Frappato Approved as Grape Variety Name
We recently granted administrative approval for the use of the grape variety name Frappato as a type designation on American wine labels.
Wine bottlers may use this name, as well as other names granted administrative approval, to label American wines pending the results of a rulemaking to revise the list of grape variety names approved for use in designating American wines at 27 CFR 4.91.
USDA Strengthening Organic Enforcement
 If you produce or import organic alcohol beverages, please note that the USDA’s National Organic Program recently published a set of FAQs related to its Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) final rule, including more information on who needs to be certified organic, processes for importation of organic products, and other topics. The SOE final rule strengthens oversight of the production, handling, and sale of organic products and became effective on March 19, 2024.
Please review the SOE FAQs here, or see more information about the rule on the SOE homepage.
Due Date for Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax is Coming Soon
If you file Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax Returns, the due date for Q1 is Tuesday, April 30.
Please see our FAET page on TTB.gov to determine if you are liable for FAET and the associated tax rates.
We recommend that you file TTB excise tax returns and make payments electronically using Pay.gov.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Publishes 2 Final Rules
 TTB-regulated firearms industries may find these ATF final rules of interest.
Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Conforming Regulations
SOURCE: Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 77 / Friday, April 19, 2024
AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
ACTION: Direct final rule
SUMMARY: The Department of Justice (‘‘Department’’) is amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (‘‘ATF’’) regulations to implement firearms-related definitions and requirements established by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (‘‘BSCA’’) and the NICS Denial Notification Act (‘‘NDNA’’). These statutes went into effect on June 25, 2022, and October 1, 2022, respectively. It is necessary to make conforming changes to ensure that ATF’s regulations are current and consistent with the applicable statutes. For this reason, this direct final rule incorporates many of the BSCA and NDNA provisions that are applicable to ATF.
DATES: This final rule is effective on July 18, 2024, unless ATF receives any significant adverse comment by May 20, 2024. If ATF receives a significant adverse comment within the stated time that warrants revising the rule (as described under the Public Participation heading in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this regulation), the Department will publish notification in the Federal Register, withdrawing this direct final rule before its effective date.
Definition of “Engaged in the Business” as a Dealer in Firearms
SOURCE: Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 77 / Friday, April 19, 2024
AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
ACTION: Final rule
SUMMARY: The Department of Justice (‘‘Department’’) is amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (‘‘ATF’’) regulations to implement the provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that broaden the definition of when a person is considered ‘‘engaged in the business’’ (‘‘EIB’’) as a dealer in firearms other than a gunsmith or pawnbroker. This final rule incorporates the BSCA’s definitions of ‘‘predominantly earn a profit’’ (‘‘PEP’’) and ‘‘terrorism,’’ and amends the regulatory definitions of ‘‘principal objective of livelihood and profit’’ and ‘‘engaged in the business’’ to ensure each conforms with the BSCA’s statutory changes and can be relied upon by the public. The rule also clarifies what it means for a person to be ‘‘engaged in the business’’ of dealing in firearms and to have the intent to ‘‘predominantly earn a profit’’ from the sale or disposition of firearms. In addition, it clarifies the term ‘‘dealer’’ and defines the term ‘‘responsible person.’’ These clarifications and definitions assist persons in understanding when they are required to have a license to deal in firearms. Consistent with the Gun Control Act (‘‘GCA’’) and existing regulations, the rule also defines the term ‘‘personal collection’’ to clarify when persons are not ‘‘engaged in the business’’ because they make only occasional sales to enhance a personal collection or for a hobby, or if the firearms they sell are all or part of a personal collection. This rule further addresses the procedures that former licensees, and responsible persons acting on behalf of such licensees, must follow when they liquidate business inventory upon revocation or other termination of their license. Finally, the rule clarifies that a licensee transferring a firearm to another licensee must do so by following the verification and recordkeeping procedures in the regulations, rather than by using a Firearms Transaction Record, ATF Form 4473.
DATES: This rule is effective May 20, 2024.
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