5.51—Label approval and release.
(a) Certificate of label approval.
Bottled distilled spirits shall not be released from Customs custody for consumption unless there is deposited with the appropriate Customs officer at the port of entry the original or a photostatic copy of an approved certificate of label approval, TTB Form 5100.31.
(b) Release.
If the original or photostatic copy of TTB Form 5100.31 has been approved, the brand or lot of distilled spirits bearing labels identical with those shown thereon may be released from U.S. Customs custody.
(c) Relabeling.
Imported distilled spirits in U.S. Customs custody which are not labeled in conformity with certificates of label approval issued by the appropriate TTB officer must be relabeled prior to release under the supervision of the Customs officers of the port at which the spirits are located.
(d) Statements of process.
TTB Forms 5100.31 covering labels for gin bearing the word “distilled” as a part of the designation shall be accompanied by a statement prepared by the manufacturer, setting forth a step-by-step description of the manufacturing process.
(e) Cross reference.
For procedures regarding the issuance, denial, and revocation of certificates of label approval, as well as appeal procedures, see part 13 of this chapter.