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CBMA Registration Guide for Foreign Wine Producers | Candid Wines

If you're a foreign wine producer selling to Candid Wines in the United States, this guide will help you navigate the CBMA (Craft Beverage Modernization Act) registration process with the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau). Learn how to register, assign tax benefits, and convert your sales volumes to the required wine gallon measurements.

Candid Wines TTB Permit Number: IL-I-21154

 

To calculate how many 750ml bottles equal 30,000 wine gallons:

Conversion:

  • 1 wine gallon = 3.785 liters

  • 30,000 wine gallons = 113,550 liters

  • 113,550 liters ÷ 0.75 liters per bottle = 151,400 bottles

Answer: 30,000 wine gallons = 151,400 bottles of 750ml

Quick Reference:

  • 1 case (12 bottles of 750ml) = 9 liters = 2.38 wine gallons

  • 30,000 wine gallons = approximately 12,617 cases

So the first tier of CBMA tax credits ($1.00 per gallon) applies to the first 151,400 bottles or 12,617 cases imported per year.

CBMA Registration Guide for Foreign Wine Producers | Candid Wines

Complete Guide to TTB Registration and Tax Benefit Assignments for Wine Importers

If you're a foreign wine producer selling to Candid Wines in the United States, this guide will help you navigate the CBMA (Craft Beverage Modernization Act) registration process with the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau). Learn how to register, assign tax benefits, and convert your sales volumes to the required wine gallon measurements.

What is CBMA and Why Do Foreign Wine Producers Need to Register?

The Craft Beverage Modernization Act (CBMA) provides reduced federal excise tax rates for imported wine. As a foreign wine producer, you must register with the U.S. TTB and assign your CBMA tax benefits to importers like Candid Wines. This allows your U.S. importer to claim refunds on the federal excise taxes paid on your wine.

Key Benefits of CBMA Registration:

  • Reduced tax rates on imported wine

  • Competitive pricing advantages in the U.S. market

  • Streamlined process through the myTTB online system

  • Up to $1.00 per wine gallon in tax credits

CBMA Tax Benefits for Wine: Understanding the Limits

Under CBMA, each foreign wine producer can assign tax benefits on up to 750,000 wine gallons imported into the United States per calendar year.

Wine Tax Credit Structure:

  • First 30,000 wine gallons: $1.00 credit per wine gallon

  • Next 100,000 wine gallons: $0.90 credit per wine gallon

  • Next 620,000 wine gallons: $0.535 credit per wine gallon

These tax benefits can significantly reduce the cost of importing wine to the United States.

Step-by-Step: How to Register as a Foreign Wine Producer

Step 1: Gather Required Information

Before starting your TTB registration, prepare the following:

  • FDA Food Facility Registration Number(s) - Required for all wine production facilities

  • Business Information - Legal business name and physical address

  • Contact Person Details - Name, title, phone number, and email address of an authorized representative

  • Ownership Information - Details if you share common ownership with other alcohol beverage producers (controlled group information)

Step 2: Create Your myTTB Account

  1. Visit https://my.ttb.gov/

  2. Click "Register" to create a new account

  3. Complete the account setup with your email and create a secure password

  4. Verify your email address through the confirmation link

Step 3: Complete Foreign Producer Registration in myTTB

Once logged into myTTB:

  1. Select "Foreign Producer Registration" from the dashboard

  2. Enter your wine production facility information:

    • Legal business name and trade names (if different)

    • Complete business address

    • Primary contact person details

    • FDA Food Facility Registration Number(s)

    • Ownership structure and controlled group information (if applicable)

  3. Review all information carefully for accuracy

  4. Submit your registration application

  5. Wait for your TTB Foreign Producer ID - typically issued within 5 business days

Your TTB Foreign Producer ID is essential for making tax benefit assignments and is required by importers for customs entry filings.

How to Assign CBMA Tax Benefits to Candid Wines

After receiving your TTB Foreign Producer ID, you can assign your wine tax benefits to Candid Wines:

Assignment Process:

  1. Log into myTTB (https://my.ttb.gov/)

  2. Navigate to the "Foreign Producer Assignment" section

  3. Click "Create New Assignment"

  4. Enter the following required information:

    • Calendar Year: The year you're assigning benefits for (e.g., 2024, 2025)

    • Importer Information: Candid Wines' TTB permit number (contact Candid Wines for this number)

    • Product Category: Wine

    • Tax Benefit Tier: Select the appropriate tier (first 30,000 gallons, next 100,000 gallons, etc.)

    • Quantity: Total wine gallons you sold to Candid Wines

  5. Review and submit your assignment

Important: You must convert your wine volume to wine gallons using the TTB conversion formula (see below).

CBMA Assignment Deadlines: Don't Miss These Important Dates

For Calendar Year 2024 Assignments:

  • Earliest Assignment Date: October 1, 2023

  • Final Deadline: March 31, 2025 ⚠️

For Calendar Year 2025 Assignments:

  • Earliest Assignment Date: October 1, 2024

  • Final Deadline: March 31, 2026

Critical: Tax benefit assignments MUST be completed by March 31st of the year following the calendar year in which the wine was imported. Missing this deadline means forfeiting those tax benefits permanently.

Converting Liters to Wine Gallons: Complete Calculation Guide

The TTB requires all wine volumes to be reported in wine gallons, not liters or bottles. Here's how to convert your sales accurately.

Wine Gallon Conversion Formula

1 liter = 0.26417 wine gallons

Basic Conversion Calculation:

Total Liters × 0.26417 = Wine Gallons

Example Calculation:

If you sold Candid Wines 7,500 liters of wine:

  • 7,500 liters × 0.26417 = 1,981.28 wine gallons

  • Enter 1,981.28 in myTTB for your Candid Wines assignment

Wine Bottle to Wine Gallon Conversion Chart

If you track sales by bottle count, use this two-step process:

Conversion Formula for Bottles:

(Number of Bottles × Bottle Size in Liters) × 0.26417 = Wine Gallons

Common Wine Bottle Sizes and Wine Gallon Equivalents:

Bottle SizeMillilitersLitersWine Gallons per Bottle

Split187 mL0.1875 L0.0495

Half Bottle375 mL0.375 L0.0991

Standard Bottle750 mL0.750 L0.1981

Liter1,000 mL1.000 L0.2642

Magnum1,500 mL1.500 L0.3963

Double Magnum3,000 mL3.000 L0.7925

Bottle Conversion Example:

You sold Candid Wines 10,000 bottles of standard 750 mL wine:

  1. Calculate total liters: 10,000 × 0.750 = 7,500 liters

  2. Convert to wine gallons: 7,500 × 0.26417 = 1,981.28 wine gallons

Wine Gallon Conversion Examples by Volume

Your Sales to Candid Wines (Liters)CalculationWine Gallons

1,000 liters1,000 × 0.26417264.17

5,000 liters5,000 × 0.264171,320.85

10,000 liters10,000 × 0.264172,641.70

20,000 liters20,000 × 0.264175,283.40

30,000 liters30,000 × 0.264177,925.10

50,000 liters50,000 × 0.2641713,208.50

100,000 liters100,000 × 0.2641726,417.00

Controlled Groups and CBMA: What Wine Producers Need to Know

If your winery shares common ownership with other wineries or alcohol beverage producers (domestic or foreign), you may be part of a controlled group.

Controlled Group Rules:

  • The CBMA quantity limits apply to the entire controlled group as a whole

  • All producers in the group must coordinate their tax benefit assignments

  • Combined assignments cannot exceed the legal limits

  • You must report ownership information during TTB registration

Important: If you're unsure whether you're in a controlled group, consult with your tax advisor or contact the TTB for guidance.

Maintaining Your TTB Foreign Producer Registration

Annual Requirements:

  • Update Registration Within 60 Days of any changes to:

    • Business name or address

    • Contact person information

    • FDA registration numbers

    • Ownership structure

  • Annual Ownership Confirmation - myTTB will prompt you annually to confirm or update your ownership information

Failure to maintain current registration information may prevent you from assigning tax benefits.

Common CBMA Registration Errors and How to Avoid Them

Error 1: Incorrect FDA Registration Number

Solution: Verify your FDA Food Facility Registration Number at https://www.fda.gov/food before entering it in myTTB.

Error 2: Missing the Assignment Deadline

Solution: Set calendar reminders for October 1 (earliest assignment date) and March 31 (final deadline) each year.

Error 3: Incorrect Wine Gallon Calculations

Solution: Always use the conversion factor 0.26417 and double-check your math. Contact Candid Wines if unsure.

Error 4: Wrong Importer Permit Number

Solution: Confirm Candid Wines' current TTB permit number before making assignments.

Error 5: Exceeding Assignment Limits

Solution: Track your assignments carefully and coordinate with other controlled group members if applicable.

TTB myTTB System Resources and User Guides

Official TTB Resources:

TTB Official Translations:

Frequently Asked Questions About CBMA for Wine Producers

Q: Can I assign tax benefits before my wine is imported?

A: Yes! You can make assignments starting October 1 of the year prior to importation. For example, you can assign 2025 benefits starting October 1, 2024.

Q: Can I split my tax benefits among multiple importers?

A: Yes. You can divide your annual wine gallon limit among multiple U.S. importers. Just ensure your total assignments don't exceed 750,000 wine gallons per year.

Q: What happens if I don't assign all my available tax benefits?

A: Unused benefits do not carry over to the next year. Each calendar year has separate limits.

Q: Do I need to register every year?

A: No. Once you're registered and have your TTB Foreign Producer ID, that ID remains valid. You only need to make new assignments each year and keep your registration information current.

Q: Can someone else register and make assignments on my behalf?

A: Yes. You can authorize an agent (such as a customs broker or your importer) to act on your behalf, but you must maintain proof of authorization.

Q: What if my wine is bottled by another facility?

A: You must provide the FDA Food Facility Registration Number for the facility that bottles or processes your wine before it's shipped to the United States.

Next Steps: Getting Started with Your CBMA Registration

Ready to register and assign your wine tax benefits?

  1. Gather Your Documents - FDA registration number, business information, and contact details

  2. Create Your myTTB Account - Visit https://my.ttb.gov/ to begin

  3. Complete Registration - Submit your foreign producer registration application

  4. Receive Your ID - Wait for your TTB Foreign Producer ID (typically 5 business days)

  5. Contact Candid Wines - Get our TTB permit number for your assignment

  6. Calculate Wine Gallons - Use the conversion factor 0.26417 to convert your sales

  7. Make Your Assignment - Submit your tax benefit assignment in myTTB

  8. Mark Your Calendar - Remember the March 31 deadline!

Need Help with Your CBMA Registration?

If you have questions about:

  • Converting your wine volumes to wine gallons

  • Your TTB Foreign Producer registration

  • Making assignments to Candid Wines

  • CBMA deadlines or requirements

Contact Candid Wines directly for assistance. We're here to help our producers successfully navigate the CBMA process.

Important: Always verify your calculations and information before submitting to TTB. Accurate data ensures timely refund processing and compliance with federal regulations.

About Candid Wines

Candid Wines imports premium wines from producers around the world. We're committed to supporting our foreign producer partners through every step of the CBMA process, ensuring you receive the maximum tax benefits available under U.S. law.

Keywords: CBMA registration, TTB foreign producer registration, wine import tax benefits, Craft Beverage Modernization Act, wine gallon conversion, foreign wine producer guide, myTTB registration, federal excise tax refund, wine import guide, TTB permit, FDA food facility registration

Last Updated: October 2025 This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Please consult with qualified professionals regarding your specific situation.

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