Alcohol taxes, see section 5001 et seq. of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

District of Columbia Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, see act Jan. 24, 1934, ch. 4, 48 Stat. 319, as amended, set out in section 25–101 et seq. of the District of Columbia Code.

National minimum drinking age, see section 158 of Title 23, Highways.

Act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, 41 Stat. 305, as amended and supplemented, known as the National Prohibition Act, was included in chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this title. Such provisions of that act and subsequent legislation as were dependent upon the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution became inoperative by adoption of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution on Dec. 5, 1933, repealing the 18th Amendment.

Sections 2 to 5 of this chapter (acts Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, §1, 41 Stat. 307; Nov. 23, 1921, ch. 134, §§3, 5, 42 Stat. 223) and sections 11 to 40, 44 to 57, 61, 62, and 64 of chapter 2 (acts Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, §§2 to 39, 41 Stat. 308 to 319; Nov. 23, 1921, ch. 134, §§2, 5, 42 Stat. 222, 223; Mar. 31, 1933, ch. 18, §§1 to 3, 48 Stat. 23, 24) constituting title II of the National Prohibition Act as amended and supplemented, were repealed to the extent in force in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, Hawaii, and Alaska by acts Jan. 24, 1934, ch. 4, §1, 48 Stat. 319; Mar. 2, 1934, ch. 37, §§2, 3, 48 Stat. 361; Mar. 26, 1934, ch. 88, §§2, 3, 48 Stat. 467; and Apr. 13, 1934, ch. 119, §§1, 5, 48 Stat. 583, 584, respectively.

Section 1, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, §1, 41 Stat. 305, set forth the short title of act as “National Prohibition Act”.

Section 2, act Nov. 23, 1921, ch. 134, §3, 42 Stat. 223, provided that this title apply to the United States and all territory subject to its jurisdiction, including the Territory of Hawaii and the Virgin Islands.

Section 3, act Nov. 23, 1921, ch. 134, §5, 42 Stat. 223, authorized all laws relating to the manufacture and taxation of and traffic in intoxicating liquor, and all penalties for violations of such laws that were in force on Oct. 28, 1919, to continue in force, as to both beverage and nonbeverage liquor, except to the extent provisions of such laws were directly in conflict with provisions of this title.

Section 4, acts Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §1, 41 Stat. 307; Nov. 23, 1921, ch. 134, §1, 42 Stat. 222, defined “liquor” or “intoxicating liquor”, “person”, “commissioner”, “application”, “permit”, “bond”, and “regulation”.

Section 5, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §1, 41 Stat. 308, provided that any act authorized to be done by the commissioner could be performed by any assistant or agent designated by him for that purpose, and any records required to be filed with the commissioner could be filed with an assistant commissioner or any other person designated to receive such records.

This chapter, comprising sections 11 to 64, in large measure became inoperative by the adoption of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution. See note preceding sections 1 to 5 of this title.

Repeal of provisions of this title affecting District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Hawaii and Alaska, see note preceding sections 1 to 5 of this title.

Section 11, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §2, 41 Stat. 308, authorized Commissioner of Internal Revenue, his assistants, agents, and inspectors to swear out warrants before United States commissioners or other officers or courts authorized to issue warrants, and to investigate and report violations of this title to United States attorney for district in which violations were committed.

Section 12, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §3, 41 Stat. 308, provided that no person manufacture, sell, barter, transport, import, export, deliver, furnish or possess any intoxicating liquor except as otherwise provided by provisions of this title.

Section 13, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §4, 41 Stat. 309, exempted specified articles, after having been manufactured and prepared for market, from provisions of this title, required manufacturers of such exempt articles to secure permits, give bonds, keep records, and make reports, and made unlawful the failure to comply with any of foregoing requirements.

Section 14, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §5, 41 Stat. 309, authorized commissioner to analyze specified manufactured articles in order to determine whether said articles constituted intoxicating liquors.

Section 15, act Nov. 23, 1921, ch. 134, §2, 42 Stat. 222, authorized commissioner to order a change of formula of preparations used as a beverage or for intoxicating liquor purposes where sale or use of such preparations was substantially increased in community by reason of its use as a beverage or for intoxicating beverage purposes.

Section 16, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §6, 41 Stat. 310, required that any person manufacturing, selling, purchasing, transporting, or prescribing any liquor, except liquor purchased and used for medicinal purposes when prescribed by a physician, liquor purchased and used in a bona fide hospital or sanitarium for treatment of alcoholism, and wine manufactured, etc., for sacramental or religious purposes, first obtain a permit from commissioner.

Section 17, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §7, 41 Stat. 311, authorized no one but a physician holding a permit to prescribe liquor to issue any prescription for liquor, required every such physician to keep a record of every prescription issued, and required pharmacist filling each prescription issued to indorse upon it over his own signature “canceled”.

Section 18, act Nov. 23, 1921, ch. 134, §2, 42 Stat. 222, specified kinds of liquor which could be prescribed for medicinal purposes, percentage of alcohol in such prescriptions, and quantity permitted to be prescribed.

Section 19, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §8, 41 Stat. 311, authorized commissioner to issue prescription blanks, free of cost, to physicians holding permits to prescribe liquor for medicinal purposes.

Section 20, act Nov. 23, 1921, ch. 134, §2, 42 Stat. 222, set forth number of prescription blanks that could be issued to a physician, and number of prescriptions that could be issued by a physician.

Section 21, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §9, 41 Stat. 311, set forth procedure by which commissioner could cite permittees believed not to be conforming to provisions of this title, or who had violated laws of any State relating to intoxicating liquors.

Section 22, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §10, 41 Stat. 312, required every person manufacturing, purchasing, selling, or transporting any liquor to make and keep a permanent record of all such transactions.

Section 23, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §11, 41 Stat. 312, required all manufacturers and wholesale or retail druggists to keep a copy of all permits to purchase on which a sale of any liquor was made.

Section 24, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §12, 41 Stat. 312, required all persons manufacturing liquor for sale to attach labels to every container, and specified the information to be placed on such labels.

Section 25, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §13, 41 Stat. 312, required every carrier to make a record at place of shipment of receipt of any liquor transported, and to deliver liquor only to persons presenting to him a verified copy of a permit to purchase.

Section 26, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §14, 41 Stat. 312, made it unlawful for any person to use or induce any carrier, or any agent or employee thereof, to carry or ship any package or receptacle containing liquor without notifying carrier of true nature and character of shipment, and required all packages carrying liquor to contain enumerated information.

Section 27, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §15, 41 Stat. 313, made it unlawful for any consignee to accept any package containing liquor upon which appeared a statement known by him to be false, or for any carrier to consign, etc., any such package, knowing such statement to be false.

Section 28, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §16, 41 Stat. 313, made it unlawful to order a carrier to deliver liquor to any person not a bona fide consignee.

Section 29, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §17, 41 Stat. 313, made it unlawful to advertise liquor, or manufacture, sale, or keeping for sale of liquor, and exempted manufacturers and wholesale druggists holding permits to sell liquor from prohibition when furnishing price lists to persons permitted to purchase liquor or when advertising in business publications.

Section 30, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §18, 41 Stat. 313, made it unlawful to advertise, manufacture, sell, or possess for sale any utensil, ingredient, or formula intended for use in unlawful manufacture of intoxicating liquor.

Section 31, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §19, 41 Stat. 313, prohibited any person from soliciting or receiving orders for liquor or giving information as to how liquor could be obtained in violation of this title.

Section 32, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §20, 41 Stat. 313, gave a right of action to any person injured in person, property, means of support, or otherwise by any intoxicated person against any person who unlawfully sold liquor to such intoxicated person, or caused or contributed to such intoxication.

Section 33, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §21, 41 Stat. 314, declared any property used in connection with a violation of this title to be a common nuisance, set forth punishment for maintenance of a common nuisance, and made owner of such property liable.

Section 34, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §22, 41 Stat. 314, set forth procedure which authorized an action in equity to enjoin any nuisance defined in this title.

Section 35, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §23, 41 Stat. 314, declared any person keeping or carrying liquor with intent to sell, or soliciting orders for liquor guilty of a nuisance and restrainable by injunction.

Section 36, act Oct. 29, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §23, 41 Stat. 314, set forth fees of officers removing and selling property in enforcement of these provisions.

Section 37, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §23, 41 Stat. 314, provided that any violation upon any leased premises by the lessee or occupant thereof could, at the option of the lessor, work a forfeiture of lease.

Section 38, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §24, 41 Stat. 315, set forth procedure and punishment for violation of any injunction granted pursuant to these provisions.

Section 39, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §25, 41 Stat. 315, prohibited unlawful possession of liquor or property designed for manufacture thereof, and authorized issuance of search warrants and destruction of unlawfully possessed liquor and property seized pursuant to such search warrants.

Section 40, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §26, 41 Stat. 315, set forth procedure for seizure and destruction of unlawfully transported liquor and sale of any vehicle found to be used for such transportation.

Section, act Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §204, 49 Stat. 878, related to remission or mitigation of forfeiture of a seized vehicle or aircraft. See section 3668 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

Repeal effective Sept. 1, 1948, see section 20 of act June 25, 1948.

Section 41, act Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 438, §1, 43 Stat. 1116, related to use of forfeited vessels or vehicles for enforcement of provisions of this title in lieu of sale.

Section 42, acts Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 438, §2, 43 Stat. 1116; May 27, 1930, ch. 342, §§9, 10, 46 Stat. 430, related to application by a department head for which seizure of a vessel or vehicle is made to deliver such vessel or vehicle to Department of Justice for use in enforcement of this title, the 18th Amendment, or the customs laws.

Section 43, act Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 438, §3, 43 Stat. 1116, related to limitation on use of forfeited vessels or vehicles.

Section 43a, acts May 14, 1937, ch. 180, §1, 50 Stat. 145; Mar. 28, 1938, ch. 55, §1, 52 Stat. 128, related to use by narcotics agents of motor vehicles confiscated pursuant to section 43 of this title.

Section 43b, acts May 6, 1939, ch. 115, title I, §1, 53 Stat. 663; Mar. 25, 1940, ch. 71, title I, 54 Stat. 63, related to use by narcotics agents of motor vehicles confiscated pursuant to section 157 of this title. See section 3616 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

Section 44, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §27, 41 Stat. 316, authorized delivery to any department or agency of United States, for medicinal, mechanical, or scientific use, or private sale for such purposes to any person having a permit to purchase, of liquor subject to destruction pursuant to provisions of this title.

Section 45, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §28, 41 Stat. 316, gave to commissioner, his assistants, agents, and inspectors all power and protection in enforcement of this title which had been conferred by law for enforcement of prior laws relating to manufacture or sale of intoxicating liquor.

Section 46, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §29, 41 Stat. 316, set forth punishment for any person found guilty of unlawfully manufacturing or selling liquor, violating provisions of any permit, or making any false record, report, or affidavit.

Section 47, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §30, 41 Stat. 317, took away privilege against self-incrimination from any person ordered to testify or produce books, papers, etc., and provided that any person so ordered to testify or produce would be immune from any prosecution based on evidence provided.

Section 48, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §31, 41 Stat. 317, set forth venue in any prosecution for unlawful sale of liquor.

Section 49, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §32, 41 Stat. 317, authorized joinder of separate offenses in prosecutions for violations of this title, and set forth requirements for any affidavit, information, or indictment issued pursuant to such prosecutions.

Section 50, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §33, 41 Stat. 317, made possession of liquor by any person not legally permitted to possess liquor prima facie evidence of unlawful purpose.

Section 51, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §34, 41 Stat. 317, authorized inspection by duly authorized personnel of records and reports required to be kept or filed pursuant to this title, and introduction into evidence of duly certified copies of such records and reports.

Section 52, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §35, 41 Stat. 317, repealed all provisions of law inconsistent with these provisions, and provided that regulations promulgated pursuant to these provisions were to be construed as in addition to existing laws.

Section 53, act Nov. 23, 1921, ch. 134, §5, 42 Stat. 223, set forth procedure for assessment and collection of all taxes and penalties provided for in section 52 of this title.

Section 54, act Nov. 23, 1921, ch. 134, §5, 42 Stat. 223, exempted from taxation distilled spirits lost by theft, accidental fire, or other casualty, where such loss did not occur as a result of negligence or fraud on part of owner or custodian.

Section 55, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §35, 41 Stat. 317, authorized commissioner to compromise any civil cause arising under these provisions with approval of Secretary of the Treasury before bringing action in court, and with approval of Attorney General after action was commenced.

Section 56, act Nov. 23, 1921, ch. 134, §2, 42 Stat. 22, limited quantity of spirituous and vinous liquor that could be imported into or manufactured in United States.

Section 57, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §37, 41 Stat. 318, exempted from these provisions storage in or transportation to bonded warehouses of liquor manufactured prior to the taking effect of these provisions.

Section 58, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §37, 41 Stat. 318, related to development of liquids containing less than one-half of one per centum of alcohol.

Section 59, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §37, 41 Stat. 318, related to tax on fortified wines for nonbeverage alcohol.

Section 60, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §37, 41 Stat. 318, related to burden of proof with regard to alcoholic content.

Section 61, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §38, 41 Stat. 319, authorized Commissioner of Internal Revenue and Attorney General of the United States to hire employees and purchase equipment and supplies necessary for enforcement to this title.

Section 62, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §39, 41 Stat. 319, authorized issuance of a summons to any person whose property rights were proceeded against or could be affected by a judgment rendered in a proceeding where such person was not the one who in person violated provisions of law.

Section, acts Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title III, §20, 41 Stat. 322; July 5, 1932, ch. 428, 47 Stat. 579, made it unlawful to introduce into Canal Zone, or to manufacture, sell, transport, or possess within Canal Zone, any intoxicating liquors, except for sacramental, scientific, or medicinal purposes.

Sections 63a to 63d, act June 19, 1934, ch. 657, §§1–4, 48 Stat. 1116, which were transferred to sections 1314b to 1314e, respectively, of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions, were subsequently repealed by act Aug. 10, 1949, ch. 415, §9(d), 63 Stat. 597.

Section 63a, act June 19, 1934, ch. 657, §1, 48 Stat. 1116, which authorized President to make rules and regulations with respect to alcoholic beverages in Canal Zone, was transferred to section 1314b of Title 48.

Section 63b, act June 19, 1934, ch. 657, §2, 48 Stat. 1116, which related to punishment for violation of any rules and regulations, was transferred to section 1314c of Title 48.

Section 63c, act June 19, 1934, ch. 657, §3, 48 Stat. 1116, which related to repeal of prior laws, was transferred to section 1314d of Title 48.

Section 63d, act June 19, 1934, ch. 657, §4, 48 Stat. 1116, which related to effective date of sections 63a to 63d of this title, was transferred to section 1314e of Title 48.

Section, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title II, §36, 41 Stat. 318, provided that invalidity of any provision of this title would not be construed to render invalid other provisions of this title.

Section 64a, act Mar. 22, 1933, ch. 4, §3, 48 Stat. 17, related to manufacture, sale, and transfer of beer, ale, porter, etc., of not more than 3.2 per centum of alcohol.

Section 64b, act Mar. 22, 1933, ch. 4, §3(c), 48 Stat. 17, related to use of mails for advertisements of beer, ale, porter, etc., of not more than 3.2 per centum of alcohol.

Section 64c, act Mar. 22, 1933, ch. 4, §4, 48 Stat. 17, related to permits to manufacture for sale beer, ale, porter, etc., of not more than 3.2 per centum of alcohol.

Section 64d, act Mar. 22, 1933, ch. 4, §4(b), 48 Stat. 18, related to development of beer, ale, porter, etc., of an alcoholic content in excess of that specified in permit with a proviso that such content will subsequently be reduced to prescribed limit.

Section 64e, act Mar. 22, 1933, ch. 4, §4(b)(2), 48 Stat. 18, related to exemption from taxation of fortified wines when used for production of nonbeverage alcohol.

Section 64f, act Mar. 22, 1933, ch. 4, §4(b)(4), 48 Stat. 18, related to burden of proof as to alcoholic content of beer, ale, porter, etc.

Section 64g, act Mar. 22, 1933, ch. 4, §4(c), 48 Stat. 18, related to penalties for unlawful manufacture or sale of beer, ale, porter, etc., under this chapter.

Section 64h, act Mar. 22, 1933, ch. 4, §4(d), 48 Stat. 19, related to geographical applications of sections 64c to 64g of this title.

Section 64i, act Mar. 22, 1933, ch. 4, §5, 48 Stat. 19, related to requirement that at time of sale any beer, ale, porter, etc., manufactured under this chapter must contain no more than 3.2 per centum of alcohol.

Section 64j, act Mar. 22, 1933, ch. 4, §6, 48 Stat. 19, related to prohibition of shipment of beer, ale, porter, etc., of an alcoholic content of 3.2 per centum into dry States.

Section 64k, act Mar. 22, 1933, ch. 4, §7, 48 Stat. 19, related to penalties for violation of prohibition of shipment of beer, ale, porter, etc., into dry States.

Section 64*l*, act Mar. 22, 1933, ch. 4, §8, 48 Stat. 19, related to penalties and forfeitures incurred prior to effective date of chapter.

Section 64m, act Mar. 22, 1933, ch. 4, §1(c), 48 Stat. 16, related to effect of chapter on existing legislation with respect to internal revenue laws.

Section 64n, act Mar. 22, 1933, ch. 4, §9, 48 Stat. 19, related to effective date of chapter.

Section 64*o*, act Mar. 22, 1933, ch. 4, §10, 48 Stat. 20, provided for a savings clause for provisions of chapter.

Section, act June 16, 1933, ch. 105, 48 Stat. 311, authorized legalization of manufacture and sale of 3.2 beer in State of Oklahoma.

Sections 71 to 75, 78 to 81, 83 to 88, and 90, contained provisions which were incorporated in various sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939. For distribution of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939 to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, see Table I preceding section 1 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Section 71, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title III, §1, 41 Stat. 319, which defined “alcohol” and “container”, was incorporated in section 3124(a)(1), (2) of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 72, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title III, §2, 41 Stat. 319, provided that a person establishing a plant for production of industrial alcohol shall, before operation, make application to commissioner for registration of his plant, was incorporated in section 3100(a) of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 73, acts Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title III, §3, 41 Stat. 319; Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §17, 49 Stat. 876; June 26, 1936, ch. 830, title III, §329(a), 49 Stat. 1957, provided that warehouses for storage and distribution of alcohol to be used for other than beverage purposes may be established upon filing of application and bond and issuance of permit at such places, was incorporated in section 3101(a) of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 74, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title III, §4, 41 Stat. 320, related to transfer of registered industrial alcohol to other registered industrial alcohol plants or bonded warehouses, was incorporated in section 3107 of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 74a, acts Feb. 24, 1919, ch. 18, §609, 40 Stat. 1109; June 26, 1936, ch. 830, title III, §320, 49 Stat. 1953, related to removal of taxable fermented liquors from brewery premises where produced to a contiguous industrial alcohol plant without payment of tax, was incorporated in section 3104 of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 74b, acts Feb. 24, 1919, ch. 18, §602, 40 Stat. 1106; June 26, 1936, ch. 830, title III, §308, 49 Stat. 1946, related to transfer of spirits produced at registered distilleries and in receiving cisterns in such distilleries to Internal Revenue Bonded Warehouses for storage until tax payment is made or where tax payment was made, retention of spirits in receiving cisterns, was incorporated in section 2883 of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 75, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title III, §5, 41 Stat. 320, related to time of attachment of any tax imposed by law on alcohol and liability of proprietors of industrial alcohol plants for such taxes, was incorporated in section 3112(a) of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 76, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title III, §6, 41 Stat. 320, related to withdrawal, on or before effective date of 18th Amendment, of distilled spirits remaining in bonded warehouses for denaturing or deposit in warehouses established under chapter.

Section 77, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title III, §7, 41 Stat. 320, related to operation of any distillery or bonded warehouse as an industrial alcohol plant or bonded warehouse under chapter.

Section 78, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title III, §8, 41 Stat. 320, related to restrictions concerning production, use, or sale of alcohol, was incorporated in section 3106(a) of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 79, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title III, §9, 41 Stat. 320, related to exemption of industrial alcohol plants and bonded warehouses under this chapter from certain laws, was incorporated in section 3103 of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 80, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title III, §10, 41 Stat. 320, related to establishment of denaturing plants and tax-free sale of denatured alcohol, was incorporated in sections 3102, 3109, and 3110 of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 81, acts Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title III, §11, 41 Stat. 321; Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §18, 49 Stat. 876; June 26, 1936, ch. 830, title III, §329(b), 49 Stat. 1957, related to withdrawal of alcohol produced at any industrial alcohol plant tax-free for denaturing, for use by any scientific university, for scientific research by any laboratory, or for use in any hospital or sanitarium, was incorporated in sections 3108(a) and 3124(a) of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 82, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title III, §12, 41 Stat. 321, provided that penalties in chapter shall be in addition to those penalties in chapter 2 of this title unless expressly stated otherwise.

Section 83, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title III, §13, 41 Stat. 321, authorized commissioner to issue regulations respecting the establishment, bonding, and operation of industrial alcohol plants, denaturing plants, and bonded warehouses under this chapter, was incorporated in section 3105 of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 84, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title III, §14, 41 Stat. 321, related to a refund of tax on alcohol for loss, evaporation, shrinkage, or leakage, was incorporated in section 3113 of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 85, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title III, §15, 41 Stat. 321, provided for punishment for unlawful operation of industrial alcohol plants or denaturing plants, was incorporated in section 3115(a) of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 86, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title III, §16, 41 Stat. 322, related to collection of any tax on alcohol by assessment or by stamp, was incorporated in section 3112(a) of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 87, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title III, §17, 41 Stat. 322, related to release of seized property to claimant or any intervening party at discretion of commissioner, was incorporated in section 3118 of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 88, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title III, §18, 41 Stat. 322, related to applicability of administrative provisions of internal revenue laws, was incorporated in section 3122 of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 89, act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, title III, §19, 41 Stat. 322, provided for repeal of prior laws relating to alcohol.

Section 90, act June 26, 1936, ch. 830, title III, §329(c), 49 Stat. 1957, related to extension of industrial alcohol laws to Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands, was incorporated in section 3123 of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 90a, act June 26, 1936, ch. 830, title IV, §414, 49 Stat. 1964, related to effect of act June 26, 1936, upon chapter.

Section 91, acts Mar. 2, 1929, ch. 473, §1, 45 Stat. 1446; Jan. 15, 1931, ch. 29, 46 Stat. 1036, set forth maximum penalties that could be imposed in a criminal prosecution for illegal manufacture, sale, transportation, importation, or exportation of intoxicating liquor, as defined in section 4 of this title.

Section 92, act Mar. 2, 1929, ch. 473, §2, 45 Stat. 1446, provided that section 91 of this title did not operate to repeal or eliminate any minimum penalty provided by this title for first or subsequent offense.

Section 101, act May 27, 1930, ch. 342, §1, 46 Stat. 427, provided that this chapter may be cited as the “Prohibition Reorganization Act of 1930”.

Section 102, act May 27, 1930, ch. 342, §2, 46 Stat. 427, established a Bureau of Prohibition in Department of Justice and authorized appointment of a Director and Assistant Director of Prohibition and designation of officers and employees.

Section 103, act May 27, 1930, ch. 342, §3, 46 Stat. 428, related to creation of an enforcement division in Bureau of Prohibition in Treasury Department.

Section 104, act May 27, 1930, ch. 342, §4, 46 Stat. 428, related to imposition of duties on Attorney General with respect to enforcement of prohibition laws.

Section 105, acts May 27, 1930, ch. 342, §5, 46 Stat. 429; Mar. 31, 1933, ch. 18, §4, 48 Stat. 24, authorized Attorney General and Secretary of the Treasury to jointly prescribe regulations relating to permits and prescriptions for liquor for medicinal purposes.

Section 106, act May 27, 1930, ch. 342, §6, 46 Stat. 429, related to filing of reports by Attorney General with Secretary of the Treasury with respect to civil liabilities for taxes and penalties and filing of reports by Secretary of the Treasury with Attorney General with respect to revocation of permits.

Section 107, act May 27, 1930, ch. 342, §7, 46 Stat. 429, related to grant, renewal, and amendment of permits.

Section 108, act May 27, 1930, ch. 342, §8, 46 Stat. 430, provided that Bureau of Prohibition shall hereafter be known as Bureau of Industrial Alcohol, and Commissioner of Prohibition shall hereafter have title of Commissioner of Industrial Alcohol.


All fermented, distilled, or other intoxicating liquors or liquids transported into any State or Territory or remaining therein for use, consumption, sale, or storage therein, shall upon arrival in such State or Territory be subject to the operation and effect of the laws of such State or Territory enacted in the exercise of its police powers, to the same extent and in the same manner as though such liquids or liquors had been produced in such State or Territory, and shall not be exempt therefrom by reason of being introduced therein in original packages or otherwise.

(Aug. 8, 1890, ch. 728, 26 Stat. 313.)

Act Aug. 8, 1890, is popularly known as the “Wilson Act” or the “Original Packages Act”.

The shipment or transportation, in any manner or by any means whatsoever, of any spirituous, vinous, malted, fermented, or other intoxicating liquor of any kind from one State, Territory, or District of the United States, or place noncontiguous to but subject to the jurisdiction thereof, into any other State, Territory, or District of the United States, or place noncontiguous to but subject to the jurisdiction thereof, or from any foreign country into any State, Territory, or District of the United States, or place noncontiguous to but subject to the jurisdiction thereof, which said spirituous, vinous, malted, fermented, or other intoxicating liquor is intended, by any person interested therein, to be received, possessed, sold, or in any manner used, either in the original package or otherwise, in violation of any law of such State, Territory, or District of the United States, or place noncontiguous to but subject to the jurisdiction thereof, is prohibited.

(Mar. 1, 1913, ch. 90, 37 Stat. 699; Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §202(b), 49 Stat. 877.)

1935—Act Aug. 27, 1935, reenacted section without change.

Act Mar. 1, 1913, is popularly known as the “Webb-Kenyon Act”.

Section, acts Mar. 3, 1917, ch. 162, §5, 39 Stat. 1069; Mar. 4, 1917, ch. 192, 39 Stat. 1202; Feb. 24, 1919, ch. 18, §1407, 40 Stat. 1151; Jan. 11, 1934, ch. 1, title I, §12, 48 Stat. 316, prescribed punishment for violation of section 122 of this title.

Sections contained provisions which were incorporated in various sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939. For distribution of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939 to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, see Table I preceding section 1 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Section 151, act Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §2, 49 Stat. 872, defined “person”, “Commissioner”, “application”, “permit”, “bond”, “regulation”, and “articles”, was incorporated in section 3124(a)(3)–(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 152, act Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §3, 49 Stat. 872, authorized Commissioner, his assistants, agents, and inspectors to investigate and report to United States attorney violations of this chapter and chapter 3 of this title, was incorporated in section 3117(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 153, act Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §4, 49 Stat. 872, subjected violators of laws relating to denatured alcohol to laws relating to nondenatured alcohol, was incorporated in section 3111 of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 154, act Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §5, 49 Stat. 873, related to revocation of manufacturer's permits for false descriptions of denatured alcohol, was incorporated in section 3114(c) of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 155, act Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §6, 49 Stat. 873, required persons manufacturing or dealing in denatured alcohol to obtain a permit from Commissioner, was incorporated in section 3114(a) of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 156, act Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §7, 49 Stat. 874, provided for revocation of permits by Commissioner where terms of permit have been violated or provisions of this chapter and chapter 3 of this title have not been conformed to or other laws and regulations relating to intoxicating liquor have been violated, was incorporated in section 3114(b) of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 157, act Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §8, 49 Stat. 874, related to search, seizure, and forfeiture of liquor or property to be used in violation of this chapter or chapter 3 of this title or laws or regulations with respect to intoxicating liquor, was incorporated in section 3116 of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 158, act Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §9, 49 Stat. 875, related to rights, privileges, powers, and protection of Commissioner and his assistants and employees, was incorporated in section 3121(a) of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 159, act Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §10, 49 Stat. 875, related to penalties prescribed for violation of provisions of this chapter, was incorporated in section 3115(b) of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 160, act Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §11, 49 Stat. 875, related to privileges and immunities of witnesses, was incorporated in section 3119 of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 161, act Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §12, 49 Stat. 875, related to place of sale when delivery is made by a carrier for purposes of prosecution or revocation of any permit, was incorporated in section 3114(d) of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 162, act Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §13, 49 Stat. 875, related to affidavits, information, and indictments for violation of this chapter, was incorporated in section 3120 of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 163, act Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §14, 49 Stat. 876, related to inspection of records, liquor, and property with respect to this chapter by Commissioner, was incorporated in section 3121(c) of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 164, act Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §2, 49 Stat. 872, authorized Commissioner to designate assistants or agents to perform certain duties, was incorporated in section 3121(d) of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 165, act Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §15, 49 Stat. 876, provided that a conviction under this chapter or chapter 3 of this title will bar a subsequent prosecution under another law relating to intoxicating liquors, was incorporated in section 3115(c) of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 166, act Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §16, 49 Stat. 876, provided that no tax will be assessed or collected where distilled spirits are lost, stolen, or destroyed by fire or other casualty, was incorporated in section 3113(a) of Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

Section 167, act Aug. 27, 1935, ch. 740, §1, 49 Stat. 872, provided that this chapter may be cited as “Liquor Law Repeal and Enforcement Act”.



This chapter is referred to in title 15 section 1459; title 19 section 1754; title 26 section 5171.

This subchapter may be cited as the “Federal Alcohol Administration Act”.

(Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814, title I, §101, formerly §1, 49 Stat. 977; renumbered title I, §101, and amended Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(1), (2), (b)(1), 102 Stat. 4517, 4521.)

1988—Pub. L. 100–690, §8001(b)(1), amended section generally, substituting “subchapter” for “chapter”.

Section 201 of title II of act Aug. 29, 1935, as added Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(3), 102 Stat. 4518, provided that: “This title [enacting subchapter II of this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act of 1988’.”

Federal Alcohol Administration and offices of members and Administrator thereof were abolished and their functions directed to be administered under direction and supervision of Secretary of Treasury through Bureau of Internal Revenue [now Internal Revenue Service] in Department of Treasury, by Reorg. Plan No. III of 1940, §2, eff. June 30, 1940, 5 F.R. 2107, 54 Stat. 1232, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees. See also, sections 8 and 9 of said plan for provisions relating to transfer of records, property, personnel, and funds. Section 2 of Reorg. Plan No. III of 1940 was repealed as executed by Pub. L. 97–258, §5(b), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1068, 1085, the first section of which enacted Title 31, Money and Finance. Department of the Treasury Order 221 of July 1, 1972, established the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and transferred to it the alcohol and functions of the Internal Revenue Service.

Appropriations to carry out powers and duties of the Secretary of the Treasury under this chapter shall be available for expenditure, among other purposes, for personal services and rent in the District of Columbia and elsewhere, expenses for travel and subsistence, for law books, books of reference, magazines, periodicals, and newspapers, for contract stenographic reporting services, for subscriptions for library services, for purchase of samples for analysis or use as evidence, and for holding conferences of State and Federal liquor control officials.

The Secretary of the Treasury may, with the consent of the department or agency affected, utilize the services of any department or other agency of the Government to the extent necessary to carry out his powers and duties under this chapter and authorize officers and employees thereof to act as his agents.

The provisions including penalties, of sections 49 and 50 of title 15, shall be applicable to the jurisdiction, powers, and duties of the Secretary of the Treasury under this chapter, and to any person (whether or not a corporation) subject to the provisions of laws administered by the Secretary of the Treasury under this chapter.

The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to require, in such manner and form as he shall prescribe, such reports as are necessary to carry out his powers and duties under this chapter.

(Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814, title I, §102, formerly §2, 49 Stat. 977; 1940 Reorg. Plan No. III, §2, eff. June 30, 1940, 5 F.R. 2108, 54 Stat. 1232; Aug. 7, 1946, ch. 770, §1(46), 60 Stat. 870; renumbered title I, §102, Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(1), (2), 102 Stat. 4517.)

Subsections (a) to (d) provided for the creation of a Federal Alcohol Administration as a division of the Treasury Department. By act June 26, 1936, ch. 830, title V, 49 Stat. 1964, however, those subsections were repealed and a new Administration created as an independent agency. The repealing act was to be effective when the new administrators authorized thereby were appointed. While the officers so authorized were never appointed and the repeal therefore never became effective, subsections (a) to (d) have been omitted in view of Reorg. Plan No. III of 1940, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, which abolished the Administration and transferred its functions to the Secretary of the Treasury to be administered through the Bureau of Internal Revenue [now Internal Revenue Service]. See, also, Transfer of Functions note set out under section 201 of this title.

1946—Subsec. (i). Act Aug. 7, 1946, struck out subsec. (i) which related to reports to Congress by the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to the administration of the functions charged to the Secretary under this chapter.

Section 202a, act June 26, 1936, ch. 830, title V, §501, 49 Stat. 1964, established the Federal Alcohol Administration, and provided for appointment, duties, and pay of its employees.

Section 202b, act June 26, 1936, ch. 830, title V, §502, 49 Stat. 1964, provided for appointment, pay, tenure, and powers of members of the Federal Alcohol Administration.

Section, act June 26, 1936, ch. 830, title V, §503, 49 Stat. 1965, which provided for repeal of former laws, was to have taken effect when a majority of the members authorized to be appointed took office under section 202b of this title. The members, however, were never appointed.

In order effectively to regulate interstate and foreign commerce in distilled spirits, wine, and malt beverages, to enforce the twenty-first amendment, and to protect the revenue and enforce the postal laws with respect to distilled spirits, wine, and malt beverages:

(a) It shall be unlawful, except pursuant to a basic permit issued under this subchapter by the Secretary of the Treasury—

(1) to engage in the business of importing into the United States distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages; or

(2) for any person so engaged to sell, offer or deliver for sale, contract to sell, or ship, in interstate or foreign commerce, directly or indirectly or through an affiliate, distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages so imported.

(b) It shall be unlawful, except pursuant to a basic permit issued under this subchapter by the Secretary of the Treasury—

(1) to engage in the business of distilling distilled spirits, producing wine, rectifying or blending distilled spirits or wine, or bottling, or warehousing and bottling, distilled spirits; or

(2) for any person so engaged to sell, offer or deliver for sale, contract to sell, or ship, in interstate or foreign commerce, directly or indirectly or through an affiliate, distilled spirits or wine so distilled, produced, rectified, blended, or bottled, or warehoused and bottled.

(c) It shall be unlawful, except pursuant to a basic permit issued under this subchapter by the Secretary of the Treasury—

(1) to engage in the business of purchasing for resale at wholesale distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages; or

(2) for any person so engaged to receive or to sell, offer or deliver for sale, contract to sell, or ship, in interstate or foreign commerce, directly or indirectly or through an affiliate, distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages so purchased.

This subsection shall take effect July 1, 1936.

This section shall not apply to any agency of a State or political subdivision thereof or any officer or employee of any such agency, and no such agency or officer or employee shall be required to obtain a basic permit under this subchapter.

(Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814, title I, §103, formerly §3, 49 Stat. 978; Feb. 29, 1936, ch. 105, §1, 49 Stat. 1152; 1940 Reorg. Plan No. III, §2, eff. June 30, 1940, 5 F.R. 2108, 54 Stat. 1232; renumbered title I, §103, and amended Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(1), (2), (b)(2), 102 Stat. 4517, 4521.)

In the original, subsections (a) and (b) of this section contained a final paragraph which provided as follows: “This subsection shall take effect sixty days after the date upon which the Administrator first appointed under this title takes office.”

1988—Pub. L. 100–690, §8001(b)(2), substituted “subchapter” for “chapter” wherever appearing.

1936—Subsec. (c). Act Feb. 29, 1936, extended the effective date from March 1, 1936, to July 1, 1936.

“Secretary of the Treasury” was substituted in text for “Administrator”, meaning the Administrator of the Federal Alcohol Administration, pursuant to Reorg. Plan No. III of 1940, see note set out under section 201 of this title.

This section is referred to in section 207 of this title; title 26 section 5171.

The following persons shall, on application therefor, be entitled to a basic permit:

(1) Any person who, on May 25, 1935, held a basic permit as distiller, rectifier, wine producer, or importer issued by an agency of the Federal Government.

(2) Any other person unless the Secretary of the Treasury finds (A) that such person (or in case of a corporation, any of its officers, directors, or principal stockholders) has, within five years prior to the date of application, been convicted of a felony under Federal or State law or has, within three years prior to date of application, been convicted of a misdemeanor under any Federal law relating to liquor, including the taxation thereof; or (B) that such person is, by reason of his business experience, financial standing, or trade connections, not likely to commence operations within a reasonable period or to maintain such operations in conformity with Federal law; or (C) that the operations proposed to be conducted by such person are in violation of the law of the State in which they are to be conducted.

If upon examination of any application for a basic permit the Secretary of the Treasury has reason to believe that the applicant is not entitled to such permit, he shall notify the applicant thereof and, upon request by the applicant, afford him due notice and opportunity for hearing on the application. If the Secretary of the Treasury, after affording such notice and opportunity for hearing, finds that the applicant is not entitled to a basic permit hereunder, he shall by order deny the application stating the findings which are the basis for his order.

The Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe the manner and form of all applications for basic permits (including the facts to be set forth therein) and the form of all basic permits, and shall specify in any basic permit the authority conferred by the permit and the conditions thereof in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter. To the extent deemed necessary by the Secretary of the Treasury for the efficient administration of this subchapter, separate applications and permits shall be required by the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to distilled spirits, wine, and malt beverages, and the various classes thereof, and with respect to the various classes of persons entitled to permits hereunder. The issuance of a basic permit under this subchapter shall not operate to deprive the United States of its remedy for any violation of law.

A basic permit shall be conditioned upon compliance with the requirements of section 205 of this title (relating to unfair competition and unlawful practices) and of section 206 of this title (relating to bulk sales and bottling), with the twenty-first amendment and laws relating to the enforcement thereof, and with all other Federal laws relating to distilled spirits, wine, and malt beverages, including taxes with respect thereto.

A basic permit shall by order of the Secretary of the Treasury, after due notice and opportunity for hearing to the permittee, (1) be revoked, or suspended for such period as the Secretary of the Treasury deems appropriate, if the Secretary finds that the permittee has wilfully violated any of the conditions thereof, provided that for a first violation of the conditions thereof the permit shall be subject to suspension only; or (2) be revoked if the Secretary finds that the permittee has not engaged in the operations authorized by the permit for a period of more than two years; or (3) be annulled if the Secretary finds that the permit was procured through fraud, or misrepresentation, or concealment of material fact. The order shall state the findings which are the basis for the order.

Orders of the Secretary with respect to any denial of application, suspension, revocation, annulment, or other proceedings, shall be served (1) in person by any officer or employee of the Secretary designated by him or any internal revenue or customs officer authorized by the Secretary for the purpose, or (2) by mailing the order by registered mail, addressed to the applicant or respondent at his last known address in the records of the Secretary.

A basic permit shall continue in effect until suspended, revoked, or annulled as provided herein, or voluntarily surrendered; except that (1) if leased, sold, or otherwise voluntarily transferred, the permit shall be automatically terminated thereupon, and (2) if transferred by operation of law or if actual or legal control of the permittee is acquired, directly or indirectly, whether by stock-ownership or in any other manner, by any person, then such permit shall be automatically terminated at the expiration of thirty days thereafter: *Provided*, That if within such thirty-day period application for a new basic permit is made by the transferee or permittee, respectively, then the outstanding basic permit shall continue in effect until such application is finally acted on by the Secretary of the Treasury.

An appeal may be taken by the permittee or applicant for a permit from any order of the Secretary of the Treasury denying an application for, or suspending, revoking, or annulling, a basic permit. Such appeal shall be taken by filing, in the court of appeals of the United States within any circuit wherein such person resides or has his principal place of business, or in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, within sixty days after the entry of such order, a written petition praying that the order of the Secretary be modified or set aside in whole or in part. A copy of such petition shall be forthwith transmitted by the clerk of the court to the Secretary, or any officer designated by him for that purpose, and thereupon the Secretary shall file in the court the record upon which the order complained of was entered, as provided in section 2112 of title 28. Upon the filing of such petition such court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to affirm, modify, or set aside such order, in whole or in part. No objection to the order of the Secretary shall be considered by the court unless such objection shall have been urged before the Secretary or unless there were reasonable grounds for failure so to do. The finding of the Secretary as to the facts, if supported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive. If any party shall apply to the court for leave to adduce additional evidence, and shall show to the satisfaction of the court that such additional evidence is material and that there were reasonable grounds for failure to adduce such evidence in the proceeding before the Secretary, the court may order such additional evidence to be taken before the Secretary and to be adduced upon the hearing in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as to the court may seem proper. The Secretary may modify his findings as to the facts by reason of the additional evidence so taken, and he shall file with the court such modified or new findings, which, if supported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive, and his recommendation, if any, for the modification or setting aside of the original order. The judgment and decree of the court affirming, modifying, or setting aside, in whole or in part, any such order of the Secretary shall be final, subject to review by the Supreme Court of the United States upon certiorari or certification as provided in section 1254 of title 28. The commencement of proceedings under this subsection shall, unless specifically ordered by the court to the contrary, operate as a stay of the Secretary's order.

No proceeding for the suspension or revocation of a basic permit for violation of any condition thereof relating to compliance with Federal law shall be instituted by the Secretary more than eighteen months after conviction of the violation of Federal law, or, if no conviction has been had, more than three years after the violation occurred; and no basic permit shall be suspended or revoked for a violation of any such condition thereof if the alleged violation of Federal law has been compromised by any officer of the Government authorized to compromise such violation.

(Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814, title I, §104, formerly §4, 49 Stat. 978; 1940 Reorg. Plan No. III, §2, eff. June 30, 1940, 5 F.R. 2108, 54 Stat. 1232; June 25, 1948, ch. 646, §32(a), 62 Stat. 991; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, §127, 63 Stat. 107; Aug. 28, 1958, Pub. L. 85–791, §14, 72 Stat. 946; renumbered title I, §104, and amended Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(1), (2), (b)(2), (3), 102 Stat. 4517, 4521.)

In subsec. (h) of this section, “section 1254 of title 28” was substituted for “sections 239 and 240 of the Judicial Code, as amended”, on authority of act June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 869, the first section of which enacted Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

1988—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–690, §8001(b)(2), substituted “subchapter” for “chapter” wherever appearing.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–690, §8001(b)(3), made technical amendment to references to sections 205 and 206 of this title to reflect renumbering of corresponding sections of original act.

1958—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 85–791, in third sentence, substituted “transmitted by the clerk of the court to the Secretary, or” for “served upon, the Secretary, or upon any”, substituted “file in the court” for “certify and file in the court a transcript of”, and inserted “as provided in section 2112 of title 28”, and in fourth sentence, substituted “petition” for “transcript”.

“Court of appeals” was substituted for “circuit court of appeals” pursuant to act June 25, 1948, as amended by act May 24, 1949.

“Secretary of the Treasury” and “Secretary” were substituted in subsecs. (a) to (c) and (e) to (i) for “Administrator”, meaning the Administrator of the Federal Alcohol Administration, pursuant to Reorg. Plan No. III of 1940, see note set out under section 201 of this title.

Section 35 of Pub. L. 85–791 provided that: “This Act shall not be construed to repeal or modify any provision of the Administrative Procedure Act [subchapter II of chapter 5, and chapter 7, of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees].”

This section is referred to in title 26 section 5171.

It shall be unlawful for any person engaged in business as a distiller, brewer, rectifier, blender, or other producer, or as an importer or wholesaler, of distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages, or as a bottler, or warehouseman and bottler, of distilled spirits, directly or indirectly or through an affiliate:

To require, by agreement or otherwise, that any retailer engaged in the sale of distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages, purchase any such products from such person to the exclusion in whole or in part of distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages sold or offered for sale by other persons in interstate or foreign commerce, if such requirement is made in the course of interstate or foreign commerce, or if such person engages in such practice to such an extent as substantially to restrain or prevent transactions in interstate or foreign commerce in any such products, or if the direct effect of such requirement is to prevent, deter, hinder, or restrict other persons from selling or offering for sale any such products to such retailer in interstate or foreign commerce; or

To induce through any of the following means, any retailer, engaged in the sale of distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages, to purchase any such products from such person to the exclusion in whole or in part of distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages sold or offered for sale by other persons in interstate or foreign commerce, if such inducement is made in the course of interstate or foreign commerce, or if such person engages in the practice of using such means, or any of them, to such an extent as substantially to restrain or prevent transactions in interstate or foreign commerce in any such products, or if the direct effect of such inducement is to prevent, deter, hinder, or restrict other persons from selling or offering for sale any such products to such retailer in interstate or foreign commerce: (1) By acquiring or holding (after the expiration of any existing license) any interest in any license with respect to the premises of the retailer; or (2) by acquiring any interest in real or personal property owned, occupied, or used by the retailer in the conduct of his business; or (3) by furnishing, giving, renting, lending, or selling to the retailer, any equipment, fixtures, signs, supplies, money, services, or other thing of value, subject to such exceptions as the Secretary of the Treasury shall by regulation prescribe, having due regard for public health, the quantity and value of articles involved, established trade customs not contrary to the public interest and the purposes of this subsection; or (4) by paying or crediting the retailer for any advertising, display, or distribution service; or (5) by guaranteeing any loan or the repayment of any financial obligation of the retailer; or (6) by extending to the retailer credit for a period in excess of the credit period usual and customary to the industry for the particular class of transactions, as ascertained by the Secretary of the Treasury and prescribed by regulations by him; or (7) by requiring the retailer to take and dispose of a certain quota of any of such products; or

To induce through any of the following means, any trade buyer engaged in the sale of distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages, to purchase any such products from such person to the exclusion in whole or in part of distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages sold or offered for sale by other persons in interstate or foreign commerce, if such inducement is made in the course of interstate or foreign commerce, or if such person engages in the practice of using such means, or any of them, to such an extent as substantially to restrain or prevent transactions in interstate or foreign commerce in any such products, or if the direct effect of such inducement is to prevent, deter, hinder, or restrict other persons from selling or offering for sale any such products to such trade buyer in interstate or foreign commerce: (1) By commercial bribery; or (2) by offering or giving any bonus, premium, or compensation to any officer, or employee, or representative of the trade buyer; or

To sell, offer for sale, or contract to sell to any trade buyer engaged in the sale of distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages, or for any such trade buyer to purchase, offer to purchase, or contract to purchase, any such products on consignment or under conditional sale or with the privilege of return or on any basis otherwise than a bona fide sale, or where any part of such transaction involves, directly or indirectly, the acquisition by such person from the trade buyer or his agreement to acquire from the trade buyer other distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages—if such sale, purchase, offer, or contract is made in the course of interstate or foreign commerce, or if such person or trade buyer engages in such practice to such an extent as substantially to restrain or prevent transactions in interstate or foreign commerce in any such products or if the direct effect of such sale, purchase, offer, or contract is to prevent, deter, hinder, or restrict other persons from selling or offering for sale any such products to such trade buyer in interstate or foreign commerce: *Provided*, That this subsection shall not apply to transactions involving solely the bona fide return of merchandise for ordinary and usual commercial reasons arising after the merchandise has been sold; or

To sell or ship or deliver for sale or shipment, or otherwise introduce in interstate or foreign commerce, or to receive therein, or to remove from customs custody for consumption, any distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages in bottles, unless such products are bottled, packaged, and labeled in conformity with such regulations, to be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, with respect to packaging, marking, branding, and labeling and size and fill of container (1) as will prohibit deception of the consumer with respect to such products or the quantity thereof and as will prohibit, irrespective of falsity, such statements relating to age, manufacturing processes, analyses, guarantees, and scientific or irrelevant matters as the Secretary of the Treasury finds to be likely to mislead the consumer; (2) as will provide the consumer with adequate information as to the identity and quality of the products, the alcoholic content thereof (except that statements of, or statements likely to be considered as statements of, alcoholic content of malt beverages are prohibited unless required by State law and except that, in case of wines, statements of alcoholic content shall be required only for wines containing more than 14 per centum of alcohol by volume), the net contents of the package, and the manufacturer or bottler or importer of the product; (3) as will require an accurate statement, in the case of distilled spirits (other than cordials, liqueurs, and specialties) produced by blending or rectification, if neutral spirits have been used in the production thereof, informing the consumer of the percentage of neutral spirits so used and of the name of the commodity from which such neutral spirits have been distilled, or in case of neutral spirits or of gin produced by a process of continuous distillation, the name of the commodity from which distilled; (4) as will prohibit statements on the label that are disparaging of a competitor's products or are false, misleading, obscene, or indecent; and (5) as will prevent deception of the consumer by use of a trade or brand name that is the name of any living individual of public prominence, or existing private or public organization, or is a name that is in simulation or is an abbreviation thereof, and as will prevent the use of a graphic, pictorial, or emblematic representation of any such individual or organization, if the use of such name or representation is likely falsely to lead the consumer to believe that the product has been indorsed, made, or used by, or produced for, or under the supervision of, or in accordance with the specifications of, such individual or organization: *Provided*, That this clause shall not apply to the use of the name of any person engaged in business as a distiller, brewer, rectifier, blender, or other producer, or as an importer, wholesaler, retailer, bottler, or warehouseman, of distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages, nor to the use by any person of a trade or brand name used by him or his predecessor in interest prior to August 29, 1935; including regulations requiring, at time of release from customs custody, certificates issued by foreign governments covering origin, age, and identity of imported products: *Provided further*, That nothing herein nor any decision, ruling, or regulation of any Department of the Government shall deny the right of any person to use any trade name or brand of foreign origin not presently effectively registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office which has been used by such person or predecessors in the United States for a period of at least five years last past, if the use of such name or brand is qualified by the name of the locality in the United States in which the product is produced, and, in the case of the use of such name or brand on any label or in any advertisement, if such qualification is as conspicuous as such name or brand.

It shall be unlawful for any person to alter, mutilate, destroy, obliterate, or remove any mark, brand, or label upon distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages held for sale in interstate or foreign commerce or after shipment therein, except as authorized by Federal law or except pursuant to regulations of the Secretary of the Treasury authorizing relabeling for purposes of compliance with the requirements of this subsection or of State law.

In order to prevent the sale or shipment or other introduction of distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages in interstate or foreign commerce, if bottled, packaged, or labeled in violation of the requirements of this subsection, (1) no bottler of distilled spirits, no producer, blender, or wholesaler of wine, or proprietor of a bonded wine storeroom, and no brewer or wholesaler of malt beverages shall bottle, and (2) no person shall remove from customs custody, in bottles, for sale or any other commercial purpose, distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages, respectively, after such date as the Secretary of the Treasury fixes as the earliest practicable date for the application of the provisions of this subsection to any class of such persons (but not later than August 15, 1936, in the case of distilled spirits, and December 15, 1936, in the case of wine and malt beverages, and only after thirty days’ public notice), unless, upon application to the Secretary of the Treasury, he has obtained and has in his possession a certificate of label approval covering the distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages, issued by the Secretary in such manner and form as he shall by regulations prescribe: *Provided*, That any such bottler of distilled spirits, or producer, blender, or wholesaler of wine, or proprietor of a bonded wine storeroom, or brewer or wholesaler of malt beverages shall be exempt from the requirements of this subsection if, upon application to the Secretary, he shows to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages to be bottled by the applicant are not to be sold, or offered for sale, or shipped or delivered for shipment, or otherwise introduced, in interstate or foreign commerce. Officers of internal revenue are authorized and directed to withhold the release of distilled spirits from the bottling plant unless such certificates have been obtained, or unless the application of the bottler for exemption has been granted by the Secretary; and customs officers are authorized and directed to withhold the release from customs custody of distilled spirits, wine, and malt beverages, unless such certificates have been obtained. The District Courts of the United States, and the United States court for any Territory shall have jurisdiction of suits to enjoin, annul, or suspend in whole or in part any final action by the Secretary upon any application under this subsection; or

To publish or disseminate or cause to be published or disseminated by radio broadcast, or in any newspaper, periodical or other publication or by any sign or outdoor advertisement or any other printed or graphic matter, any advertisement of distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages, if such advertisement is in, or is calculated to induce sales in, interstate or foreign commerce, or is disseminated by mail, unless such advertisement is in conformity with such regulations, to be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, (1) as will prevent deception of the consumer with respect to the products advertised and as will prohibit, irrespective of falsity, such statements relating to age, manufacturing processes, analyses, guaranties, and scientific or irrelevant matters as the Secretary of the Treasury finds to be likely to mislead the consumer; (2) as will provide the consumer with adequate information as to the identity and quality of the products advertised, the alcoholic content thereof (except the statements of, or statements likely to be considered as statements of, alcoholic content of malt beverages and wines are prohibited), and the person responsible for the advertisement; (3) as will require an accurate statement, in the case of distilled spirits (other than cordials, liqueurs, and specialties) produced by blending or rectification, if neutral spirits have been used in the production thereof, informing the consumer of the percentage of neutral spirits so used and of the name of the commodity from which such neutral spirits have been distilled, or in case of neutral spirits or of gin produced by a process of continuous distillation, the name of the commodity from which distilled; (4) as will prohibit statements that are disparaging of a competitor's products or are false, misleading, obscene, or indecent; (5) as will prevent statements inconsistent with any statement on the labeling of the products advertised. This subsection shall not apply to outdoor advertising in place on June 18, 1935, but shall apply upon replacement, restoration, or renovation of any such advertising. The prohibitions of this subsection and regulations thereunder shall not apply to the publisher of any newspaper, periodical, or other publication, or radio broadcaster, unless such publisher or radio broadcaster is engaged in business as a distiller, brewer, rectifier, or other producer, or as an importer or wholesaler, of distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages, or as a bottler, or warehouseman and bottler, of distilled spirits, directly or indirectly or through an affiliate.

The provisions of subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section shall not apply to any act done by an agency of a State or political subdivision thereof, or by any officer or employee of such agency.

In the case of malt beverages, the provisions of subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section shall apply to transactions between a retailer or trade buyer in any State and a brewer, importer, or wholesaler of malt beverages outside such State only to the extent that the law of such State imposes similar requirements with respect to similar transactions between a retailer or trade buyer in such State and a brewer, importer, or wholesaler of malt beverages in such State, as the case may be. In the case of malt beverages, the provisions of this subsection and subsection (e) of this section shall apply to the labeling of malt beverages sold or shipped or delivered for shipment or otherwise introduced into or received in any State from any place outside thereof, or the advertising of malt beverages intended to be sold or shipped or delivered for shipment or otherwise introduced into or received in any State from any place outside thereof, only to the extent that the law of such State imposes similar requirements with respect to the labeling or advertising, as the case may be, of malt beverages not sold or shipped or delivered for shipment or otherwise introduced into or received in such State from any place outside thereof.

The Secretary of the Treasury shall give reasonable public notice, and afford to interested parties opportunity for hearing, prior to prescribing regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.

(Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814, title I, §105, formerly §5, 49 Stat. 981; Feb. 29, 1936, ch. 105, §2, 49 Stat. 1152; June 25, 1936, ch. 804, 49 Stat. 1921; June 26, 1936, ch. 830, title V, §§505, 506, 49 Stat. 1965, 1966; 1940 Reorg. Plan No. III, §2, eff. June 30, 1940, 5 F.R. 2108, 54 Stat. 1232; Apr. 20, 1942, ch. 244, §1(h), 56 Stat. 219; June 25, 1948, ch. 646, §32(b), 62 Stat. 991; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, §127, 63 Stat. 107; Pub. L. 93–596, §3, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949; renumbered title I, §105, and amended Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(1), (2), (b)(2), 102 Stat. 4517, 4521.)

As originally enacted subsec. (e) of this section contained a reference to the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. Act June 25, 1936, substituted “the district court of the United States for the District of Columbia” for “the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia”, and act June 25, 1948, as amended by act May 24, 1949, substituted “United States District Court for the District of Columbia” for “district court of the United States for the District of Columbia”. However, the words “United States District Court for the District of Columbia” have been deleted entirely as superfluous in view of section 132(a) of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, which states that “There shall be in each judicial district a district court which shall be a court of record known as the United States District Court for the district”, and section 88 of Title 28 which states that “the District of Columbia constitutes one judicial district”.

An amendment to the second proviso of subsec. (e) of this title was contained in act June 26, 1936, ch. 830, title V, §506, 49 Stat. 1965. The amendment was to have taken effect when a majority of the members of the Federal Alcohol Administration authorized to be appointed under section 202b of this title took office. However, the members were never appointed and section 202b of this title was repealed by Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 649.

1988—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100–690, §8001(b)(2), substituted “the date of the enactment of this title” for “the date of the enactment of this Act”, which had been translated editorially as “August 29, 1935”, thereby requiring no change in text.

1942—Subsec. (f)(2). Act Apr. 20, 1942, substituted “beverages and wines are prohibited” for “beverages are prohibited and except that, in case of wines, statements of alcoholic content shall be required only for wines containing more than 14 per centum of alcohol by volume,”.

1936—Subsec. (e). Act Feb. 29, 1936, substituted “August 15, 1936, in the case of distilled spirits, and December 15, 1936, in the case of wine and malt beverages” for “March 1, 1936,”.

Subsec. (e). Act June 26, 1936, amended subsec. (e) generally.

References to the Patent Office have been changed to the Patent and Trademark Office pursuant to Pub. L. 93–596, §3, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1949, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.

“Secretary of the Treasury” and “Secretary” were substituted in subsecs. (b), (e), and (f) for “Administrator”, meaning the Administrator of the Federal Alcohol Administration, pursuant to Reorg. Plan No. III of 1940, see note set out under section 201 of this title.

This section is referred to in sections 204, 207 of this title; title 26 section 5206.

It shall be unlawful for any person—

(1) To sell or offer to sell, contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of distilled spirits in bulk except, under regulations of the Secretary of the Treasury, for export or to the following, or to import distilled spirits in bulk except, under such regulations, for sale to or for use by the following: A distiller, rectifier of distilled spirits, person operating a bonded warehouse qualified under the internal-revenue laws or a class 8 bonded warehouse qualified under the customs laws, a winemaker for the fortification of wines, a proprietor of an industrial alcohol plant, or an agency of the United States or any State or political subdivision thereof.

(2) To sell or offer to sell, contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of warehouse receipts for distilled spirits in bulk unless such warehouse receipts require that the warehouseman shall package such distilled spirits, before delivery, in bottles labeled and marked in accordance with law, or deliver such distilled spirits in bulk only to persons to whom it is lawful to sell or otherwise dispose of distilled spirits in bulk.

(3) To bottle distilled spirits unless the bottler is a person to whom it is lawful to sell or otherwise dispose of distilled spirits in bulk.

Any person who violates the requirements of this section shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year or both, and shall forfeit to the United States all distilled spirits with respect to which the violation occurs and the containers thereof.

The term “in bulk” mean in containers having a capacity in excess of one wine gallon.

(Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814, title I, §106, formerly §6, 49 Stat. 985; 1940 Reorg. Plan No. III, §2, eff. June 30, 1940, 5 F.R. 2108, 54 Stat. 1232; renumbered title I, §106, Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(1), (2), 102 Stat. 4517.)

The internal-revenue laws, referred to in subsec. (a), are classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

The customs laws, referred to in subsec. (a), are classified generally to Title 19, Customs Duties.

“Secretary of the Treasury” was substituted in subsec. (a)(1) for “Administrator”, meaning the Administrator of the Federal Alcohol Administration, pursuant to Reorg. Plan No. III of 1940, see note set out under section 201 of this title.

This section is referred to in section 204 of this title.

The District Courts of the United States, and the United States court for any Territory, of the District where the offense is committed or threatened or of which the offender is an inhabitant or has his principal place of business, are vested with jurisdiction of any suit brought by the Attorney General in the name of the United States, to prevent and restrain violations of any of the provisions of this subchapter. Any person violating any of the provisions of section 203 or 205 of this title shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof be fined not more than $1,000 for each offense. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized, with respect to any violation of this subchapter, to compromise the liability arising with respect to such violation (1) upon payment of a sum not in excess of $500 for each offense, to be collected by the Secretary and to be paid into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts, and (2) in case of repetitious violations and in order to avoid multiplicity of criminal proceedings, upon agreement to a stipulation, that the United States may, on its own motion upon five days’ notice to the violator, cause a consent decree to be entered by any court of competent jurisdiction enjoining the repetition of such violation.

(Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814, title I, §107, formerly §7, 49 Stat. 985; June 25, 1936, ch. 804, 49 Stat. 1921; 1940 Reorg. Plan No. III, §2, eff. June 30, 1940, 5 F.R. 2108, 54 Stat. 1232; 1940 Reorg. Plan No. IV, §2, eff. June 30, 1940, 5 F.R. 2421, 54 Stat. 1234; June 25, 1948, ch. 646, §32(b), 62 Stat. 991; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, §127, 63 Stat. 107; renumbered title I, §107, and amended Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(1), (2), (b)(2), (4), 102 Stat. 4517, 4521.)

As originally enacted this section contained a reference to the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. Act June 25, 1936, substituted “the district court of the United States for the District of Columbia” for “the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia”, and act June 25, 1948, as amended by act May 24, 1949, substituted “United States District Court for the District of Columbia” for “district court of the United States for the District of Columbia”. However, the words “United States District Court for the District of Columbia” have been deleted entirely as superfluous in view of section 132(a) of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, which states that “There shall be in each judicial district a district court which shall be a court of record known as the United States District Court for the district”, and section 88 of Title 28 which states that “the District of Columbia constitutes one judicial district”.

1988—Pub. L. 100–690, §8001(b)(2), substituted “subchapter” for “chapter” in two places.

Pub. L. 100–690, §8001(b)(4), made technical amendment to references to sections 203 and 205 of this title to reflect renumbering of corresponding sections of original act.

“The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized” and “Secretary” were substituted for “Subject to the approval of the Attorney General, the Administrator is authorized” and “Administrator”, meaning the Administrator of the Federal Alcohol Administration, respectively, pursuant to Reorg. Plan No. IV of 1940, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, which transferred the function of approving compromises made in accordance with this section from the Attorney General to the Secretary of the Treasury, to be exercised by him or under his direction and supervision by officer in the Department of the Treasury designated by him, and Reorg. Plan No. III of 1940, set out in the Appendix to Title V, which transferred the functions of the Administrator of the Federal Alcohol Administration to the Secretary of the Treasury. Reorg. Plan No. IV of 1940, in addition, contained the following proviso: “*Provided*, That exclusive jurisdiction to compromise cases arising under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act which are pending before the courts or which have been or may hereafter be referred to the Department of Justice for action shall be vested in the Attorney General, and may be exercised by him or by any officer in the Department of Justice designated by him.” See also note set out under section 201 of this title.

Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, it shall be unlawful for any individual to take office, after August 29, 1935, as an officer or director of any company, if his doing so would make him an officer or director of more than one company engaged in business as a distiller, rectifier, or blender of distilled spirits, or of any such company and of a company which is an affiliate of any company engaged in business as a distiller, rectifier, or blender of distilled spirits, or of more than one company which is an affiliate of any company engaged in business as a distiller, rectifier, or blender of distilled spirits, unless, prior to taking such office, application made by such individual to the Secretary of the Treasury has been granted and after due showing has been made to him that service by such individual as officer or director of all the foregoing companies of which he is an officer or director together with service in the company with respect to which application is made will not substantially restrain or prevent competition in interstate or foreign commerce in distilled spirits. The Secretary of the Treasury shall, by order, grant or deny such application on the basis of the proof submitted to him and his finding thereon. The District Courts of the United States, and the United States court for any Territory shall have jurisdiction of suits to enjoin, annul, or suspend in whole or in part any final action by the Secretary upon any application under this subsection.

An individual may, without regard to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, take office as an officer or director of a company described in said subsection while holding the position of officer or director of any other such company if such companies are affiliates at the time of his taking office and if—

(1) Such companies are affiliates on August 29, 1935; or

(2) Each of such companies has been organized under the law of a State to comply with a requirement thereof under which, as a condition of doing business in such State, such company must be organized under the law of such State; or

(3) One or more such companies has been organized under the law of a State to comply with a requirement thereof under which, as a condition of doing business in such State, such company must be organized under the laws of such State, and the other one or more of such companies not so organized, is in existence on August 29, 1935; or

(4) One or more of such companies has been organized under the law of a State to comply with a requirement thereof under which, as a condition of doing business in such State, such company must be organized under the law of such State, and not more than one of such companies is a company which has not been so organized and which has been organized after August 29, 1935.

As used in this section, the term “company” means a corporation, joint stock company, business trust, or association, but does not include any agency of a State or political subdivision thereof or any officer or employee of any such agency.

Any individual taking office in violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not exceeding $1,000.

(Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814, title I, §108, formerly §8, 49 Stat. 986; June 25, 1936, ch. 804, 49 Stat. 1921; 1940 Reorg. Plan No. III, §2, eff. June 30, 1940, 5 F.R. 2108, 54 Stat. 1232; June 25, 1948, ch. 646, §32(b), 62 Stat. 991; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, §127, 63 Stat. 107; renumbered title I, §108, and amended Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(1), (2), (b)(2), 102 Stat. 4517, 4521.)

As originally enacted subsec. (a) of this section contained a reference to the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. Act June 25, 1936, substituted “the district court of the United States for the District of Columbia” for “the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia”, and act June 25, 1948, as amended by act May 24, 1949, substituted “United States District Court for the District of Columbia” for “district court of the United States for the District of Columbia”. However, the words “United States District Court for the District of Columbia” have been deleted entirely as superfluous in view of section 132(a) of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, which states that “There shall be in each judicial district a district court which shall be a court of record known as the United States District Court for the district”, and section 88 of Title 28 which states that “the District of Columbia constitutes one judicial district”.

1988—Subsecs. (a), (b)(1), (3), (4). Pub. L. 100–690, §8001(b)(2), substituted “the date of the enactment of this title” for “the date of the enactment of this Act”, which had been translated editorially as “August 29, 1935”, thereby requiring no change in text.

“Secretary of the Treasury” and “Secretary” were substituted for “Administrator”, meaning the Administrator of the Federal Alcohol Administration, pursuant to Reorg. Plan No. III of 1940, see note set out under section 201 of this title.

Section 209, acts Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814, title I, §109, formerly §9, 49 Stat. 987; June 26, 1936, ch. 830, title V, §507, 49 Stat. 1966; renumbered title I, §109, Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(1), (2), 102 Stat. 4517, which related to disposal of forfeited alcoholic beverages, was superseded. See section 5688 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Section 210, act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814, title I, §110, formerly §10, 49 Stat. 987; renumbered title I, §110, Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(1), (2), 102 Stat. 4517, abolished the Federal Alcohol Control Administration established by Ex. Ord. No. 6474, Dec. 4, 1933; Ex. Ord. No. 6576, Jan. 25, 1934; Ex. Ord. No. 6683, Apr. 19, 1934; Ex. Ord. No. 6788, June 30, 1934; Ex. Ord. No. 6829, Aug. 21, 1934, issued under provisions of section 702 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.

As used in this subchapter—

(1) The term “United States” means the several States and Territories and the District of Columbia; the term “State” includes a Territory and the District of Columbia; and the term “Territory” means Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

(2) The term “interstate or foreign commerce” means commerce between any State and any place outside thereof, or commerce within any Territory or the District of Columbia, or between points within the same State but through any place outside thereof.

(3) The term “person” means individual, partnership, joint stock company, business trust, association, corporation, or other form of business enterprise, including a receiver, trustee, or liquidating agent and including an officer or employee of any agency of a State or political subdivision thereof; and the term “trade buyer” means any person who is a wholesaler or retailer.

(4) The term “affiliate” means any one of two or more persons if one of such persons has actual or legal control, directly or indirectly, whether by stock ownership or otherwise, of the other or others of such persons; and any one of two or more persons subject to common control, actual or legal, directly or indirectly, whether by stock ownership or otherwise.

(5) The term “distilled spirits” means ethyl alcohol, hydrated oxide of ethyl, spirits of wine, whiskey, rum, brandy, gin, and other distilled spirits, including all dilutions and mixtures thereof, for non-industrial use.

(6) The term “wine” means (1) wine as defined in section 610 and section 617 of the Revenue Act of 1918 as now in force or hereafter amended, and (2) other alcoholic beverages not so defined, but made in the manner of wine, including sparkling and carbonated wine, wine made from condensed grape must, wine made from other agricultural products than the juice of sound, ripe grapes, imitation wine, compounds sold as wine, vermouth, cider, perry and sake; in each instance only if containing not less than 7 per centum and not more than 24 per centum of alcohol by volume, and if for non-industrial use.

(7) The term “malt beverage” means a beverage made by the alcoholic fermentation of an infusion or decoction, or combination of both, in potable brewing water, or malted barley with hops, or their parts, or their products, and with or without other malted cereals, and with or without the addition of unmalted or prepared cereals, other carbohydrates or products prepared therefrom, and with or without the addition of carbon dioxide, and with or without other wholesome products suitable for human food consumption.

(8) The term “bottle” means any container, irrespective of the material from which made, for use for the sale of distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages at retail.

The right to amend or repeal the provisions of this subchapter is expressly reserved.

If any provision of this subchapter, or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter and the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby.

(Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814, title I, §117, formerly §17, 49 Stat. 989; 1940 Reorg. Plan No. III, §2, eff. June 30, 1940, 5 F.R. 2108, 54 Stat. 1232; renumbered title I, §117, and amended Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(1), (2), (b)(2), 102 Stat. 4517, 4521.)

The Revenue Act of 1918, referred to in subsec. (a)(6), is act Feb. 24, 1919, ch. 18, 40 Stat. 1057. Sections 610 and 617 of the Revenue Act of 1918, relating to the definition of “wine”, were originally classified to sections 441 and 444 of former Title 26, and were thereafter included as sections 3036, 3044 and 3045 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939. Provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 relating to the definition and classification of wine appear in sections 5373(a), 5381 to 5388, and 5392 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

As originally enacted subsection (a)(1) of this section defined the term “Administrator” whose appointment was authorized under section 202 of this title. This definition is no longer effective since Reorg. Plan No. III of 1940, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, abolished the Federal Alcohol Administration and provided that its functions, funds, personnel, and property should be transferred to the Secretary of the Treasury to be administered through the Bureau of Internal Revenue [now Internal Revenue Service]. See, also, Transfer of Functions note set out under section 201 of this title.

1988—Pub. L. 100–690, §8001(b)(2), substituted “this subchapter” for “this chapter” wherever appearing.

Alaska was admitted into the Union on Jan. 3, 1959, on issuance of Proc. No. 3269, Jan. 3, 1959, 24 F.R. 81, 73 Stat. c16, and Hawaii was admitted into the Union on Aug. 21, 1959, on issuance of Proc. No. 3309, Aug. 21, 1959, 24 F.R. 6868, 73 Stat. c74. For Alaska Statehood Law, see Pub. L. 85–508, July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 339, set out as a note preceding section 21 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions. For Hawaii Statehood Law, see Pub. L. 86–3, Mar. 18, 1959, 73 Stat. 4, set out as a note preceding section 491 of Title 48.

This section is referred to in title 26 section 5392.

Section, act June 26, 1936, ch. 830, title V, §504, 49 Stat. 1965, proposed a transfer of the appropriations authorized for the Federal Alcohol Administration created by section 202 of this title to the Administration created by section 202b of this title. It was to have taken effect when a majority of the members authorized to be appointed under section 202b of this title took office. The members, however, were never appointed.

The Congress finds that the American public should be informed about the health hazards that may result from the consumption or abuse of alcoholic beverages, and has determined that it would be beneficial to provide a clear, nonconfusing reminder of such hazards, and that there is a need for national uniformity in such reminders in order to avoid the promulgation of incorrect or misleading information and to minimize burdens on interstate commerce. The Congress finds that requiring such reminders on all containers of alcoholic beverages is appropriate and necessary in view of the substantial role of the Federal Government in promoting the health and safety of the Nation's population. It is therefore the policy of the Congress, and the purpose of this subchapter, to exercise the full reach of the Federal Government's constitutional powers in order to establish a comprehensive Federal program, in connection with the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages in or affecting interstate commerce, to deal with the provision of warning or other information with respect to any relationship between the consumption or abuse of alcoholic beverages and health, so that—

(1) the public may be adequately reminded about any health hazards that may be associated with the consumption or abuse of alcoholic beverages through a nationally uniform, nonconfusing warning notice on each container of such beverages; and

(2) commerce and the national economy may be—

(A) protected to the maximum extent consistent with this declared policy,

(B) not impeded by diverse, nonuniform, and confusing requirements for warnings or other information on alcoholic beverage containers with respect to any relationship between the consumption or abuse of alcoholic beverages and health, and

(C) protected from the adverse effects that would result from a noncomprehensive program covering alcoholic beverage containers sold in interstate commerce, but not alcoholic beverage containers manufactured and sold within a single State.

(Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814, title II, §202, as added Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(3), 102 Stat. 4518.)

Section 210 of title II of act Aug. 29, 1935, as added Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(3), 102 Stat. 4521, provided that: “Except as provided in section 204(a) [27 U.S.C. 215(a)], this title [enacting this subchapter] shall take effect on the date of its enactment into law [Nov. 18, 1988].”

For short title of title II of act Aug. 29, 1935, which is classified to this subchapter, as the “Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act of 1988”, see section 201 of act Aug. 29, 1935, set out as a note under section 201 of this title.

As used in this subchapter—

(1) The term “alcoholic beverage” includes any beverage in liquid form which contains not less than one-half of one percent of alcohol by volume and is intended for human consumption.

(2) The term “bottle” means to fill a container with an alcoholic beverage and to seal such container.

(3) The term “bottler” means a person who bottles an alcoholic beverage.

(4) The term “commerce” means—

(A) commerce between any State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake Island, the Midway Islands, Kingman Reef, or Johnston Island and any place outside thereof;

(B) commerce between points in any State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake Island, the Midway Islands, Kingman Reef, or Johnston Island, but through any place outside thereof; or

(C) commerce wholly within the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake Island, the Midway Islands, Kingman Reef, or Johnston Island.

(5) The term “container” means the innermost sealed container irrespective of the material from which made, in which an alcoholic beverage is placed by the bottler and in which such beverage is offered for sale to members of the general public.

(6) The term “health” includes, but is not limited to, the prevention of accidents.

(7) The term “person” means an individual, partnership, joint stock company, business trust, association, corporation, or any other business or legal entity, including a receiver, trustee, or liquidating agent, and also includes any State, any State agency, or any officer or employee thereof.

(8) The term 1 “sale” and “distribution” include sampling or any other distribution not for sale.

(9) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Treasury.

(10) The term “State” includes any political subdivision of any State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake Island, the Midway Islands, Kingman Reef, or Johnston Island.

(11) The term “State law” includes State statutes, regulations, and principles and rules having the force of law.

(12) The term “United States”, when used in geographical sense, includes the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake Island, the Midway Islands, Kingman Reef, and Johnston Island.

(Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814, title II, §203, as added Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(3), 102 Stat. 4518.)

1 So in original. Probably should be “terms”.

On and after the expiration of the 12-month period following November 18, 1988, it shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture, import, or bottle for sale or distribution in the United States any alcoholic beverage unless the container of such beverage bears the following statement:

**“GOVERNMENT WARNING:** (1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems.”.

The statement required by subsection (a) of this section shall be located in a conspicuous and prominent place on the container of such beverage, as determined by the Secretary, shall be in type of a size determined by the Secretary, and shall appear on a contrasting background. The Secretary shall make such determinations within 90 days after November 18, 1988.

Subsection (a) of this section shall not apply with respect to alcoholic beverages that are manufactured, imported, bottled, or labeled for export from the United States, or for delivery to a vessel or aircraft, as supplies, for consumption beyond the jurisdiction of the internal revenue laws of the United States: *Provided*, That this exemption shall not apply with respect to alcoholic beverages that are manufactured, imported, bottled, or labeled for sale, distribution, or shipment to members or units of the Armed Forces of the United States, including those located outside the United States.

The Secretary shall—

(1) have the power to—

(A) ensure the enforcement of the provisions of this subchapter, and

(B) issue regulations to carry out this subchapter, and

(2) consult and coordinate the health awareness efforts of the labeling requirements of this subchapter with the Surgeon General of the United States.

(Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814, title II, §204, as added Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(3), 102 Stat. 4519.)

The internal revenue laws of the United States, referred to in subsec. (c), are classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

This section is referred to in sections 216, 217 of this title.

No statement relating to alcoholic beverages and health, other than the statement required by section 215 of this title, shall be required under State law to be placed on any container of an alcoholic beverage, or on any box, carton, or other package, irrespective of the material from which made, that contains such a container.

(Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814, title II, §205, as added Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(3), 102 Stat. 4520.)

If, after appropriate investigation and consultation with the Surgeon General carried out after the expiration of the 24-month period following November 18, 1988, the Secretary finds that available scientific information would justify a change in, addition to, or deletion of the statement, or any part thereof, set forth in section 215(a) of this title, the Secretary shall promptly report such information to the Congress together with specific recommendations for such amendments to this subchapter as the Secretary determines to be appropriate and in the public interest.

(Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814, title II, §206, as added Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(3), 102 Stat. 4520.)

Any person who violates the provisions of this subchapter shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000, and each day shall constitute a separate offense.

(Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814, title II, §207, as added Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(3), 102 Stat. 4520.)

(a) The several district courts of the United States are vested with jurisdiction, for cause shown, to prevent and restrain violations of this subchapter upon the application of the Attorney General of the United States acting through the several United States attorneys in their several districts.

(b) The Secretary is authorized, with respect to any violation of this subchapter, to compromise the liability arising with respect to such violation upon payment of a sum for each offense, to be collected by the Secretary and to be paid into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.

(Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814, title II, §208, as added Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(3), 102 Stat. 4520.)

If any provision of this subchapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this subchapter and this chapter and of the application of such provision to other persons and circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

(Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 814, title II, §209, as added Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(3), 102 Stat. 4521.)

Section 221, act June 25, 1936, ch. 815, §1, 49 Stat. 1928, related to citation of this chapter.

Section 222, act June 25, 1936, ch. 815, §2, 49 Stat. 1928, related to definitions. See sections 1262 and 3615 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

Section 223, act June 25, 1936, ch. 815, §3, 49 Stat. 1928, related to transportation of liquor into States where sale is prohibited. See section 1262 of Title 18.

Section 224, act June 25, 1936, ch. 815, §4, 49 Stat. 1928, related to searches and seizures. See section 3615 of Title 18.

Section 225, act June 25, 1936, ch. 815, §5, 49 Stat. 1929, related to enforcement of this chapter. See section 1261 of Title 18.

Section 226, act June 25, 1936, ch. 815, §10, 49 Stat. 1929, related to effect of this chapter on other laws.

Section 227, act June 25, 1936, ch. 815, §11, 49 Stat. 1930, related to separability provisions of this chapter.

Section 228, act June 25, 1936, ch. 815, §12, 49 Stat. 1930, related to effective date of this chapter.

Repeal of sections 221 to 228 effective Sept. 1, 1948, see section 20 of act June 25, 1948.