky must appear immediately adjacent to the neutral spirits statement required by § 5.70 and must read substantially as follows:

(i) If the product contains only one straight whisky and no other whisky: “____ percent straight whisky ____ years old;”

(ii) If the product contains more than one straight whisky but no other whisky: “____ percent straight whiskies ____ years or more old.” In this case the age blank must state the age of the youngest straight whisky in the product. However, in lieu of the foregoing statement, the following statement may appear on the label: “____ percent straight whisky ____ years old, ____ percent straight whisky ____ years old, and ____ percent straight whisky ____ years old”;

(iii) If the product contains only one straight whisky and one other whisky: “____ percent straight whisky ____ years old, ____ percent whisky ____ years old”; or

(iv) If the product contains more than one straight whisky and more than one other whisky: “____ percent straight whiskies ____ years or more old, ____ percent whiskies ____ years or more old.” In this case, the age blanks must state the age of the youngest straight whisky and the age of the youngest other whisky. However, in lieu of the foregoing statement, the following statement may appear on the label: “____ percent straight whisky ____ years old, percent straight whisky ____ years old, ____ percent whisky ____ years old, and ____ percent whisky ____ years old”;

(3) In the case of an imported rye whisky, wheat whisky, malt whisky, or rye malt whisky, a label on the product must state each age and percentage in the manner and form that would be required if the whisky had been made in the United States;

(4) In the case of whisky made in the United States and stored in reused oak barrels, other than corn whisky, light whisky, American single malt whisky, and straight American single malt whisky, in lieu of the words “__ years old” specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section, the period of storage in the reused oak barrels must appear on the label as follows: “stored __ years in reused cooperage.”

(c) Statements of age for rum, brandy, and agave spirits. A statement of age on labels of rums, brandies, and agave spirits is optional, except that, in the case of brandy (other than immature brandies, fruit brandies, marc brandy, pomace brandy, Pisco brandy, Singani brandy, and grappa brandy, which are not customarily stored in oak barrels) not stored in oak barrels for a period of at least two years, a statement of age must appear on the label. Any statement of age authorized or required under this paragraph must appear substantially as follows: “____ years old,” with the blank to be filled in with the age of the youngest distilled spirits in the product.

(d) Statement of storage for grain spirits. In the case of grain spirits, the period of storage in oak barrels may appear on a label immediately adjacent to the percentage statement required under § 5.73, for example: “____ % grain spirits stored ____ years in oak barrels.”

(e) Other distilled spirits. (1) Statements regarding age or maturity or similar statements or representations on labels for all other spirits, except neutral spirits, are permitted only when the distilled spirits are stored in an oak barrel and, once dumped from the barrel, subjected to no treatment besides mixing with water, filtering, and bottling. If batches are made from barrels of spirits of different ages, the label may only state the age of the youngest spirits.

(2) Statements regarding age or maturity or similar statements of neutral spirits (except for grain spirits as stated in paragraph (c) of this section) are prohibited from appearing on any label.

(f) Other age representations. (1) If a representation that is similar to an age or maturity statement permitted under this section appears on a label, a statement of age, in a manner that is conspicuous and in characters at least half the type size of the representation must also appear on each label that carries the representation, except in the following cases:

(i) The use of the word “old” or another word denoting age as part of the brand name of the product is not deemed to be an age representation that requires a statement of age; and

(ii) Labels of whiskies and brandies (other than immature brandies, pomace brandy, marc brandy, Pisco brandy, Singani brandy, and grappa brandy) not required to bear a statement of age, and rum and agave spirits aged for not less than four years, may contain general inconspicuous age, maturity or similar representations without the label having to bear an age statement.

(2) Distillation dates (which may be an exact date or a year) may appear on a label of spirits where the spirits are manufactured solely through distillation. A distillation date may only appear if an optional or mandatory age statement is used on the label and must appear in the same field of vision as the age statement.

§ 5.81 General.

(a) Application. The labeling practices, statements, and representations in this subpart may be used on distilled spirits labels only when used in compliance with this subpart. In addition, if any of the practices, statements, or representations in this subpart are used elsewhere on containers or in packaging, they must comply with the requirements of this subpart. For purposes of this subpart:

(1) The term “label” includes all labels on distilled spirits containers on which mandatory information may appear, as set forth in § 5.61(a), as well as any other label on the container.

(2) The term “container” includes all parts of the distilled spirits container, including any part of a distilled spirits container on which mandatory information may appear, as well as those parts of the container on which information does not satisfy mandatory labeling requirements, as set forth in § 5.61(b).

(3) The term “packaging” includes any carton, case, carrier, individual covering or other packaging of such containers used for sale at retail, but does not include shipping cartons or cases that are not intended to accompany the container to the consumer.

(b) Statement or representation. For purposes of the practices in this subpart, the term “statement or representation” includes any statement, design, device, or representation, and includes pictorial or graphic designs or representations as well as written ones. The term “statement or representation” includes explicit and implicit statements and representations.

Food Allergen Labeling

§ 5.82 Voluntary disclosure of major food allergens.

(a) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms or phrases have the meanings indicated.

(1) Major food allergen means any of the following:

(i) Milk, egg, fish (for example, bass, flounder, or cod), Crustacean shellfish (for example, crab, lobster, or shrimp), tree nuts (for example, almonds, pecans, or walnuts), wheat, peanuts, and soybeans; or

(ii) A food ingredient that contains protein derived from a food specified in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, except:

(A) Any highly refined oil derived from a food specified in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section and any ingredient derived from such highly refined oil; or

(B) A food ingredient that is exempt from major food allergen labeling requirements pursuant to a petition for exemption approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under 21 U.S.C. 343(w)(6) or pursuant to a notice submitted to FDA under 21 U.S.C. 343(w)(7), provided that the food ingredient meets the terms or conditions, if any, specified for that exemption.

(2) Name of the food source from which each major food allergen is derived means the name of the food as listed in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, except that:

(i) In the case of a tree nut, it means the name of the specific type of nut (for example, almonds, pecans, or walnuts); and

(ii) In the case of Crustacean shellfish, it means the name of the species of Crustacean shellfish (for example, crab, lobster, or shrimp); and

(iii) The names “egg” and “peanuts,” as well as the names of the different types of tree nuts, may be expressed in either the singular or plural form, and the name “soy,” “soybean,” or “soya” may be used instead of “soybeans.”

(b) Voluntary labeling standards. Major food allergens used in the production of a distilled spirits product may, on a voluntary basis, be declared on any label affixed to the container. However, if any one major food allergen is voluntarily declared, all major food allergens used in production of the distilled spirits product, including major food allergens used as fining or processing agents, must be declared, except when covered by a petition for exemption approved by the appropriate TTB officer under § 5.83. The major food allergens declaration must consist of the word “Contains” followed by a colon and the name of the food source from which each major food allergen is derived (for example, “Contains: egg”).

§ 5.83 Petitions for exemption from major food allergen labeling.

(a) Submission of petition. Any person may petition the appropriate TTB officer to exempt a particular product or class of products from the labeling requirements of § 5.82. The burden is on the petitioner to provide scientific evidence (as well as the analytical method used to produce the evidence) that demonstrates that the finished product or class of products, as derived by the method specified in the petition, either:

(1) Does not cause an allergic response that poses a risk to human health; or

(2) Does not contain allergenic protein derived from one of the foods identified in § 5.82(a)(1)(i), even though a major food allergen was used in production.

(b) Decision on petition. TTB will approve or deny a petition for exemption submitted under paragraph (a) of this section in writing within 180 days of receipt of the petition. If TTB does not provide a written response to the petitioner within that 180-day period, the petition will be deemed denied, unless an extension of time for decision is mutually agreed upon by the appropriate TTB officer and the petitioner. TTB may confer with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on petitions for exemption, as appropriate and as FDA resources permit. TTB may require the submission of product samples and other additional information in support of a petition; however, unless required by TTB, the submission of samples or additional information by the petitioner after submission of the petition will be treated as the withdrawal of the initial petition and the submission of a new petition. An approval or denial under this section will constitute final agency action.

(c) Resubmission of a petition. After a petition for exemption is denied under this section, the petitioner may resubmit the petition along with supporting materials for reconsideration at any time. TTB will treat this submission as a new petition.

(d) Availability of information —(1) General. TTB will promptly post to its website ( https://www.ttb.gov ) all petitions received under this section, as well as TTB's responses to those petitions. Any information submitted in support of the petition that is not posted to the TTB website will be available to the public pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, at 5 U.S.C. 552, except where a request for confidential treatment is granted under paragraph (d)(2) of this section.

(2) Requests for confidential treatment of business information. A person who provides trade secrets or other commercial or financial information in connection with a petition for exemption under this section may request that TTB give confidential treatment to that information. A failure to request confidential treatment at the time the information in question is submitted to TTB will constitute a waiver of confidential treatment. A request for confidential treatment of information under this section must conform to the following standards:

(i) The request must be in writing;

(ii) The request must clearly identify the information to be kept confidential;

(iii) The request must relate to information that constitutes trade secrets or other confidential commercial or financial information regarding the business transactions of an interested person, the disclosure of which would cause substantial harm to the competitive position of that person;

(iv) The request must set forth the reasons why the information should not be disclosed, including the reasons why the disclosure of the information would prejudice the competitive position of the interested person; and

(v) The request must be supported by a signed statement by the interested person, or by an authorized officer or employee of that person, certifying that the information in question is a trade secret or other confidential commercial or financial information and that the information is not already in the public domain.

Production Claims

§ 5.84 Use of the term “organic.”

Use of the term “organic” is permitted if any such use complies with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program rules (7 CFR part 205), as interpreted by the USDA.

§ 5.87 “Barrel Proof” and similar terms.

(a) The term “barrel proof” or “cask strength” may be used to refer to distilled spirits stored in wood barrels only when the bottling proof is not more than two degrees lower than the proof of the spirits when the spirits are dumped from the barrels.

(b) The term “original proof,” “original barrel proof,” “original cask strength,” or “entry proof” may be used only if the distilled spirits were stored in wooden barrels and the proof of the spirits entered into the barrel and the proof of the bottled spirits are the same.

§ 5.88 Bottled in bond.

(a) The term “bond,” “bonded,” “bottled in bond,” or “aged in bond,” or phrases containing these or synonymous terms, may be used (including as part of the brand name) only if the distilled spirits are:

(1) Composed of the same kind (type, if one is applicable to the spirits, otherwise class) of spirits distilled from the same class of materials;

(2) Distilled in the same distilling season (as defined in § 5.1) by the same distiller at the same distillery.

(3) Stored for at least 4 years in wooden containers wherein the spirits have been in contact with the wood surface, except for vodka, which must be stored for at least 4 years in wooden containers coated or lined with paraffin or other substance which will preclude contact of the spirits with the wood surface, and except for gin, which must be stored in paraffin-lined or unlined wooden containers for at least 4 years;

(4) Unaltered from their original condition or character by the addition or subtraction of any substance other than by filtration, chill proofing, or other physical treatments (which do not involve the addition of any substance which will remain in the finished product or result in a change in class or type);

(5) Reduced in proof by the addition of only pure water to 50 percent alcohol by volume (100 degrees of proof); and

(6) Bottled at 50 percent alcohol by volume (100 degrees of proof).

(b) Imported spirits labeled as “bottled in bond” or other synonymous term described above must be manufactured in accordance with paragraphs (a)(1) through (6) of this section and may only be so labeled if the laws and regulations of the country in which the spirits are manufactured authorize the bottling of spirits in bond and require or specifically authorize such spirits to be so labeled. The “bottled in bond” or synonymous statement must be immediately followed, in the same font and type size, by the name of the country under whose laws and regulations such distilled spirits were so bottled.

(c) Domestically manufactured spirits labeled as “bottled in bond” or with some other synonymous statement must bear the real name of the distillery or the trade name under which the distiller distilled and warehoused the spirits, and the number of the distilled spirits plant in which distilled, and the number of the distilled spirits plant in which bottled. The label may also bear the name or trade name of the bottler.

§ 5.89 Multiple distillation claims.

(a) Truthful statements about the number of distillations, such as “double distilled,” “distilled three times,” or similar terms to convey multiple distillations, may be used if they are truthful statements of fact. For the purposes of this section only, the term “distillation” means a single run through a pot still or a single run through a column of a column (reflux) still. For example, if a column still has three separate columns, one complete additional run through the system would constitute three additional distillations.

(b) The number of distillations may be understated but may not be overstated.

§ 5.90 Terms related to Scotland.

(a) The words “Scotch,” “Scots,” “Highland,” or “Highlands,” and similar words connoting, indicating, or commonly associated with Scotland, may be used to designate only distilled spirits wholly manufactured in Scotland, except that the term “Scotch whisky” may appear in the designation for a flavored spirit (“Flavored Scotch Whisky”) or in a truthful statement of composition (“Scotch whisky with natural flavors”) where the base distilled spirit meets the requirements for a Scotch whisky designation, regardless of where the finished product is manufactured.

(b) In accordance with § 5.127, statements relating to government supervision may appear on Scotch whisky containers only if such labeling statements are required or specifically authorized by the applicable regulations of the United Kingdom.

§ 5.91 Use of the term “pure.”

Distilled spirits labels, containers, or packaging may not bear the word “pure” unless it:

(a) Refers to a particular ingredient used in the production of the distilled spirits, and is a truthful representation about that ingredient;

(b) Is part of the bona fide name of a permittee or retailer for which the distilled spirits are bottled; or

(c) Is part of the bona fide name of the permittee that bottled the distilled spirits.