Alcohol FAQs

The U.S. Postal Service does not ship alcohol. Therefore, you will need to contact a private courier service such as FedEx or UPS to ship the alcohol. Also, contact the States to and from which you are shipping to find out if either has any laws or regulations prohibiting this practice.

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As we stated in TTB Industry Circular 2022-1, TTB considers advertising in social media to be subject to all of the same requirements and restrictions as any other type of advertising under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (FAA Act) and the TTB implementing regulations (27 CFR part 4 subpart G, 27 CFR part 5 subpart N, and 27 CFR part 7 subpart N, and the “tied house” regulations at 27 CFR part 6).

The regulations in parts 4, 5 and 7 require certain mandatory statements (e.g., responsible advertiser name and address) to appear in advertisements for wines, distilled spirits, and malt beverages, respectively. The regulations also prohibit certain advertising practices and statements from appearing in such advertisements.

Under the tied house regulations in part 6, industry members may not induce a retailer, directly or indirectly, to purchase alcoholic beverages from the industry member to the exclusion of such products offered for sale by other persons.  We consider the listing of a retailer in an industry member’s advertisement, including a social media ad, to be providing a thing of value that constitutes a means to induce that retailer to purchase alcoholic beverages from that industry member. As such, listing a retailer in advertising, including social media advertising, may be a violation of the FAA Act if it results in exclusion as described in 27 CFR 6.151 through 6.153, subject to the jurisdictional limits at 27 CFR 6.4. 

An exception in 27 CFR 6.98 provides that listing the names and addresses of two or more unaffiliated retailers selling the products of an industry member does not constitute a means to induce. The requirements of the exception are that:

1. The advertisement does not also contain the retail price of the product (except where the exclusive retailer in the jurisdiction is a State or a political subdivision of a State), and
2. The listing is the only reference to the retailers in the advertisement and is relatively inconspicuous in relation to the advertisement as a whole, and
3. The advertisement does not refer only to one retailer or only to retail establishments controlled directly or indirectly by the same retailer, except where the retailer is an agency of a State or a political subdivision of a State.

State laws also apply, and they vary from state to state. We encourage industry members to contact the applicable state alcohol beverage authorities with any questions related to state law. Please see our website for a list of State Alcohol Beverage Authorities.

TTB will not approve any formulas or labels for alcohol beverage products that contain a controlled substance under Federal law, including marijuana. The Controlled Substances Act (CSA), 21 U.S.C. § 802(16), defines marijuana as all parts of the Cannabis sativa L. plant (and its derivatives) with certain specific exclusions. Substances (such as tetrahydrocannabinols (THC), cannabidiols (CBD), or terpenes) that are derived from any part of the cannabis plant that is not excluded from the CSA definition of marijuana are controlled substances, regardless of whether such substances are lawful under State law. See Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Clarification of the New Drug Code (7350) for Marijuana Extract for more information about DEA's position on cannabis derivatives. The parts of the cannabis plant that are excluded from the definition of marijuana in the CSA (referred to here as "hemp" ingredients) include hemp seed oil, sterilized hemp seeds, and non-resinous, mature hemp stalks.

Formula approval from TTB is required before a hemp ingredient may be used in the production of an alcohol beverage product. In determining whether a hemp ingredient is allowable for use in an alcohol beverage, TTB will consult with the DEA where appropriate and defers to the DEA in its interpretation of the CSA.

TTB also consults with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on ingredient safety issues where appropriate. In some cases, TTB may require formula applicants to obtain documentation from FDA indicating that the proposed use of an ingredient in an alcohol beverage would not violate the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. For more information, see TTB Industry Circular 2019-1, Hemp Ingredients in Alcohol Beverage Formulas.

For alcohol beverage products containing a hemp ingredient, the product label must accurately and specifically identify the ingredient in a manner that makes it clear that the ingredient is not a controlled substance (e.g., "hemp seed oil" rather than "hemp oil"). Additionally, labeling statements for alcohol beverage products may not create the misleading impression that the product contains a controlled substance or has effects similar to those of a controlled substance.

For more information, including requirements for lab analysis of hemp components, please refer to the "Hemp Policy" published by our predecessor agency in 2000.

TTB notes that section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 2014, commonly referred to as the Farm Bill, defines "industrial hemp." See 7 U.S.C. 5940.  Subject to certain restrictions, this law allows an institution of higher education or a State department of agriculture to grow or cultivate industrial hemp for purposes of research where allowed under State law. As explained by the Statement of Principles on Industrial Hemp which was issued by USDA, in consultation with DEA and FDA, and published in the Federal Register on August 12, 2016, section 7606 does not authorize the sale of industrial hemp "for the purpose of general commercial activity." Accordingly, it is TTB's understanding that the Farm Bill does not authorize the use of industrial hemp in the production of alcohol beverage products for sale beyond limited State-sanctioned pilot projects by authorized entities.

Rhamnus prinoides, also known as “Ethiopian hops” or “Gesho,” are not the same hops traditionally used in alcohol beverages that are addressed in the laws and regulations administered by TTB. The scientific name of the hop plant traditionally used and commonly understood to be used in alcohol beverages covered under the laws administered by TTB is Humulus lupus.

Consequently, “Ethiopian hops” cannot be used interchangeably with traditional hops when making alcohol beverages, including malt beverages.

FDA has not evaluated the safety of Rhamnus prinoides (“Ethiopian hops”) for use in alcohol beverages, has not issued a regulation authorizing the use of “Ethiopian hops” in alcohol beverages, and is not aware of a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) conclusion for the use of “Ethiopian hops” in alcohol beverages.

Consequently, TTB will not approve an application for formula approval for an alcohol beverage that contains “Ethiopian hops.”

No. In TTB Ruling 2016-2, TTB approved general-use formulas for certain standard agricultural wines made from honey or certain other agricultural products. Under 27 CFR 24.203(a)(2), honey wine may be produced with hops in quantities not to exceed one pound for each 1,000 pounds of honey. However, this provision applies only to Humulus lupus, which are the hops traditionally used to make alcohol beverages, including malt beverages, addressed in the laws and regulations administered by TTB. See FAQ A30-A31 above.