Exporting wine, beer and spirits to the US: TTB permit, COLA and certificates

Alcohol beverages can only be imported into the US by a company holding a TTB importer's basic permit and staffing an office in the US, so foreign wineries, breweries and distillers usually sell through a licensed US importer. The importer must hold an approved label (COLA) for each product at the time of import, some products need certificates of age or origin, and FDA, excise tax and state rules apply as well.

Checked against official sources: 2026-10

At a glance

Federal permitImporter's Basic Permit under the FAA Act (TTB F 5100.24), no fee; the importer must maintain and staff a business office in the US

Foreign producersWithout a US office, contract with an existing licensed US importer

Label approvalA COLA (TTB F 5100.31) for each unique product and label, held by the importer at the time of importation

Dealer registrationRegister as an alcohol dealer with TTB F 5630.5(d) before doing business

FDAProducers and holders register as food facilities, and importers give FDA prior notice

TaxesThe importer pays federal excise tax and duties, collected by CBP

CertificatesRequired for certain spirits and wines, such as Scotch whisky, Cognac, Tequila, Champagne and Port; none for beer

CanadaCertain Canadian alcoholic beverages are barred from import from 29 September 2026 (Presidential Proclamation of 8 September 2026)

Who can import alcohol into the US

Anyone in the business of importing distilled spirits, wine or malt beverages needs a federal Importer's Basic Permit, applied for with TTB F 5100.24 through Permits Online or on paper. There is no fee, but the importer must maintain and staff a business office in the United States. A foreign producer without a US office therefore sells through an existing licensed importer, which avoids the need for its own permit. Selling products not imported under your own permit at wholesale needs a wholesaler's basic permit, and the importer also registers as an alcohol dealer with TTB F 5630.5(d).

Federal rules are only part of it: state and local jurisdictions can have their own import requirements, so the importer also checks with the state alcohol control boards where the products will be sold.

Certificates needed for customs release

Scotch whisky: certificate on Form C&E 94 from a British customs and excise officer
Irish whiskey: certificate of origin, age and conformity (Form C and E 96(a)) from Ireland, or C&E 94 from the UK
Canadian whisky, rum and brandy: certificate of age and origin from Canadian excise officers
Cognac and Armagnac: certificates of age and origin from the Bureau of Cognac (BNIC) or Bureau of Armagnac (BNIA)
Tequila: Certificate of Authenticity for Exports of Tequila (CET) from the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT)
Champagne, Port, Madeira and Sherry: certificates of origin from the regional wine bodies, such as the CIVC for Champagne

Labels, FDA and taxes

The importer must hold a Certificate of Label Approval (COLA), or a certificate of exemption, for each unique product and label at the time of importation; it is applied for with TTB F 5100.31, preferably through COLAs Online, and some products first need a formula or pre-COLA product approval. Wine made from grapes or other fruit produced after 31 December 2004 also needs a certification of its cellar treatment, either a statement from the foreign government or the importer's self-certification, unless the country has an agreement exempting it.

Because alcohol beverages are food, the producer and any facility holding them register with FDA, and the importer files FDA prior notice before each shipment. CBP collects federal excise tax on spirits, wine and beer together with the customs duties, and the importer is responsible for both. From 29 September 2026, certain Canadian alcoholic beverages listed in a presidential proclamation are barred from import, although TTB keeps processing label and formula approvals for products of Canada.

Step by step

Find a licensed US importer, or set up a US office and apply for an Importer's Basic Permit (TTB F 5100.24).
Prepare US-compliant labels and have the importer obtain a COLA for each product before shipping.
Register the winery, brewery or distillery with FDA as a food facility and arrange prior notice for each shipment.
Get the certificates of age or origin your product needs, such as C&E 94 for Scotch or the CET for Tequila.
Check the duty, federal excise tax and the rules of each state where the product will be sold.

Documents you usually need

Importer's Basic Permit of the US importer
COLA or certificate of exemption for each label
Certificate of age and/or origin, where required
Commercial invoice and packing list
FDA food facility registration number and prior notice confirmation

Common problems and how to avoid them

The shipment arrives before the label is approved.

What to do: The importer must hold the COLA at the time of importation; get approval before the goods ship.

A foreign producer tries to import in its own name without a US office.

What to do: An importer's basic permit requires a staffed US office; sell through a licensed US importer instead.

Scotch, Cognac or Tequila is held for a missing certificate.

What to do: Send the original certificate the US requires for that product, such as C&E 94, the BNIC certificate or the CET.

The importer plans for duty but not for federal excise tax.

What to do: Budget for both: CBP collects federal excise tax on spirits, wine and beer as well as customs duties.

Sources

Importing Bottled Alcohol Beverages Into the United States Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
Certificate of Age and Origin Requirements for Imported Alcohol Beverages Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
Requirements for New Alcohol Importers Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)

Rules change often. This note is practical guidance based on the sources above, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the authority, your importer or a licensed customs broker before you ship.

Port codes by country

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Trade notes

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Common questions

Can a foreign winery or distillery import directly into the US?

Only if it holds a TTB importer's basic permit, which requires a staffed business office in the US. Otherwise it contracts with a licensed US importer.

What is a COLA?

A Certificate of Label Approval issued by TTB for each unique product and label. The importer must have it when the alcohol is imported.

Does imported beer need a certificate of origin or age?

No. TTB lists no age or origin certificate requirements for beer, but the label still needs a COLA.

Is FDA registration needed for wine and spirits?

Yes. Alcohol beverages are food, so producers and holders register with FDA and importers file prior notice.

Can Canadian alcohol still be imported into the US?

Certain Canadian alcoholic beverages listed in the 8 September 2026 proclamation are barred from import from 29 September 2026; CBP answers questions about the ban.

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