September 12, 2006

Certificate of Free Sale/Certificate of Origin

Many countries require that wine import shipments contain a valid Certificate of Origin, or Certificate of Free Sale, as part of export documentation. In the US, the validity of origin for wines is declared by the producing winery and, if need be, authenticated by a TTB.

The TTB has created the following form to address these needs. This form can be used as a Certificate of Free Sale (meaning that the wine may be freely sold in the US), or as a Certificate of Origin. TTB's website gives information about specific requirements by country. The form is in Microsoft Word format, and may therefore be amended on any computer.

The following is a step-by-step process for completing this form as a part of your export documentation:

1) Download the Microsoft Word form.
2) Check on TTB’s International website at http://www.ttb.gov/itd/interre1.shtml for specific certificate requirements for export countries.
3) For countries requiring a Certificate of Free Sale such as Argentina, Amend the Word Document to have this be the heading. For countries requiring a Certificate of Origin such as Taiwan & Thailand, amend the heading accordingly.
4) Complete the form as indicated on the word document. The form offers instructions on where to apply winery letterhead and where and what information to list.
5) Leave the bottom area (For TTB use only) blank and send the form to:

Alcohol, Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
Attn: Amber Sipple
550 Main Street, Suite 8002
Cincinnati, OH 45202

6) Our contact for Certification concerns is currently Amber Sipple.
For inquiries and assistance, contact her at:
Amber Sipple
National Revenue Center
550 Main Street, Suite 8002
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Amber.Sipple@ttb.gov
Phone: 513-684-6261
Fax : 513-684-3168

7) The signed form will be returned to the winery and ready for use with export shipments.