CBP to Require Statement for Release of Imports of Brunello di Montalcino Wines
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has issued an industry circular stating that beginning on June 23, 2008, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will not release shipments of Brunello di Montalcino wine unless the importer submits a statement attesting that the wine meets certain requirements.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Timely, relevant coverage of court proceedings and agency rulings involving tariffs, classification, valuation, origin and antidumping and countervailing duties. Each day, Trade Law Daily subscribers receive a daily headline email, in-depth PDF edition and access to all relevant documents via our trade law source document library and website.
Certain Wine is Mislabeled as Brunello di Montalcino Wine
Brunello di Montalcino wine is a controlled appellation Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) Italian wine that under Italian rules must be produced exclusively from Sangiovese grapes. TTB has learned that some of the wine labeled as Brunello di Montalcino was produced from a blend of Sangiovese and other grape varieties, and is therefore not entitled to the Brunello di Montalcino designation. This wine is mislabeled under both Italian and U.S. rules.
(In April 2008, the Foreign Agricultural Service issued a report announcing that producers of Brunello di Montalcino wine were being investigated for the mislabeling of such wine. According to FAS, there is no health risk associated with the false labeling of the product. (Report available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200804/146294222.pdf.))
CBP Requires Government Statement for All Brunello di Montalcino Wine
Therefore, TTB has requested CBP, beginning on June 23, 2008, to withhold the release of all shipments of Brunello di Montalcino wine from CBP custody unless the importer submits to CBP a statement from the Italian Government attesting that the Brunello di Montalcino meets the requirements of the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and is acceptable for sale as such in Italy.
This statement must be in English or, if in Italian, accompanied by an English translation.
Statement Must be Maintained, or Importer Could be Subject to Certain Penalties
A copy of the required statement must be maintained at the importer's premises. TTB adds that until further notice, if it finds Brunello di Montalcino wine in the U.S. marketplace which was released from CBP custody on or after June 23, 2008, and the importer does not have the corresponding required statement, TTB will consider it a willful violation and may take appropriate action which could include suspension or revocation of the importer's basic permit.
TTB Contact- International Trade Division (ITD) at 202-927-8110
TTB Industry Circular ( 2008-1, dated 06/17/08) available at http://www.ttb.gov/industry_circulars/archives/2008/ic2008_01.html