How to Export Wine to the USA

A step by step process of how to export wines from Europe to the USA market.

Clerissa is now pleased to welcome onboard our partner from the USA, Darryl. We can now advise and action wineries from across the world who wish to export and build sales to the USA. It is a complex market to enter, but there is a clear legal way to do so.

The process to get your wines into the USA comes in stages, below is a basic map on the procedures you will need to complete:

Producer and TCC preparation

- Collect each wine’s technical information.

- Calculate landed costs.

- Agree payment, shipping and commercial terms.

- Check all shipment documents agree.

TTB — Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau - COLA's

- Confirm the wine’s alcohol classification.

- Resolve natural-wine certification requirements.

- Obtain required wine-origin certificates and support label (COLA) claims.

- Prepare compliant labels and containers under the applicable labeling route.

- Obtain required label (COLA) approval and check printed labels.

- Prepare optional federal tax-benefit assignments.

FDA — Food and Drug Administration

- Complete required food-facility registrations.

- Resolve food-safety and supplier-verification requirements.

- Submit FDA Prior Notice.

- Apply FDA labeling requirements where relevant.

USDA — Department of Agriculture

- Address organic certification and import requirements, if applicable.

Other special product requirements go to the relevant authority.

CBP — U.S. Customs and Border Protection

- Check origin and import eligibility with the relevant agencies.

- Confirm customs classification and tax treatment.

- Confirm importer identification, broker and customs bond.

- Prepare invoices and valuation evidence.

- File ocean security information where required.

- Submit customs entry and agency information.

- Complete bonded/transit procedures if used.

- Complete entry accounting and required payments.

- Resolve post-entry customs matters.

State and local authorities

- Complete applicable state and local compliance work.

- Confirm remaining conditions for sale in each market.

- Fulfill orders through lawful sales and delivery channels.

Origin-country authorities

- Complete export and excise formalities.

Freight forwarder and carrier

- Book transport and receiving arrangements.

- Complete carrier filings and loading requirements.

- Track transit changes and coordinate filing updates.

- Obtain carrier release and arrange collection.

Continuing and shared responsibilities

- Resolve Customs and FDA reviews.

- Address holds, corrections, or refusals when required.

- Maintain records, reports, renewals, and updates.

- Handle regulatory problems or recalls when needed.