Industry Circular

Number: 78-9

Date: September 19, 1978

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Division

Washington, D.C. 20224

SHIPMENT OF SAMPLES FOR LABORATORY ANALYSIS

Proprietors of Distilled Spirits Plants, Bonded Wine Cellars, Breweries, Importers, Taxpaid Wine Bottling Houses, Wholesalers and Others Concerned.

This circular is to inform industry members of the procedures to be used in submitting alcoholic beverage samples, for analysis, to the National Laboratory Center, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

On numerous occasions in the past, improperly shipped samples have either incurred large storage fees or been returned because the consignor did not follow through on the transport of the samples to insure that they would be delivered to the actual addressee.

It is the responsibility of the industry member or representative submitting samples to insure that such samples are transported directly to the ATF National Laboratory Center. Samples must be transported by commercial carrier as postal regulations prohibit the deposit of samples in the mails. "All spirituous, vinous, malted, fermented, or other intoxicating liquors of any kind are nonmailable and shall not be deposited in or carried through the mails." (18 U.S.C. 1716(f).)

To insure receipt, samples must be commercially transported and ad- dressed to the National Laboratory Center, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Chemical Branch-Alcoholic Beverage, 1401 Research Boulevard, Rockville, Maryland 20850, on a "PREPAID" (Domestic Shipments) or "FREE DOMICILE BASIS" (Foreign Shipments). The terms "Prepaid" or "Free Domicile Basis" on any domestic or foreign shipment, respectively, will insure delivery; fees will be collected subsequent to delivery in lieu of returning the shipment because freight could not be secured. Details may be obtained from the commercial carrier.

Inquiries concerning this circular should refer to its number and be addressed to the Assistant Director (Regulatory Enforcement), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20226.

Acting Director