Publications

ATF amends the alcohol labeling and advertising rules to cross-reference the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) rules. Any alcohol beverage labeled or advertised with an organic claim must comply with both NOP rules administered by USDA and the applicable rules administered by ATF. Elsewhere in this separate part, ATF invites comments on this temporary rule. We will accept comments during the 60-day period following publication of the rule.

Published/Revised: October 8, 2002

This final rule places with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’ all ATF authorities contained in the Removal of Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes, Without Payment of Tax, for Use of the United States regulations and in the Miscellaneous Regulations Relating to Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes. Consequently, this final rule removes the definitions of, and references to, officers and offices subordinate to the Director. This final rule also requires that persons file documents required by these regulations with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’ or in accordance with the instructions on the ATF form. Concurrently with this Treasury Decision, ATF Order 1130.28 is being issued and will be made available as specified in this rule. Through this order, the Director has delegated all of the authorities to the appropriate ATF officers and specified the ATF officers with whom applications, notices, and other reports, which are not ATF forms, are filed.

Published/Revised: February 27, 2002

This final rule places ATF authorities with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’ and requires that persons file documents required with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’ or in accordance with the instructions on the ATF form. Also, this final rule removes the definitions of, and references to, specific officers subordinate to the Director and the word ‘‘region.’’ Concurrently with this Treasury Decision, ATF Order 1130.12 is being issued and will be available to the public as specified in this rule. Through this order, the Director has delegated all of the authorities to the appropriate ATF officers and specified the ATF officers with whom applications, notices and other reports, which are not ATF forms, are to be filed. In addition, this final rule removes the regulations relating to a repealed tax on imported perfumes.

Published/Revised: March 13, 2002

This Treasury decision amends the provisions of 27 CFR part 200 to change the title designation “District Director” to “Director of Industry Operations (DIO)” wherever it appears, and to make other necessary conforming amendments.  All such changes are to provide clarity and uniformity throughout Title 27 Code of Federal Regulations.

Published/Revised: May 6, 2016

This final rule establishes a viticultural area located in Mendocino County, California, to be known as ``Yorkville Highlands,'' and extends the southern boundary of the Mendocino Viticultural Area to coincide with the boundary of Yorkville Highlands. These actions are the result of a petition filed by Mr. William J.A. Weir for the Yorkville Highlands Appellation Committee and a related petition filed by Ms. Bernadette A. Byrne, Executive Director of the Mendocino Winegrowers Alliance.

Published/Revised: April 7, 1998

This final rule amends regulations to clarify the meanings of terms, increase license and permit fees, eliminate duplication in licensing, relax the licensing requirements for on-site manufacturers, implement a storage notification requirement for manufacturers and other storers of explosives, update the theft/loss hotline number for reporting thefts or losses of explosives, and make minor modifications to regulations on storage.

Published/Revised: July 14, 1998

This final rule places ATF authorities contained in ATF regulations, with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’ and requires that persons file documents required by ATF regulations, with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’ or in accordance with the instructions on the ATF form. Also, this final rule removes the definitions of, and references to, specific officers subordinate to the Director and the word ‘‘region.’’ Concurrently with this Treasury Decision, ATF Order 1130.23 is being published. Through this order, the Director has delegated all of the authorities in ATF regulations to the appropriate ATF officers and specified the ATF officers with whom applications, notices and other reports, which are not ATF forms, are filed. In addition, this final rule makes a few corrections and provides an additional option for filing a statement of eligibility for flavors.

Published/Revised: May 1, 2001

Authority delegation. This final rule places all ATF authorities contained in regulations on ‘‘Labeling Proceedings’’ with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’ and requires that persons file documents required by those regulations with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’ or in accordance with the instructions on the ATF form. This final rule removes the definitions of, and references to, specific ATF officers subordinate to the Director. Concurrently with this Treasury Decision, ATF Order 1130.21 is being published. Through this order, the Director has delegated the authorities in those regulations to the appropriate ATF officers and specified the ATF officers with whom appeals and other documents are filed.

Published/Revised: April 13, 2001

Authority delegation. This final rule places all ATF authorities contained in part 30, title 27 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer.’’ Also, this final rule removes the definitions of, and references to, specific officers subordinate to the Director. Concurrently with this Treasury Decision, ATF Order 1130.17 is being published. Through this order, the Director has delegated the authorities in 27 CFR part 30 to the appropriate ATF officers.

Published/Revised: January 19, 2001

The Department of Justice is amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regulations to remove those defense articles currently on the U.S. Munitions Import List that ATF by delegation has determined no longer warrant import control under the Arms Export Control Act.

Published/Revised: May 18, 2016

The Department of Justice is amending its regulations to extend the trial period during which the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) may exercise, for an additional one-year period following the effective date of this rule, the authority under the United States Code to seize and administratively forfeit property involved in controlled substance offenses. The Attorney General has determined that the trial period that ends on Feb. 25, 2014, should be extended for another year to give ATF more time to refine its processes, fully hire and train all necessary staff, and further demonstrate the effectiveness of the delegation in the investigation of violent crimes involving firearms.

Published/Revised: May 30, 2015

This rule amends the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to extend the standard term of import permits for firearms, ammunition, and defense articles from 1 year to 2 years. The additional time will allow importers sufficient time to complete the importation of the authorized commodity. In addition, it will eliminate the need for the importer to submit a new import application, ATF Form 6, where the importation was not completed within the 1-year period. Extending the term of import permits will result in a substantial cost and time savings for both the industry and ATF, and will not cause any discernible adverse effects. This rulemaking proceeding is included in the Department of Justice’s retrospective review plan developed pursuant to Executive Order 13563, ‘‘Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review.’’

Published/Revised: May 18, 2016

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is recodifying the regulations in part 296- Miscellaneous Regulations Relating to Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes, title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The purpose of this recodification is to reissue the regulations in 27 CFR part 296 as 27 CFR part 46. This change improves the organization of title 27.

Published/Revised: July 14, 2001

This document contains a correction to a final rule published by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in the February 7, 2002.

Published/Revised: October 15, 2002

ATF Adjunct Instructor Data Form - ATF Form 6140.3

Published/Revised: October 7, 2020

This temporary rule implements some of the provisions of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. The new law sets forth the requirement that, beginning Jan. 1, 2000, importers of tobacco products qualify for a permit to conduct that activity. Implementing changes, including a transitional rule, are made to part 275. In addition, clarifying changes are made to part 275. In the Proposed Rules section of this Federal Register, ATF is also issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking inviting comments on this temporary rule for a 60-day period following the publication of this temporary rule.

Published/Revised: December 22, 1999

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms published a final rule in the April 15, 2002, Federal Register concerning the delegation of the Directorate's authorities in its exportation of liquors regulations.

Published/Revised: April 15, 2002

This final rule places most ATF authorities contained in its Exportation of Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes, Without Payment of Tax, or With Drawback of Tax regulations with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’. Consequently, this final rule removes the definitions of, and references to, specific officers subordinate to the Director and the word ‘‘region.’’ This final rule also requires that persons file documents required by these regulations with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’ or in accordance with the instructions on the ATF form. Concurrently with this Treasury Decision, ATF Order 1130.31 is being issued and will be made available as specified in this rule. Through this order, the Director has delegated most of the authorities to the appropriate ATF officers and specified the ATF officers with whom applications, notices and other reports, which are not ATF forms, are filed. In addition, this final rule makes a few corrections and miscellaneous changes.

Published/Revised: May 8, 2002

The Department of Justice is amending its regulations to allow the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to exercise, for a one-year period following the effective date of this rule, the authority to seize and administratively forfeit property involved in controlled substance offenses. Many years of experience have demonstrated that forfeiting the assets of criminals is an essential tool in combating criminal activity and provides law enforcement with the capacity to dismantle criminal organizations that would continue to function after the conviction and incarceration of individual offenders. Moreover, administrative forfeiture permits the expedient and effective use of this crucial law enforcement tool.

Published/Revised: May 30, 2015

This document contains a correcting amendment to the temporary regulations, which were published in the Federal Register on Dec. 22, 1999, (64 FR 71947). The temporary regulations relate to implementing certain provisions of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 that set forth requirements that, beginning Jan. 1, 2000, importers of tobacco products must qualify for a permit to conduct that activity.

Published/Revised: May 27, 2015

The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) by removing the 90- day State residency requirement for aliens lawfully present in the United States to purchase or acquire a firearm. The Department has determined that the Gun Control Act does not permit ATF to impose a regulatory requirement that aliens lawfully present in the United States are subject to a 90-day State residency requirement when such a requirement is not applicable to U.S. citizens. In addition, upon the effective date of this interim final rule the provisions of ATF Ruling 2004–1 will become obsolete.

Published/Revised: April 26, 2016

In 2002, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) published an interim final rule implementing the provision of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999, relating to firearms disabilities for certain nonimmigrant aliens. That regulation implemented the law by prohibiting, with certain exceptions, the sale or disposition of firearms or ammunition to, and the possession, shipment, transportation, or receipt of firearms or ammunition by, nonimmigrant aliens.

Published/Revised: April 26, 2016

This Treasury decision makes technical amendments and corrects typographical errors in parts 55, 70, 270 and 275 of title 27 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Published/Revised: March 27, 2001

The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) by allowing shock tube to be stored with detonators because these materials when stored together do not pose a mass detonation hazard. Shock tube is a small diameter plastic laminate tube coated with a very thin layer of explosive material. When initiated, it transmits a low energy wave from one point to another. The outer surface of the tube remains intact during and after functioning.

Published/Revised: May 6, 2016

The Department of Justice has adopted as final, without change, an interim rule that amended the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (‘‘ATF’’) to delegate to the Director of ATF the authority to serve as the deciding official regarding the denial, suspension, or revocation of federal firearms licenses, or the imposition of a civil fine. Under the interim rule, the Director has the flexibility to delegate to another ATF official the authority to decide a revocation or denial matter, or may exercise that authority himself. Because the Director can redelegate authority to take action as the final agency decision-maker to Headquarters officials, field officials, or some combination thereof, such flexibility allows ATF to more efficiently conduct denial, suspension, and revocation hearings, and make the determination whether to impose a civil fine. This gives the agency the ability to ensure consistency in decision-making and to address any case backlogs that may occur.

Published/Revised: April 21, 2022