Title 19 — Customs DutiesRelease 119-73not60

§469 Dealing in or Using Empty Stamped Imported Liquor Containers

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

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

You must not buy, sell, use, or keep any barrel or package that still has the required imported-liquor stamp or official marks on it after it was used to hold imported liquor and emptied. If a container has fake marks and is used to put domestic distilled spirits in for sale, the same rule applies. Any such container and its contents can be taken by the U.S. government, and the person must pay a $200 fine 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 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60