Us Code § 203 - Unlawful businesses without permit; application to State agency

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 203 — Unlawful businesses without permit; application to State agency, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 203. Unlawful businesses without permit; application to State agency

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 Pub. L. 100–690, title VIII, §8001(a)(1), (2), (b)(2), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4517, 4521.)


Editorial Notes

Codification

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."

Amendments

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.


Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

"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.

About This Section

27 U.S.C. § 203 is part of Title 27 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 27 U.S.C. § 203. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 203

What does United States Code § 203 cover?

Section 203 ("Unlawful businesses without permit; application to State agency") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 203?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 203" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 203 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.