TTB Cuts Wine Label Approval Time to 3 Days

The federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau said on Thursday that the median processing time for wine label applications, known as Certificates of Label Approval, is now 3 days, a sign that the agency is moving through filings more quickly as wineries and importers prepare bottles for market.

The update, posted on the TTB’s processing-times page and marked updated May 15 at 7 a.m., shows that the bureau is now processing new wine label applications received on May 12. For distilled spirits labels, the median processing time is 6 days, with the agency working on applications received on May 11. For malt beverage labels, the median is 1 day, and the bureau is processing new applications received on May 14.

The TTB said its chart reflects recent label-processing information and that the median number of days means half of applications are issued within the posted time and half take longer. The agency also said it aims to complete review of 85% of label applications within 15 days.

The timing matters for wineries, importers and distributors because label approval is required before alcohol beverages can be bottled or imported for sale in the United States. The bureau said applications submitted on or after the date listed in the chart have been received but not yet assigned to a specialist.

The TTB said it reviews label applications in the order they are received, though resubmitted applications sent back for correction take priority over new filings. It also noted that applicants who file through COLAs Online can check status through their accounts at any time.

The agency said there is no fee to apply through COLAs Online or Formulas Online, which it described as tools for electronic submission before bottling or importing an alcohol beverage product.