SERVICE 2: PERMITS ONLINE

Provides an electronic method for drafting, submitting, and tracking original and amended applications for federal permits and registrations required to manufacture and trade in the alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and ammunition industries.

Other Information:

Overview: Permits Online provides an electronic method for drafting, submitting, and tracking original and amended applications for federal permits and registrations, which are required to manufacture and trade in the alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and ammunition industries. The Permits Online system includes business rules and customer support features to help prospective industry members submit complete and accurate information on their permit application the first time. By receiving complete applications, TTB can reduce the time spent in returning applications to customers for correction and re-reviewing corrected submissions, thus improving the time from application to permit issuance. Key Customer Groups: Permits Online services new and existing companies engaged in the business of producing, importing, or wholesaling alcohol beverages, tobacco products, firearms, and ammunition, as well as tax-free alcohol users and dealers. TTB processes approximately 5,800 original and 18,200 amended permits on an annual basis; the total number of regulated industry members is now well over 56,000. The majority of these companies are small businesses. Challenges: Historically, the volume of original permit applications has increased an average of 6 percent annually. Currently, permit processing workloads are tracking at 4 percent above prior year levels and, with resources contracting, maintaining or improving upon prior year service times is a challenge. Permits Online assures that TTB can meet the growing demand for permits. Delays in permit application processing stunt federal revenues and impede economic growth, primarily in the small business sector, as taxable commodities, such as finished wine, beer or spirits products, cannot be lawfully produced without a federal permit from TTB. The application process itself presents problems for prospective or existing industry members. The key challenges for customers in applying for a TTB original or amended permit are determining: * what type of permit they need to operate; * what forms need to be completed; * what documents and supplemental information they need to provide to TTB; and * what types of changes in their business require TTB notification (i.e., when do they need to file for an amendment to their permit)? Featured Actions: TTB will continue to expand the types of permits that can be applied for online.

Stakeholder(s):

• Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)


• Companies: Companies engaged in the business of producing, importing, or wholesaling alcohol beverages, tobacco products, firearms, and ammunition


• Alcohol Industry


• Tobacco Industry


• Firearms Industry


• Ammunition Industry

Objective(s):

S 2.1: Feedback

S 2.1.1: E-Mail Address

S 2.1.2: Promotion

S 2.1.3: Customer Service Surveys

S 2.1.4: Association / Industry Events

S 2.2: Best Practices

S 2.2.1: Online Guidance

S 2.2.2: Webinar

S 2.2.3: Training / Reference Guide

S 2.2.4: Refresher Training

S 2.2.5: Wait Time Tracking

S 2.2.6: Response Times

S 2.2.7: Recommendations

S 2.3: Metrics and Standards

S 2.3.1: Processing Times

S 2.3.2: Service Timeframes

S 2.3.3: Bottlenecks and Improvements

S 2.4: Streamlining

S 2.4.1: Eligibility

S 2.4.2: Processing Time

S 2.4.3: Issues / Problems

S 2.4.4: Enhancements

S 2.4.5: Mailing Costs and Filing Space

Content