Alcohol Import Laws
If you plan to import alcohol into the United States for personal or commercial use, you must follow a wide range of state and federal regulations. In some cases the county in which you live may have rules for and restrictions on importing alcohol. Local and state regulations vary to such an extent that you must contact your local representatives for specifics. Federal alcohol import laws are covered by the Federal Alcohol Administration Act.
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Permits
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The Federal Alcohol Administration Act dictates that anyone wishing to import alcohol must hold a permit. You will need to apply to the state in which you live for an alcohol permit, which is effective until it is voluntarily surrendered, revoked or suspended. The permit may be revoked or suspended if you violate the terms of the permit.
Labels
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If you are importing alcohol for commercial use, you must comply with federal labeling regulations. The labels of imported alcoholic beverages must have the words "imported by" on them followed by the name of your company. Imported whiskeys must state the age and alcohol percentage of the contents of each bottle.
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Certificates of Origin
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Imported alcohol must be accompanied by a certificate of origin from the country where it originated. The certificate of origin indicates the age of the alcohol and the specific area where it was produced within the originating country.
Bulk Importation of Alcohol
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In general, bulk importation of alcohol for anything other than industrial use is prohibited. Only owners of alcohol distilleries, owners of Class 8 bonded warehouses (which are licensed by U.S. Customs), and government agencies may receive imported shipments of bulk alcohol.
Registration
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If you are importing alcohol for the purpose of selling it, you must register with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau before doing business. Additionally, you will be required to register on or before July 1 every year that you are in business.
Import Tax
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You will be required to pay an import tax on all alcoholic beverages imported into the United States. The tax is calculated based on the applicable tax rate multiplied by the amount of proof gallons, which is defined as a gallon that is 50 percent alcohol, or 100 proof. For example, if you import 1 gallon of 200-proof whiskey, it is equivalent to 2 proof gallons; 3 gallons of 200-proof whiskey is equal to 6 proof gallons.
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References
Resources
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