The TTB requires a Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) for all malt beverages imported for sale in the US. The foreign brewer or US importer must obtain the COLA through TTB's online system before the product enters commerce. Shipments lacking a valid COLA can be held at the port of entry, so label approval should be secured well in advance of the first shipment.

Yes, provided malt remains the primary fermentable base. Beers brewed with adjunct grains, fruit additions, or spices are still classified as malt beer under 220300 as long as the product is recognizably a malt-based fermented beverage. A product fermented primarily from a non-malt base — such as a hard cider or a sake-style rice wine — would classify under a different alcoholic beverage heading.