STRIKE UPDATES
As many of you are already aware, there is currently on going strike and work action difficulties in France, Spain, Portugal, Chile and Argentina. Please continue to check on the updates posted here, which will be passed along to you imediately once received. Please contact your usual WSSA Service Specialist should you have any questions or concerns about your orders or shipments.
STRIKE UPDATE FOR FRANCE
June 27, 2008
The strike action in France still continues. Below is the latest round of strikes just announced. The following are for Le Havre only. Nothing has yet been announced for Fos.
Wednesday July 2nd - night shift
Thursday July 3rd (06.00AM) - Friday July 4th (06.00AM) - 24 hr
Saturday July 5th (15.00hrs) - Sunday July 6th (15.00hrs) - 24 hr
We will continue to update you once further information is received.
June 25, 2008
Our traffic manager in France has informed us that there will be a general strike for the full day in Fos on Thursday June 25th. We will continue to pass along additional information once received.
June 20, 2008
Unfortunately, the strike action in France still continues, with the latest round of strikes just announced. The following are for Le Havre only. Nothing has yet been announced for Fos or Mer.
Wednesday June 25th - night shift.
Thursday June 26th (06.00AM) - Friday June 27th (06.00AM).
Saturday June 28th (15.00 hrs) - Sunday June 29th (15.00hrs).
We will further update once more information is received.
STRIKE UPDATE FOR ARGENTINA
June 17, 2008
We have been informed by our office in Argentina that there is currently a transportation strike and road blocks in effect. There will be a full transportation stoppage tomorrow, that being Wednesday June 18th. At this point it is unclear if the stoppage is just for the day or will continue indefinitely. In addition, there are no trucks available and a fuel shortage. The situation is sure to change at a moments notice and, as usual, we will continue to keep you informed of all new developments as and when received.
STRIKE UPDATE FOR SPAIN
We finally have some good news to report from Spain. We have been informed that the transport strike has been temporarily called off, and is pending further negotiations. All truckers are now working as normal, country wide. Today is the first day for normal working activities and it is likely to take some time to clear the congestion that has built up and to return to normal operations. We will continue to update as and when more information is received.
Unfortunately, the news is not as good out of France. The strike continues, with the following work stoppages just announced.
Le Havre:
Tuesday June 17th (06.00 hrs) - Thursday June 19th (06.00 hrs).
Saturday June 21st (15.00 hrs) - Sunday June 22nd (15.00 hrs).
Fos:
The unions will be holding a meeting on Thursday to further discuss the situation. We will continue to update once information is received.
June 16, 2008
Our traffic manager in Spain has advised us of the following:
The main unions have accepted the conditions negotiated and have decided to end the strike and return to work. Unfortunately, the self employed truckers have not. The current situation depends on the location. Below are the most up to date details we have:
Barcelona Port - It is now possible to load containers in a specific area, however, the unions are still exposed to the still striking self employeed truckers rendering the possability of work related disturbances.
Valencia Port - Same as Barcelona.
Bilbao Port - Not working.
Cadiz Port - Not working.
Further meetings are planned for today. We will keep you inofrmed of updates as and when they are received.
STRIKE UPDATE FOR CHILE
June 13, 2008
We finally have some good news to report from Chile. The strike by the port workers at the Port of San Antonio is now over and the workers have returned to work. We have been advised by CCNI that the port resumed normal activities today.
STRIKE ACTION UPDATE FOR SPAIN
June 12, 2008
Unfortunately, we have been informed by our traffic manager in Spain that the transport road strike continues. The transport trade unions are still negotiating with government, and more meetings are scheduled for today. We will inform of any change and update once word is received.
STRIKE ACTION IN PORTUGAL
June 11, 2008
We have also received word that beginning June 9th, there will be strike action taken by trucking companies in Portugal.
There have been some discussions between Government officials and the unions last Monday but without any solution.
There are now all major cities, ports and highways closed to trucks and there are no containers or cargo pick ups allowed.
We will keep you informed of all updates once received.
OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS
PORTS LABOR TALKS STILL AMICABLE
July 1, 2008
West Coast shippers and the union representing 26,000 dockworkers walked away from the bargaining table Tuesday without reaching a contract, but the missed deadline will not deter amicable negotiations, according to officials on both sides.
Although a deadline extension was not announced, the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union said they planned to continue working past the stalemate.
"Negotiating is ongoing and we remain committed to talking past the deadline to reach an agreement that is fair and reasonable to both sides, while at the same time keeping the ports running smoothly," said Steve Getzug, a spokesman for the PMA, a consortium of 71 West Coast shipping companies.
Both sides still hope to avoid a repeat of the bitter 2002 labor dispute that eventually led to a 10-day lockout and shutdown of the ports that ended only when President Bush intervened.
The ILWU had no immediate plans to call for a strike authorization vote, even though the union's six-year contract with the PMA expired at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
"The dockers are going to keep working at the ports, the companies will keep paying everybody and the negotiating team is going to keep working at the bargaining table on a fair agreement," said ILWU spokesman Craig Merrilees.
Any type of job action could cripple the nation's economy, which is already suffering from a major recession, according to Jack Kyser, chief
"A strike wouldn't do anybody any good because it would have nationwide implications," Kyser said. "Shippers would pull out of the West Coast and move operations to the Gulf Coast or East Coast ports, or even up to Canada and Mexico."
The 29 ports lining the West Coast generate about $1.3 trillion for the nation, representing about 11 percent of the gross national product, according to the PMA. About 20,000 of the ILWU's members work at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which handle more than 40 percent of the nation's cargo containers.
"I think a lot of people run on the assumption that Los Angeles and Long Beach would survive a strike, but that's not necessarily true given the fragile economic state of the country," Kyser said. "Hopefully, negotiations between the PMA and the ILWU will remain peaceful."
Negotiations began March 17 for a new, three-year labor pact covering longshore workers, marine clerks and foremen working at seaports stretching from San Diego to Seattle.
A tentative agreement was reached two weeks ago on health care benefits. Details were not immediately disclosed, but unionized dockworkers currently have full medical coverage and a $1 co-pay for prescriptions.
Differences remain on pensions, safety and job security, according to both sides.
Before negotiations began, the PMA had expressed a desire to eliminate an early-morning dockworker shift and reconfigure the work day into two 10-hour shifts.
Union officials are seeking pay raises, even as some ILWU members are among the highest paid blue-collar workers in the country.
About 100 ILWU members are expected to meet July 14 to review the terms of any proposed contract before sending it to the full membership for a final vote.
Article by Art Marroquin for the Press-Telegram -Long Beach, CA
SPANISH TRUCKING INCREASES
JULY 1, 2008
The unions in Spain have announced an increase in the trucking of full containers in the amount of 10%. Please note that as of now, this is only for FCL containers. LTL rates are not yet affected.
ITALIA PORT LABOR BARGAINING CONTINUES
Our Manager in Italy has confirmed that effective July 1, 2008, all Italian inlands will be increased by both the steamship lines and trucking companies as follows:
-Intermodal Transport +4.33 %
-All truck transport +8.65%
PORT LABOR BARGAINING CONTINUES
JUNE 28, 2008
LOS ANGELES - A six-year labor contract covering more than 20,000 West Coast dockworkers is set to expire Tuesday, but both sides anticipate negotiations continuing without disruption past the deadline. The positive tone of negotiations is a welcome sign for the slumping U.S. economy, since the $1.2 trillion in cargo handled by those ports represents about 11 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product. And neither side wants a replay of the bitter, 10-day lockout in 2002 that caused an estimated $15 billion in economic losses. "We're committed to resolving the differences at the table and we're committed to getting this done as quickly as we can," said Steve Getzug, a spokesman for the Pacific Maritime Association, which represents 72 mostly foreign shipping companies. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union, whose members handle most operations at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, said it had no plans to call for a strike at the 29 ports covered under the contract if a deal isn't made this week. "The whole tone of the talks has been constructive and positive," said ILWU spokesman Craig Merrilees. "We don't anticipate there being any disruptions." About 15,000 registered longshoremen and 11,000 more casual workers would be affected by the new contract now being negotiated in San Francisco. Neither side has revealed the length being sought in the new contract, although sources said a three-year deal was most likely.
The current labor agreement provides registered longshoremen with wages averaging $41 per hour, health care without monthly premiums and $1 prescription drug benefits. Workers also receive 13 paid holidays and are typically paid overtime after 30 hours a week. Other ports may benefit Paul Bingham, an economist with the research firm Global Insight, said a prolonged labor disruption could prompt shippers to permanently reroute their goods through Canada, Mexico or the Panama Canal. "They have to keep in mind that if they scare away some business, they might not get it back because there are more alternatives than there ever were before," Bingham said.
Bingham believes the talks could last through the summer but not much longer. "With this economy and this being an election year, there are too many external pressures for them not to get a deal," he said. In a sign of progress, the union in mid-June reached a deal with shippers on a health care plan expected to cost employers about $500 million this year. Differences remain, however, on wages, pensions and safety procedures sought after 13 workers died on the job since 2002, Merrilees said. Those deaths included that of Carlos Rivera, 73, who was killed April 4 after being crushed by a forklift while helping unload a ship at California United Terminals in Long Beach. Meanwhile, the PMA has been pushing for increased productivity in anticipation of an expected doubling of cargo volumes on West Coast ports in coming years.
Busier and busier in 2007, West Coast ports handled more than 12 million cargo containers, representing an annual domestic impact of $1.2 trillion, about 11 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product, the PMA said. That volume marked a 45 percent increase from 2002. The twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach alone handled about 40 percent of the nation's container cargo. Unlike in 2002, when major differences surfaced long before the contract expired, there doesn't appear to be any major sticking points this time around. "It's much more collaborative in tone and businesslike than it was in 2002, so that's an encouraging sign," Getzug said.
The October 2002 lockout prompted President Bush to become the first president since Richard Nixon to invoke the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 and ask a federal judge to force some 10,500 workers back to work to help resolve what he said was a national "economic crisis." The judge consented, paving the way to a mediated settlement during a cooling off period. The deal introduced computerized cargo tracking in exchange for increased compensation and pension benefits. Starting July 14, nearly 100 union delegates will meet in San Francisco, either to review a tentative deal or make plans for how to push talks along, Merrilees said.
Article by Kristopher Hanson with Press-Telegram, Long Beach.
Associated Press writer Ryan Nakashima also contributed to this report.
WHEN CUSTOMS KNOCKS
Recent actions by Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") strongly suggest it has intensified enforcement efforts against small importers by showing up unannounced to conduct what it calls "importer premises visits." In the past, such visits have been routinely conducted by import specialists, but only after providing advance notice to the importer and with a focus limited to new or smaller importers "under the radar" of most data profiles conducted by CBP. In recent days, CBP has shown up unannounced with teams of import specialists and auditors at the offices of small importers who may have been the target of seizures for textile quota violations or of other less-concerning errors, including errors which were purely broker-generated. During these unannounced visits, CBP officials have asked questions regarding the importer's purchase, import and sale operations, and requested entry, production and accounting documents on the spot. What are an importer's rights in such cases? Must CBP be allowed in when they knock? Without a warrant issued by a court, CBP officials may be legally denied access to an importer's premises. When they show up unannounced, the importer may politely tell them that the time is inconvenient but would be pleased to meet with them at a mutually convenient time. Although it may seem intimidating to an importer to have a half a dozen CBP officials appear unannounced, the importer has the right to refuse to meet with them then and there. Importers have rights to request that CBP make an appointment and an opportunity to gather, review and make copies of documents requested by CBP for production. Even if Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") special agents show up with guns and badges, they still must bear a court-issued warrant - rather than an administratively-issued subpoena - in order to enter an importer's premises without consent. Inspection of the document presented by the agents will clearly show whether it is a court-issued warrant or an administrative subpoena, and they should fully understand and respect your rights, if you exercise them, in response to a subpoena. Should CBP or ICE arrive at your door without a warrant, you have the right to make them wait before you let them in while you contact appropriate company officials, counsel or other advisors to decide with their advice whether you are prepared to meet at that time or at a later time more convenient to you, other company officials, your counsel or your advisor.
Special thanks to Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. for providing this information.
CMA CGM CUSTOMER ADVISORY - CHANGE IN ROTATION TO THE AMERIGO SERVICE
CMA CGM have issued the following advisory, announcing effective July 2008, it will add the call of Naples, Italy, to it's Amerigo Service.
Click here to view the advisory in PDF.
AMERICAN SHIPPER ARTICLE - UNION PACIFIC CANCELS EMBARGOES
Published June 20th, 2008
American Shipper have published the following article, on June 20th, 2008, announcing the cancellation by Union Pacific of embargoes in relation to the flooding conditions in the Midwest.
Click here to view the American Shipper article in PDF.
SAFMARINE CLIENT ADVISORY - MIDWEST RAIL UPDATE
Safmarine have issued the following update with regards to the latest situation in the Midwest and the disruption to rail services by numerous railroads.
CHILE WEATHER UPDATE - THE PASS IS OPEN
Our traffic manager in Chile informs us that The Pass is now open once again, following a snow storm. Passage is permitted for all types of vehicles on the condition that snow chains are used.
AMERICAN SHIPPER NEWS WIRE ARTICLE
Published June 19, 2008
Update on ILWU Contract Talks
The American Shipper News Wire have published an interesting article on the current ILWU contract talks. The west coast dockers' contract talks are still in process, but many issues still remain to be solved.
Click here to view the American Shipper News Wire Article in PDF.
OVERSEAS OFFICE CLOSURES - CHILE
June 19, 2008
Please note the following upcoming overseas office closures:
Chile - closed June 29th for a local holiday.
Please contact WSSA directly should you need immediate assistance.
BNSF RAILWAY SERVICE ADVISORY - SEVERE WEATHER IN THE MIDWEST
June 18, 2008
BNSF have issued the following service advisory regarding disruptions and delays to their rail service due to the current severe weather and flooding in the Midwest.
HAPAG-LLOYD CUSTOMER NOTICE - NORTH AMERICAN RAIL UPDATE
Hapag-Lloyd have issued the following customer notice regarding the North American rail network situation in relation to the current weather conditions in the Midwest.
Click here to view the notice in PDF.
K-LINE CUSTOMER ADVISORY - FORCE MAJEURE DECLARED
We have been informed by K-Line that they have declared Force Majeure in view of the current flooding conditions in the Midwest.
Click here to view the official K-Line declaration in PDF.
CMA CGM CUSTOMER ADVISORY-FOS PORT SURCHARGE
We have been advised that CMA CGM will implement a port congestion surcharge for all cargo ex. Fos. The charges will be as follows:
EURO 100 per container for waiting times and repositioning of vessels.
EURO 40 per container as an extra moving surcharge, debited by stevedores.
HAPAG-LLOYD CUSTOMER ADVISORY-ITALIAN FUEL SURCHARGE
Hapag-Lloyd have announced that effective July 1, 2008, they will implement a Fuel Surcharge increase on the present Italian inland tariff.
ICL CUSTOMER NOTICE - EIFS SURCHARGE FOR EUROPEAN AND USA CARGO
ICL have advised that effective July 2008, they will be revising their Emergency Intermodal Fuel Surcharge (EIFS) due to the rising diesel fuel costs.
HAPAG LLOYD CUSTOMER ADVISORY-CIVITAVECCHIA TSD.
Hapag-Lloyd have been informed that effective July 15, 2008, the Port of Civitavecchia, Italy will be implementing a Terminal Security Fee (TSD).
The fee will be EURO 8 per container.
HAPAG-LLOYD CUSTOMER ADVISORY - PORT CONGESTION SURCHARGE FOR LE HAVRE AND FOS.
Hapag-Lloyd have announced that beginning July 15th, 2008, they will be implementing a Port Congestion Surcharge for the French ports of Le Havre and Fos.
HAPAG-LLOYD ANNOUNCES IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ANP SERVICE
May 22, 2008
Hapag-Lloyd have announced, on their website, that they will be making improvements to their ANP Service between Australia/New Zealand and the US East coast beginning May/June this year.
Click here to for information in PDF.
OOCL ADVISORY - US PORT AND RAIL SCHEDULE FOR MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY, MAY 26TH 2008
OOCL have issued the following announcement detailing their US Port and Rail Schedule for the forthcoming Memorial Day Holiday.
Click here to view the announcement from www.OOCL.com
OOCL NEWS - FREIGHT PAYMENTS VIA EFT
OOCL are now offering the option to customers to pay their freight payments via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
Click here to find out more information on this service from www.OOCL.com
OOCL NEWS - 24/7 INTERACTIVE VOICE RESPONSE SYSTEM
OOCL have advised that it is now offering increased service to customers wishing to obtain end to end shipment information through their Voice Response System. This service is offered in addition to OOCL's interactive website.
Click here to view more information on this service from www.OOCL.com
OOCL NEWS - EUROPE/USA TRADE - DEREGULATION AND NEW BAF ARRANGEMENTS
OOCL have published a very informative article on their website regarding the deregulation and new BAF arrangements for Europe-USA trade.
Click here to view the article from www.OOCL.com.
MSC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT - NEW BAYPORT TERMINAL
April 24, 2008
MSC have issued the following service announcement announcing the opening of the new state of the art Bayport Container Terminal in Houston, TX. MSC operations will be transferred to this terminal from the previously used Barbours Cut Terminal.
Click here to view the announcement in PDF.
HAPAG-LLOYD CUSTOMER ADVISORY - WAS SERVICE REVISIONS
April 18, 2008
Hapag-Lloyd have issued the following customer advisory regarding changes to the port rotations for their WAS Service from New Zealand to USWC.
HAMBURG SUD CLIENT ADVISORY
March 2, 2008
Hamburg Sud have issued the following client advisory regarding an increase in the inland tariff fuel surcharge for all northbound USA, Canada and Mexico cargo.
EMBASSY OF GREECE PRESS BULLETIN
February 21, 2008
The Embassy of Greece have issued the following press bulletin regarding the recent meeting between Merchant Marine Minister Voulgarakis and the port workers currently taking strike action.
Click here to view the press bulletin in PDF.
ICL CUSTOMER ADVISORY - CBP "10 + 2" PROPOSED RULE CHANGE
February 14, 2008
ICL have issued the following advisory with more information on the CBP proposed rule making (NPRM) for the "10 + 2 Rule".
For more information on this proposed rule change, please go to the "Government and Security" section of this website, where you can view notices posted by the CBP.
Click here to view the ICL Advisory in PDF.
MSC CLIENT ADVISORY - PORT OF CAPETOWN CONGESTION
February 7, 2008
MSC have issued the following advisory regarding current congestion at the Port of Cape Town due to severe weather.
UNION PACIFIC CUSTOMER NOTICE
January 29, 2008
Union Pacific have issued the following customer notice regarding it's service in the Pacific Northwest and the impact mudslides are having on the service.
INCREASES IN ITALIAN HAULAGE
January 2, 2008
Our strategic partner in Italy, Albatrans, has advised that effective January 1, 2008, all truckers and steamship lines will apply a fuel surcharge for all inland transportation performed in Italy.
---Increase of 5.22% for shipments moving ALL MOTOR
---Increase ranging from 2.50% to 2.61% in the case of Intermodal from Modena, Bologna, Milano or Padova terminals
---There is a general rate increase of 5% on all Italian haulage.
HAPAG-LLOYD CUSTOMER NEWS
December 2007
Hapag-Lloyd have made numerous announcements, all contained within it's December 2007 edition of CustomerNEWS.
Click here to view the announcements in PDF.
HAPAG-LLOYD CUSTOMER NOTICE
December 17, 2007
Hapag-Lloyd have announced an increase in the free time now available at the Port of Miami.
MSC ANNOUNCES PORT CHANGE FOR NORFOLK, VIRGINIA
December 10, 2007
MSC have announced that effective immediately, they will no longer call at Norfolk, VA. Instead, they will call at Portsmouth, VA.
CARRIER IMPORT LINE DEMURRAGE AT US PORTS - RULE REVISION
December 3, 2007
There has been a revision made to the above noted rule, effective November 28, 2007.
Click here to view the entire document in PDF.
HAPAG-LLOYD CUSTOMER ADVISORY - INCREASE IN CARRIER DEMURRAGE CHARGE
Hapag-Lloyd have announced an increase in the Carrier Demurrage Charge at USA Rail Terminals.
CMA CGM PRESS RELEASE
CMA CGM has reached an agreement to acquire US Lines
CMA CGM have issued the following press release, announcing that they have reached an agreement to acquire Santa Ana, CA based US Lines.
Click here to view the press release in PDF.
CARRIERS ANNOUNCE ALAMEDA CORRIDOR CHARGE INCREASE
November 30, 2007
Many carriers have announced an increase in the Alameda Corridor Surcharge. Effective January 1, 2008, there will be an increase in this surcharge as follows:
20 - foot container - $19 (increase $1) 40 - foot container - $38* (increase $2) * 40' hi-cubes take the same increase.
20 - foot container - $19 (increase $1)
40 - foot container - $38* (increase $2)
* 40' hi-cubes take the same increase.
HAPAG-LLOYD CLIENT ADVISORY
European Port Situation for Week 45
November 9, 2007
Hapag-Lloyd have issued the following advisory regarding the status of operations at European ports for week 45.
MSC CLIENT ADVISORY
October 23, 2007
MSC have issued the following client advisory with reference to the Inland Tariff Fuel Escalation Surcharge Increase, effective November 22, 2007.
October 3, 2007
Hapag-Lloyd have announced that effective November 2007, it will increase the Inland Fuel Surcharge for cargo arriving in North American from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
US CUSTOMS "10+2" SECURITY FILING INITIATIVE
July 19, 2007
The US Customs and Border Protection have published this article, taken from their website, offering many questions and answers on the US Customs "10+2" Security Filing Initiative. The link also provides a link to the OOCL website, which provides more information.
Click here to view the article in PDF.
AIR SEA GLOBAL E-NEWSLETTER
April 27, 2007
Our partner in New Zealand, Air Sea Global, has issued the following E-Newsletter providing valuable label information and requirements for those shipping wine originating in New Zealand to the USA for trade shows etc.
Click here to view the E-Newsletter in PDF.
ICL CLIENT ADVISORY - ARRIVAL NOTICES
April 6, 2007
ICL has issued a client advisory regarding arrival notices and related notifications.
TACA ANNOUNCEMENTS
TACA BAF CAF ANNOUNCEMENT
May 12, 2008
April 11, 2008
March 10, 2008
February 11, 2008
January 11, 2008
TACA EASTBOUND TARIFF GENERAL RATE INCREASE
December 19, 2007
TACA ANNOUNCEMENT - BUNKER FORMULA SUSPENSION
December 12, 2007
November 12, 2007
October 9, 2007
September 10, 2007
TACA ANNOUNCEMENT-EASTBOUND TARIFF RATE RESTORATION
August 30, 2007
TACA have issued a Trade Announcement regarding the tariff rate restoration for all eastbound traffic, effective from October 1, 2007.
August 10, 2007
July 9, 2008
June 11, 2007
May 11, 2007
April 10, 2007
March 12, 2007
WSSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS WSSA was established in 1976 as a non-profit organization for the Alcoholic Beverage industry, by the Alcoholic Beverage industry.
The WSSA Board of Directors is actually made up of senior executives in the US Wine and Spirits Industry and are actively involved in the Association.
OTHER BEVERAGE INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS
Various other organizations involved in the Alcoholic Beverage industry can provide assistance to existing and prospective importers and distributors. We have listed a brief summary for each.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BEVERAGE IMPORTERS
(NABI)
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: (240) 453-9998
Fax: (240) 453-9358
Email: beverageimporters@nabi-inc.org
Website: www.nabi-inc.org
NABI is a national trade association representing the interests of beer, wine and spirit importers at state and federal levels. NABI also keeps members informed of fast-changing US import rules and regulations and the maze of international policies that affect importers.
NABI's mission: help the importer members operate their businesses more efficiently and profitably by providing timely information, aggressive representation, and thoughtful advice on technical and political matters.
WINE & SPIRITS WHOLESALERS
OF AMERICA, INC. (WSWA)
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 371-9792
Fax: (202) 789-2405
Website: www.wswa.org/public
WSWA is the national trade organization representing the wholesale branch of the wine and spirits industry. It is dedicated to advancing the interest and independence of wholesale distributors of wine and/or spirits.
DISTILLED SPIRITS COUNCIL (DISCUS)
Phone: (202) 628-3544
Website: www.discus.org
DISCUS is a national trade association representing producers and marketers of distilled spirits sold in the United States.
ALCOHOL, TOBACCO TAX AND TRADE BUREAU
(TTB)
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20226
Website: www.ttb.gov
This government agency handles import permits, label requirements/approvals and other alcoholic beverage-related matters dealing with importing and selling alcoholic beverages in the US.
The TTB requires retailers of beverage alcohol products to register, pay special tax and maintain certain records.
Wholesalers and importers of beverage alcohol products must also register, pay special tax and maintain certain records. In addition, wholesalers and importers must obtain a permit and follow more requirements.
For Frequently Asked Questions, go to:
top of page WSSA handles ocean shipping services for wholesale quantities for Importers, Distributors and Suppliers in the beverage industry.