Title 19 — Customs DutiesRelease 119-73

§469 Dealing in or using empty stamped imported liquor containers

Title 19 › Chapter CHAPTER 3— - THE TARIFF AND RELATED PROVISIONS › Subtitle SUBTITLE IV— - CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION › Part part 4— - transportation in bond and warehousing of merchandise › § 469

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

It is illegal to buy, sell, use, or keep a barrel or other package that still shows the imported-liquor stamp or its official marks after it was used for imported liquor and then emptied. It is also illegal to use fake versions of those marks to put domestic distilled spirits in such containers for sale. Any such container and its contents can be taken by the U.S. government, and the person must pay a $200 penalty for each container.

Full Legal Text

Title 19, §469

Customs Duties — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

If any person shall purchase or sell, with the imported-liquor stamp herein required remaining thereon, or any of the marks or brands which shall have been placed thereon in accordance with the laws or regulations concerning imported liquors remaining thereon, any cask or other package, after the same has been once used to contain imported liquors and has been emptied; or if any person shall use or have in possession such cask or package, with any imitation of such marks or brands, for the purpose of placing domestic distilled spirits therein for sale; every such cask or package, with its contents, if any, shall be forfeited to the United States. And every such person who shall violate any of the provisions of this section shall be liable to a penalty of $200 for every such cask or package so purchased, sold, used, or had in possession.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

19 U.S.C. § 469

Title 19 — Customs Duties

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73