Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau March 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is amending its regulations regarding the electronic submission of forms to provide for the electronic submission to TTB of copies of certain forms, where the original is to be retained by the submitter along with other records. This amendment removes a barrier that industry members have faced when trying to apply for permits completely by electronic means. TTB is also amending its regulations to address circumstances where TTB requires certain information to be submitted to other agencies. Specifically, the amendments provide that TTB requirements for information to be submitted to another agency may be met by the electronic submission of the information, as long as the other agency has provided for such a submission of information by electronic means. In addition, TTB is amending its regulations governing the records that distilled spirits plant (DSP) proprietors must keep of finished products. Specifically, TTB is removing the requirement that DSP proprietors keep a daily summary record of the kind of distilled spirits bottled or packaged. Finally, TTB is amending its regulations regarding closures that must be affixed to containers of imported distilled spirits products or of such products brought into the United States from Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. The amendments remove a requirement that a part of the closure remain attached to the container when opened. This amendment will align the regulations for such products with those applicable to domestic distilled spirits products.