BTN Guide on Wine Importers

A wine import company will source and purchase products from one or several foreign wineries in consolidated containers and will then sell the product to its network of distributors around the country.

A successful importer will also be responsible for implementing effective incentive marketing programs to support its distributors to maximize sales for the brands they import. Importers need to be treated as a partner if a winery wants to build a national brand. In most of the cases, a wine importer will also have team supporting chain calls to authorize wine in key national chains. Such support is appreciated by state distributors and does motivate the wine distributor to grow the brand.

 

 

All the wines that are imported by foreign land must be imported by wine importers.

 

Each country has its own regulations. BTN has a breif list of resources here in major markets where you can find more information. You can click on each country name to find more information.

USA - Information on Wine Importers, Wine Importation and How to become a wine importer.

UK - Businesses, organisations and individuals who want to sell or supply alcohol in England and Wales must have a licence or other authorisation from a licensing authority - usually a local council. The law and policy governing this area is overseen by the Home Office.

China - The Exit-Entry Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) is the competent authority in charge of licensing and registering importers and exporters of alcoholic beverage products entering China.

India - Permit Branch issues Import permits for import of liquor into NCT of Delhi and Transport Permits for transportation of liquor from Bonded Warehouse to off/on site licensed consumption premises. The Licensees are L-6 (Retail Vend : 396 ), L-15 ( Hotel-Room Service : 82),L-17 (Restaurant : 460) and L-28 (Club : 48) etc. On an average 130 Import permits and 3000 transport permits are being issued daily.

Import permits are issued to the L-1 licensees on demand which is duly recommended by the inspector posted at Bonded Ware House. 

 

 

Importing Bottled Wine into the U.S: 

Please note: If you are importing beverage alcohol for personal use, please visit the Personal Importation page on TTB website.

The information below is intended for commercial importers of beverage alcohol. Importers seeking to import beverage alcohol into the U.S. for commercial reasons must apply for an Importer’s Basic Permit. 

For more details on these and other requirements which must be met by importers, please refer to the Questions and Answers (PDF) document for Importers. You can find up to date information on wine import requirements on the TTB website here.

Importers of natural wine produced after December 31, 2004, must comply with certification requirements set forth under the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2004 to ensure that the practices and procedures used to produce the imported wine constitute proper cellar treatment.

 

Wine Importers (Alcohol): Anyone wishing to become a beverage alcohol importer (IMP), importing into the United States beverage alcohol not for personal use, and subsequently distributing the imported beverage alcohol to wholesalers or retailers, must file this application.

Wine importers also must also obtain a TTB-issued Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) for each unique product/label. To obtain a COLA, the importer must file an "Application for and Certification/Exemption of Label/Bottle Approval", on TTB F 5100.31 (PDF) with TTB’s Advertising, Labeling and Formulation Division (ALFD). The process may be done electronically, through COLAs Online, or by submitting a paper copy of the above form. Contact ALFD for more information on COLAs.

The importer must also meet all State and local requirements. State and local jurisdictions may have their own importation requirements in addition to Federal requirements. Importers must contact their State alcohol control board and/or local authorities for more information.

The importer must ensure that the producer of the alcohol beverage is registered with the FDA and provide FDA with advance notification of an importation. FDA administers these requirements which are part of the Bioterrorism Act of 2002. You may also visit the FDA’s Bioterrorism Act website for more information.

Importers are responsible for all applicable Federal excise taxes and duties. For more information on excise taxes, please see our tax and fee rates page. For information on duties, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Duty Rates website.

Complete FAQ can be found here.

 

 

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