If, on examination of the TTB Form 5100.11 received from the officer required to certify the same under the provisions of subpart N, the appropriate TTB officer is of the opinion that wine reported lost had been unlawfully diverted, or had been lost by theft, he will advise the exporter by letter:

(a) Of the identity of the containers;

(b) Of the amount of the loss;

(c) Of the circumstances indicating diversion or theft;

(d) That allowance of the loss will be subject to filing (1) proof that such loss is allowable under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. 5370, and (2) claim for remission of the tax on the wine so lost; and

(e) That action in respect of the loss will be withheld for a period of not more than 30 days to afford an opportunity to file such proof and claim.

In any case in which wines are lost during transportation, as described in §28.315, whether by theft or otherwise, the appropriate TTB officer may require the exporter to file a claim for relief in accordance with §28.317. Where circumstances may warrant, extensions of additional time for submission of the proof and claim may be granted by the appropriate TTB officer. Where such proof and claim are not filed within the 30-day period, or such extensions as the appropriate TTB officer may grant, the tax on the wine diverted or lost will be assessed, or liability asserted against the bond covering the shipment, as the case may be.

(Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1381, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5370))

[25 FR 5734, June 23, 1960. Redesignated at 40 FR 16835, Apr. 15, 1975, and amended by T.D. ATF-48, 44 FR 55854, Sept. 28, 1979; T.D. ATF-62, 44 FR 71726, Dec. 11, 1979; T.D. TTB-8, 69 FR 3834, Jan. 27, 2004]