When used in this subpart, 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.

Act. The Excise Tax Technical Changes Act of 1958 (Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1275), enacted September 2, 1958.

Appropriate TTB officer. An officer or employee of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) authorized to perform any functions relating to the administration or enforcement of this part by TTB Order 1135.46, Delegation of the Administrator's Authorities in 27 CFR Part 46, Miscellaneous Regulations Relating to Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes.

Claimant. The person who held the tobacco products or cigarette papers and tubes for sale at the time of the disaster and who files claim under this subpart.

Commissioner of Customs. The Commissioner of Customs, U.S. Customs Service, The Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC.

Disaster. A flood, fire, hurricane, earthquake, storm, or other catastrophe which has occurred in any part of the United States on and after the day following the date of enactment of the act and which the President of the United States has determined, under the Act of September 30, 1950 (64 Stat. 1109; 42 U.S.C. 1855), was a “major disaster” as defined in such Act.

Duly authorized official. Any Federal, State, or local government official in whom has been vested authority to condemn tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes made the subject of a claim under this subpart.

Duty or duties. Any duty or duties paid under the customs laws of the United States.

Removal or remove. The removal of tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes from the factory, or release of such articles from Customs custody.

Sale price. The price for which large cigars are sold by the manufacturer or importer, determined in accordance with §§ 40.22 or 41.39 and used in computation of the tax.

Tax paid or determined. The internal revenue tax on tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes which has acutally been paid, or which has been determined pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 5703(b), and regulations thereunder, at the time of their removal subject to tax payable on the basis of a return.

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

United States. When used in a geographical sense, includes only the States, and the District of Columbia.

This subpart prescribes the requirements necessary to implement 26 U.S.C. 5708,concerning,and,which,rendered,or,1958.

An appropriate TTB officer shall allow payment (without interest) of an amount equal to the amount of tax paid or determined, and the Commissioner of Customs shall allow payment (without interest) of an amount equal to the amount of customs duty paid, on tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes removed, which are lost, rendered unmarketable, or condemned by a duly authorized official by reason of a disaster occurring in the United States on and after September 3, 1958. Such payments may be made only if, at the time of the disaster, such tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes were being held for sale by the claimant. No payment shall be made under this subpart with respect to any amount of tax or duty claimed or to be claimed under any other provision of law or regulations.

Disaster loss claims for tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes must be executed on TTB Form 2635 (5620.8), Claim—Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Taxes, in accordance with the instructions on the form. If a claim involves taxes on both domestic and imported products, the quantities of each must be shown separately in the claim. Prepare a separate claim in respect of customs duties.

The claim should contain the following information:

(a) That the tax on such tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes has been paid or determined and customs duty has been paid;

(b) That such tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes were lost, rendered unmarketable, or condemned by a duly authorized official, by reason of a disaster;

(c) The type and date of occurrence of the disaster and the location of the tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes at that time;

(d) That the claimant was not indemnified by any valid claim of insurance or otherwise in respect of the tax, or tax and duty, on the tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes covered by the claim;

(e) That no amount of internal revenue tax or customs duty claimed has been or will be otherwise claimed under any other provision of law or regulations,

(f) That the claimant is entitled to payment under this subpart, and

(g) The claim must set forth the quantity and kind of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes in sufficient detail to calculate the amount of tax and duty paid on these products, substantially as shown in the examples below:

The claimant must support the claim with any available evidence (such as inventories, statements, invoices, bills, records, stamps, and labels), relating to the tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes on hand at the time of the disaster and claimed to have been lost, rendered unmarketable, or condemned as a result thereof. If the claim is for refund of duty, the claimant must furnish, if practicable, the customs entry number, date of entry, and the name of the port of entry.

Disaster loss claims must be filed within 6 months after the date on which the President makes the determination that the disaster has occurred. All forms, including claims for duty on imported products, must be filed with the appropriate TTB officer.

The appropriate TTB officer must act upon each claim for payment (without interest) of an amount equal to the tax paid or determined filed under this subpart and must notify the claimant. Claims and supporting data involving customs duties will be forwarded to the Commissioner of Customs with a summary statement of such officer's findings.

Before payment is made under this subpart in respect of the tax, or tax and duty, on tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes rendered unmarketable or condemned by a duly authorized official, such tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes must be destroyed by suitable means under the supervision of an appropriate TTB officer who will be assigned for that purpose by another appropriate TTB officer. However, if the destruction of such tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes has already occurred, and if the appropriate TTB officer who acts on the claim is satisfied with the supervision of such destruction, TTB supervision will not be required.

Penalties are provided in 26 U.S.C. 7206 and 7207 for the execution under the penalties of perjury of any false or fraudulent statement in support of any claim and for the filing of any false or fraudulent document under this subpart. All provisions of law, including penalties, applicable in respect of internal revenue taxes on tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes shall, insofar as applicable and not inconsistent with this subpart, be applied in respect of the payments provided for in this subpart to the same extent as if such payments constituted refunds of such taxes.