Every person bringing liquors into the United States from the Virgin Islands who sells, or offers for sale, such liquors must register and keep records as a wholesale dealer in liquor or as a retail dealer in liquor in accordance with part 31 of this chapter.

(26 U.S.C. 5121, 5122, 5123, 5124) [T.D. TTB-79, 74 FR 37406, July 28, 2009]

The sale of warehouse receipts for distilled spirits is equivalent to the sale of distilled spirits. Accordingly, every person bringing distilled spirits into the United States from the Virgin Islands who sells, or offers for sale, warehouse receipts for distilled spirits stored in warehouses, or elsewhere, must register and keep records as a dealer in liquors at the place where the warehouse receipts are sold, or offered for sale, in accordance with part 31 of this chapter.

(26 U.S.C. 5121, 5122, 5123, 5124) [T.D. TTB-79, 74 FR 37406, July 28, 2009]

(a) Liquors coming into the United States from the Virgin Islands, except as provided in § 26.201, are subject to a tax equal to the internal revenue tax imposed upon the production in the United States of like liquors. Articles coming into the United States from the Virgin Islands, except as provided in § 26.201, are subject to tax on the liquors contained therein at the rates imposed in the United States on like liquors of domestic production.

(b) The excise taxes collected on distilled spirits and articles containing distilled spirits shall be deposited into the Treasury of the Virgin Islands only if at least 92 percent of the alcoholic content of such product is rum. The amount deposited into the Treasury of the Virgin Islands shall not exceed the lesser of $10.50, or the rate imposed by 26 U.S.C. 5001(a)(1) (including adjustments to the effective tax rate under 26 U.S.C. 5010), on each proof gallon of such distilled spirits or article containing distilled spirits coming into the United States. Such excise tax payments to the Treasury of the Virgin Islands will be reduced by one percent and the estimated amount of refunds or credits, and may be further reduced by certain amounts deposited to the U.S. Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. The moneys so transferred and paid over shall constitute a separate fund in the Treasury of the Virgin Islands, and may be expended as the Virgin Islands legislature may determine.

(c) Except for products described in 26 U.S.C. 7652(c), no excise taxes shall be deposited into the Treasury of the Virgin Islands if an excise tax subsidy is provided by the Virgin Islands that is of a kind different from, or in an amount per value or volume of production greater than, any subsidy offered by the Virgin Islands to industries manufacturing products not subject to Federal excise tax.

(d) Internal revenue taxes payable on liquors brought into the United States from the Virgin Islands are collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in accordance with CBP requirements. The tax must be paid on the basis of a return, and the customs form (including any electronic transmissions) by which the liquors are duty- and tax-paid to CBP will be treated as a return for purposes of this part. The person bringing such liquors into the United States, if filing electronically, must file the information specified in this section with the entry or entry summary, as appropriate, along with any other information that is required by CBP to be filed with the entry or entry summary for purposes of administering the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and Federal Alcohol Administration Act (FAA Act). Any information required by this section that is also required by, and filed with, CBP as part of the entry or entry summary for purposes of meeting CBP requirements will satisfy the requirements of this section. The following information is required as described under this section:

(1) The permit number of the valid importer permit issued under the FAA Act and the regulations issued pursuant to the FAA Act (27 CFR part 1), if applicable, as required by 27 CFR 1.20 and 1.58, and the importer's name, address, and employer identification number (EIN) associated with that permit;

(2) The TTB-assigned number of the valid certificate of label approval (COLA), if applicable, as required by 27 CFR 4.40 in the case of wine, 27 CFR 5.51 in the case of distilled spirits, and 27 CFR 7.31 in the case of malt beverages;

(3) The name and address of the ultimate consignee;

(4) The quantity of each product (for distilled spirits, in proof liters or proof gallons; for wine and beer, in liters or gallons); and

(5) Information identifying each product for Internal Revenue Code and/or FAA Act purposes.

(e) Distilled spirits, natural wines, and beer in bulk containers may be released from customs custody without payment of tax under the provisions of subpart Oa of this part and thereafter removed subject to tax from, respectively, a distilled spirits plant, bonded wine cellar, or brewery. The tax will be collected and paid under the provisions of parts 19, 24, and 25 of this chapter, respectively.

(f)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, in the case of an entry for warehousing (that is, products transferred directly to a customs bonded warehouse or foreign trade zone), the last day for payment of the tax shall not be later than the 14th day after the last day of the semimonthly period during which the products are removed from the first such warehouse, even if the products have been removed from that customs bonded warehouse or foreign trade zone for transfer to another customs bonded warehouse or foreign trade zone.

(2) Paragraph (f)(1) of this section does not apply to any distilled spirits, wines, or beer entered for warehousing and then removed for transfer to another customs bonded warehouse or foreign trade zone that is shown to the satisfaction of the Secretary to be destined for export.

(g) Regardless of the method of filing, the person bringing the liquors into the United States must retain as a record the information required by this section, any information provided to CBP to meet CBP requirements, and any supporting documentation. These records must be retained in accordance with the record retention requirements of § 26.276, and the records must be made available upon request of the appropriate TTB officer or a customs officer.

(26 U.S.C. 5001, 5054, 5061, 5232, 5364, 5418, 7652) (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1513-0064) [T.D. ATF-175, 49 FR 20804, May 16, 1984, as amended by T.D. ATF-206, 50 FR 15888, Apr. 23, 1985. Redesignated and amended by T.D. ATF-459, 66 FR 38550, 38552, July 25, 2001; T.D. TTB-145, 81 FR 94200, Dec. 22, 2016; T.D. TTB-159, 85 FR 33542, June 2, 2020]

(a) General. Industrial spirits, denatured spirits, and products made with denatured spirits in the Virgin Islands may be brought into the United States without incurring tax liability imposed by 26 U.S.C. 5001 or 7652.

(b) Industrial spirits. A distiller of industrial spirits who qualifies under regulations issued by the Governor of the Virgin Islands may ship industrial spirits to a tax-free alcohol user in the United States who holds a permit under part 22 of this chapter. Shipments shall be made in accordance with the requirements of subpart O of this part.

(c) Denatured spirits. A distiller who qualifies under the regulations issued by the Governor of the Virgin Islands and who denatures spirits in accordance with part 21 of this chapter may ship (1) completely denatured alcohol to anyone in the United States, and/or (2) specially denatured spirits to a dealer or user of specially denatured spirits in the United States or Puerto Rico who holds a permit under part 20 of this chapter. Shipments shall be made in accordance with the requirements of subpart O of this part.

(d) Products made with denatured spirits. A person in the Virgin Islands who manufactures products with completely denatured alcohol or specially denatured spirits in accordance with the requirements of part 20 of this chapter and regulations issued by the Governor of the Virgin Islands may ship those products to the United States in accordance with the requirements of subpart O of this part.

[T.D. ATF-199, 50 FR 9199, Mar. 6, 1985]

(a) Authority of the Governor to issue regulations. The Governor of the Virgin Islands, or his duly authorized agents, are authorized to issue or adopt such regulations (and to approve such bonds, and to issue, suspend, or revoke such permits, as may be required by such regulations) as are necessary to insure that:

(1) Industrial spirits produced or manufactured in the Virgin Islands and shipped to the United States free of tax for the purposes authorized in 26 U.S.C. 5214(a) (2) and (3);

(2) Denatured spirits manufactured in the Virgin Islands for shipment to the United States free of tax, and

(3) Products manufactured in the Virgin Islands with denatured spirits, for shipment to the United States free of tax, conform in all respects to the requirements of law and this chapter imposed on like products of domestic manufacture.

(b) Law and regulations applicable. Regulations having been issued by the Governor of the Virgin Islands and concurred in by the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States to govern the production, warehousing, and denaturation of spirits and the use of denatured spirits in the manufacture of products for shipment to the United States free of tax, such regulations are applicable in the Virgin Islands and the Virgin Islands are hereby exempted from

(1) All provisions of 26 U.S.C. chapter 51, with the exception of 26 U.S.C. 5314(b) and 5687; and

(2) The provisions of this chapter in respect of the production, bonded warehousing, denaturation, and withdrawal of distilled spirits and the use of denatured spirits in the United States:

Provided, That such exemption shall be effective only to the extent that any amendments or revisions of the regulations issued by the Governor of the Virgin Islands, or his duly authorized agents, are concurred in by the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States or his delegate. Otherwise, all provisions of law as provided in 26 U.S.C. 5314(b), and the provisions of this chapter in respect of the production, bonded warehousing, denaturation, and withdrawal from bond of distilled spirits and denatured spirits and the use of denatured spirits in the manufacture of products shall extend to and apply in the Virgin Islands (i) in respect of the production, bonded warehousing, and withdrawal of spirits for shipment to the United States free of tax for the purposes authorized in 26 U.S.C. 5214(a) (2) and (3), and (ii) in respect of the production, bonded warehousing, and denaturation of spirits, and to the withdrawal and use of denatured spirits, where the denatured spirits or products containing denatured spirits are to be shipped to the United States free of tax. [T.D. 6402, 24 FR 6090, July 30, 1959. Redesignated at 40 FR 16835, Apr. 15, 1975, and amended by T.D. ATF-48, 44 FR 55853, Sept. 28, 1979; T.D. ATF-198, 50 FR 8552, Mar. 1, 1985]

Distilled spirits, natural wine, and beer may be brought into the United States from the Virgin Islands in bulk containers without payment of tax for transfer in bond from customs custody to the bonded premises of a distilled spirits plant in the case of distilled spirits, a bonded wine cellar in the case of natural wine, or a brewery in the case of beer. Such shipments are subject to the provisions of subpart Oa of this part.

[T.D. TTB-145, 81 FR 94201, Dec. 22, 2016]

(a) General. The Federal Alcohol Administration Act (FAA Act) and the regulations issued under the FAA Act (parts 1, 4, 5, and 7 of this chapter) provide that any person, except an agency of a State or political subdivision thereof or any officer or employee of any such agency, who brings into the United States from the Virgin Islands distilled spirits, wines, or malt beverages for nonindustrial use must comply with the permit and labeling requirements described in this section. See 27 CFR 1.10 for the definitions of distilled spirits, wine, and malt beverages under the FAA Act. Tourists bringing distilled spirits, wines, or malt beverages into the United States for personal or other noncommercial use are not subject to the provisions of the FAA Act or regulations issued pursuant to the FAA Act (parts 1, 4, 5, and 7 of this chapter).

(b) FAA Act basic permit. Any person, except an agency of a State or a political subdivision thereof or any officer or employee of any such agency, who intends to engage in the business of bringing distilled spirits, wines, or malt beverages into the United States from the Virgin Islands must, prior to bringing such products into the United States, obtain an importer's basic permit, in accordance with the requirements of the FAA Act and regulations issued pursuant to the FAA Act, and must file with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) the number associated with this permit when filing electronically as required under 27 CFR 1.58. Also, as required under § 1.58 of this chapter, if the importer is not filing electronically, the importer must have a copy of the FAA Act basic permit and make it available upon request of the appropriate TTB officer or a customs officer.

(c) Certificate of label approval. Any person and any agency of a State or political subdivision thereof or any officer or employee of such agency, removing for commercial purposes containers of distilled spirits, wines, or malt beverages from the Virgin Islands from customs custody for consumption, when filing electronically, must provide the TTB-assigned identification number of the valid certificate of label approval (COLA) for the distilled spirits, wines, or malt beverages with the filing of the customs entry, in accordance with the requirements of 27 CFR 4.40 in the case of wine, 27 CFR 5.51 in the case of distilled spirits, or 27 CFR 7.31 in the case of malt beverages. Also, as required under 27 CFR 4.40, 5.51, and 7.31, if the importer is not filing electronically, the importer must provide a copy of the valid COLA to CBP at the time of entry.

(d) Foreign certificates. Any person and any agency of a State or political subdivision thereof or any officer or employee of such agency, bringing into the United States from the Virgin Islands for commercial purposes and for consumption containers of distilled spirits or wines that require a certificate under 27 CFR 4.45(a) in the case of wine or 27 CFR 5.52 in the case of distilled spirits must be in possession of the certificate (and accompanying invoice, if applicable) at the time of release from customs custody.

(Secs. 3, 5, 49 Stat. 978, as amended, 981, as amended; 27 U.S.C. 203, 205) [T.D. TTB-145, 81 FR 94201, Dec. 22, 2016]

Containers of distilled spirits brought into the United States from the Virgin Islands, having a capacity of not more than 1 gallon (3.785 liters), shall conform to the requirements of subpart P of this part.

(Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1374 (26 U.S.C. 5301)) [T.D. ATF-34, 41 FR 46864, Oct. 26, 1976]

Containers of distilled spirits brought into the United States from the Virgin Islands, having a capacity in excess of 1 gallon (3.785 liters), are required to be marked in accordance with customs regulations (19 CFR chapter I).

[T.D. 6695, 28 FR 12936, Dec. 5, 1963. Redesignated at 40 FR 16835, Apr. 15, 1975, and amended by T.D. ATF-34, 41 FR 46864, Oct. 26, 1976; T.D. ATF-206, 50 FR 23955, June 7, 1985]

Distilled spirits withdrawn from insular bonded warehouses for shipment to the United States may be gauged at the time of withdrawal by an insular gauger. When such gauges are made, a record of gauge shall be prepared by the insular gauger showing the name of the distiller; and the serial number, the proof of the spirits, and the wine and proof gallon contents of each package gauged. The report of gauge shall be attached to the certificate prescribed in § 26.205.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1512-0250) [T.D. ATF-198, 50 FR 8552, Mar. 1, 1985. Redesignated and amended by T.D. ATF-459, 66 FR 38550, 38552, July 25, 2001]

(a) Any person who, after December 1, 1990, brings into the United States from the Virgin Islands any distilled spirits on which the tax is to be paid or determined at an effective tax rate based in part on the alcohol content derived from eligible flavors or eligible wines shall, before the first tax determination at that rate, request and receive a statement of eligibility for each wine or flavor to be used in the computation of the effective tax rate.

(b) To receive a statement of eligibility, the person bringing in the distilled spirits shall submit to the TTB Alcohol and Tobacco Laboratory, 6000 Ammendale Road, Ammendale, MD 20705, the following:

(1) An 8-ounce sample of each distilled spirits, wine and flavor used in the product;

(2) A statement of composition of each flavor, listing—

(i) The name and percentage of alcohol by volume of the flavor; and

(ii) The name and quantity of each ingredient used in the manufacture of the flavor; and

(3) A statement of the kind and alcoholic content of each wine.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1512-0352) (Act of August 16, 1954, Pub. L. 591, 68A Stat. 907, as amended (26 U.S.C. 7652); Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1314, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5001); Sec. 6, Pub. L. 96-598, 94 Stat. 3488, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5010)) [T.D. ATF-297, 55 FR 18067, Apr. 30, 1990,as amended by T.D. TTB-44, 71 FR 16944, Apr. 4, 2006]

(a) Every person bringing liquors or articles under this part into the United States from the Virgin Islands, except tourists, shall obtain a certificate in the English language from the manufacturer for each shipment showing the following information:

(1) The name and address of the consignee.

(2) The kind and brand name.

(3) The quantity thereof as follows—

(i) If distilled spirits, the proof gallons or liters and degree of proof;

(ii) If wine, the taxable grade and wine gallons;

(iii) If beer, the gallons (liquid measure) and the percentage of alcohol by volume; and

(iv) If articles, the kind, quantity, and proof of the liquors used therein.

(4) For liquors manufactured under a formula—

(i) The number and date of the approved formula;

(ii) A declaration that the liquors have been manufactured in accordance with the approved formula; and

(iii) The name and address of the person filing the formula.

(5) The name and address of the producer.

(6) For liquors and articles containing liquors produced outside of the Virgin Islands, the country of origin for each such liquor.

(7) For distilled spirits, a certification by the insular gauger as to whether they were regauged when withdrawn from the insular bonded warehouse and, if regauged, whether they were at the time of withdrawal at the proof indicated on the attached record of gauge.

(8) For distilled spirits which contain eligible wine or eligible flavors, the effective tax rate applied to the product and the elements necessary to compute the effective tax rate in accordance with § 26.262a as follows—

(i) Proof gallons of distilled spirits (exclusive of distilled spirits derived from eligible flavors);

(ii) Wine gallons of each eligible wine and the percentage of alcohol by volume of each;

(iii) Proof gallons of distilled spirits derived from eligible flavors; and

(iv) On or after December 1, 1990, the name of the manufacturer, formula number from TTB F 5530.5 (1678) or 5150.19 and date of approval or the date of the statement of eligibility for each eligible flavor (See § 26.204a); and

(v) After December 1, 1990, the date of the statement of eligibility for each eligible wine.

(b) The person bringing the liquors into the United States must file the information required under § 26.200, in accordance with that section.

(c) The person bringing liquors into the United States from the Virgin Islands must maintain a copy of the certificate described in paragraph (a) of this section along with records to substantiate the information on the certificate, including information required under § 26.204, in accordance with the record retention requirements of § 26.276 and must make them available upon request of the appropriate TTB officer or a customs officer.

(d) For distilled spirits, natural wine, or beer withdrawn from customs custody under the provisions of subpart Oa of this part, the importer must furnish a copy of the certificate to the proprietor of the receiving distilled spirits plant, bonded wine cellar, or brewery.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1513-0064) (Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1366, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5232); Sec. 6, Pub. L. 96-598, 94 Stat. 3488, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5010)) [T.D. ATF-297, 55 FR 18067, Apr. 30, 1990. Redesignated and amended by T.D. ATF-459, 66 FR 38550, 38552, July 25, 2001; T.D. TTB-145, 81 FR 94201, Dec. 22, 2016]

The distiller, rectifier, or bottler shall serially number each case, barrel, cask, or similar container of distilled spirits filled for shipment to the United States. In addition to the serial number of the container, the distiller, rectifier, or bottler shall plainly print, stamp, or stencil with durable coloring material, in letters and figures not less than one-half inch high, on the head of each barrel, cask or similar container or on one side of each case, as follows:

(a) The name of the manufacturer;

(b) The brand name and kind of liquor; and

(c) The wine and proof gallon contents; or, for bottles filed according to the metric standards of fill prescribed by § 5.47a, of this chapter, the contents in liters and the proof of the spirits.

[T.D. ATF-43, 42 FR 30836, June 17, 1977]

The marks, brands, and serial numbers required by this part to be placed on barrels, casks, or similar containers, or cases, shall not be removed, obscured or obliterated before the contents thereof have been removed.

[T.D. ATF-198, 50 FR 8552, Mar. 1, 1985]

The procedures set forth in 27 CFR part 27, subpart P, apply to the application of Craft Beverage Modernization Act tax benefits for products produced in and imported from the Virgin Islands and entered for consumption subject to tax, except as subpart P would be manifestly incompatible with the intent of the other regulations in this part.

[T.D. TTB-186, 87 FR 58031, Sept. 23, 2022]

The appropriate TTB officer may require samples of liquors and articles to be submitted whenever desired for laboratory analyses in order to determine the rate of tax applicable thereto.

[20 FR 6077, Aug. 20, 1955, as amended by T.D. 7006, 34 FR 2250, Feb. 15, 1969. Redesignated at 40 FR 16835, Apr. 15, 1975]