Title 27—Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms--Volume 1
PART 19—DISTILLED SPIRITS PLANTS
§ 19.621   Transfer record—consignee's responsibility.
(a) When a proprietor receives wine by transfer in bond from a bonded wine cellar as the consignee, that proprietor must complete the transfer record covering the transfer in accordance with § 24.284 of this chapter.
(b) When a proprietor receives spirits from an alcohol fuel plant or from customs custody, or receives spirits, denatured spirits, and wines from the bonded premises of another distilled spirits plant as the consignee, that proprietor must record the results of the receipt by including the following on the related transfer record:
(1) The date of receipt;
(2) A notation that the securing devices on the conveyance were, or were not, intact on arrival (not applicable to denatured spirits or spirits transferred in unsecured conveyances);
(3) The gauge of spirits, denatured spirits, or wine showing the tank number, proof (percent of alcohol by volume for wine) and specifications of the weight or volumetric determination of quantity, wine gallons or proof gallons received, and any losses or gains;
(4) A notation of any excessive in-transit loss, missing packages, tampering, or apparent theft;
(5) The account into which the spirits, denatured spirits, or wines were deposited (that is, production, storage or processing); and
(6) The signature and title of the consignee proprietor, with a penalty-of-perjury statement as prescribed in § 19.45.
(c) When spirits are transferred from customs custody as provided in subpart P of this part, the transfer record must contain the information specified in § 27.138 of this chapter.
§ 19.622   Daily records of wholesale liquor dealer and taxpaid storeroom operations.
(a) General. If a proprietor in connection with plant operations conducts wholesale liquor dealer operations, or operates a taxpaid storeroom on, or in the immediate vicinity of, general plant premises, or operates taxpaid storage premises at another location from which distilled spirits are not sold at wholesale, that proprietor must maintain daily records covering the receipt and disposition of all distilled spirits and wines and all reclosing and relabeling operations at those premises. The proprietor must keep separate records for each of those premises.
(b) Receipt and disposition records. The records covering receipt and disposition of distilled spirits and wines required under paragraph (a) of this section must show:
(1) The date of the transaction (or date of discovery in the case of casualty or theft);
(2) The name and address of each consignor or consignee, as the case may be;
(3) The brand name;
(4) The kind of spirits;
(5) The actual quantity of distilled spirits involved (proof and proof gallons if in packages, wine gallons or liters and proof if in bottles);
(6) The package identification or serial numbers of the packages involved;
(7) The name of the producer; and
(8) The country of origin in the case of imported spirits.
(c) Case dispositions. In addition to the records required under paragraph (b) of this section, the appropriate TTB officer may, upon notice, require the proprietor to record the case serial numbers for dispositions.
(d) Reclosing or relabeling. The records of reclosing and relabeling required under paragraph (a) of this section must include:
(1) The date of the transaction;
(2) The serial numbers of the cases involved;
(3) The total number of bottles; and
(4) The name of the bottler.
§ 19.623   Records of inventories.
(a) General. When conducting an inventory required by this part, the proprietor must prepare a record of the inventory taken. The record must include the following:
(1) The date of the inventory;
(2) The identity of the container(s);
(3) The kind and quantity of spirits, denatured spirits, and wines;
(4) Any losses (whether by theft, voluntary destruction or otherwise), gains or shortages; and
(5) The proprietor's signature, or the signature of the person taking the inventory, with the penalties of perjury statement as prescribed in § 19.45.
(b) Overages, gains, or losses. A proprietor must record in the daily records of operations, tank records, dump/batch records, bottling and packaging records, or denaturation records, as appropriate, any overages, gains, or losses disclosed by an inventory.
(c) Retention. A proprietor must retain inventory records and make them available for inspection by TTB officers.
§ 19.624   Removal of Puerto Rican and Virgin Islands spirits and rum imported from all other areas.
(a) General. A proprietor must maintain separate accounts, in proof gallons, of Puerto Rican spirits having an alcoholic content of at least 92 percent rum, of Virgin Islands spirits having an alcoholic content of at least 92 percent rum, and of rum imported from all other areas removed from the processing account on determination of tax. A proprietor may determine the quantities of spirits in these categories that are contained in products mixed in processing with other alcoholic ingredients by using one of the methods referred to in paragraph (b), (c), or (d) of this section. The proprietor must report these quantities on the monthly report of operations referred to in § 19.632.
(b) Standard method. For purposes of maintaining the separate accounts referred to in paragraph (a) of this section, a proprietor may determine the quantities of spirits in those specified categories based on the least amount of those spirits that may be used in each product as stated in the approved form TTB F 5110.38, Formula for Distilled Spirits Under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act.
(c) Averaging method. For purposes of the separate accounts referred to in paragraph (a) of this section, a proprietor may determine the quantities of spirits in those specified categories by computing the average quantity of those spirits contained in all batches of the same product formulation manufactured during the preceding six-month period. The average must be adjusted at the end of each month in order to include only the preceding six-month period.
(d) Alternative method. If a proprietor wishes to use a method for determining the quantities of spirits as an alternative for a method prescribed in paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section, the proprietor must file an application with the appropriate TTB officer. The written application must specifically describe the proposed alternative method and must explain the reasons for using the alternative method.
§ 19.625   Shipping records for spirits and specially denatured spirits withdrawn free of tax.
(a) General. A proprietor must prepare a shipping record when:
(1) Spirits are withdrawn free of tax in accordance with §§ 19.424(a) through (c);
(2) Specially denatured spirits are withdrawn free of tax in accordance with §§ 19.424(d) and 19.427; and
(3) Samples of specially denatured spirits in excess of five gallons are withdrawn in accordance with § 19.427(c);
(b) Form of record. The shipping record referred to in paragraph (a) of this section may be any commercial document, such as an invoice or bill of lading, so long as it reflects the following information:
(1) The name and address of the consignor;
(2) A serial number;
(3) The date of shipment;
(4) The name, address, and permit number of the consignee;
(5) The kind of the spirits;
(6) The proof of the spirits;
(7) The formula number(s), for specially denatured spirits;
(8) The number and size of the shipping containers;
(9) The package identification numbers or serial numbers of the shipping containers; and
(10) The total wine gallons (specially denatured spirits) or the total proof gallons (tax-free alcohol).
(c) Disposition of the shipping record. The proprietor must forward a copy of the shipping record to the company that receives the spirits and must retain a copy for its files.
§ 19.626   Records of distilled spirits shipped to manufacturers of nonbeverage products.
(a) General. When a proprietor ships distilled spirits to a manufacturer of nonbeverage products, the proprietor must prepare a record of the shipment, forward the original to the consignee, and retain a copy.
(b) Form of record. The record of shipment referred to in paragraph (a) of this section may consist of either the record of tax determination required by § 19.611 or any other document that contains the necessary information specified in paragraph (c) of this section.
(c) Required information. The record of shipment required under this section must contain the following information:
(1) The name, address, and registry number of the proprietor;
(2) The date of shipment;
(3) The name and address of the consignee;
(4) The kind, proof, and quantity of distilled spirits in each container;
(5) The number of shipping containers of each size;
(6) The package identification numbers or serial numbers of the containers;
(7) The serial number of the applicable record of tax determination; and
(8) For distilled spirits containing eligible wine or eligible flavors, the effective tax rate.
§ 19.627   Alternating premises record.
When distilled spirits plant bonded premises are alternated to or from bonded or taxpaid wine, brewery, manufacturer of nonbeverage products, or general premises, under an approved alternation plan described in the plant registration, the proprietor must record in a logbook, or must maintain in commercial records retrievable and available for TTB inspection upon request, the following information:
(a) The date and hour of the alternation;
(b) The kind of premises being curtailed, including the plant identification number, if applicable;
(c) The kind of premises being extended, including the plant identification number, if applicable;
(d) The identity of the special diagrams in the registration documents depicting the premises before and after the alternation; and
(e) The purpose of the alternation.
§ 19.631   Submission of transaction forms.
When required to submit a transaction form to the appropriate TTB officer under this part, the proprietor must submit the form no later than the close of business of the third business day following the day on which the transaction took place.
§ 19.632   Submission of monthly reports.
(a) Each proprietor must submit monthly reports of its distilled spirits plant operations to TTB in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section. The proprietor must submit the original reports to TTB and must retain a copy for its records. The required monthly report forms are as follows:
(1) Monthly Report of Production Operations, form TTB F 5110.40, except that no report is required when production operations are suspended as provided in § 19.292;
(2) Monthly Report of Storage Operations, form TTB F 5110.11;
(3) Monthly Report of Processing Operations, form TTB F 5110.28; and
(4) Monthly Report of Processing (Denaturing) Operations, form TTB F 5110.43.
(b) Each proprietor must submit the monthly reports specified in paragraph (a) of this section to the Director, National Revenue Center, not later than the 15th day of the month following the close of the reporting period. A proprietor may submit monthly reports in either paper format or electronically via TTB Pay.gov.
§ 19.634   Computer-generated reports and transaction forms.
TTB will accept computer-generated reports of operations and transaction forms made using a computer printer on plain white paper without preapproval from TTB if they conform to the following standards:
(a) The computer-generated report or form must approximate the physical layout of the corresponding TTB report or form, although the typeface may vary;
(b) The text of the computer-generated report or form including each line entry, must exactly match the official TTB report or form; and
(c) Each penalty of perjury statement specified for the TTB report or form must be reproduced in its entirety.
§ 19.641   Application.
(a) In general. This subpart covers the production of vinegar by the vaporizing process. It prescribes rules regarding the qualification, location, construction, and operation of vinegar plants and the maintenance of records of operations at vinegar plants.
(b) Application of other regulations. As a general rule, the provisions of subparts A through V and subpart X of this part do not apply to vinegar plants using the vaporizing process. However, the following sections do apply to vinegar plants using the vaporizing process: § 19.1 (definitions); § 19.11 (right of entry and examination); § 19.12 (furnishing facilities and assistance); § 19.52 (restriction on locations of plants); § 19.55 (other businesses); § 19.79 (registry of stills); § 19.573 (location of required records); § 19.574 (availability of records); § 19.575 (retention of records); and § 19.576 (preservation of records).
§ 19.643   Qualification requirements.
Before beginning the business of manufacturing vinegar by the vaporizing process, a person must make written application to the appropriate TTB officer and receive approval of the application from TTB. The application must include:
(a) The applicant's name and principal business address (including the plant address if different from the applicant's principal business address);
(b) A description of the plant premises;
(c) A description of the operations to be conducted; and
(d) A description of each still, including the name and address of the owner, the kind of still and its capacity, and the purpose for which the still was set up.
§ 19.644   Changes after original qualification.
If there is any change in the information that was provided in an approved application, the proprietor of the vinegar plant must immediately notify the appropriate TTB officer in writing of the change. The notice must identify the change and the effective date of the change.
§ 19.645   Notice of permanent discontinuance of business.
If the proprietor of a vinegar plant decides to permanently discontinue operations, the proprietor must so notify the appropriate TTB officer in writing. The proprietor must include in the notice a statement regarding the status of each still.
§ 19.646   Construction and equipment requirements.
The proprietor of a vinegar plant must construct and equip the plant to ensure that:
(a) The distilled spirits vapors that are separated by the vaporizing process from the mash are condensed only by introducing them into the water or other liquid used in making the vinegar; and
(b) The distilled spirits produced are accurately accounted for and are secure from unlawful removal from the premises or from unauthorized use.
§ 19.647   Authorized operations.
After approval of an application by TTB, a plant qualified for the production of vinegar may only:
(a) Produce vinegar by the vaporizing process; and
(b) Produce distilled spirits of 30° of proof or less for use in the manufacture of vinegar on the vinegar plant premises.
§ 19.648   Conduct of operations.
A vinegar manufacturer qualified under this subpart may:
(a) Separate by a vaporizing process the distilled spirits from a mash; and
(b) Condense the distilled spirits vapors by introducing them into the water or other liquid to make the vinegar.
§ 19.649   Restrictions on alcohol content.
No person may remove from the vinegar plant premises vinegar or other fluid or any other material containing more than 2 percent alcohol by volume.
§ 19.650   Daily records.
Each manufacturer of vinegar by the vaporizing process must keep accurate and complete daily records of production operations. It is not necessary to create records to satisfy this requirement if the records kept by the manufacturer in the ordinary course of business contain all required information. The required information consists of the following:
(a) The kind and quantity of fermenting or distilling materials received on the premises;
(b) The kind and quantity of materials fermented or mashed;
(c) The proof gallons of distilled spirits produced;
(d) The proof gallons of distilled spirits used in the manufacture of vinegar;
(e) The wine gallons of vinegar produced; and
(f) The wine gallons of vinegar removed from the premises.
§ 19.651   Liability for distilled spirits tax.
The distilled spirits excise tax imposed by 26 U.S.C. 5001 must be paid on any distilled spirits produced in, or removed from, the premises of a vinegar plant in violation of law or regulations.
§ 19.661   Scope.
This subpart covers the establishment and operation of alcohol fuel plants.
§ 19.662   Definitions.
As used in this subpart, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
Alcohol fuel plant. A special type of distilled spirits plant authorized under 26 U.S.C. 5181 and established under this subpart solely for producing, processing, and storing, and using or distributing distilled spirits to be used exclusively for fuel use.
Bonded premises. The premises of an alcohol fuel plant where distilled spirits are produced, processed, and stored, and used or distributed as described in the application for alcohol fuel producer permit. The term includes the premises of small alcohol fuel plants exempt from bonding requirements under § 19.673(e).
Fuel alcohol. Distilled spirits that have been made unfit for beverage use at an alcohol fuel plant as provided in this subpart.
Large plant. An alcohol fuel plant that produces (including receives) more than 500,000 proof gallons of spirits per calendar year.
Make unfit for beverage use. Add materials to distilled spirits that will preclude their beverage use without impairing their quality for fuel use as prescribed and authorized by the provisions of this subpart.
Medium plant. An alcohol fuel plant that produces (including receives) more than 10,000 but not more than 500,000 proof gallons of spirits per calendar year.
Permit. The document issued pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 5181 and this subpart authorizing the person named to engage in business as an alcohol fuel plant.
Plant. An alcohol fuel plant.
Proprietor. The person qualified under this subpart to operate an alcohol fuel plant.
Small plant. An alcohol fuel plant that produces (including receives) not more than 10,000 proof gallons of spirits per calendar year.
Spirits or distilled spirits. The substance known as ethyl alcohol, ethanol, or spirits of wine in any form (including all dilutions and mixtures thereof, from whatever source or by whatever process produced), but not fuel alcohol unless specifically stated. The term does not include spirits produced from petroleum, natural gas, or coal.
Transfer in bond. The transfer of spirits between alcohol fuel plants or between a distilled spirits plant qualified under 26 U.S.C. 5171 and an alcohol fuel plant.
§ 19.663   Application of other provisions.
The provisions of 26 U.S.C. chapter 51 and the regulations in subparts A through W of this part do not apply to alcohol fuel plants except for the following:
(a) 26 U.S.C. 5181;
(b) The definitions contained in § 19.1, unless the same term is defined in this subpart;
(c) Any provision incorporated by reference in this subpart;
(d) Any provision requiring the payment of tax; and
(e) Any provision applicable to distilled spirits that deals with penalty, seizure, or forfeiture.
§ 19.665   Alternate methods or procedures.
(a) General. The appropriate TTB officer may approve the use of an alternate method or procedure that varies from the regulatory requirements in this subpart or from any regulatory requirements in subparts A through W of this part that have been incorporated by reference in this subpart. The appropriate TTB officer may approve the use of an alternate method or procedure only 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 merely waiving an existing regulatory requirement;
(3) Is consistent with the purpose and effect of the method or procedure prescribed in this subpart;
(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 subpart.
(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.
§ 19.666   Application for and use of an alternate method or procedure.
(a) Application. If a proprietor wishes to use an alternate method or procedure as described in § 19.665, 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 letterhead 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.
§ 19.667   Emergency variations from requirements.
(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 subpart or from any regulatory requirement in subparts A through W of this part that have been incorporated by reference in this subpart. 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, immediately notify the appropriate TTB officer by telephone of the action and then file the required written application as soon as possible. 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.
§ 19.669   Distilled spirits taxes.
(a) Proprietors may withdraw distilled spirits free of tax from an alcohol fuel plant if the spirits are withdrawn exclusively for fuel use in accordance with this subpart. However, TTB will require payment of the tax if the spirits are diverted to beverage use or to another use not authorized by this subpart.
(b) The following provisions of this part apply to distilled spirits for fuel use:
(1) Imposition of tax liability (§§ 19.222, 19.223, and 19.225);
(2) Assessment of tax (§§ 19.253 and 19.254); and
(3) Claims for tax (§§ 19.262 and 19.263).
§ 19.670   Dealer registration and recordkeeping.
An alcohol fuel plant that sells spirits that have not been rendered unfit for beverage use is subject to the requirements of subpart H of this part, except that the reference in § 19.202 to “subpart D” should be taken to refer to subpart X.
§ 19.672   Types of plants.
There are three types of alcohol fuel plants: Small plants, medium plants, and large plants. All alcohol fuel plants are classified according to the amount of spirits that they will produce and receive during each calendar year. When applying for a permit, an applicant should apply for the type of permit that fits the applicant's needs based on the type of alcohol fuel plant the applicant intends to operate.
§ 19.673   Small plant permit applications.
(a) General. Any person wishing to establish a small plant must file form TTB F 5110.74, Application and Permit for an Alcohol Fuel Producer Under 26 U.S.C. 5181, with the appropriate TTB officer. Except as otherwise provided in § 19.674(d), a person may not commence operations before issuance of the permit.
(b) Application information. The applicant for a small plant permit must include the following information with the application:
(1) Name and mailing address of the applicant, and the location of the plant if not the same as the mailing address;
(2) A diagram of the plant premises;
(3) A statement regarding ownership of the premises. If the premises are not owned by the applicant, the owner's consent for access by TTB officers must be furnished;
(4) A description of the stills on the premises and a statement of the maximum capacity of each;
(5) A description of the materials from which spirits will be produced; and
(6) A description of the security measures to be used to protect the premises, buildings, and equipment where spirits are produced, processed, and stored.
(c) Information already on file. If any of the information required by this section is already on file with TTB and the information is accurate and complete, the applicant may advise the appropriate TTB officer that the information on file is incorporated by reference and made part of the application, unless the applicant will not conduct bona fide production operations.
(d) Additional information. When required by the appropriate TTB officer, the applicant must furnish, as part of the application for a permit under this section, any additional information required by TTB to determine whether the application should be approved.
(e) Bonds. The applicant is not required to provide a bond in order to establish a small plant, unless the applicant will not conduct bona fide production operations. Plants for the receipt of spirits without production must furnish a bond in accordance with § 19.699 with a penal sum as prescribed in § 19.700. The appropriate TTB officer must approve the bond before issuance of the permit.
§ 19.674   TTB action on small plant applications.
(a) Notice of receipt. Within 15 days of receipt of an application for a small plant permit, the appropriate TTB officer will send a written notice of receipt to the applicant. The notice will include a statement as to whether the application meets the requirements of § 19.673. If the application does not meet the requirements of § 19.673, the appropriate TTB officer will return the application to the applicant, and a new 15-day period will commence upon receipt of an amended or corrected application.
(b) Action on application. Within 45 days from the date that the appropriate TTB officer sent the applicant a notice of receipt of a completed application for a small plant permit, the appropriate TTB officer will either issue the permit or give notice in writing to the applicant stating in detail the reason that a permit will not be issued. Denial of an application will not prejudice any later application for a permit by the same applicant.
(c) Failure to give notice. If the notice of receipt required by paragraph (a) is not sent, and the applicant has a receipt indicating that the appropriate TTB officer received the application, the 45-day period provided for in paragraphs (b) and (d) of this section will commence on the fifteenth day after the date the appropriate TTB officer received the application.
(d) Presumption of approval. If, within 45 days from the date of the notice to the applicant of receipt of a completed application for a small plant permit, the appropriate TTB officer has not notified the applicant of issuance of the permit or denial of the application, the application will be deemed approved and the applicant may proceed as if a permit had been issued.
(e) Limitation. The provisions of paragraphs (a) and (c) of this section apply only to the first application submitted for any one small plant in any calendar quarter and to an amended or corrected first application.
§ 19.675   Medium plant permit applications.
(a) General. Any person wishing to establish a medium plant must file form TTB F 5110.74, Application and Permit for an Alcohol Fuel Producer Under 26 U.S.C. 5181, with the appropriate TTB officer.
(b) Application information. The applicant for a medium plant permit must include the following information with the application:
(1) Name and mailing address of the applicant, and the location of the plant if not the same as the mailing address;
(2) A diagram of the plant premises;
(3) A statement regarding ownership of the premises. If the premises are not owned by the applicant, the owner's consent for access by TTB officers must be furnished;
(4) A description of the stills on the premises and a statement of the maximum capacity of each;
(5) A description of the materials from which spirits will be produced;
(6) A description of the security measures to be used to protect the premises, buildings, and equipment where spirits are produced, processed, and stored;
(7) A statement of the maximum total proof gallons of spirits that will be produced and received during a calendar year;
(8) Information identifying the principal persons involved in the business. This identifying information must include each person's name, address, title, social security number, date of birth, and place of birth;
(9) A statement indicating whether or not the applicant or any other principal person involved in the business has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor under Federal or State law. The statement may exclude convictions for misdemeanor traffic violations; and
(10) A statement of the amount and source of funds invested in the business.
(c) Bond. The applicant for a medium plant permit must provide a bond in accordance with § 19.699 with a sufficient penal sum as prescribed in § 19.700. The applicant must submit the bond on form TTB F 5110.56, Distilled Spirits Bond, and the appropriate TTB officer must approve the bond before issuance of the permit.
(d) Information already on file. If any of the information required by this section is already on file with TTB and the information is accurate and complete, the applicant may advise the appropriate TTB officer that the information on file is incorporated by reference and made part of the application.
(e) Additional information. When required by the appropriate TTB officer, the applicant must furnish, as part of the application for a permit under this section, any additional information required by TTB to determine whether the application should be approved.
(f) Approval of permit. The applicant may not commence operations before approval of the application and issuance of the medium plant permit.
§ 19.676   Large plant permit applications.
(a) General. Any person wishing to establish a large plant must file form TTB F 5110.74, Application and Permit for an Alcohol Fuel Producer Under 26 U.S.C. 5181, with the appropriate TTB officer.
(b) Application information. The applicant for a large plant permit must include the following information with the application:
(1) Name and mailing address of the applicant, and the location of the plant if not the same as the mailing address;
(2) A diagram of the plant premises;
(3) A statement regarding ownership of the premises. If the premises are not owned by the applicant, the owner's consent for access by TTB officers must be furnished;
(4) A description of the stills on the premises and a statement of the maximum capacity of each;
(5) A description of the materials from which spirits will be produced;
(6) A description of the security measures to be used to protect the premises, buildings, and equipment where spirits are produced, processed, and stored;
(7) A statement of the maximum total proof gallons of spirits that will be produced and received during a calendar year;
(8) Information identifying the principal persons involved in the business. This identifying information must include each person's name, address, title, social security number, date of birth, and place of birth;
(9) A statement indicating whether or not the applicant or any of the principal persons involved in the business has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor under Federal or State law. The statement may exclude convictions for misdemeanor traffic violations;
(10) A statement of the amount and source of funds invested in the business; and
(11) A statement identifying the type of business organization and the persons having an ownership interest in the business. The applicant must support this statement by providing the information specified in § 19.677.
(c) Bond. The applicant for a large plant permit must provide a bond in accordance with § 19.699 with a sufficient penal sum as prescribed in § 19.700. The applicant must submit the bond on form TTB F 5110.56, Distilled Spirits Bond, and the appropriate TTB officer must approve the bond before issuance of the permit.
(d) Power of attorney. The applicant for a large plant permit, or the proprietor of the plant if different from the applicant, must execute and file with the appropriate TTB officer form TTB F 5000.8, Power of Attorney, for each person authorized to sign or act on behalf of the proprietor unless that authority has been furnished elsewhere in the application.
(e) Information already on file. If any of the information required by this section is already on file with TTB and the information is accurate and complete, the applicant may advise the appropriate TTB officer that the information on file is incorporated by reference and made part of the application.
(f) Additional information. When required by the appropriate TTB officer, the applicant must furnish as part of the application for a permit under this section, any additional information required by TTB to determine whether the application should be approved.
(g) Approval of permit. The applicant may not commence operations before approval of the application and issuance of the large plant permit.
§ 19.677   Large plant applications—organizational documents.
In addition to the information required by § 19.676, any person who wants to establish a large plant must provide with the application the documents and other information specified in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section, as applicable, and must make those and related documents available for inspection by TTB as provided in paragraph (e) of this section.
(a) Corporate documents. If the applicant is a corporation, the applicant must provide the following:
(1) The corporate charter or a certificate of corporate existence or incorporation;
(2) A list of officers and directors with their names and addresses, other than officers and directors who will have no responsibilities in connection with the operation of the alcohol fuel plant;
(3) Certified minutes or extracts of board of directors meetings, showing those individuals authorized to sign for the corporation;
(4) A statement showing the number of shares of each class of stock or other basis of ownership, authorized and outstanding, and the voting rights of the respective owners or holders; and
(5) A list of the offices or positions, the incumbents of which are authorized by the articles of incorporation or the board of directors to act on behalf of the proprietor or to sign the proprietor's name.
(b) Partnership documents. If the applicant is a partnership, the applicant must provide a copy of the articles of partnership or association, or certificate of partnership or association if required to be filed by any State, county, or municipality.
(c) Limited liability company/limited liability partnership documents. If the applicant is a limited liability company or limited liability partnership or other entity recognized by law as a person, the applicant must provide a copy of the articles of organization, the operating agreement and the names and addresses of all members and managers.
(d) Statement of interest. (1) The application must include the names and addresses of the 10 persons that have the largest stock ownership, by stock class, or other interest in the corporation, limited liability company/limited liability partnership, or other legal entity, and the nature and amount of the stock or other interest of each, whether the interest is recorded in the name of the interested party or in the name of another for the interested party. If a corporation is wholly owned or controlled by another corporation, the appropriate TTB officer may request that the applicant furnish the same information for persons of the parent corporation.
(2) In the case of an individual owner or a partnership, the application must include the name and address of each person interested in the large plant, whether the interest is recorded in the name of the interested party or in the name of another for the interested party.
(e) Availability of documents. An applicant must make available to any appropriate TTB officer upon request all originals of documents submitted under this section and any additional related organizational documents such as articles of incorporation, bylaws, operating agreements and State certifications.
§ 19.678   Criteria for issuance of permit.
As a general rule, the appropriate TTB officer will issue an alcohol fuel plant permit to any person who completes the required application for a permit and, when required, furnishes a bond. However, the appropriate TTB officer may begin proceedings to deny an application for a permit, in accordance with part 71 of this chapter, if the appropriate TTB officer determines that—
(a) The applicant (including, in the case of a corporation, any officer, director, or principal stockholder, and, in the case of a partnership, a partner) is, by reason of business experience, financial standing, or trade connections, not likely to maintain operations in compliance with 26 U.S.C. chapter 51, or the regulations issued thereunder;
(b) The applicant failed to disclose any material information required with the application, or has made any false statement as to any material fact in connection with the application; or
(c) The premises where the applicant proposes to conduct the operations are not adequate to protect the revenue.
§ 19.679   Duration of permit.
The proprietor of an alcohol fuel plant may conduct the operations authorized by the permit on a continuing basis unless:
(a) The proprietor voluntarily surrenders the permit;
(b) TTB suspends or revokes the permit pursuant to § 19.697; or
(c) The permit is automatically terminated under its own terms or in accordance with § 19.684.
§ 19.680   Registration of stills.
The description of stills provided with the application for an alcohol fuel plant permit under this subpart will fulfill the requirement to register a still under § 29.55 of this chapter.
§ 19.683   Changes affecting permit applications.
(a) General. If there is a change relating to any of the information contained in, or considered a part of, the application on form TTB F 5110.74, Application and Permit for an Alcohol Fuel Producer Under 26 U.S.C. 5181, the proprietor must amend the information previously submitted within 30 days of the change unless another time period is specified in this subpart.
(b) Amended TTB F 5110.74. Except when a letterhead application or letterhead notice procedure is followed under this subpart, the proprietor must submit an amended application to the appropriate TTB officer on TTB F 5110.74 within 30 days of a change referred to in paragraph (a) of this section if the change affects the terms and conditions of the permit.
(c) Letterhead applications. For the changes specified in §§ 19.685(c), 19.686, and 19.690 of this subpart, the proprietor may submit a letterhead application to the appropriate TTB officer for a change instead of filing an amended TTB F 5110.74. A letterhead application must be on letterhead signed by an authorized representative of the permit holder. The letterhead application must identify the alcohol fuel plant to which the application applies. The letterhead application change is subject to TTB approval. The appropriate TTB officer may, at any time, require that the proprietor submit an amended application on TTB F 5110.74 if administrative difficulties occur as a result of the letterhead application.
(d) Letterhead Notices. For the changes specified in §§ 19.687, 19.695, and 19.691 of this subpart only a letterhead notice to the appropriate TTB officer is required. A letterhead notice must be on letterhead signed by an authorized representative of the permit holder. A letterhead notice does not require approval action by TTB. The appropriate TTB officer may, at any time, require that the proprietor submit an amended application on TTB F 5110.74 if administrative difficulties occur as a result of the letterhead notice.
§ 19.684   Automatic termination of permits.
(a) Permits not transferable. An alcohol fuel plant permit is not transferable and, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this section, will automatically terminate if:
(1) The operations that are authorized by the permit are leased, sold, or transferred to another person; or
(2) The permit holder is dissolved on a date certain or upon an event specified by the laws of the State where the permit holder operates.
(b) Corporations. In the case of a corporation holding a permit under this subpart, if actual or legal control of that corporation changes, directly or indirectly, whether by reason of change in stock ownership or control (in the permittee corporation or in any other corporation), by operation of law, or in any other manner, the permit may remain in effect until the expiration of 30 days after the change, whereupon the permit will automatically terminate. However, if operations are to be continued after the change in control, and an application for a new permit is filed within 30 days of the change, the outstanding permit may remain in effect until final action is taken on the new application. When final action is taken on the application, the outstanding permit will automatically terminate.
§ 19.685   Change in type of alcohol fuel plant.
(a) Small plants. If the proprietor of a small plant intends to increase production (including receipts) to more than 10,000 proof gallons of spirits per calendar year, the proprietor must first obtain an amended permit by filing an application for a medium plant or a large plant, as appropriate, under §§ 19.675 or 19.676. If any of the required information is already on file with TTB, that information may be incorporated by reference in the new application. The proprietor must also provide a new or strengthening bond in accordance with §§ 19.699 and 19.700.
(b) Medium plants. If the proprietor of a medium plant intends to increase production (including receipts) to more than 500,000 proof gallons of spirits per calendar year, the proprietor must first obtain an amended permit by filing an application for a large plant under § 19.676. If any of the required information is already on file with TTB, that information may be incorporated by reference in the new application. If the penal sum of the proprietor's current bond is below the amount specified for the new production level, the proprietor must obtain a new or strengthening bond in accordance with § 19.700.
(c) Curtailment of activities. A proprietor of a medium or large plant who curtails operations to a level whereby the proprietor is eligible to requalify as a small or medium plant may so qualify by submitting a letterhead application to the appropriate TTB officer for approval. If the appropriate TTB officer approves the application, the proprietor automatically will be relieved of those regulatory requirements that apply only to the superseded qualification. In addition, in the case of a change to small plant status, the proprietor may be allowed to terminate the bond in accordance with the procedure set forth in § 19.170 of this part.
§ 19.686   Change in name of proprietor.
When there is a change in the name of the individual, firm, corporation, or other entity holding the permit, the proprietor must file an application to amend the permit on form TTB F 5110.74, Application and Permit for an Alcohol Fuel Producer Under 26 U.S.C. 5181, or file a letterhead application to amend the permit within 30 days of the change. The proprietor is not required to file a new bond or consent of surety in this case.
§ 19.687   Changes in officers, directors, members, managers, or principal persons.
If there is a change in the list of officers, directors, members, managers, or other principal persons furnished under the provisions of § 19.675, § 19.676, or § 19.677, the proprietor must submit a letterhead notice to the appropriate TTB officer within 30 days of the change. The letterhead notice must identify each change and must include the following identifying information for each new officer, director, member, manager, or other principal person: name, address, title, social security number, date of birth, and place of birth.
§ 19.688   Change in proprietorship.
(a) General. If there is a change in proprietorship at an alcohol fuel plant, the following requirements apply to the outgoing proprietor and to the new, incoming proprietor:
(1) The outgoing proprietor must comply with the notice requirements of § 19.695; and
(2) The incoming successor proprietors must—
(i) File and obtain a permit on form TTB F 5110.74, Application and Permit for an Alcohol Fuel Producer Under 26 U.S.C. 5181; and
(ii) File the required bond, if any.
(b) Fiduciary responsibilities. A successor to the proprietorship of an alcohol fuel plant who is an administrator, executor, receiver, trustee, assignee, or other fiduciary must comply with paragraph (a)(2) of this section. In addition, the following rules apply to a successor who is a fiduciary:
(1) The successor may furnish a consent of surety to extend the terms of the outgoing proprietor's bond instead of filing a new bond;
(2) The successor may incorporate by reference in the application on TTB F 5110.74 any information that is still valid and that was contained in the application filed by the outgoing proprietor;
(3) The successor must furnish a certified copy of the order of the court or other pertinent document appointing the successor as a fiduciary; and
(4) The effective dates of the qualifying documents filed will be the date of the court order, the date specified in the court order for assuming control or the date control is assumed if the fiduciary was not appointed by a court.
§ 19.689   Continuing partnerships.
(a) If there is a death or insolvency of a partner in the business that holds a permit under this subpart, the surviving partner or partners may continue to operate under the permit if:
(1) The partnership is not immediately terminated under the laws of the particular State but continues until the winding up of the partnership affairs is complete;
(2) The surviving partner or partners have the exclusive right to control and possession of the partnership assets for purpose of liquidation and settlement; and
(3) In the case of a plant required to file a bond, a consent of surety is filed under which the surety and the surviving partner or partners agree to remain liable on the bond.
(b) If the surviving partner or partners acquire the business upon settlement of the partnership, the surviving partner or partners must file an application in their own name and receive a permit in accordance with § 19.688(a).
§ 19.690   Change in location.
If there is a change in the location of the alcohol fuel plant or of the area included within the plant premises, the proprietor must:
(a) File an application to amend the permit on form TTB F 5110.74, Application and Permit for an Alcohol Fuel Producer Under 26 U.S.C. 5181, or a letterhead application to amend the permit;
(b) File a new bond on form TTB F 5110.56 or a consent of surety on form TTB F 5000.18 if a bond is required; and
(c) Not begin operations at the new location prior to approval of the amended application and issuance of the amended permit.
§ 19.691   Change in address without change in location or area.
If there is a change in the address of an alcohol fuel plant that does not involve a change in the location or area of the plant itself, the proprietor must submit a letterhead notice to the appropriate TTB officer within 30 days of the change.
§ 19.692   Qualifying for alternating proprietorship.
(a) General. A proprietor may alternate use of an alcohol fuel plant or part of an alcohol fuel plant with one or more proprietors qualified under this subpart. In order to do so, each proprietor must file and receive approval of the applications and bonds required by this subpart. Each proprietor must also conduct operations and keep records in accordance with this subpart. Where operations by alternating proprietors will be limited to part of an alcohol fuel plant, that part must be suitable for qualification as a separate alcohol fuel plant.
(b) Qualifying documents. Each person desiring to operate an alcohol fuel plant as an alternating proprietor must file the following with the appropriate TTB officer:
(1) An application on form TTB F 5110.74, Application and Permit for an Alcohol Fuel Producer Under 26 U.S.C. 5181, to cover the proposed alternation;
(2) A diagram of the premises, in duplicate, showing the arrangement for the alternation of the premises. Where operations by alternating proprietors are limited to parts of an alcohol fuel plant, a diagram designating the parts that are to be alternated must be submitted. A diagram must be submitted for each arrangement under which the premises will be operated. The diagram must be in sufficient detail to establish the boundaries of the alcohol fuel plant or any part of it that will be involved in the alternation;
(3) Evidence of an existing operations bond (if any), consent of surety, or new operations bond to cover the proposed alternation of premises; and
(4) Any additional information required by the appropriate TTB officer.
§ 19.693   Operating requirements for alternating proprietorships.
(a) Alternation journal. Once the applications submitted under § 19.692 have been approved by the appropriate TTB officer, the alcohol fuel plant, or parts of the alcohol fuel plant, may be alternated. The outgoing and incoming proprietor must make entries in an alternation journal when the alcohol fuel plant, or parts of it, are alternated. The outgoing and incoming proprietor must enter the following information in the alternation journal:
(1) Name or trade name of the proprietor;
(2) Alcohol fuel plant permit number;
(3) Date and time of alternation;
(4) Quantity of spirits transferred in proof gallons.
(b) Commencement of operations. Except for spirits transferred to the incoming proprietor, the outgoing proprietor must remove all spirits from areas, rooms, or buildings to be alternated, prior to the effective date and time shown in the alternation journal. Fuel alcohol may be transferred to the incoming proprietor or may be retained by the outgoing proprietor in areas, rooms, or buildings to be alternated when the areas, rooms, or buildings are secured with locks, the keys to which are in the custody of the outgoing proprietor. Whenever operation of the areas, rooms, or buildings is to be resumed by a proprietor following suspension of operations by an alternating proprietor, the outgoing proprietor (except the proprietor of a small plant not required to file a bond) must furnish a consent of surety on form TTB F 5000.18 to continue in effect the operations bond covering their operations. The proprietor must do this prior to alternating the premises.
(c) Records. Each alternating proprietor must maintain separate records and submit separate reports in accordance with § 19.720. Entries in each proprietor's records must be in accordance with §§ 19.714 through 19.718 of this subpart. The following requirements also apply:
(1) Each alternating proprietor must show all transfers of spirits in the records;
(2) The outgoing proprietor must show in its production and disposition records the quantity of spirits and fuel alcohol transferred to the incoming proprietor;
(3) The incoming proprietor must show in their receipt record the quantity of spirits received by transfer;
(4) Each proprietor must include spirits transferred in the determinations of alcohol fuel plant size and bond amounts; and
(5) The provisions of § 19.685 regarding change of alcohol fuel plant type apply to each proprietor.
§ 19.695   Notice of permanent discontinuance.
When a proprietor permanently discontinues operations as an alcohol fuel plant, the proprietor must file a letterhead notice with the appropriate TTB officer along with the following:
(a) The original copy of the alcohol fuel plant permit and the proprietor's request that the permit be cancelled;
(b) A written statement disclosing whether or not all spirits, including fuel alcohol, have been lawfully disposed of, and whether or not there are any spirits in transit to the premises; and
(c) A report on form TTB 5110.75, Alcohol Fuel Plant Report, covering the discontinued operations, with the report marked “Final Report”.
§ 19.697   Permit suspension or revocation.
TTB will conduct proceedings to revoke or suspend an alcohol fuel plant permit in accordance with the procedures set forth in part 71 of this chapter if the appropriate TTB officer has a reason to believe that a person holding a permit:
(a) Has not complied in good faith with the provisions of 26 U.S.C. chapter 51 or the regulations issued thereunder;
(b) Has violated the conditions of the permit;
(c) Has made a false statement as to any material fact in the application for the permit;
(d) Has failed to disclose any material information required to be furnished under this part;
(e) Has violated or conspired to violate any law of the United States relating to intoxicating liquor;
(f) Has been convicted of any offense under title 26 U.S.C. punishable as a felony or of any conspiracy to commit such offense; or
(g) Has not engaged in any of the operations authorized by the permit for a period of more than 2 years.
§ 19.699   General bond requirements.
(a) Operations bond. Any person who plans to establish a large plant, a medium plant, or a small plant without production operations must provide an operations bond on form TTB F 5110.56, Distilled Spirits Bond, in duplicate, with the original permit application. If a proprietor fails to pay any liability covered by the bond, TTB may seek payment from the proprietor, from the surety on the bond, or from both the proprietor and the surety. Additional provisions applicable to bonds for alcohol fuel plants are found in subpart F of this part in §§ 19.155 through 19.157 and §§ 19.167 through 19.173.
(b) Corporate surety. A company that issues bonds is called a “corporate surety.” Proprietors must obtain the surety bonds required by this subpart from a corporate surety approved by the Secretary of the Treasury. The Department of the Treasury publishes a list of approved corporate surety companies in Treasury Department Circular 570, Companies Holding Certificates of Authority as Acceptable Sureties on Federal Bonds and as Acceptable Reinsuring Companies. Treasury Department Circular 570 is published in the Federal Register annually on the first business day in July, and supplemental changes are published periodically thereafter (see https://www.federalregister.gov ). The most recent circular and any supplemental changes to it may be viewed on the Bureau of the Fiscal Service website (see https://fiscal.treasury.gov ).
(c) Alternative to a corporate surety. A proprietor may also guarantee payment under a bond without using a corporate surety, by filing a bond that guarantees payment of the liability by pledging and depositing one or more acceptable negotiable securities having a par value (face amount) equal to or greater than the penal sums of the required bonds. Should the proprietor fail to pay one or more of the guaranteed liabilities, TTB may take action to sell the deposited securities to satisfy the debt. Pledged securities will be released to the proprietor if there are no outstanding liabilities when the bond is terminated; the provisions of § 19.173 apply to the release of pledged securities under this subpart. A list of securities acceptable as collateral in lieu of surety bonds is available from the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. Current information and guidance from the Bureau of the Fiscal Service Web site may be found at https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov .
§ 19.700   Amount of bond.
A proprietor must determine the penal sum of the bond based on the total quantity of distilled spirits that will be produced and received during a calendar year. The method for computing required bond amounts is as follows:
(a) Small plants without production operations. A proprietor that operates a small plant that receives not more than 10,000 proof gallons of spirits per year and does not conduct bona fide production operations must provide a bond with a penal sum of $1,000.
(b) Medium plants. A proprietor that operates a medium plant that produces and receives more than 10,000 but not more than 20,000 proof gallons of spirits per year must provide a bond with a penal sum of at least $2,000.00. The proprietor must increase the penal sum of the bond by $1,000 for each additional 10,000 gallons, or fraction of 10,000 gallons, (over 20,000 gallons) that will be produced or received. The maximum bond for a medium plant is $50,000.00, representing the penal sum applicable to 500,000 proof gallons. The following table provides examples of required minimum bond amounts:
Annual Production and Receipts in Proof Gallons
(c) Large plants. A proprietor that operates a large plant that produces and receives more than 500,000 but not more than 510,000 proof gallons of spirits per year must provide a bond with a penal sum of at least $52,000.00. The proprietor must increase the penal sum of the bond by $2,000 for each additional 10,000 gallons, or fraction of 10,000 gallons (over 510,000 gallons) that will be produced and received. The maximum bond for a large plant is $200,000.00. The following table provides examples of required minimum bond amounts:
Annual Production and Receipts in Proof Gallons
(d) New or strengthening bonds. A proprietor must obtain a new bond or a strengthening bond in accordance with § 19.167 if the level of production and receipts at the alcohol fuel plant increases so that the current bond no longer is in the amount of at least the required minimum penal sum.
§ 19.703   Construction and equipment.
A proprietor must construct and arrange the buildings and enclosures where distilled spirits will be produced, processed, or stored so as to ensure adequate security and deter the diversion of spirits. Distilling equipment must be constructed to prevent unauthorized removal of spirits, from the point where distilled spirits come into existence until production is complete and the quantity of spirits has been determined. A proprietor also must equip tanks and other vessels so that they may be locked and must provide a method for determining the quantity of spirits in each vessel.
§ 19.704   Security.
(a) General. The proprietor of an alcohol fuel plant must provide adequate security measures at the alcohol fuel plant in order to protect against the unauthorized removal of spirits.
(b) Storage. The proprietor must store spirits in a building or a storage tank, or within an enclosure, that will be kept locked when operations are not being conducted.
(c) Additional security. The appropriate TTB officer may require additional security measures for the premises if the alcohol fuel plant's security is found to be inadequate. The additional measures required may depend upon past security problems experienced at the alcohol fuel plant, the volume of alcohol produced, the risk to tax revenue, and any safety requirements. Additional security measures may include, but are not limited to:
(1) A fence around the alcohol fuel plant;
(2) Flood lights;
(3) A security or alarm system;
(4) A guard service; or
(5) Locked or barred windows.
§ 19.706   Supervision of operations.
TTB may assign appropriate TTB officers to supervise operations at an alcohol fuel plant at any time. Appropriate TTB officers may exercise certain rights and authorities at an alcohol fuel plant. Those rights and authorities are set forth in the following provisions of this part: § 19.11 (right of entry and examination, § 19.12 (furnishing facilities and assistance), § 19.13 (assignment of officers and supervision of operations), § 19.17 (detention of containers), § 19.18 (samples for the United States), and § 19.282 (general requirements for gauging and measuring equipment).
§ 19.709   Gauging.
(a) Gauging equipment and methods. A proprietor of an alcohol fuel plant must perform periodic gauges of the distilled spirits and fuel alcohol at the alcohol fuel plant. The procedures for the gauging of spirits set forth in part 30 of this chapter also apply under this subpart. In addition, the following rules for the gauging of distilled spirits and fuel alcohol under this subpart also apply:
(1) The proprietor must determine the proof of spirits by using a glass cylinder, hydrometer and thermometer;
(2) The proprietor must ensure that hydrometers, thermometers, and other equipment used to determine proof, volume, or weight are accurate;
(3) The proprietor may determine the quantity of spirits or fuel alcohol either by volume or weight;
(4) To determine quantity by volume, the proprietor may use a tank or receptacle with a calibrated sight glass installed, a calibrated dipstick, conversion charts, an accurate mass flow meter, or other devices approved by the appropriate TTB officer;
(5) Unless the proprietor chooses to do so, the proprietor is not required to determine the proof of fuel alcohol manufactured, on hand, or removed; and
(6) The proprietor may account for fuel alcohol in wine gallons;
(b) Verification by TTB. TTB officers may at any time verify the accuracy of the gauging equipment used.
(c) When gauges are required. A proprietor must gauge spirits and record the results in the records required by § 19.718, at the following times:
(1) Upon completing the production of distilled spirits;
(2) On the receipt of spirits at the plant;
(3) Prior to the addition of materials to render the spirits unfit for beverage use;
(4) Before withdrawal from plant premises or other disposition of spirits (including fuel alcohol); and
(5) When spirits are inventoried.
§ 19.710   Inventory of spirits.
A proprietor of an alcohol fuel plant must take a physical inventory of all spirits and fuel alcohol on the bonded premises at the end of each calendar year. The proprietor must record the results of this physical inventory in the records required by § 19.718.
§ 19.714   General requirements for records.
A proprietor of an alcohol fuel plant must maintain records that accurately reflect the operations and transactions at the alcohol fuel plant. The records must contain sufficient information to allow appropriate TTB officers to determine the quantities of spirits produced, received, stored, or processed and to verify that all spirits have been used or otherwise lawfully disposed of.
§ 19.715   Format of records.
(a) Proprietors of alcohol fuel plants are not required under this subpart to keep their records in any particular format or media. A proprietor may keep required records on paper, microfilm or microfiche, diskette, or other electronic medium. However, the records that a proprietor maintains must be readily retrievable in, or convertible to, hardcopy format for review by TTB officers as necessary.
(b) Required records may consist of commercial documents maintained in the ordinary course of business, rather than records prepared expressly to meet the requirements of this subpart, if those documents:
(1) Contain all of the information required by this subpart;
(2) Reflect general standards of clarity and accuracy; and
(3) Can be readily understood by TTB personnel.
(c) Where the format or arrangement of a record is such that the information is not readily understandable, the appropriate TTB officer may require the proprietor to present the information in a format or arrangement that will facilitate the review of the information.
§ 19.716   Maintenance and retention of records.
(a) A proprietor of an alcohol fuel plant may keep the records required by this subpart at the alcohol fuel plant where operations or transactions occur, or at a central recordkeeping location maintained by the proprietor. If the proprietor keeps the required records at any location other than the alcohol fuel plant where operations or transactions occur, the proprietor must submit a letterhead notice to the appropriate TTB officer indicating the location where the records are kept. The proprietor must make those records available at the alcohol fuel plant premises to which they relate during normal business hours for the purpose of a TTB audit or inspection. The proprietor must produce those records at that location within two days of notice by the appropriate TTB officer.
(b) A proprietor of an alcohol fuel plant must maintain any records required by this subpart for a period of not less than three years from the date of creation of the record or the date of the last entry required to be made in the record, whichever is later.
(c) A proprietor of an alcohol fuel plant may be required to reproduce records in order to maintain their readability and availability for inspection. Whenever any record might become unreadable or otherwise unsuitable for its intended or continued use, the proprietor is responsible for reproducing the record by a process that accurately and legibly reproduces the original record.
(d) For records kept on electronic media, the provisions of § 19.574 apply.
§ 19.717   Time for making entries in records.
A proprietor of an alcohol fuel plant must record entries required by this subpart in the proprietor's records on a daily basis, as the transaction or operation occurs, but not later than the close of the next business day after the occurrence of the transaction or operation. However, if a proprietor prepares supplemental or auxiliary records when an operation or transaction occurs and those records contain all of the information required under this subpart, the proprietor may make entries in the required records not later than the close of business on the third business day following the day on which the transaction or operation occurred.
§ 19.718   Required records.
A proprietor of an alcohol fuel plant must maintain records that accurately reflect the operations and transactions occurring at the plant. These records must include production, receipt, manufacture, and disposition records.
(a) Production, receipt, and manufacture records. The proprietor must maintain records of all production, receipts, and manufacture at the alcohol fuel plant. This includes records of:
(1) The quantity and proof of spirits produced;
(2) The kind and quantity of materials used to produce spirits, if the proprietor is a medium plant or large plant;
(3) The proof gallons of spirits on hand;
(4) The proof gallons of spirits received. The proprietor may use a copy of the consignor's invoice or other document received with the shipment if the proprietor records the date of receipt and quantity received;
(5) The quantities and types of materials added to each lot of spirits to render the spirits unfit for beverage use; and
(6) The quantity of fuel alcohol manufactured. Fuel alcohol may be recorded in wine gallons.
(b) Disposition records. The proprietor must maintain records of all dispositions of spirits and fuel alcohol removed from the alcohol fuel plant. Records for dispositions of fuel alcohol and spirits must be maintained separately. Required records include:
(1) The amount of fuel alcohol removed. The commercial record or other document required by § 19.729 will constitute the required record;
(2) The amount of spirits transferred. For all spirits transferred to another qualified distilled spirits plant or alcohol fuel plant the proprietor must maintain the commercial invoice or other documentation required by §§ 19.405 and 19.734;
(3) Record of other dispositions. If the proprietor has other dispositions of spirits or fuel alcohol such as losses, destruction, or redistillation, the proprietor must keep a record of those dispositions. The record must include the quantity of spirits (in proof gallons) or fuel alcohol (in wine gallons), the date of disposition, and the purpose for which used or the nature of any other disposition;
(4) Testing records. If the proprietor conducts testing and analysis of samples of spirits or fuel alcohol in accordance with § 19.749, the proprietor must keep a record of the date of the testing and the amount of spirits (in proof gallons) or fuel alcohol (in wine gallons) tested.
§ 19.719   Spirits made unfit for beverage use in the production process.
If an alcohol fuel plant makes spirits unfit for beverage use before the spirits are removed from the production process, for example by the in-line addition of materials or by the addition of materials to receptacles where spirits are first deposited, the proprietor must determine the quantity and proof of the spirits produced for purposes of the production records by:
(a) Determining the proof of each lot of spirits by procuring a representative sample of each lot, prior to the addition of any materials for rendering the spirits unfit for beverage use, and then proofing the spirits; and
(b) Determining the quantity (proof gallons) of spirits produced by subtracting the quantity of materials added to render the spirits unfit for beverage use from the quantity of fuel alcohol (in gallons) produced and multiplying the resulting figure by the proof of the spirits divided by 100.
§ 19.720   Reports.
Each proprietor of an alcohol fuel plant must submit to the appropriate TTB officer an annual report of operations on form TTB F 5110.75, Alcohol Fuel Plant Report, for each calendar year. The proprietor must submit this report by January 30 following the end of the calendar year.
§ 19.722   General rules for redistillation of spirits or fuel alcohol.
The proprietor of an alcohol fuel plant may receive and redistill spirits. The proprietor may also receive fuel alcohol for redistillation and recovery of the spirits contained in the fuel alcohol. The following general rules apply to redistillation activities at an alcohol fuel plant:
(a) The proprietor must separately identify in the required records any spirits and fuel alcohol received for redistillation;
(b) The proprietor must keep all spirits and fuel alcohol received for redistillation physically separate from each other and from other spirits and fuel alcohol until they are redistilled;
(c) Spirits recovered by redistillation will be treated the same as spirits that have not been redistilled; and
(d) All provisions of this subpart and 26 U.S.C. chapter 51, including provisions regarding liability for tax applicable to spirits when originally produced, apply to spirits recovered by distillation.
§ 19.723   Effect of redistillation on plant size and bond amount.
The redistillation of spirits at an alcohol fuel plant may affect the alcohol fuel plant size category and the resulting bond penal sum amount. The following rules apply in this regard:
(a) Spirits originally produced by the alcohol fuel plant and subsequently recovered by redistillation are not includable in the determination of plant size and bond amount; and
(b) Spirits originally produced elsewhere and subsequently recovered by redistillation at the alcohol fuel plant are includable in the determination of plant size and bond amount.
§ 19.724   Records of redistillation.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a proprietor must record in a separate record the following information for spirits and fuel alcohol received at the alcohol fuel plant for redistillation:
(1) Date of receipt;
(2) Identification as spirits or fuel alcohol;
(3) Quantity received;
(4) From whom received;
(5) Reason for redistillation;
(6) Date redistilled; and
(7) The quantity of spirits recovered by redistillation.
(b) A proprietor may use a document required by § 19.729 or § 19.734 or any other commercial record covering spirits or fuel alcohol received in lieu of the record required by paragraph (a) of this section, provided that it contains all of the information required by paragraph (a) of this section, including any such information added to it by the proprietor.
§ 19.726   Prohibited uses, transfers, and withdrawals.
No person may withdraw, use, sell or otherwise dispose of distilled spirits, including fuel alcohol, produced under this subpart for any purpose other than for fuel use. The law imposes criminal penalties on any person who withdraws, uses, sells, or otherwise disposes of distilled spirits, including fuel alcohol, produced under this subpart for other than fuel use.
§ 19.727   Use on premises.
A proprietor may use spirits as a fuel on the premises of the alcohol fuel plant where they were produced without having to make them unfit for beverage use. A proprietor using spirits in this way must keep the applicable records concerning such use as provided in § 19.718(b)(3).
§ 19.728   Withdrawal of spirits.
Before withdrawal of spirits from the premises of an alcohol fuel plant, the proprietor must render the spirits unfit for beverage use as provided in this subpart. Spirits rendered unfit for beverage use may be withdrawn free of tax from the alcohol fuel plant premises if they will be used exclusively for fuel.
§ 19.729   Withdrawal of fuel alcohol.
(a) For each shipment or other removal of fuel alcohol from the alcohol fuel plant premises, the consignor proprietor must prepare a commercial invoice, sales slip, or similar document that shows:
(1) The date of the withdrawal;
(2) The quantity of fuel alcohol removed;
(3) A description of the shipment that includes the number and size of containers, tank trucks, etc.; and
(4) The name and address of the consignee.
(b) The consignor proprietor must retain in its records a copy of the document described in paragraph (a) of this section.
§ 19.733   Authorized transfers between alcohol fuel plants.
A proprietor may remove spirits from the bonded premises of an alcohol fuel plant, including the premises of a small plant, for transfer in bond to another alcohol fuel plant. A proprietor of an alcohol fuel plant may also receive spirits from another alcohol fuel plant. The following conditions apply to such transfers:
(a) The transfer of spirits must be pursuant to an approved application on form TTB F 5100.16, Application for Transfer of Spirits and/or Denatured Spirits in Bond in accordance with § 19.403;
(b) Bulk conveyances in which spirits are transferred must be secured with locks, seals, or other devices in accordance with § 19.441;
(c) It is not necessary to render the spirits unfit for beverage use prior to the transfer;
(d) The transferred spirits may not be withdrawn, used, sold, or disposed of for other than fuel use; and
(e) Each proprietor must adhere to the requirements for transfers between alcohol fuel plants prescribed in §§ 19.734 through 19.736, as applicable.
§ 19.734   Consignor for in-bond shipments.
A proprietor that ships distilled spirits in bond to another alcohol fuel plant is the “consignor” of the shipment. When shipping spirits in bond, the consignor must:
(a) Ship the spirits pursuant to an approved application on form TTB F 5100.16, Application for Transfer of Spirits and/or Denatured Spirits in Bond;
(b) Prepare a duplicate commercial invoice or shipping document for each shipment of spirits that includes the following:
(1) The quantity of the spirits transferred;
(2) The proof of the spirits transferred;
(3) A description of the shipment that includes the number and size of drums, barrels, tank trucks, etc.;
(4) The consignor's name, address, and permit number and the name, address, and permit number of the proprietor of the alcohol fuel plant that will receive the spirits; and
(5) The serial numbers of seals, locks, or other devices used to secure the shipment; and
(c) Forward the original invoice or shipping document with the shipment to the proprietor of the receiving alcohol fuel plant and retain a copy in the alcohol fuel plant's records.
§ 19.735   Reconsignment while in transit.
A consignor may reconsign an in-bond shipment of spirits while the shipment is in transit or upon arrival at the premises of the consignee for any bona fide reason such as when the spirits transferred in bond are found to be unsuitable for the intended purpose or the spirits were shipped in error. The consignor may reconsign the shipment to itself or to another consignee that is qualified to receive the spirits. In either case, an Application for Transfer of Spirits and/or Denatured Spirits in Bond on form TTB F 5100.16 must have been previously approved for the new consignee and must be on file at the alcohol fuel plant. The bond of the new consignee of the spirits will cover the spirits while they are in transit after reconsignment. When reconsigning a shipment, the consignor must notify the original consignee that the transfer has been cancelled and must make a notation on the original invoice or shipping document that the shipment was reconsigned. The consignor must also prepare a new invoice or shipping document for the new consignee and must mark the new invoice or shipping document “reconsignment.”
§ 19.736   Consignee for in-bond shipments.
(a) General. A proprietor that receives spirits in bond from another alcohol fuel plant is the “consignee” of the shipment. When receiving spirits in bond, the consignee must:
(1) Examine each conveyance and notify the appropriate TTB officer immediately if any of the locks, seals, or other devices that secure each conveyance do not arrive at the premises intact;
(2) Determine the quantity of spirits received and record the quantity and date of receipt on the invoice or shipping document sent with the shipment; and
(3) Retain the invoice or shipping document as part of the records required by § 19.718.
(b) Portable containers. A consignee who receives spirits in barrels, drums, or other portable containers that are not secured by seals or other devices must verify the contents of each container. The consignee must record the quantity received in each container on a list and must attach the list to the invoice or shipping document received with the shipment.
(c) Bulk conveyances or pipelines. A consignee who receives spirits in bulk conveyances or by pipeline must gauge the spirits received and record the quantity determined on the invoice or shipping document received with the shipment. The appropriate TTB officer may waive the requirement for gauging spirits received by pipeline if requested in writing by the consignee and if there is no jeopardy to the revenue.
§ 19.739   Authorized transfers to or from distilled spirits plants.
Except for spirits produced from petroleum, natural gas, or coal, a proprietor of an alcohol fuel plant may receive spirits in bond from a distilled spirits plant qualified under subpart D of this part. A proprietor of an alcohol fuel plant may also transfer spirits in bond from the alcohol fuel plant to a distilled spirits plant qualified under subpart D of this part. The following conditions apply to such transfers:
(a) Bulk conveyances in which spirits are transferred must be secured with locks, seals, or other devices in accordance with § 19.441;
(b) It is not necessary to render the spirits unfit for beverage use prior to the transfer;
(c) The transferred spirits may not be withdrawn, used, sold, or disposed of for other than fuel use;
(d) An alcohol fuel plant proprietor transferring spirits filled into portable containers to the bonded premises of a distilled spirits plant must mark the containers as required by § 19.752(b);
(e) The procedures in §§ 19.403 through 19.406 and § 19.620 apply to the transfer of spirits from an alcohol fuel plant to a distilled spirits plant; and
(f) The procedures in §§ 19.403, 19.404, 19.405, and 19.407 apply to the transfer of spirits from a distilled spirits plant to an alcohol fuel plant.
§ 19.742   Authorized transfers from customs custody.
A proprietor of an alcohol fuel plant may withdraw from customs custody spirits imported or brought into the United States in bulk containers and may transfer those spirits without payment of tax to the proprietor's alcohol fuel plant subject to the following conditions:
(a) The transfer of the spirits may only be to an alcohol fuel plant that is required to file, and has filed, a bond;
(b) The spirits must not have been produced from petroleum, natural gas, or coal;
(c) The alcohol fuel plant must further manufacture or process the spirits after receipt;
(d) The proprietor of the alcohol fuel plant may only redistill or denature the spirits if the imported spirits are 185° or more of proof and will be withdrawn for fuel use; and
(e) The proprietor of the alcohol fuel plant must follow the procedures for receiving spirits prescribed in § 19.736 and subpart L of part 27 of this chapter.
§ 19.746   Authorized materials.
(a) General. The appropriate TTB officer determines what materials make spirits unfit for beverage use but do not impair the quality of the spirits for fuel use. Spirits treated with materials authorized under this section will be considered rendered unfit for beverage use and eligible for withdrawal as fuel alcohol.
(b) Authorized materials. Subject to the specifications in paragraph (c) of this section, proprietors are authorized to render spirits unfit for beverage use by adding to each 100 gallons of spirits any of following materials in the quantities specified:
(1) Two gallons or more of—
(i) Gasoline or automotive gasoline (for use in engines that require unleaded gasoline, the Environmental Protection Agency and manufacturers specifications may require that unleaded gasoline be used to render spirits unfit for beverage use);
(ii) Natural gasoline;
(iii) Kerosene;
(iv) Deodorized kerosene;
(v) Rubber hydrocarbon solvent;
(vi) Methyl isobutyl ketone;
(vii) Mixed isomers of nitropropane;
(viii) Heptane;
(ix) Ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE);
(x) Raffinate;
(xi) Naphtha;
(xii) Straight run gasoline;
(xiii) Alkylate;
(xiv) High octane denaturant blend;
(xv) Methyl tertiary butyl ether; or
(xvi) Any combination of the materials listed in paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (xv) of this section;
(2) Five gallons or more of Toluene; or
(3) One-eighth ( 1/8 ) of an ounce of denatonium benzoate N.F. and 2 gallons of isopropyl alcohol.
(c) Specifications. Specifications for the materials listed in paragraph (b) are found in part 21, subpart E, of this chapter.
(d) Published list. The appropriate TTB officer periodically publishes a list of materials that may be used to make spirits unfit for beverage use in addition to those listed in paragraph (b) of this section. The list can be found at https://www.ttb.gov. The list will specify the material name and quantity required to render spirits unfit for beverage use.
§ 19.747   Other materials.
If a proprietor wishes to use a material to render spirits unfit for beverage use that is not authorized under § 19.746 or that is not on the published list of materials, the proprietor may submit an application for approval to the appropriate TTB officer. The application must include the name of the material and the quantity of material that the proprietor proposes to add to each 100 gallons of spirits. The appropriate TTB officer may require the proprietor to submit an 8-ounce sample of such material. The proprietor may not use any proposed material until the appropriate TTB officer approves its use. Any material that impairs the quality of the spirits for fuel use will not be approved. The proprietor must retain as part of the records available for inspection by appropriate TTB officers any application approved by the appropriate TTB officer under this section.
§ 19.749   Samples.
The following rules apply to the testing and analysis of samples of spirits and fuel alcohol for purposes of this subpart:
(a) A proprietor may take samples of spirits and fuel alcohol for on-site testing and analysis at the proprietor's alcohol fuel plant;
(b) A proprietor may not remove samples of spirits from the premises of the alcohol fuel plant for testing and analysis;
(c) A proprietor may remove samples of fuel alcohol from the premises of the alcohol fuel plant for testing and analysis at a qualified laboratory;
(d) A proprietor of an alcohol fuel plant must account for all samples in the record required by § 19.718(b)(4); and
(e) A proprietor of an alcohol fuel plant must indicate on each container that the spirits or fuel alcohol inside is a sample.
§ 19.752   Marks.
(a) Fuel alcohol. A proprietor of an alcohol fuel plant must place a conspicuous and permanent warning mark or label on each container of 55 gallons or less of fuel alcohol that the proprietor will withdraw from the plant premises. The proprietor must place the mark or label on the head or side of the container and must use plain, legible letters. The proprietor may place other marks or labels on the container if the other marks or labels do not obscure the required warning. The required warning is as follows:
(b) Spirits. If a proprietor intends to transfer barrels, drums, or similar portable containers of spirits to a distilled spirits plant qualified under subpart D of this part, the proprietor must mark or label each container. The proprietor must place the mark or label on the head or side of the container and must use plain, legible letters. The proprietor may place other marks or labels on the container if the other marks or labels do not obscure the required marks or labels. The required mark or label each container must contain the following information:
(1) Quantity in wine gallons;
(2) Proof of the spirits;
(3) Name, address, and permit number of the alcohol fuel plant;
(4) The words “Spirits—For Alcohol Fuel Use Only”; and
(5) The serial number of the container. Serial numbers must be assigned as follows—
(i) Consecutively commencing with “1”;
(ii) When the numbering system of any series reaches “1,000,000” the proprietor may begin the series again by adding an alphabetical prefix or suffix to the series; and
(iii) When there is a change in proprietorship or a change in the individual, firm, corporate name, or trade name, the series in use at the time of the change may be continued.
§ 19.761   OMB control numbers assigned under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
(a) Purpose. This subpart displays the control numbers assigned to information collection requirements in this part by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13.
(b) Display. The following display identifies each section in this part that contains an information collection requirement and the OMB control number that is assigned to that information collection requirement.
Table 1 to Paragraph ( b )