Before engaging in most businesses relating to the distilled spirits industry, you must submit an application to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and receive approval prior to beginning operations. The type of application will depend on the activities you intend to conduct, and we will determine your eligibility after we review your application. If you are eligible and provide the necessary information, we will authorize you to begin the requested operations. Let’s walk through the general steps to apply.
Step 1 – Decide Who is the Applicant
One of the first steps in filing any application is to determine “Who is the applicant?” Is it:
- You as an individual (sole proprietor)?
- A partnership of two or more people or companies?
- An entity such as a corporation or Limited Liability Company (LLC)?
It is important to decide early who the applicant will be because if you change your business structure, such as going from a partnership to a corporation, the new entity will need to file a full new application and be approved before beginning operations.
TTB strongly suggests that you contact an attorney and/or an accountant before making a final decision on which structure best suits your business needs. Business structure options include:
- Sole Proprietorship
- Partnership
- Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- Corporation
If you are thinking about starting a business, see the comprehensive information about starting a new business, including resources from the Internal Revenue Service, BusinessUSA, and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Step 2 – Identify Your Desired Type of Distilled Spirits Operations
The next important step in getting started in the distilled spirits industry is deciding which type of distilled spirits operation(s) you intend to conduct.
Types of Distilled Spirits Operations
A distilled spirits plant (DSP) may be established to produce, bottle, rectify, process or store beverage spirits.
Examples of beverage distilled spirits include neutral spirits or alcohol (i.e., vodka or grain spirits), whiskey, gin, brandy, blended applejack, rum, Tequila, cordials, and liqueurs.
A distilled spirits plant (DSP) may be established to manufacture articles, produce, bottle, package, denature, or warehouse spirits for industrial use. These spirits are not intended for beverage use. Distilled spirits Vinegar Plants fall into this category.
A distilled spirits plant (DSP) may be approved to conduct beverage (non-industrial) and industrial operations from the same premises.
An experimental distilled spirits plant (DSP) may be established for specific and limited periods of time solely for experimentation in or development of industrial spirits or sources of materials used to produce spirits or processes for producing or refining spirits.
Other Distilled Spirits Operation Types
TTB regulations require retail dealers in distilled spirits, beer, and wine to register with TTB by filing TTB 5630.5d - Alcohol Dealer Registration in certain circumstances. To learn more, see our retail alcohol beverage dealer Web page.
Anyone seeking to engage in the business of purchasing distilled spirits, malt beverages, or wine at wholesale to sell to other wholesalers or retailers must obtain a Wholesaler's Basic Permit. Producers or manufacturers of distilled spirits need to apply for a Wholesaler's Basic Permit only if they intend to sell distilled spirits, malt beverages, or wine that they did not produce or manufacture. Importers must apply for a Wholesaler's Basic Permit only if they intend to sell distilled spirits, malt beverages, or wine that they did not import. TTB regulations require wholesale dealers in distilled spirits, beer, and wine to register by filing TTB 5630.5d - Alcohol Dealer Registration in certain circumstances.
Anyone seeking to engage in the business of importing distilled spirits, malt beverages, or wine into the United States must apply for an Importer’s Basic Permit. Please see our Importing Beverage Alcohol Products into the United States Web page for additional information and requirements.
While the application procedures among the various operations might have similarities, there are significant differences between them that will affect how you become qualified to operate.
Step 3 – How to Apply
After deciding on the applicant and operation type, you can begin the application process.
You can apply for approval electronically using our free TTB Permits Online system. Using TTB Permits Online may save you time and result in faster processing of your application. Learn more about Permits Online at our TTB Permits Online page or see our Permits Online Tutorial which will walk you through the electronic application process.
It is still possible to file paper applications and submit them by mail to TTB. However, filing electronically generally will help in submitting a complete application to ensure timely processing. In addition, filing through Permits Online will allow you to obtain the status and updates of your application at any time. Any approved documents will be available electronically through Permits Online.
Whether filing on paper or electronically, during the application process you must send us all the required information so that TTB can consider your application. Filing electronically replaces the need to complete most paper forms, but you may need to scan in other required documents and submit them through the Permits Online system, possibly including -
- Distilled Spirits Bond - TTB F 5110.56
- Power of Attorney - TTB F 5000.8 or
- Signing Authority for Corporate and LLC Officials - TTB F 5100. 1 (see Note)
Note: If someone signs the paper application or electronically submits the application on the applicant’s behalf, that person must be granted signing authority by a corporate resolution or through the use of TTB F 5000.8 or TTB F 5100.1.
After you’ve submitted your application (electronically or on paper), including all required documents, here's what we do:
For Permits Online applications
- We review the application package for general completeness and accuracy.
- We may notify you electronically that we require additional information or corrections.
- After we determine that the submission is substantially complete, we will assign you a tracking number. You will receive an email providing that information.
- We then assign the application to a processing specialist for a detailed review. That specialist will contact you with any questions or if something additional is needed.
- Once the application is correct and complete, we send your application to the approving official.
- If the application package is approved, we will upload your approved documents into Permits Online.
- We will send you notification by email that your application is approved.
For additional information on processing your Permits Online application, please refer to the Customer Reference Guide.
After receiving notification of approval of an electronic application, here’s what you do:
- Log into the Permits Online
- Print required documents, as needed
For paper applications
- After we receive the application in the mail and have it routed to the proper area, we review the application package for general completeness and accuracy.
- We may notify you by email or letter if the application needs something to make it substantially correct and complete.
- After we determine that the submission is substantially complete, we then assign the application to a processing specialist for a detailed review. That specialist will contact you with any questions or if something additional is needed.
- Once the application is correct and complete, we send your application to the approving official.
- If the application package is approved, we will mail your approved documents to your address on the application.
Once you have received approval, you are ready to begin operations!
Related Information
- Distilled Spirits Homepage
- Distilled Spirits Permits
- TTB Business Central
- TTB Learning Center
- Maintaining Industry Compliance
TTB G 2015-2