(a) Deposit of spirits into storage account. A proprietor may receive bulk spirits into the storage account:

(1) From the production facilities of the same plant;

(2) By transfer in bond from another plant;

(3) From customs custody without payment of tax; or

(4) By return to bulk storage.

(b) Deposit of wine into storage account. A proprietor may receive bulk wine into the storage account:

(1) By transfer in bond from a bonded wine cellar; or

(2) By transfer in bond from another distilled spirits plant.

(c) Storage. A proprietor may store spirits or wines in packages, tanks or portable bulk containers in the storage account on the bonded premises. If stored in portable containers, the containers must be kept so that they can be readily inspected or inventoried by TTB officers.

(26 U.S.C. 5201, 5202, 5211, 5212, 5231, 5232, 5601)

This subpart covers storage operations at distilled spirits plants. A proprietor qualified as a warehouseman and authorized to store bulk distilled spirits and wines must conduct storage operations in accordance with the provisions of this subpart. Subpart V of this part sets forth recordkeeping requirements that apply to storage operations.

(26 U.S.C. 5201)

A proprietor may fill spirits or wines into packages from storage tanks on bonded premises. The spirits or wines in the tank must be gauged before the filling of packages begins and again when the filling is finished if the tank is not empty. The results of the gauges must be recorded in the records required by § 19.618.

(26 U.S.C. 5201)

A proprietor may transfer spirits or wines in storage from one package to another. Each new package must contain spirits from only one package except in the case of spirits of 190° or more proof. Packages of spirits must be marked as provided in subpart S of this part. Each package of wine must bear the same marks as the package from which the wine was transferred.

(26 U.S.C. 5201)

A proprietor may mingle or blend spirits in the storage account according to the following rules:

(a) Spirits distilled at 190° or more of proof, whether or not later reduced, may be mingled in storage.

(b) Domestic spirits distilled at less than 190° of proof may be mingled for withdrawal or further storage if the spirits:

(1) Are of the same kind; and

(2) Were produced in the same State.

(c) Imported spirits distilled at less than 190° of proof may be mingled for withdrawal or further storage if the spirits:

(1) Are of the same kind;

(2) Were produced in the same foreign country; and

(3) Were treated, blended, or compounded in the same foreign country and the U.S. import duty was paid at the same rate.

(d) Imported spirits distilled at less than 190° of proof that are recognized as distinctive products under part 5 of this chapter may be mingled for withdrawal or further storage if the spirits:

(1) Are of the same kind;

(2) Were produced by the same proprietor in the same foreign country; and

(3) Were treated, blended, or compounded by the same proprietor in the same foreign country and the U.S. import duty was paid at the same rate.

(e) Fruit brandies distilled from the same kind of fruit at not more than 170° of proof may, for the sole purpose of perfecting such brandies according to commercial standards, be blended with each other, or with any blend of such fruit brandies in storage. Rums may, for the sole purpose of perfecting them according to commercial standards, be blended with each other, or with any blend of rums.

(f) Packaging after mingling or blending must be done under the provisions of § 19.324. The mingled or blended spirits may be returned to the packages from which they were dumped, or as many of the packages as needed.

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

A proprietor must examine each package of spirits to be dumped for mingling. If any package bears evidence of loss due to theft or unauthorized voluntary destruction, the proprietor must notify the appropriate TTB officer before dumping the package. Mingled spirits must be recorded on the tank record required by §§ 19.592 and 19.593, as appropriate.

(26 U.S.C. 5201)

When spirits are mingled, the age of the spirits for the entire lot will be the age of the youngest spirits contained in the lot.

(26 U.S.C. 5201)

When wines or spirits of less than 190° of proof are mingled in a tank, the proprietor must gauge the spirits or wines in the tank and record the mingling gauge on the tank record prescribed in § 19.592.

(26 U.S.C. 5201)

A proprietor may add oak chips that have not been treated with any chemical to packages of spirits. The proprietor must note the use of oak chips on all transaction records. A proprietor may add caramel that has no material sweetening properties to rum or brandy stored in packages or tanks.

(26 U.S.C. 5201)

A proprietor must take a physical inventory of all spirits and wines held in the storage account in tanks and other containers (except packages) at the close of each calendar quarter. A proprietor must record the results of the inventory as provided in subpart V of this part. TTB may require additional inventories at any time.

(26 U.S.C. 5201)