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Beverage Product Diversion

Moonshine, Counterfeit, and Refilled Products

Non-taxpaid distilled spirits, or moonshine, are illicit distilled spirits that are manufactured to avoid payment of distilled spirits excise tax. These beverage spirits are often produced with substandard equipment that impart toxic metals such as lead or copper to the product.

Federal law prohibits the production and sale of such alcohol products without a distilled spirits permit issued by TTB. The Beverage Alcohol Laboratory analyzes all samples related to the investigation of the illegal sale, production, and distribution of alcohol beverages including moonshine, counterfeit, and refilled products.

Product Safety

Methods and Procedures

 

CONTACT US

For more information contact the Scientific Services Division.
Direct correspondence to:
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
Director, Scientific Services Division
6000 Ammendale Road 
Beltsville, Maryland 20705-1250

For other inquiries see our Contact Us page for specific topics.

Last reviewed: September 4, 2012
Last updated: August 2, 2017
Maintained by: Scientific Services Division