Importation
Importation of alcoholic beverages into the United States requires a federal importer's basic permit from the TTB, customs clearance through CBP, compliance with labeling requirements, and adherence to both federal and state regulations governing the introduction of foreign-produced products.
In Plain English
Importing alcohol into the U.S. involves navigating both TTB and customs (CBP) regulations. An importer must hold a federal basic permit authorizing importation, obtain COLAs for every product they want to sell, clear customs by providing proper documentation (including certificates of age and origin for spirits), and pay federal excise taxes. The importer is essentially the U.S. sponsor for a foreign brand, responsible for all federal regulatory compliance from the point of entry. Many foreign brands work with established U.S. importers rather than setting up their own import operations, because the regulatory and logistical expertise required is substantial. Imported products appear in COLA data just like domestically produced products, but the COLA applicant will be the importer rather than the foreign producer.
Technical Detail
Importation is governed by the FAA Act (27 U.S.C. 203), TTB regulations (27 CFR Parts 1, 4, 5, 7, and 27), and customs regulations. The importer must hold a federal importer's basic permit (TTB Form 5100.24). Each product requires a COLA approved prior to importation. At the port of entry, CBP requires: commercial invoice, bill of lading, customs entry form, evidence of COLA approval (TTB Form 5100.31), certificate of age for spirits making age claims, certificate of origin where required, and payment of customs duties and federal excise taxes. Spirits must be imported in containers of authorized sizes. Wine imported in bulk for bottling in the U.S. has different requirements than wine imported in consumer-ready bottles. The importer is the responsible party for all compliance and becomes the "bottled by" or "imported by" entity on the label.
Why It Matters
Imported products represent a significant portion of the U.S. alcohol market, and new import COLA filings signal foreign brands entering or expanding in the U.S. market. For BevAlc Intelligence, import COLAs from new companies are particularly valuable signals because they represent new market entrants with established products and production capabilities. For customs brokers, freight forwarders, and import compliance consultants, new importers are direct clients. For distributors, new imports represent portfolio expansion opportunities.
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreign company apply for a COLA directly?
No. A U.S.-based entity holding a federal importer's basic permit must submit the COLA application. Foreign producers typically partner with a U.S. importer who handles all federal regulatory requirements, or they establish a U.S. subsidiary to hold the import permit.
Are imported products treated differently in the COLA database?
COLA records for imported products show the U.S. importer as the applicant. The foreign producer or brand owner may not be immediately apparent from the COLA record alone. BevAlc Intelligence's company normalization links COLAs to the importer entity.
What is the most commonly imported spirit?
Tequila and mezcal (from Mexico), vodka (from multiple countries), scotch whisky (from Scotland), and cognac/brandy (from France) are among the most commonly imported spirits categories by volume and value. Wine imports are also substantial, led by France, Italy, and Australia.