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Reporting & Payments  

Reporting & Payments

DR-3 & DR-4 FORMS

Distributors must use the DR-3 for submitting their monthly report, which includes

1. Company Name
2. Address
3. Contact Person
4. Telephone Number
5. Distributor ID Number
6. Reporting Period
7. Container Count
8. Empty Container Weight
9. Redemption Payment
10. Administrative Fee
11. Refillable Container Count
12. Refillable Container Weight
13. Signature
14. Date

Beverage Manufacturers must use the DR-4 for submitting their monthly report to the Division, which include

1. Company Name
2. Address
3. Contact Person
4. Telephone Number
5. Beverage Manufacturer ID Number
6. Reporting Period
7. Material Type
8. Container Count
9. Unit Fee
10. Processing Fee
11. Signature
12. Date

Due Dates for Reporting & Payment

Reporting and Payment Calendar

Reports and associated payments must be received according to the following time frames:

Distributor Reports (DR-3) and associated redemption payments must be received from Distributors the last day of the third month following the month of sales. (e.g. February 2006 reports and payments are due by May 31, 2006; March 2006 due by June 30, 2006 etc.)

Beverage Manufacturer Reports (DR-4) and associated processing fees must be submitted by the 10th day of the second month following the month of sales (e.g., January 2006 reports and payments are due by March 10, 2006; February 2006 due by April 10, 2006).

NOTE: Companies designated by the Division as Annual Reporters are the exception to these timeframes.

Annual Reporter Program

DISTRIBUTORS: Section 14574 (b)(1) notwithstanding subdivision (a) of the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act (Act), if a distributor displays a pattern of operation in compliance with this division and regulations adopted pursuant to this division, to the satisfaction of the Department, the distributor may make a single annual payment of redemption payments. For eligibility, please refer to Section 14574(A)(B)(2)(3).

BEVERAGE MANUFACTURERS: Section 14575 (3)(A) notwithstanding paragraph (1) of the Act, if a beverage manufacturer displays a pattern of operation in compliance with this Department and the regulations adopted pursuant to this Department, to the satisfaction of the department, the beverage manufacturer may make a single annual payment of the processing fees. For eligibility, please refer to Section 14575 (i)(ii)(B)(C).

Current Processing Fee Rates

Historical Reporting Rates (PDF)

Where to get more forms

A supply of Distributor (DR-3) and Beverage Manufacturer (DR-4) Reports will be sent to you free of charge upon receipt of a written request, fax, or telephone call to

IKON Business Information Service
Attn: PRPS UNIT - Order Department
3062 Prospect Park Drive, Suite A
Sacramento, CA 95670

PHONE: (916) 852-1010
FAX: (916) 638-0909

Please provide your participant Identification number (BM or DS) when ordering report forms.

Where to send payments

Beverage manufacturer and/or distributor reports with associated processing fees and/or redemption payments should be sent to:

Department of Conservation
P.O. Box 277820
Sacramento, CA 95827
Attn: PRPS Unit

NOTE: For your convenience, the address above is also printed in red ink at the bottom of each report form.

If you need to send mail to a street address (special delivery purposes), please send it to:

Department of Conservation
Accounting Office
801 K Street, MS 15-29
Sacramento, CA 95814

Audit Info – How to prepare for an Audit

Below is a listing of the records that must be maintained by beverage manufacturers. Please refer to the referenced sections of 14CCR for specific record information:

  • Transactions with Container Manufacturers. Applicable bills of lading and other shipping documents. (14CCR, Section 2235(a)).

  • Disposition of Rejected Containers (Including returned containers). Records shall include receipts or statements signed by the recycling center, processor or other recipient. Receipts shall state the weight by material type and payment or credit granted. (14CCR, Section 2235(b)).

  • Sales and Transfers of Beverage Containers by Beverage Manufacturer. Individual sale or transfer record of all sales or transfers to distributors, dealers, or consumers, and any payments made. (14CCR, Section 2235(c))

  • Beverage Manufacturer Report (DR-4) and Payments. Copies of all DR-4 reports and proof of processing fees paid to the Department. (14CCR, Section 2235 (d)).

Below is a listing of the records that must be maintained by distributors. Please refer to the referenced sections of 14CCR for specific record information:

  • Receipt of Beverage Containers. Records, by individual sale or transfer, of all beverage containers received. (14CCR, Section 2305(a)).

  • Sale or Transfer of Beverage Containers. Records, by individual sale or transfer, of all beverage containers sold or transferred to other distributors, dealers or consumers. (14CCR, Section 2305(b)).

  • Distributor Reports (DR-3) and Payments. Copies of all DR-3 reports and proof of redemption payments made to the Department. (14CCR, Section 2305(c)).

  • Disposition of Rejected Containers. Records shall include receipts or statements signed by the recycling center, processor or other recipient. Receipts shall state the weight by material type and any payment or credit granted. (14CCR, Section 2305(d)).

Participant Manual

The Department of Conservation’s Division of Recycling (Department) prepared this manual to help beverage manufactures and distributors comply with The California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act .

Participant Manual for Beverage Manufacturers & Distributors.  If you would like one mailed to you or If you need clarification, please call the Client Services Section at (916) 323-1835.

The requirements listed above do not cover every aspect of the law. It is the responsibility of the beverage manufacturer and distributor to read and understand the statute and all applicable regulations. Failure to comply with the statute (Act) and/or regulations may result in fines and possible civil penalties. If you need clarification, please call the Client Services Section at (916) 323-1835.