[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 8, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30796-30799]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-11257]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

27 CFR Parts 4, 5, 7, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 70, and 251

[T.D. ATF--479]
RIN 1512-AC47


Importation of Distilled Spirits, Wines, and Beer; Recodification 
of Regulations (2000R-247P)

AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Department of 
the Treasury.

ACTION: Final rule (Treasury decision).

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is 
recodifying the regulations pertaining to the importation of distilled 
spirits, wines, and beer. The purpose of this recodification is to 
reissue the regulations in part 251 of title 27 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (27 CFR part 251) as 27 CFR part 27. This change improves 
the organization of title 27.

DATES: This rule is effective on May 8, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Berry, Regulations Division, 
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 111 W. Huron Street, Room 219, 
Buffalo, New York, (716) 434-8039.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    As a part of continuing efforts to reorganize the part numbering 
system of title 27 CFR, ATF is removing part 251, Importation of 
Distilled Spirits, Wines, and Beers, in its entirety, and is 
recodifying the regulations as 27 CFR part 27. This change improves the 
organization of title 27 CFR. ATF intends to update and clarify the 
regulations in this part, but believes that such revisions would be 
best undertaken at a later time through a notice of proposed rulemaking 
with public comment.

                      Derivation Table for Part 27
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Are derived
                The requirements of sec.                     from sec.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Subpart A
------------------------------------------------------------------------
27.1....................................................         251.1
27.2....................................................         251.2
27.3....................................................         251.3
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Subpart B
------------------------------------------------------------------------
27.11...................................................         251.11
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Subpart C
------------------------------------------------------------------------
27.30...................................................         251.30
27.31...................................................         251.31
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Subpart D
------------------------------------------------------------------------
27.40...................................................         251.40
27.41...................................................         251.41
27.42...................................................         251.42
27.42a..................................................         251.42a
27.43...................................................         251.43
27.44...................................................         251.44
27.45...................................................         251.45
27.46...................................................         251.46
27.48...................................................         251.48
27.48a..................................................         251.48a
27.49...................................................         251.49
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Subpart E
------------------------------------------------------------------------
27.55...................................................         251.55
27.56...................................................         251.56
27.57...................................................         251.57
27.58...................................................         251.58
27.59...................................................         251.59
27.60...................................................         251.60
27.61...................................................         251.61
27.62...................................................         251.62
27.74...................................................         251.74
27.75...................................................         251.75
27.76...................................................         251.76
27.77...................................................         251.77
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Subparts F-G [Reserved]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Subpart H
------------------------------------------------------------------------
27.120..................................................         251.120
27.121..................................................         251.121
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Subpart I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
27.133..................................................         251.133
27.134..................................................         251.134
27.136..................................................         251.136
27.137..................................................         251.137
27.138..................................................         251.138
27.139..................................................         251.139
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Subparts J-K [Reserved]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Subpart L
------------------------------------------------------------------------
27.171..................................................         251.171
27.172..................................................         251.172
27.173..................................................         251.173
27.174..................................................         251.174
27.175..................................................         251.175
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Subpart M
------------------------------------------------------------------------
27.181..................................................         251.181
27.182..................................................         251.182

[[Page 30797]]

 
27.183..................................................         251.183
27.184..................................................         251.184
27.185..................................................         251.185
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Subpart N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
27.201..................................................         251.201
27.202..................................................         251.202
27.204..................................................         251.204
27.206..................................................         251.206
27.207..................................................         251.207
27.208..................................................         251.208
27.209..................................................         251.209
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Subpart O
------------------------------------------------------------------------
27.221..................................................         251.221
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 
104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR 
part 1320, do not apply to this final rule because there are no new or 
revised recordkeeping or reporting requirements.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Because no notice of proposed rulemaking is required for this rule 
under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553), the provisions 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do not apply. 
We sent a copy of this final rule to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of 
the Small Business Administration for comment in accordance with 26 
U.S.C. 7805(f); we received no comments.

Executive Order 12866

    This final rule is not a significant regulatory action as defined 
in Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, this final rule is not subject 
to the analysis required by this Executive Order.

Administrative Procedure Act

    Because this final rule merely makes technical amendments to 
improve the clarity and organization of the regulations, it is 
unnecessary to issue this final rule with notice and public comment 
procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b). Similarly, because this final rule 
makes no substantial changes and is merely the recodification of 
existing regulations, good cause is found that it is unnecessary to 
subject this final rule to the effective date limitation of 5 U.S.C. 
553(d).

Drafting Information

    The principal author of this document is Jennifer Berry, 
Regulations Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

List of Subjects

27 CFR Part 4

    Advertising, Customs duties and inspection, Imports, Labeling, 
Liquors, Packaging and containers, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Trade practices, Wine.

27 CFR Part 5

    Advertising, Customs duties and inspection, Imports, Labeling, 
Liquors, Packaging and containers, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Trade practices.

27 CFR Part 7

    Advertising, Beer, Customs duties and inspection, Imports, 
Labeling, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Trade practices.

27 CFR Part 19

    Caribbean Basin initiative, Claims, Electronic funds transfers, 
Excise taxes, Exports, Gasohol, Imports, Labeling, Liquors, Packaging 
and containers, Puerto Rico, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Research, Security measures, Surety bonds, Vinegar, Virgin Islands, 
Warehouses.

27 CFR Part 20

    Alcohol and alcoholic beverages, Claims, Cosmetics, Excise taxes, 
Labeling, Packaging and containers, Penalties, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Surety bonds.

27 CFR Part 22

    Administrative practice and procedure, Alcohol and alcoholic 
beverages, Excise taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Surety bonds.

27 CFR Part 24

    Administrative practice and procedure, Claims, Electronic funds 
transfers, Excise taxes, Exports, Food additives, Fruit juices, 
Labeling, Liquors, Packaging and containers, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Research, Scientific equipment, Spices and 
flavorings, Surety bonds, Vinegar, Warehouses, Wine.

27 CFR Part 25

    Beer, Claims, Electronic funds transfers, Excise taxes, Exports, 
Labeling, Packaging and containers, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Research, Surety bonds.

27 CFR Part 26

    Alcohol and alcoholic beverages, Caribbean Basin initiative, 
Claims, Customs duties and inspection, Electronic funds transfers, 
Excise taxes, Packaging and containers, Puerto Rico, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Surety bonds, Virgin Islands, Warehouses.

27 CFR Part 27

    Alcohol and alcoholic beverages, Beer, Cosmetics, Customs duties 
and inspection, Electronic funds transfers, Excise taxes, Imports, 
Labeling, Liquors, Packaging and containers, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Wine.

27 CFR Part 70

    Administrative practice and procedure, Claims, Excise taxes, 
Freedom of information, Law enforcement, Penalties, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Surety bonds.

27 CFR Part 251

    Alcohol and alcoholic beverages, Beer, Cosmetics, Customs duties 
and inspection, Electronic funds transfers, Excise taxes, Imports, 
Labeling, Liquors, Packaging and containers, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Wine.

Authority and Issuance

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, ATF is amending chapter 
1 of title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 4--LABELING AND ADVERTISING OF WINE

    Paragraph. 1. The authority citation for 27 CFR part 4 continues to 
read as follows:

    Authority: 27 U.S.C. 205, unless otherwise noted.


    Par. 2. Under ``CROSS REFERENCES,'' remove the reference to ``27 
CFR Part 251--Importation of Distilled Spirits, Wines and Beer'' and 
add, in part number order, a reference to--27 CFR Part 27--Importation 
of Distilled Spirits, Wines and Beer''.

PART 5--LABELING AND ADVERTISING OF DISTILLED SPIRITS

    Par. 3. The authority citation for 27 CFR part 5 continues to read 
as follows:

    Authority: 26 U.S.C. 5301, 7805, 27 U.S.C. 205.


Sec. 5.2  [Amended]

    Par. 4. Amend Sec. 5.2 by removing the reference to ``27 CFR Part 
251--Importation of Distilled Spirits, Wines

[[Page 30798]]

and Beer'' and adding, in part number order, a reference to ``27 CFR 
Part 27--Importation of Distilled Spirits, Wines and Beer''.

PART 7--LABELING AND ADVERTISING OF MALT BEVERAGES

    Par. 5. The authority citation for 27 CFR part 7 continues to read 
as follows:

    Authority: 27 U.S.C. 205.


Sec. 7.4  [Amended]

    Par. 6. Amend Sec. 7.4 by removing the reference to ``27 CFR Part 
251--Importation of Distilled Spirits, Wines and Beer'' and adding, in 
part number order, a reference to ``27 CFR Part 27--Importation of 
Distilled Spirits, Wines and Beer''.

PART 19--DISTILLED SPIRITS PLANTS

    Par. 7. The authority citation for 27 CFR part 19 continues to read 
as follows:

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 81c, 1311; 26 U.S.C. 5001, 5002, 5004-5006, 
5008, 5010, 5041, 5061, 5062, 5066, 5081, 5101, 5111-5113, 5142, 
5143, 5146, 5171-5173, 5175, 5176, 5178-5181, 5201-5204, 5206, 5207, 
5211-5215, 5221-5223, 5231, 5232, 5235, 5236, 5241-5243, 5271, 5273, 
5301, 5311-5313, 5362, 5370, 5373, 5501-5505, 5551-5555, 5559, 5561, 
5562, 5601, 5612, 5682, 6001, 6065, 6109, 6302, 6311, 6676, 6806, 
7011, 7510, 7805; 31 U.S.C. 9301, 9303, 9304, 9306.


Sec. 19.3  [Amended]

    Par. 8. Amend Sec. 19.3 by removing the reference to ``27 CFR Part 
251--Importation of Distilled Spirits, Wine, and Beer'' and adding, in 
part number order, a reference to ``27 CFR Part 27--Importation of 
Distilled Spirits, Wine, and Beer''.


Sec. 19.524  [Amended]

    Par. 9. Amend paragraphs (a)(1), (b)(1) and (b)(3) of Sec. 19.524 
by removing the reference to ``parts 26 and 251'' and adding, in its 
place, a reference to ``parts 26 and 27''.


Sec. 19.538  [Amended]

    Par. 10. Amend Sec. 19.538(a)(1)(iii) by removing the reference to 
``part 251'' and adding, in its place, a reference to ``part 27''.

PART 20--DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF DENATURED ALCOHOL AND RUM

    Par. 11. The authority citation for 27 CFR part 20 continues to 
read as follows:

    Authority: 26 U.S.C. 5001, 5206, 5214, 5271-5275, 5311, 5552, 
5555, 5607, 6065, 7805.


Sec. 20.3  [Amended]

    Par. 12. Amend Sec. 20.3 by removing the reference to ``27 CFR Part 
251--Importation of Distilled Spirits, Wines and Beer'' and adding, in 
part number order, a reference to ``27 CFR Part 27--Importation of 
Distilled Spirits, Wines and Beer''.

PART 22--DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF TAX-FREE ALCOHOL

    Par. 13. The authority citation for 27 CFR part 22 continues to 
read as follows:

    Authority: 26 U.S.C. 5001, 5121, 5142, 5143, 5146, 5206, 5214, 
5271-5276, 5311, 5552, 5555, 6056, 6061, 6065, 6109, 6151, 6806, 
7011, 7805; 31 U.S.C. 9304, 9306.


Sec. 22.3  [Amended]

    Par. 14. Amend Sec. 22.3 by removing the reference to ``27 CFR Part 
251--Importation of Distilled Spirits, Wines and Beer'' and adding, in 
part number order, a reference to ``27 CFR Part 27--Importation of 
Distilled Spirits, Wines and Beer''.


Sec. 22.171  [Amended]

    Par. 15. Amend Sec. 22.171(b) by removing the reference to ``part 
251'' and adding, in its place, a reference to ``part 27''.

PART 24--WINE

    Par. 16. The authority citation for 27 CFR part 24 continues to 
read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 26 U.S.C. 5001, 5008, 5041, 5042, 
5044, 5061, 5062, 5081, 5111-5113, 5121, 5122, 5142, 5143, 5173, 
5206, 5214, 5215, 5351, 5353, 5354, 5356, 5357, 5361, 5362, 5364-
5373, 5381-5388, 5391, 5392, 5511, 5551, 5552, 5661, 5662, 5684, 
6065, 6091, 6109, 6301, 6302, 6311, 6651, 6676, 7011, 7302, 7342, 
7502, 7503, 7606, 7805, 7851; 31 U.S.C. 9301, 9303, 9304, 9306.


Sec. 24.4  [Amended]

    Par. 17. Amend Sec. 24.4 by removing the reference to ``27 CFR Part 
251--Importation of Distilled Spirits, Wines and Beer'' and adding, in 
part number order, a reference to ``27 CFR Part 27--Importation of 
Distilled Spirits, Wines and Beer''.


Sec. 24.272  [Amended]

    Par. 18. Amend paragraphs (a)(1), (b)(1), and (b)(3) in 
Sec. 24.272, by removing the reference to ``parts 26 and 251'' and 
adding, in its place, a reference to ``parts 26 and 27''.

PART 25--BEER

    Par. 19. The authority citation for 27 CFR part 25 continues to 
read as follows:

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 81c; 26 U.S.C. 5002, 5051-5054, 5056, 5061, 
5091, 5111, 5113, 5142, 5143, 5146, 5222, 5401-5403, 5411-5417, 
5551, 5552, 5555, 5556, 5671, 5673, 5684, 6011, 6061, 6065, 6091, 
6109, 6151, 6301, 6302, 6311, 6313, 6402, 6651, 6656, 6676, 6806, 
7011, 7342, 7606, 7805; 31 U.S.C. 9301, 9303-9308.


Sec. 25.165  [Amended]

    Par. 20. Amend paragraphs (a)(1), (b)(1), and (b)(3) of Sec. 25.165 
by removing the reference to ``parts 26 and 251'' and adding, in its 
place, a reference to ``parts 26 and 27''.

PART 26--LIQUORS AND ARTICLES FROM PUERTO RICO AND THE VIRGIN 
ISLANDS

    Par. 21. The authority citation for 27 CFR part 26 continues to 
read as follows:

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 81c; 26 U.S.C. 5001, 5007, 5008, 5010, 
5041, 5051, 5061, 5081, 5111, 5112, 5114, 5121, 5122, 5124, 5131-
5134, 5141, 5146, 5207, 5232, 5271, 5276, 5301, 5314, 5555, 6001, 
6301, 6302, 6804, 7101, 7102, 7651, 7652, 7805; 27 U.S.C. 203, 205; 
31 U.S.C. 9301, 9303, 9304, 9306.


Sec. 26.112a  [Amended]

    Par. 22. Amend Sec. 26.112a as follows:
    a. In paragraphs (a)(1), (b)(1) and (b)(3), remove the reference to 
``parts 19 and 251'' and add, in its place, a reference to ``parts 19 
and 27''.
    b. In paragraphs (a)(1), (b)(1) and (b)(3), remove the reference to 
``parts 240 and 251'' and add, in its place, a reference to ``parts 24 
and 27''.
    c. In paragraph (b)(1) and (b)(3), remove the reference to ``parts 
245 and 251'' and add, in its place, a reference to ``parts 25 and 
27''.
    d. In paragraph (a)(1), remove the reference to ``parts 25 and 
251'' and add, in its place, a reference to ``parts 25 and 27''.


Sec. 26.267  [Amended]

    Par. 23. Amend paragraph (a) of Sec. 26.267 as follows:
    a. Remove the reference to ``parts 19 and 251'' and add, in its 
place, a reference to ``parts 19 and 27''.
    b. Remove the reference to ``parts 240 and 251'' and add, in its 
place, a reference to ``parts 24 and 27''.
    c. Remove the reference to ``parts 25 and 251'' and add, in its 
place, a reference to ``parts 25 and 27''.

[[Page 30799]]

PART 70--PROCEDURE AND ADMINISTRATION

    Par. 24. The authority citation for 27 CFR part 70 continues to 
read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301 and 552; 26 U.S.C. 4181, 4182, 5146, 
5203, 5207, 5275, 5367, 5415, 5504, 5555, 5684(a), 5741, 5761(b), 
5802, 6020, 6021, 6064, 6102, 6155, 6159, 6201, 6203, 6204, 6301, 
6303, 6311, 6313, 6314, 6321, 6323, 6325, 6326, 6331-6343, 6401-
6404, 6407, 6416, 6423, 6501-6503, 6511, 6513, 6514, 6532, 6601, 
6602, 6611, 6621, 6622, 6651, 6653, 6656-6658, 6665, 6671, 6672, 
6701, 6723, 6801, 6862, 6863, 6901, 7011, 7101, 7102, 7121, 7122, 
7207, 7209, 7214, 7304, 7401, 7403, 7406, 7423, 7424, 7425, 7426, 
7429, 7430, 7432, 7502, 7503, 7505, 7506, 7513, 7601-7606, 7608-
7610, 7622, 7623, 7653, 7805.


Sec. 70.411  [Amended]

    Par. 25. Amend Sec. 70.411(c)(27) by removing the reference to 
``part 251'' and adding, in its place, a reference to ``part 27''.

PART 251--IMPORTATION OF DISTILLED SPIRITS, WINES, AND BEER

    Par. 26. The authority citation for 27 CFR part 251 continues to 
read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a), 19 U.S.C. 81c, 1202; 26 U.S.C. 5001, 
5007, 5008, 5010, 5041, 5051, 5054, 5061, 5111, 5112, 5114, 5121, 
5122, 5124, 5201, 5205, 5207, 5232, 5273, 5301, 5313, 5555, 6302, 
7805.

PART 251--[REDESIGNATED AS PART 27]

    Par. 27. Transfer 27 CFR part 251 from subchapter M to subchapter A 
and redesignate as 27 CFR part 27.

PART 27--IMPORTATION OF DISTILLED SPIRITS, WINES, AND BEER

    Par. 28. The authority citation for the newly redesignated 27 CFR 
part 27 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a), 19 U.S.C. 81c, 1202; 26 U.S.C. 5001, 
5007, 5008, 5010, 5041, 5051, 5054, 5061, 5111, 5112, 5114, 5121, 
5122, 5124, 5201, 5205, 5207, 5232, 5273, 5301, 5313, 5555, 6302, 
7805.

    Par. 29. Amend the newly redesignated part 27 as follows:

                                           Amendment Table for Part 27
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Amend section               By removing the reference to            And adding in its place
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27.3.................................  Part 251.....................  Part 27.
27.11, definition of Appropriate ATF   Part 251.....................  Part 27.
 Officer.
27.31................................  251.30.......................  27.30.
27.40(c).............................  251.40a......................  27.41.
27.44................................  251.43.......................  27.43.
27.74 (three times)..................  251.49.......................  27.49.
27.74................................  251.75.......................  27.75.
27.76(c)(3)..........................  251.40a......................  27.41.
27.77(a).............................  251.76(c)....................  27.76(c).
27.77(b)(1)..........................  251.76(b)(1).................  27.76(b)(1).
27.77(b)(2)..........................  251.76(b)(2).................  27.76(b)(2).
27.77(b)(3)(iii).....................  251.40a......................  27.41.
27.77(d).............................  251.76(d)....................  27.76(d).
27.120...............................  251.133......................  27.133.
27.120...............................  251.134......................  27.134.
27.133...............................  251.134......................  27.134.
27.138 (Introductory text)...........  251.172......................  27.172.
27.172...............................  251.138......................  27.138.
27.172...............................  251.139......................  27.139.
27.185(b)............................  251.139......................  27.139.
27.208...............................  251.206......................  27.206.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Signed: February 2, 2002.
Bradley A. Buckles,
Director.
    Approved: April 9, 2002.
Timothy E. Skud,
Deputy Assistant Secretary (Regulatory, Tariff and Trade Enforcement).
[FR Doc. 02-11257 Filed 5-7-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-P