(a) General. The appropriate TTB officer may approve the use of an alternate method or procedure that varies from the regulatory requirements in this part if the proprietor shows good cause for its use and the alternate method or procedure:

(1) Is not contrary to law;

(2) Will not have the effect of waiving an existing regulatory requirement;

(3) Is consistent with the purpose and effect of the method or procedure prescribed in this part;

(4) Provides equal security to the revenue; and

(5) Will not cause an increase in cost to the Government and will not hinder TTB's administration of this part.

(b) Exceptions. TTB will not authorize the use of an alternate method or procedure relating to the giving of any bond, or to the assessment, payment, or collection of tax.

(c) Prior approvals. Alternate methods or procedures in effect prior to April 18, 2011, which are not contrary to the regulations in this part, are preserved until renewed unless revoked by operation of law due to the enactment of law that is contrary to the alternate method or procedure.

(26 U.S.C. 5552, 5556)

(a) Application. If a proprietor wishes to use an alternate method or procedure as described in § 19.26, the proprietor must submit a written letterhead application to the appropriate TTB officer for approval. The application must identify the method or procedure specified in the regulation, must describe the proposed alternate method or procedure in detail, and must explain why the alternate method or procedure is needed.

(b) Approval and use. The proprietor may not use an alternate method or procedure until the appropriate TTB officer has in writing approved the proprietor's application. During the period that the proprietor is authorized to use the alternate method or procedure, the proprietor must comply with any conditions imposed on its use by TTB. TTB may withdraw the approval to use the alternate method or procedure if TTB finds that the revenue is jeopardized, that the alternate method or procedure hinders effective administration of the laws or regulations, that the proprietor has violated any of the conditions imposed by TTB, or that the circumstances that gave rise to the need for the alternate method or procedure no longer exist.

(c) Retention. The proprietor must retain each alternate method or procedure approval as part of the proprietor's records and must make the approval available for examination by TTB officers upon request.

(26 U.S.C. 5552, 5556)

(a) Application. A proprietor may request emergency approval of the use of a method or procedure relating to construction, equipment, and methods of operation that represents a variance from the requirements of this part. When a proprietor wishes to use an emergency method or procedure, the proprietor must submit a written letterhead application to the appropriate TTB officer for approval; the proprietor may send the application via regular mail, email, or facsimile transmission. The application must describe the proposed emergency method or procedure and the emergency situation it will address. For purposes of this section, an emergency is considered to exist only if it results from a weather or other natural event or from an accident or other event not involving an intentional act on the part of the proprietor.

(b) Approval. The appropriate TTB officer may approve in writing the use of an emergency method or procedure if the proprietor demonstrates that an emergency exists and the proposed method or procedure:

(1) Is not contrary to law;

(2) Is necessary to address the emergency situation;

(3) Will afford the same security and protection to the revenue as intended by the regulations; and

(4) Will not hinder the effective administration of this subpart.

(c) Terms of emergency method or procedure approval and use. (1) The proprietor may not use an emergency method or procedure until the application has been approved by TTB except when the emergency method or procedure requires immediate implementation to correct a situation that threatens life or property. In a situation involving a threat to life or property, the proprietor may implement the corrective action while concurrently notifying the appropriate TTB officer by telephone of the action and filing the required written application. Use of the emergency method or procedure must conform to any conditions specified in the approval.

(2) The proprietor must retain the emergency method or procedure approval as part of the proprietor's records and must make the approval available for examination by TTB officers upon request.

(3) The emergency method or procedure will automatically terminate when the situation that created the emergency no longer exists. TTB may withdraw the approval to use the emergency method or procedure if TTB finds that the revenue is jeopardized, that the emergency method or procedure hinders effective administration of the laws or regulations, or that the proprietor has failed to follow any of the conditions specified in the approval. When use of the emergency method or procedure terminates, the proprietor must revert to full compliance with all applicable regulations.

(26 U.S.C. 5178, 5556)

Whenever TTB finds it is necessary to meet the requirements of national defense or necessary or desirable by reason of disaster, TTB may temporarily exempt the proprietor from any provisions of the internal revenue laws and the provisions of this part relating to distilled spirits, except those requiring the payment of tax.

(26 U.S.C. 5561, 5562)

Except for the filing of any bond or the payment of any tax provided for in 26 U.S.C. chapter 51, TTB may waive any regulatory provision in this part for temporary pilot or experimental operations for the purpose of facilitating the development and testing of improved methods of governmental supervision (necessary for the protection of the revenue) over plants. For this purpose, the appropriate TTB officer may, with the approval of the proprietor thereof, designate any plant for such operations. Any waiver granted under this section must be in writing and signed by the appropriate TTB officer. The waiver will identify the provisions of law and/or regulations waived and the period of time during which the waiver will be effective. The appropriate TTB officer may terminate the waiver if he or she determines that the waiver jeopardizes the revenue.

(26 U.S.C. 5554)

(a) General. The appropriate TTB officer may authorize the establishment and operation of experimental plants for specific and limited periods of time solely for experimentation in, or development of:

(1) Sources of materials from which spirits may be produced;

(2) Processes by which spirits may be produced or refined; or

(3) Industrial uses of spirits.

(b) Waiver. The appropriate TTB officer may waive any provision of 26 U.S.C. chapter 51 (other than 26 U.S.C. 5312) and of this part (other than § 19.33) to the extent necessary to effectuate the purposes of 26 U.S.C. 5312(b) as outlined in paragraph (a) of this section. However, TTB will not waive the payment of any tax on spirits removed from an experimental plant.

(26 U.S.C. 5312)

(a) Application requirements. Any person who wishes to establish an experimental plant for the purposes specified in § 19.32 must submit a written application to the appropriate TTB officer and obtain approval of the proposed experimental plant. The application must:

(1) State the nature, extent, and purpose of the operations to be conducted;

(2) Describe the operations and equipment;

(3) Describe the location of the plant (including the proximity to other premises or operations subject to the provisions of 26 U.S.C. chapter 51); and

(4) Describe the security measures to be provided.

(b) Bond. The applicant must file a bond with the application in such form and penal sum as required by the appropriate TTB officer.

(c) Approval of application. Before approving the application, the appropriate TTB officer may require that the applicant submit additional information if necessary. TTB will not approve the application and permit operations until the plant conforms to the specifications stated in the application and the applicant complies with provisions of 26 U.S.C. chapter 51 and with any provisions in this part that are not specifically waived.

(26 U.S.C. 5312)

(a) General. The appropriate TTB officer may authorize any scientific university, college of learning, or institution of scientific research to produce, receive, blend, treat, test, and store spirits, without payment of tax, for experimental or research use but not for consumption (other than in organoleptic tests) or sale, in quantities as may be reasonably necessary for those purposes.

(b) Waiver. For purposes of this section, the appropriate TTB officer may waive any provision of 26 U.S.C. chapter 51 (other than 26 U.S.C. 5312) or this part (other than this section and § 19.35) to the extent necessary to effect the purposes of 26 U.S.C. 5312(a). However, TTB will not waive the payment of any tax on distilled spirits removed from any university, college, or institution.

(26 U.S.C. 5312)

(a) Application requirements. A university, college, or scientific institution that wants to conduct any of the experimental or research operations mentioned in § 19.34, must submit a written application to the appropriate TTB officer and obtain approval for the proposed operations. The application may be submitted on letterhead. The application must:

(1) State the nature, extent, and purpose of the operations to be conducted;

(2) Describe the operations and equipment;

(3) Describe the location where the operations will be conducted (including identification of the building or buildings, or the portions thereof to be used); and

(4) Describe the security measures to be provided.

(b) Bond. The applicant must file a bond with the application in such form and amount as required by the appropriate TTB officer.

(c) Approval of application. Before approving the application, the appropriate TTB officer may require that the applicant submit additional information. The applicant may not commence operations until authorized by the appropriate TTB officer.

(d) Records and reports. Any university, college, or institution authorized to conduct experimental or research operations must maintain records of the quantities of spirits produced, received, and used each day and must make these records available for inspection by TTB officers. Universities, colleges, or institutions authorized to conduct experimental or research operations are not required to submit reports of operations to TTB unless specifically required by the appropriate TTB officer.

(e) Discontinuance of operations. When operations authorized under this section are discontinued, the university, college, or institution must destroy all remaining spirits and notify the appropriate TTB officer that operations are discontinued.

(26 U.S.C. 5312)

(a) General. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this section, any person who produces distilled spirits in an industrial process, including spirits produced as a byproduct in connection with chemical or other processes, is considered to be a distiller and therefore is required to qualify such operations as a distilled spirits plant and is subject to the registration requirements under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. chapter 51 and this part.

(b) Waiver. TTB may waive application of any provision of 26 U.S.C. chapter 51, or of this part, involving the production of nonpotable chemical mixtures containing spirits, including any provision relating to qualification (except the dealer registration requirement) if the mixture is produced:

(1) For transfer to the bonded premises of a distilled spirits plant for completion of distilling; or

(2) As a byproduct which would require expensive and complex equipment for the recovery of spirits, and the mixture:

(i) Would be destroyed on the premises where produced; or

(ii) Would contain a minimum quantity of spirits, taking into account the procedure employed, would not be subjected to further operations solely for the purification or recovery of spirits, and would be found by TTB to be as nonpotable and as difficult to recover as completely denatured alcohol.

(26 U.S.C. 5201)

(a) Application for waiver. If the producer of a nonpotable chemical mixture containing spirits, as described in § 19.36, wishes to obtain a waiver from the provisions of 26 U.S.C. chapter 51, or of this part, the producer must submit a written waiver application to the appropriate TTB officer. The application must include the following information, as applicable:

(1) The name and address of the producer;

(2) Chemical composition and source of the nonpotable mixture;

(3) Approximate percentages of chemicals and spirits in the mixture;

(4) Method of operation proposed;

(5) Bonded premises where the mixture will be distilled; and

(6) Any other pertinent information required by the appropriate TTB officer.

(b) Approval of waiver. The appropriate TTB officer may approve the waiver if it will not jeopardize the revenue and will not hinder supervision of the operations. Approval of the application may be subject to such terms and conditions, and to the furnishing of any bond, that the appropriate TTB officer determines is necessary.

(26 U.S.C. 5201)

Except as otherwise provided in this part, the appropriate TTB officer is authorized to approve all documents, bonds, and consents of surety required by this part.

(26 U.S.C. 5171, 5172, 5173, and 5551)

A TTB officer may enter any distilled spirits plant, any other premises where distilled spirits operations are carried on, or any structure or place used in connection with distilled spirits operations, at any time of day or night. A TTB officer may examine materials, equipment, and facilities, and make any gauges and inventories. Whenever a TTB officer states his or her name and office and demands admittance but is not admitted into the premises or place, the TTB officer is authorized to use all necessary force to gain entry.

(26 U.S.C. 5203)

The proprietor is required to provide TTB officers with the necessary facilities and assistance in order to gauge spirits in any container, or to examine any apparatus, equipment, containers, or materials, at the distilled spirits plant. Also, when requested by a TTB officer, the proprietor must:

(a) Open any doors and open for examination any containers on the plant premises; and

(b) Provide the exact locations (including the number of containers at each location) of all packages and similar portable approved containers within a given lot and the locations (that is, buildings, rooms, or areas) where spirits in cases are stored.

(26 U.S.C. 5202, 5203)

(a) General. TTB may assign TTB officers to a distilled spirits plant and utilize controls, such as Government locks and seals, if TTB decides that those measures are necessary to effectively supervise the operations. If TTB decides that such supervision is necessary:

(1) The proprietor must obtain approval of the plant's hours of operations from the appropriate TTB officer;

(2) TTB may require the proprietor to submit a schedule of operations to a TTB officer; and

(3) TTB may require the proprietor to delay any distilled spirits operation until the proprietor can conduct it in the presence of a TTB officer.

(b) Notification of supervision. If TTB determines that supervision of plant operations is necessary, TTB will notify the proprietor of the extent to which TTB intends to supervise those operations. If TTB determines later that TTB supervision is no longer necessary, the appropriate TTB officer will notify the proprietor of that fact.

(26 U.S.C. 5201, 5202, 5553)

Most of the regulatory authorities of the Administrator contained in this part are delegated to appropriate TTB officers. These TTB officers are specified in TTB Order 1135.19, Delegation of the Administrator's Authorities in 27 CFR Part 19, Distilled Spirits Plants. Interested persons may obtain a copy of this order by accessing the TTB Web site (https://www.ttb.gov) or by mailing a request to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, National Revenue Center, 550 Main Street, Room 8970, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

[T.D. TTB-92, 76 FR 9090, Feb. 16, 2011, as amended by T.D. TTB-196, 89 FR 87939, Nov. 6, 2024]

(a) TTB prescribes and makes available all forms required by this part. Persons completing forms must furnish all of the information required by each form, as indicated by the headings and instructions on the form or as required by these regulations. Each form must be filed in accordance with this part and the instructions for the form.

(b) Persons may obtain TTB forms by accessing the TTB Web site (https://www.ttb.gov) or by mailing a request to the TTB National Revenue Center, 550 Main Street, Suite 8002, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.

(26 U.S.C. 5207) [T.D. TTB-92, 76 FR 9090, Feb. 16, 2011, as amended by T.D. TTB-196, 89 FR 87939, Nov. 6, 2024]

If a proprietor wishes to modify a form prescribed by these regulations, the proprietor must submit an application for approval of an alternate method or procedure (see §§ 19.26 and 19.27) to the appropriate TTB officer. The proprietor may not use a modified form until TTB approves the application. The application to modify a form must be accompanied by:

(a) A copy of each proposed form with typical entries; and

(b) A statement explaining the need to use a modified form.

(26 U.S.C. 5207)

(a) General. A TTB officer may detain any container containing, or supposed to contain, spirits when the appropriate TTB officer believes that the required tax on those spirits has not been paid or determined or that the removal of the container is in violation of law or the provisions of this part. The appropriate TTB officer will hold the container at a safe place until it is determined whether the detained property is subject to forfeiture.

(b) Limitation. A detention under paragraph (a) of this section may not exceed 72 hours without process of law or intervention of the appropriate TTB officer. However, the detained container may be kept on the premises beyond the 72-hour period without process of law or intervention if the person possessing the container immediately before its detention executes a waiver of this 72-hour limitation on detention of the container.

(26 U.S.C. 5311)

TTB officers are authorized to take samples of spirits, denatured spirits, articles, wines, or other materials from a distilled spirits plant for analysis, testing, or to determine whether the product complies with the law and regulations. When TTB removes a sample from a plant, TTB will give the proprietor a receipt for the sample.

(26 U.S.C. 5201, 5203, 5214, 5362)

If TTB determines that a proprietor's bonded storage facility for spirits is unsafe or unfit for use, or causes excessive waste or loss of spirits, TTB can require that the proprietor discontinue using the facility. Further, TTB can require the transfer of the spirits stored in the facility to another storage facility. The transfer will take place at such time and under such supervision as TTB may require, and will be at the expense of the owner or warehouseman of the spirits. If the owner or warehouseman fails to transfer the spirits within the prescribed time or to pay the expense of the transfer, as ascertained and determined by the appropriate TTB officer, the spirits may be seized and sold. TTB will first apply the proceeds of such sale to the payment of the taxes due on the spirits and then to the cost and expense of the sale and removal, and the remaining balance, if any, will be paid over to the owner or warehouseman.

(26 U.S.C. 5236)

The appropriate TTB officer may require the proprietor to install meters, tanks, pipes, or any other apparatus at the proprietor's plant if that officer decides that the equipment is necessary for the protection of the revenue. If the proprietor refuses or fails to install any such apparatus when instructed to do so, the proprietor will not be permitted to conduct business as a distilled spirits plant.

(26 U.S.C. 5552)

(a) Declaration. When TTB requires under this part that a document be executed under penalties of perjury, the document must contain the following declaration:

I declare under the penalties of perjury that this [insert type of document, such as report, or claim], including supporting documents, has been examined by me and, to the best of my knowledge and belief, is true, correct, and complete.

(b) Signing. The declaration in paragraph (a) of this section must bear the signature and title of the proprietor or a duly authorized representative.

(26 U.S.C. 6065)