Imported Beer Kegs Require Country of Origin Marking, CBP Tells Brewers Association
The Brewers Association will revise conference policy and performance guidelines in response to a CBP ruling on country of origin markings for imported steel beer kegs, the group said in a news release. The April 17 ruling, NY N284767, found that steel beer kegs, whether imported empty or not, are "clearly suitable for repetitive use" and therefore not considered "usual containers." CBP also said such kegs can't be considered "instruments of international traffic. "The kegs do not meet this definition for multiple reasons," CBP said. "First, you have not established that the kegs are imported, emptied, and re-exported for refilling. Second, the kegs enter the U.S. commerce. If the kegs are diverted from international traffic and are used domestically, they will cease to be considered instruments of international traffic."
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The trade group, which is made up of craft beer brewers, said it updated its performance guidelines to reflect the CBP ruling. The association said it will also now require companies that exhibit at its annual conference "to sign and date a document that certifies that any and all stainless steel beer kegs that are imported into the U.S. and that exhibitors use at any event hosted or sponsored by the Brewers Association, will be properly marked in accordance with CBP’s country of origin marking requirements."