COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
FOR IMPORTED WINES AND DISTILLED SPIRITS
Proprietors of Distilled Spirits Plants, Bonded
Wineries, Importers And Other Concerned Parties:
Purpose: The purpose of this circular is twofold:
(1) to provide importers with a current listing of imported wines
and distilled spirits which require certification by the country
of manufacture and;
(2) to inform importers of certification
procedures for imported wines and distilled spirits which are
transshipped to the United States from a country other than the
country of origin.
Background: Over the past year ATF's Alcohol
Import-Export Branch has conducted an extensive review of the
Bureau's certification requirements for imported wines and
distilled spirits. As part of this review, a survey of the top
thirty (30) U.S. trading partners in beverage alcohol was
conducted to obtain current information regarding their procedures
for certifying the origin and identity of the wines and distilled
spirits they export to the United States. Of the thirty (30)
countries surveyed, twelve (12) countries responded that
certificates of origin and/or identity are being issued for their
exports.
An additional aspect of this review concerned the acceptance of
"substitute" certificates of origin issued by third countries for
transshipments of wines and distilled spirits exported to the
United States. It has been the Bureau's policy to authorize the
United States Customs Service (Customs) to accept certain
substitute certificates, e.g. British Chamber of Commerce
Certificates, in lieu of the original certificate issued by the
country of manufacture. This procedure was authorized as a
temporary measure to facilitate trade.
Requirements: Certification requirements for imported
wines and distilled spirits appear in 27 CFR 4.45 and 5.52 for
bottled wines and distilled spirits and in 27 CFR 5.56 for bulk
distilled spirits. It is important to note that the certification
requirements appearing in 27 CFR 4.45 for wines and 5.52(e) for a
miscellaneous category of imported distilled spirits are contingent
upon the individual Government's authority and decision to issue
certificates of origin and identity for these commodities. In
other words, if ATF is notified by a foreign Government that
it is issuing certificates, ATF will then require that these
certificates accompany all imported shipments of the wines and
distilled spirits as specified by that Government.
Importers should be aware that a certificate of origin, age
and/or identity is a mandatory requirement for specific types of
distilled spirits exported to the United States. These
distinctive products, representing various types and classes of
distilled spirits, are specified in 27 CFR 5.52 - Subparagraphs
(a) through (d).
The final decision, whether to permit entry of imported
alcoholic beverages which require certification by the country
of origin, rests with Customs. However, it is the Bureau's
position that the intent of the regulations can be met only, if
a specific certificate can be tied to a specific lot(s) of
product. If requested by Customs, it is the responsibility of
the U.S. importer to provide sufficient documentary evidence to
establish this correlation.
Conclusion: Based on the responses to our survey, a
listing was compiled of those countries which are currently
issuing certificates of age, origin and/or identity for the
wines and distilled spirits they export to the United States.
This listing will provide the U.S. importer with details as to:
(a) what certificates are currently being issued; (b) what
products are covered by these certificates; and (c) who is
authorized to issue these certificates. ATF will likewise
notify all importers if additions and/or amendments to this
listing are required. A complete listing of those countries who
are currently issuing certificates is incorporated as an
addendum to this circular.
Action: ATF has officially notified Customs that
effective January 1, 1988, all imported wines and distilled
spirits, as identified on the referenced addendum, are not to be
released from Customs Custody unless the invoice is accompanied
by the, original and appropriate certificate issued by the
country of manufacture.
In addition, Customs was advised that a photocopy of the
original certificate issued by the country of manufacture will
be acceptable for imported wines and distilled spirits which
were exported to the United States from a country other than the
country of manufacture.
This industry circular supercedes the instructions contained in
the following circulars: #59-5, #59-28, #59-53, #60-5, #60-47,
#61-24, #61-25, #61-30, #62-34, #70-23 and #72-17.
Inquiries. Inquiries concerning this circular should
refer to its number and be addressed to the Associate Director
(Compliance Operations), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20226.
![Stephen Higgins](../../../images/higgins_signed.jpg)
Director
*ADDENDUM*
LIST OF COUNTRIES WHICH CURRENTLY ISSUE
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN CERTIFICATES
FOR WINE AND/OR DISTILLED SPIRITS
EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES
BULGARIA
The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is
authorized to issue country of origin certificates
for all Bulgarian wines and/or distilled spirits
exported to the United States. This document is
entitled "Certificate of Origin" and is stamped with
the official seal of the Bulgarian Chamber of
Commerce.
CANADA
Canadian distillers are authorized to issue age and
origin certificates for Canadian whiskey, Canadian
rye whiskey, rum, brandy, and Highland whiskey
exports to the United States. These certificates are
signed by Canadian Excise Officers who are in charge
of the various licensed distilleries. This document
is entitled "Certificate of Age and Origin."
CHILE
The Servicio Agricola y Ganadero, an agency of the
Ministry of Agriculture, is responsible for the
issuance of country of origin certificates for all
Chilean wines and distilled spirits exports to the
United States. This document is entitled
"Certificate of Origin," Form A and is stamped with
the official seal of the agency.
FRANCE
Certificates of origin (Acquits-a-caution) are issued
by the French Direction Generale des Impots for all
shipments of French wines and distilled spirits
exported to the United States. It should be noted
that certain acquits have been incorporated into
community (EEC) documents, namely VA-1 (for ordinary
table and sparkling wines), VA-2 (for still and
sparkling wines of appellation d'origin controlee)
and VA-4 (for wines which have undergone an addition
of alcohol).
WEST GERMANY
The German Government has authorized all of its 69
Chambers of Industry and Commerce to issue country of
origin certificates for all German wines (with the
exception of "May" and sparkling wines) and all
distilled spirits exported to the United States.
The certificate of origin for German wines is
entitled "Certificate of Origin for German Wine to
the USA." For distilled spirits a form entitled
"Certificate of Origin and Age" is issued. A listing
of the 69 German Chambers of Industry and Commerce
can be obtained by written request to the ATF address
provided for in the inquiries section of this
circular.
UNITEDKINGDOM
Certificates of age and origin are issued by a
British Officer of Customs and Excise for all
shipments of Scotch whisky and Irish whiskey
(manufactured in northern Ireland) exported to the
United States. This document is entitled
"Certificate for Scotch Whisky/Irish Whiskey Exported
to the United States of America," Form C&E 94 and are
signed by an officer of H.M. Customs and Excise.
It should be noted that this form was recently
revised by the British Government.
IRELAND
The Republic of Ireland issues a certificate of age
and origin for all Irish whiskey exports to the
United States. This certificate is entitled
"Certificate of Origin, Age and Conformity with the
Immature Spirits Acts for Spirits Exported To," Form
C. and E. No. 94(a) and is prepared by a Customs and
Excise Officer.
JAMAICA
A certificate of age and origin is issued for exports
of Jamaican rum to the United States when the bottle
label contains a statement of age. This certificate,
referred to as an "Excise Certificate" is issued by
the Jamaican Collector General and attests to the age
and origin of the rum.
MEXICO
The "Certificado De Exportacion" is the official
certificate issued by the Mexican Government which
attests to the authenticity of the Tequila exported
to the United States. In compliance with 27 CFR
5.52(c), this certificate must accompany all tequila
exports to the United States. These certificates are
issued by the "Direccion General de Normas" of the
Secretaria de Comercio y Fomento Industrial. The
following Mexican Government officials are the only
individuals authorized to sign the "Certificado De
Exportacion":
Lic. Consuelo Saenz Pueyo
Directora General de Normas
Lic. Manuel Franco Gutierrez
Delegado Federal; Guadalajara
N.B. - The certificate of identity for tequila, the
"Certificado De Exportacion" must accompany all bulk
shipments of tequila from Mexico. This certificate
must be maintained by the U.S. bottler at his
bottling premises.
PORTUGAL
The Government of Portugal has authorized the
following regional authorities to issue certificates
of origin for Portugese wines and brandies exported
to the U.S.:
The Madeira Wine Institute - Madeira Wines
The Commission of Viticulture of the Region of Vinhos
Verdes for Vinho Verde Wines and Brandies
The Federation of Wine Growers of Dao for Dao Wines
and Brandies
The Regional Bar of Colares - Colares Wines
National Wine Boards - Wines with denomination of
origin Moscatel de Setubal or, merely Setubal,
Carcavelos, Algarve, Bairrada and Bucelas; Rose Wines
from Beiras, Ribatejo-Oeste and Tras-os-Montes; Wines
and Brandies from any other growing regions.
ROMANIA
The Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry issues
certificates of origin for the wines listed below.
This document is entitled "Certificate of Origin".
Cabernet Sauvignon
Pinot Noir
Tarnave Castle Riesling
Valea Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Cotnari
Sparkling wines - methode Champenoise
SPAIN
A certificate of age and origin is issued for all
Spanish brandies exported to the United States.
The "Estacion de Viticultura y Enologia" at Jerez de
la Frontera is the only agency authorized by the
Spanish Government to issue this certificate. This
certificate has no title or form number associated
with it.
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