In the TTB Newsletter, we compile the top TTB news of the week and other helpful information about the Bureau and the Federal alcohol and tobacco laws and regulations we enforce. Please send any questions or comments to the Executive Liaison for Industry Matters at IndustryLiaison@ttb.gov. TTB Newsletter Archives | ![Need BIG Text?]() |
FORMER PRESIDENT OF SAN DIEGO CUSTOMS BROKERS ASSOCIATION SENTENCED TO PRISON View the July 1, 2013 news release at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California website. United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that a San Diego businessman named Gerardo Chavez and his corporation were sentenced on July 1, 2013, for their roles in a long-running conspiracy to evade customs duties. According to court documents, Chavez's scheme focused on purchasing large, commercial quantities of foreign-made goods and importing them without paying import taxes, also known as Customs duties. Wholesalers in the United States would procure commercial shipments of, among other things, Chinese-made apparel and Indian-made cigarettes, and arrange for them to be shipped by ocean container to the Port of Long Beach, California. United States District Judge Michael M. Anello sentenced Chavez to serve 37 months in prison and his corporation, International Trade Consultants, LLC, to serve 5 years of probation. In addition, Judge Anello ordered that Chavez forfeit real property in Tecate, California, where Chavez maintained his corporate offices. Judge Anello also ordered Chavez to appear for a future restitution hearing, at which Chavez could be ordered to pay millions of dollars in compensation to state and federal taxing authorities. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and TTB investigated the case. (Source: http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/rss.xml) ANNUAL LIST OF APPROVED SURETY COMPANIES PUBLISHEDDo you need to file a new or amended bond with TTB? We remind our industry members that we may accept surety bonds only from approved companies. You may view a list of approved sureties in Treasury Department Circular 570, Companies Holding Certificates of Authority as Acceptable Sureties on Federal Bonds and as Acceptable Reinsuring Companies, published in the Federal Register each July. The 2013 edition of Circular 570 is now available, but please note the most current list of approved surety companies is always available on the Internet at www.fms.treas.gov/c570. WHAT'S POPULAR ON TTB.GOVThe Most Requested Official Forms at TTB.gov for the Week of June 24 - July 1 TTB F 5000.24 - Excise Tax Return
TTB F 5100.31 - Application for and Certification/Exemption of Label/Bottle Approval
TTB F 5000.24sm - Excise Tax Return (Smart Form)
TTB F 5110.74 - Application for an Alcohol Fuel Producer Under 26 U.S.C. 5181
TTB F 5000.8 - Power of Attorney
TTB F 5100.24 - Application for Basic Permit
TTB F 5300.26 - Federal Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax Return
TTB F 5000.9 - Personnel Questionnaire - Alcohol and Tobacco Products
TTB F 5100.11 - Withdrawal of Spirits, Specially Denatured Spirits, or Wines for Exportation
TTB F 5100.1 - Signing Authority for Corporate and LLC Officials
TTB F 5120.25 - Application to Establish and Operate Wine Premises | 
