TTB's International Affairs Division (IAD) assists industry members seeking to export alcohol beverages from the United States by providing the information below related to export certificates or documents required by foreign governments as a condition for import.
TTB's Electronic Export Certificate system
On July 18, 2023, TTB launched its electronic export certificate system on myTTB. This system may be used to prepare and receive your export certificate. The completed certificate can then be downloaded as a secure pdf or printed from the system. Please note that some countries may not accept an electronic export certificate. We recommend that you review our country-specific guidance and verify with the destination country as to whether an electronic certificate is acceptable.
Please consult our user guide here for information on how to access this system and prepare your export certificate.
Paper Export Certificate Template
If not using myTTB, Industry members may continue to use this export certificate template to request any of the following certifications or similar variations.
- Certificate of Free Sale
- Certificate of Origin and/or Age
- Certificate of Health
- Certificate of Sanitation
- Certificate of Authenticity
- Sanitary Statement/Certificate
- Certificate of Manufacturing Process
Distilled Spirits Only
- Use TTB Form 5110.58, "Certificate of Origin and Age of Distilled Spirits" if applicable.
- Use TTB Form 5110.42, "Certificate of Authenticity Bourbon Whisky," if applicable.
Exports to Brazil
Currently, Brazil requires separate forms for certificates of origin and certificates of analysis, which apply to all imported alcohol beverage products. Previously, a combined certificate of origin and analysis was required. Please use this template only for certificate of origin requests for Brazil.. Brazil requires an analysis of alcohol beverage products as a condition of entry, but accepts analyses performed by a TTB-certified lab. See TTBGov - Chemist Certification Program.
For products that do not meet Brazil's standards of identity for alcohol beverages, such as wines above 14% alcohol by volume, you may request a certificate of typicity ("certificado de tipicidade") using this template. Please note the certificate of typicity is required by Brazil for such products, in addition to the Certificate of Origin for Brazil.
Paper Export Certificate Templates for Wine Exports
Wine Exports to APEC Economies
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Model Wine Certificate is available for exporting wine to APEC economies (with the exception of China – see below for information on the export certificate accepted by China), when certificates are required by that APEC economy. The use and scope of the certificate is at the discretion of the importing APEC economy. For instance, Thailand requires that importers complete the APEC Model Wine Certificate in a particular format, (see APEC Wine Certificate for Thailand for template) otherwise importers must submit samples of their products to Thailand's Excise Department for analysis. Click here for more information on using the APEC Model Wine Certificate.
Wine Exports to China
There is a consolidated export certificate template that may be used for wine that is exported to China. This certificate incorporates the Certificate of Origin, Certificate of Health/Sanitation, and Certificate of Authenticity/Free Sale. This consolidated export certificate does not apply to wine exports to Hong Kong or Taiwan (which use, the APEC Model Wine Certificate).
Wine Exports to the European Union (EU)
Wine produced in the U.S. and exported to the EU must be accompanied by either a simplified export certificate or a VI-1 form for each type and/or lot of grape wine, which serves as a certificate of analysis and compliance with EU enological regulations.
EU Simplified Export Certificate (self-certifying)
- Producing wineries that are also the exporter may use the simplified export certificate, which only requires one chemical analysis of the wine (actual alcohol content), and is self-certified by the exporter. (See TTB Industry Circular 2007-2, Certification and Analysis of U.S. Wine for Export to the European Community for additional information, including a sample certificate.)
EU VI-1 Forms
- The EU VI-1 forms certify that the wine exported:
- complies with the conditions governing the production and entry into circulation applicable in the United States of America,
- has not been subjected to enological practices which are not permitted under current European Economic Community provisions, and
- has been produced by a winery licensed by TTB for the production of grape wine.
- See Commission Regulation (EC) No. 555/2008 of 27 June 2008 for detailed information concerning the VI-1 forms.
EU VI-1 Short Form (self-certifying process)
- Producing wineries that are also the exporter may use the VI-1 short form once they are added to the official EU list of self-certifying wineries published in the EU Official Journal.
- To be added to the EU list, the producing winery must:
- Draft a certification statement that includes the required information detailed in Commission Regulation (EC) No. 555/2008 of 27 June 2008. The document should be titled " Attachment IV Certification Statement;” and
- Submit the Attachment IV Certification Statement to TTB using the IAD contact form. Please select “Export Certificates” as your reason for inquiry.
- TTB provides the EU with new self-certifying winery submissions twice a year, in March and September.
- Once a winery has been added to the EU’s official list, it may begin using the VI-1 short form process for exports of its wine to the EU.
To export wine to the EU using the VI-1 short form process:
- The producing winery sends a completed original VI-1 form, three copies of the completed form, the Attachment III Certification Statement, and a 750ml sample of the product to a TTB-certified laboratory.
- The laboratory completes the required analyses, signs and stamps the original form and the copies, returns the original and two of the copies of the VI-1 short form as well as the Attachment III Certification Statement back to the winery, maintaining one copy of the VI-1 short form for their records.
- The producing winery then retains one copy for their records and includes the original of the VI-1 short form, one copy, and the Attachment III Certification Statement with the shipment to the EU.
Please note that TTB does not certify the VI-1 short forms; the winery self-certifies this form using the process described above.
EU VI-1 Long Form (sent to TTB for certification)
- Wholesalers that hold taxpaid wine to be exported, and wineries that did not produce the wine they are exporting must use the VI-1 long form. The long form may be used by any U.S. exporter (i.e., producing wineries and/or wholesale basic permit holders).
- To export wine to the EU using the VI-1 long form:
- The exporter sends a completed original VI-1 Long Form, three copies of the completed form, and the Attachment III Certification Statement of the VI-I form, and a 750ml sample of the product to a TTB-certified laboratory.
- The laboratory completes the required analyses, signs and stamps the forms, and returns all but one copy for their records.
- The exporter then sends the original and the two copies to TTB for processing. TTB returns the forms to the exporter.
- The exporter retains one copy as a record and includes the original, one copy, and the Attachment III Certification Statement with the shipment to the EU.
For a list of EU Member Countries and State(s), please visit the EU’s website here.
The United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) left the EU on January 31, 2020, but it continues to use EU forms and procedures. For the latest information on exporting wine to the United Kingdom, see Importing and exporting wine - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Country Specific Requirements
For Thailand only
Thailand requires that imported alcohol beverage products comply with set limits for certain substances as set out in Thailand's regulations. Details of these limits have been prepared by the U.S. Department of Agricultural, Foreign Agricultural Service and can be found here. To satisfy this requirement U.S. alcohol beverage exporters to Thailand have the option of submitting documentation to Thailand. If exporters do not provide export certificates with the following attestations, they will need to submit samples of their products directly to Thailand's Excise Department for analysis.
- Beer - Export Certificate for Thailand
- Distilled Spirits - Export Certificate for Thailand
- Wine - APEC Wine Certificate for Thailand
Wine Exports to Uruguay
Since February 14, 2019, Uruguay’s National Institute of Vitiviniculture (INAVI) has required a certificate or declaration regarding exogenous water content in imported wine (an unofficial English translation of the resolution is available here). However, Uruguay does not require the certificate established by the resolution nor any declaration or proof regarding exogenous water for wine made in the United States. (A copy of the original document specifying the exemption for wine made in the United States is available here and an unofficial English translation of Uruguay’s decision is available here.)
Submitting Export Certificates
Submitting Requests for Export Certificates
You have three options when submitting export certificates to TTB:
- Electronically using myTTB;
- Attaching a paper copy using IAD’s online contact form; or
- Submitting a paper copy by mail or commercial carrier.
myTTB
Electronic export certificates may be prepared and retrieved through our electronic export certificate system at myTTB.
Please note that you will need to activate your entity at myTTB before you can use this system. For information on how to activate your entity, please visit our website TTBGov - myTTB Activate Entity. For information on how to manage an entity, please visit our website TTBGov - myTTB Entity Managers.
IAD’s Contact Form
If you do not wish to use myTTB, you may still submit your paper export certificate requests to us using the IAD contact form, selecting “Export Certificates” as your reason for inquiry, as shown below, and attaching all required documents as PDF files.
If using TTB’s export certificate template for a paper certificate, please ensure both pages in the template are signed; the first page should appear with your company letterhead on top, and a second copy is on TTB letterhead.
By Mail or Commercial Carrier
If the country you are exporting your products to requires original signatures, you may mail your export certificate requests through the U.S. Postal Service to the following address:
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
International Affairs Division
Attn: Export Certificate Program
1310 G St. NW, Box 12
Washington, DC 20005
If you are submitting your export certificate requests to us through a commercial carrier (e.g., UPS, FedEx), please use the following address:
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
International Affairs Division
Attn: Export Certificate Program
1310 G St. NW, Suite 300E
Washington, DC 20005
Return of Export Certificates
If you would like to expedite the return of your export certificate, please include a prepaid shipping label from the carrier of your choice (e.g., the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, FedEx). Otherwise, we will return the certificate through the U.S. Postal Service to the return address indicated on your request. Due to security reasons, we are unable to access any pre-paid shipping labels by hyperlink or URL.
Questions?
If you have export certificate questions, including how to obtain an apostille for your export certificate, please see our frequently asked questions.
If you need to follow up on the status of your request, you may use the IAD contact form, selecting “Export Certificates” as your reason for inquiry, or call our office at 202-453-2260. Please include in your message the date, method of submission, and the tracking number for the return shipping label you provided (if applicable).
Paper Export Certificate Processing Time
All paper export certificate requests are processed in the order they are received. Our goal is to process export certificates within 15 calendar days.
Please remember we are unable to expedite requests.
TTB G 2023-15
Issued on: 9/29/2023
Page last reviewed: 9/29/2023
Maintained by: International Affairs Division