Import Wine

What are the requirements to import wine for commercial use?

For many wine importers, their company is more than just a career, it is their passion. While the rules and regulations regarding importing wine are less romantic, as long as you are detailed oriented and follow all the regulations, submit all the forms and pay the proper fees, importing wine can be fairly straightforward. And at the very least, it gets easier with each shipment.

As your Customs Broker, whether you import wine, distilled spirits or beer Gallagher Transport will assist you every step of the way in the customs clearance process and we will facilitate the payments to the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) of all duties and taxes applicable. To import wine it is important to understand the unique requirements due to the nature of the commodity. Federal regulations can be different than state regulations, and state laws vary from state to state

Here is an overview of the information listed on the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) website.

Obtain a Basic Permit from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
Ensure compliance state ABC requirements.
Provide the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the product registration number of your suppliers.
Obtain a FDA product registration number for yourself if you will be storing the wine in your own facility.
File Prior Notice with FDA
Pay all applicable Federal excise tax and duties to U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP)

When importing wine many variables contribute to the amount of taxes and duties that need to be paid. Type of wine, percent of alcohol, quantity and country of origin are all contributing factors.

While this may seem complicated, it is important to know that Gallagher Transport takes care of the customs clearance for our clients to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. We will walk you through all the steps you need to know.

Questions? Call 303‑365‑1000 or email us!

How to Import Wine for Personal Use

If a person imports wine for personal use on a one time basis, an importer’s basic permit is not required. However the important thing to remember is that certain state, local or CBP requirements may apply. While it is a good idea to check with your state’s government before importing your personal wine collection, Gallagher Transport’s expert staff can also guide you on the process and answer any questions you have.

Gallagher Transport

303‑365‑1000 or email us.