Permit Number
A permit number is the unique identifier assigned by the TTB to each federal basic permit, encoding the permit type and serving as the reference number that links a business to its authorized activities in TTB records.
In Plain English
Every federal permit gets a unique number from the TTB that identifies the specific permit and its type. The format of the number tells you what kind of permit it is: distilled spirits plants, wineries, importers, and breweries all have different numbering conventions. The permit number appears on the permit itself, on COLA applications (linking each label approval to the business that submitted it), and in the TTB's public records. For market intelligence purposes, permit numbers are useful for connecting different data sources — you can look up a permit number to find the associated COLAs, or find a COLA's permit number to learn about the business behind it.
Technical Detail
TTB permit numbers follow type-specific formats. Distilled spirits plant (DSP) permits use the format "DSP-XX-NNNNN" where XX is a state code. Bonded winery permits use "BW-XX-NNNNN" format. Basic permits for importers and wholesalers use "XX-I-NNNNN" or "XX-W-NNNNN" format. Brewers' notices use "BR-XX-NNNNN" format. The permit number is a required field on COLA applications and is stored in the colas table, linking each filing to the authorized business. In the permits table, permit_number is the primary key. The BevAlc Intelligence system uses permit numbers to cross-reference between the COLA database and the permits database for company matching and enrichment.
Why It Matters
Permit numbers provide a reliable linkage between COLA filings, permit records, and business entity information. For investigative research, a permit number can reveal a company's full operating history across both COLA and permit databases. BevAlc Intelligence uses permit numbers to enhance company profiles with permit data including business address, operating name, and permit status.
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I search for a company by permit number?
Yes. The TTB public databases and BevAlc Intelligence both support searching by permit number. This is useful when you have a permit number from a COLA record and want to find all filings associated with that permit.
Does a permit number change if the business is sold?
A change in ownership typically requires a new permit application, which results in a new permit number. The old permit is surrendered or revoked. This means ownership changes are reflected in the permit record, though the business may continue using the same premises and brands.
What information can I get from a permit number?
A permit number links to the permit record which includes the business name, operating name, premises address, permit type, and status. Through BevAlc Intelligence, it can also be linked to all COLA filings submitted under that permit.