In a new rule finalized earlier this month, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”) authorized twenty-eight additional standards of fill for wine and distilled spirits containers, allowing for greater flexibility in packaging and more purchasing options for consumers. The ruling also removes the previous distinction between the standards of fill for canned and non-canned distilled spirits. 

Standards of fill are the approved amount of alcoholic beverage that can be filled in a container, rather than the size or capacity of the container itself, and TTB periodically updates the standards of fill based on comments from industry members, trade associations, and government representatives. 

Prior to the new ruling, TTB authorized  various standards of fill for wine and spirits, whether domestically bottled or imported. The following updated standards of fill are in addition to those already permitted: 

Wine: Thirteen additional standards of fill now permitted, including 180, 300, 330, 360, 473 (16 oz.), 550, 568 (19.2 oz), 600, 620, 700, and 720 milliliter sizes and 1.8 and 2.25 liter sizes. 

Distilled Spirits: Fifteen additional standards of fill now permitted, including 187, 250, 331, 350, 355, 475, 500, 570, 700, 710, and 945 milliliter sizes and 1.5, 2, 3, and 3.75 liter sizes. All standards of fill for distilled spirits are now approved for cans and containers other than cans. 

For more information on standards of fill, contact an attorney at Strike Kerr & Johns.