§ 275.11 - Meaning of terms.

When used in this part and in forms prescribed under this part, the following terms shall have the meanings given in this section, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Words in the plural form shall include the singular, and vice versa, and words indicating the masculine gender shall include the feminine. The terms “includes” and “including” do not exclude things not listed which are in the same general class.

Appropriate ATF officer. An officer or employee of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) authorized to perform any functions relating to the administration or enforcement of this part by ATF Order 1130.16A, Delegation Order—Delegation of the Director's Authorities in 27 CFR Part 275, Importation of Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes and ATF Order 1130.15, Delegation Order—Delegation of Certain of the Director's Authorities in 27 CFR Parts 270, 275 and 296.

Associate Director (Compliance Operations). The Associate Director (Compliance Operations) in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, who is responsible to, and functions under the direction and supervision of, the Director.

ATF. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

ATF officer. An officer of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) authorized to perform any function relating to the administration or enforcement of this part.

Bank. Any commercial bank.

Banking day. Any day during which a bank is open to the public for carrying on substantially all its banking functions.

Business day. Any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday. (The term legal holiday includes all holidays in the District of Columbia and, in the case of bonded manufacturers in Puerto Rico, all legal holidays in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.)

Bonded manufacturer. A manufacturer of tobacco products in Puerto Rico who has an approved bond, in accordance with the provisions of this part, authorizing him to defer the payment in Puerto Rico on the internal revenue tax imposed on such products by 26 U.S.C. 7652(a) as provided in this part.

CFR. The Code of Federal Regulations.

Chewing Tobacco. Any leaf tobacco that is not intended to be smoked.

Chief, Puerto Rico Operations. The primary representative in Puerto Rico of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Cigar. Any roll of tobacco wrapped in leaf tobacco or in any substance containing tobacco (other than any roll of tobacco which is a cigarette within the meaning of paragraph (2) of the definition for cigarette).

Cigarette. (1) Any roll of tobacco wrapped in paper or in any substance not containing tobacco, and

(2) Any roll of tobacco wrapped in any substance containing tobacco which, because of its appearance, the type of tobacco used in the filler, or its packaging and labeling, is likely to be offered to, or purchased by, consumers as a cigarette described in paragraph (1) of this definition.

Cigarette paper. Paper, or any other material except tobacco, prepared for use as a cigarette wrapper.

Cigarette tube. Cigarette paper made into a hollow cylinder for use in making cigarettes.

Commercial bank. A bank, whether or not a member of the Federal Reserve System, which has access to the Federal Reserve Communications System (FRCS) or Fedwire. The “FRCS” or “Fedwire” is a communications network that allows Federal Reserve System member banks to effect a transfer of funds for their customers (or other commercial banks) to the Treasury Account at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York.

Computation or computed. When used with respect to the tax on tobacco products of Puerto Rican manufacture, computation or computed shall mean that the bonded manufacturer has ascertained the quantity and kind (small cigars, large cigars, small cigarettes, large cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, pipe tobacco, or roll-your-own tobacco) of tobacco products and the sale price of large cigars being shipped to the United States; that adequate bond has been posted to cover the payment, in Puerto Rico, of the tax on such products to be deferred under subpart G of this part; that the tax imposed on such products by 26 U.S.C. 7652(a) has been calculated; that the bonded manufacturer has executed an agreement to pay the internal revenue tax which will become due with respect to such products, as provided in this part; and that an ATF officer has verified and executed a certification of such calculation.

Customs officer. Any officer of the Customs Service or any commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the Coast Guard, or any agent or other person authorized by law or designated by the Secretary of the Treasury to perform any duties of an officer of the Customs Service.

Determine. To establish enough information about taxable products at the time of removal to calculate the tax, specifically the quantity (pounds or number) and kind (for example, cigarettes, snuff, paper tubes). Where the tax rate depends on additional information (such as number of cigarette papers to a set before 1/1/2000 or sale price of large cigars), that information must also be established as part of tax determination.

Director. The Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC.

District director. A district director of internal revenue.

Electronic fund transfer or EFT. Any transfer of funds effected by a bonded manufacturer's commercial bank, either directly or through a correspondent banking relationship, via the Federal Reserve Communications System (FRCS) or Fedwire to the Treasury Account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Export warehouse. A bonded internal revenue warehouse for the storage of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes, upon which the internal revenue tax has not been paid, for subsequent shipment to a foreign country, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or a possession of the United States, or for consumption beyond the jurisdiction of the internal revenue laws of the United States.

Export warehouse proprietor. Any person who operates an export warehouse.

Factory. The premises of a manufacturer of tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes in which he carries on such business.

Fiscal year. The period which begins October 1 and ends on the following September 30.

HTS. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, as published by the United States International Trade Commission.

Importer. Any person in the United States to whom non-taxpaid tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes manufactured in a foreign country, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or a possession of the United States are shipped or consigned; any person who removes cigars for sale or consumption in the United States from a Customs bonded manufacturing warehouse; and any person who smuggles or otherwise unlawfully brings tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes into the United States.

Large cigarettes. Cigarettes weighing more than three pounds per thousand.

Large cigars. Cigars weighing more than three pounds per thousand.

Manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes. Any person who manufactures cigarette paper, or makes up cigarette paper into tubes, except for his own personal use or consumption.

Manufacturer of tobacco products. Any person who manufactures cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, pipe tobacco, or roll-your-own tobacco but does not include:

(1) A person who produces tobacco products solely for that person's own consumption or use; or

(2) A proprietor of a Customs bonded manufacturing warehouse with respect to the operation of such warehouse.

Package. The container in which tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes are put up by the manufacturer or the importer for delivery to the consumer.

Person. An individual, partnership, association, company, corporation, estate, or trust.

Pipe tobacco. Any tobacco which because of its appearance, type, packaging, or labeling, is suitable for use and likely to be offered to, or purchased by, consumers as tobacco to be smoked in a pipe.

Port Director of Customs. The director of any port or port of entry as defined in 19 CFR 101.1. A list of ports is set forth in 19 CFR 101.3.

Records. Statements, declarations, books, papers, correspondence, accounts, technical data, automated record storage devices (e.g., magnetic discs and tapes), computer programs necessary to retrieve information in a usable form, and other documents that:

(1) Pertain to any importation of tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes, or to the information contained in the documents required by law or regulation under the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, in connection with the importation or shipment into the United states from Puerto Rico of merchandise; and

(2) Are of the type normally kept in the ordinary course of business; and

(3) Are sufficiently detailed to:

(i) Establish the right to make the importation or shipment into the United States from Puerto Rico;

(ii) Establish the correctness of any importation or shipment into the United States from Puerto Rico;

(iii) Determine the liability of any person for duties and taxes due, or which may be due, to the United States;

(iv) Determine the liability of any person for fines, penalties, and forfeitures; and

(v) Determine whether the person has complied with the laws and regulations administered by ATF and the Customs Service, and any other documents required under laws or regulations administered by ATF and the Customs Service.

Region. A Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Region.

Regional Director (compliance). The principal regional official responsible for administering regulations in this part.

Relanding. Any tobacco products, cigarette papers or tubes, which have been labeled or shipped for exportation (including to Puerto Rico) as prescribed in this chapter, previously exported and returned within the jurisdiction of the United States.

Removal or Remove. The removal of tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes from the factory or release from internal revenue bond under 26 U.S.C. 5704, or release from customs custody, including conditional release in accordance with 19 CFR 141.0a(i), and shall also include the smuggling or other unlawful importation of such articles into the United States.

Roll-your-own tobacco. Any tobacco which, because of its appearance, type, packaging, or labeling, is suitable for use and likely to be offered to, or purchased by, consumers as tobacco for making cigarettes.

Sale price. The price for which large cigars are sold by the importer or manufacturer, determined in accordance with § 275.39 and used for computation of the excise tax.

Small cigarettes. Cigarettes weighing not more than three pounds per thousand.

Small cigars. Cigars weighing not more than three pounds per thousand.

Smokeless tobacco. Any chewing tobacco or snuff.

Snuff. Any finely cut, ground, or powdered tobacco that is not intended to be smoked.

This chapter. Chapter I, title 27, Code of Federal Regulations.

Tobacco products. Cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, pipe tobacco, and roll-your-own tobacco.

Treasury Account. The Department of the Treasury's General Account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

United States. When used in a geographical sense shall include only the States and the District of Columbia.

U.S.C. The United States Code.