What is a TTB approval and do I need one to import wine into the USA?

Yes. Any importer of wine, spirits, or beer into the United States must obtain a Basic Permit from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). The permit is required before your first shipment arrives. Without it, US Customs will hold or reject the goods.

What is a COLA certificate?

A Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) is required for every alcoholic beverage imported into the USA. It certifies that the label complies with TTB regulations — mandatory statements, origin, ABV, net contents, and health warnings. Each SKU needs its own COLA. The process typically takes 3–8 weeks.

What is an Importer of Record in the USA?

The Importer of Record (IOR) is the entity legally responsible for the shipment at US Customs. They file the entry, pay duties, and ensure compliance. This is not the same as the distributor or buyer — it is a licensed entity that assumes customs liability. America-Imports.com acts as IOR through its US entity AIN International, Inc.

How long does it take to import products into the USA?

Transit time depends on origin. From Europe: 12–18 days by sea. From Asia: 18–30 days. Customs clearance adds 2–5 business days on average. Regulatory approvals (TTB, FDA) must be completed in advance and do not affect transit time once in place.

What import duties apply to wine imported into the USA?

Wine duties vary by type. Still wine is typically $0.053–$0.063 per liter. Sparkling wine is $0.267–$0.353 per liter. Spirits duties depend on ABV. Additional state-level taxes (excise taxes) apply once the goods are distributed within the state. A licensed import partner calculates and handles all duties.

Do food products require FDA registration to be imported into the USA?

Yes. Food facilities exporting to the USA must be registered with the FDA under the Bioterrorism Act. In addition, the FDA must receive Prior Notice of each shipment before it arrives at the US port. Failure to comply results in automatic hold and potential rejection of the shipment.

How to Import Products into the USA — Complete Guide

Importing commercial goods into the United States involves federal licensing, agency clearances, customs duties, and state-level regulations that vary by product category. This guide covers the key steps for distributors and professional buyers looking to source international products — particularly wine, spirits, food, and consumer goods.

1. The Regulatory Landscape for US Imports

Three federal agencies oversee most import categories relevant to distributors and buyers:

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — controls all entries into the country, collects duties, and enforces admissibility requirements.
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) — regulates all alcoholic beverages: wine, spirits, beer, cider, and mead.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — regulates food, beverages (non-alcoholic), dietary supplements, cosmetics, and medical devices.

Understanding which agency governs your product category is the first step before any shipment arrives at a US port.

2. TTB Basic Permit — Required for All Alcohol Importers

Any entity that imports wine, spirits, or beer into the United States must hold a Basic Importer Permit issued by the TTB. This is not optional — without it, Customs will not release alcoholic goods.

Applications are submitted through TTB's online portal (Permits Online)
Processing typically takes 60–90 days for new applicants
The permit is tied to the importing entity (Importer of Record), not the buyer or distributor
Annual renewal is required

Practical note: Working with an established import partner who already holds a TTB permit eliminates this 60–90 day delay entirely. America-Imports.com acts as the Importer of Record through AIN International, Inc., so your first shipment can clear customs without waiting for your own permit.

3. COLA — Certificate of Label Approval

Every alcoholic beverage label must be approved by the TTB before the product can be legally sold in the United States. This approval is called a COLA (Certificate of Label Approval) and applies to every individual SKU.

What a COLA review checks:

Mandatory label statements (brand name, class/type, alcohol content, net contents, country of origin)
US health warning statement
Compliance with TTB regulations for the specific beverage category

Timeline:

Standard review: 3–8 weeks
Expedited review: 5–7 business days (additional fee applies)
Label changes require a new COLA for each affected SKU

A single COLA is valid indefinitely as long as the label does not change. Managing COLA filings for a portfolio is one of the core services a US import partner provides.

4. Importer of Record — Who Bears Customs Liability

The Importer of Record (IOR) is the entity that formally presents the shipment to US Customs. They sign the customs entry, pay applicable duties and taxes, and assume legal responsibility for compliance. This is a critical distinction:

The supplier ships from abroad
The IOR clears customs in the US
The distributor or buyer receives goods after clearance

The IOR must be a licensed US entity with a valid bond filed with CBP. AIN International, Inc. (Delaware, EIN 61-1810563) acts as IOR for all shipments handled through America-Imports.com.

5. US Customs Duties — What to Expect

Import duties in the US are generally moderate compared to other markets, but vary significantly by product and origin country:

Still wine (under 14% ABV): approximately $0.053–$0.063 per liter
Sparkling wine: approximately $0.267–$0.353 per liter
Distilled spirits: duty based on proof gallon, typically $2.35–$13.50 per proof gallon
Olive oil: 3.4 cents per kilogram (extra virgin)
Food products: typically 0–8%, varies by HS code

Note: Federal excise taxes (FET) apply separately to alcoholic beverages and are due upon entry. State excise taxes and distribution licensing requirements apply once goods are in-state.

6. FDA Prior Notice and Facility Registration (Food Products)

For non-alcoholic food and beverage products, two FDA requirements apply before goods can enter the US:

Facility Registration: the foreign manufacturer must register with the FDA (renewed every two years). This is free and done online via FDA's portal.
Prior Notice: FDA must be notified of each shipment before it arrives in the US. This is filed electronically through the FDA's Prior Notice System Interface.

Failure to comply with either requirement results in automatic detention of the shipment at the port of entry.

7. State-Level Distribution — The Three-Tier System

The United States operates under a three-tier distribution system for alcoholic beverages — a legacy of Prohibition. Importers, distributors, and retailers must each hold separate licenses and cannot legally combine roles in most states.

This means that once goods clear federal customs, they must pass through a state-licensed distributor before reaching retailers, restaurants, or hotels. Each state has its own licensing body and timeline (typically 30–90 days for a new distributor license). Some states are control states (where the state itself acts as the distributor), adding further complexity.

Our approach: America-Imports.com works with a network of established distributors across all 50 states, eliminating the state licensing burden for our partner buyers.

8. Step-by-Step: How an Import Works

Product qualification & compliance check

We verify TTB/FDA requirements for your product, check label compliance, and confirm the origin country's trade status with the US.

COLA filing (if alcohol)

We submit COLA applications for each SKU on your behalf. Approvals are obtained before the first shipment departs.

Secure payment via escrow

The US buyer transfers the full invoice amount to our escrow account. Funds are held until goods are delivered and verified.

Freight & customs clearance

We arrange international freight, file the customs entry as Importer of Record, pay applicable duties, and coordinate port clearance.

Domestic delivery

Goods are delivered to your warehouse or distribution point. Escrow is released to the supplier upon confirmed receipt.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need my own TTB permit if I use an import partner?

No. When you work with America-Imports.com, AIN International, Inc. acts as the Importer of Record and holds the TTB permit. You receive the goods as a licensed US distributor or buyer without needing your own federal import permit.

Can any product from any country be imported into the USA?

Most products can be imported, but some countries are subject to trade sanctions or embargoes (currently Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia for certain goods). Tariffs also vary by country of origin. We conduct a compliance check before confirming any shipment.

How does the escrow payment work?

The US buyer transfers the full amount (supplier invoice + freight + our import fee) to our escrow account before the shipment departs. Funds are held securely and released to the supplier only once delivery is confirmed. Our escrow fee is 2–5% depending on transaction size.

What is the minimum order size?

We work with full container loads (FCL) and less-than-container loads (LCL). There is no strict minimum, but the import overhead (duties, freight, documentation) makes orders below $8,000–10,000 USD less economical. Contact us for an estimate on your specific product and volume.

Who pays import duties — the buyer or the supplier?

In a standard DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) arrangement, duties are included in the escrow amount and paid by America-Imports.com as IOR. The final invoice to the buyer includes all duties, taxes and fees. The supplier receives only their agreed invoice price.

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How to Import Products into the USA