Trade practice questions routinely arise in the daily operations of a beer distributor’s business. Below are several resources that help explain some of the history of trade practice laws and why they are important for a properly regulated alcohol market.
- This brief guide and overview of trade practice laws published by NBWA examines the four unfair trade practices of exclusive outlet, tied-house, commercial bribery and consignment sales contained in the Federal Alcohol Administration Act of 1935. It also provides an overview of the federal requirements as administered and enforced by the Treasury Department's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).
- NBWA produced this short video that further discusses the Federal Alcohol Administration Act and how it governs trade practices and the sale of beer.
- Further resources can be found on the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s (TTB) website. As part of its ongoing effort to provide on-demand educational information, the TTB created a series of trade practice videos for the alcohol industry that explains:
It is important to note that the information provided here examines federal trade practice laws, not the various trade practice laws of each of the 50 states. In most cases, state trade practice laws are more detailed and important for the day-to-day business for beer distributors. State beer distributor associations will have the best resources to handle state law questions.