Us Code § 5751 - Purchase, receipt, possession, or sale of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes, after removal

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 5751 — Purchase, receipt, possession, or sale of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes, after removal, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 5751. Purchase, receipt, possession, or sale of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes, after removal

(a) Restriction

No person shall—

(1) with intent to defraud the United States, purchase, receive, possess, offer for sale, or sell or otherwise dispose of, after removal, any tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes—

(A) upon which the tax has not been paid or determined in the manner and at the time prescribed by this chapter or regulations thereunder; or

(B) which, after removal without payment of tax pursuant to section 5704, have been diverted from the applicable purpose or use specified in that section; or


(2) with intent to defraud the United States, purchase, receive, possess, offer for sale, or sell or otherwise dispose of, after removal, any tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes, which are not put up in packages as required under section 5723 or which are put up in packages not bearing the marks, labels, and notices, as required under such section; or

(3) otherwise than with intent to defraud the United States, purchase, receive, possess, offer for sale, or sell or otherwise dispose of, after removal, any tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes, which are not put up in packages as required under section 5723 or which are put up in packages not bearing the marks, labels, and notices, as required under such section. This paragraph shall not prevent the sale or delivery of tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes directly to consumers from proper packages, nor apply to such articles when so sold or delivered.

(b) Liability to tax

Any person who possesses tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes in violation of subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) shall be liable for a tax equal to the tax on such articles.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 716; Pub. L. 85–859, title II, §202, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1424; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, §1905(b)(7)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1823.)


Editorial Notes

Amendments

1976—Subsec. (a)(2), (3). Pub. L. 94–455 substituted "and notices" for "notices, and stamps".

1958—Pub. L. 85–859 substituted "tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes, after removal" for "articles, after removal, not exempt from tax" in section catchline.

Subsec. (a) amended generally by Pub. L. 85–859, which included within the restrictions, purchase, receipt, possession, offer for sale, or sale of other disposition of tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes, after removal, upon which the tax has not been paid or determined, or which after removal without payment of tax have been diverted from the applicable purpose or use specified in section 5704, and to provide that par. (3) shall not prevent the delivery of tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes directly to consumers from proper packages, nor apply to such articles when so delivered.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 85–859 substituted "tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes in violation of subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) shall be liable for a tax equal to the tax on such articles" or "articles in violation of subsection (a) of this section, shall incur liability to the tax thereon in addition to the penalties prescribed elsewhere in this title".


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 94–455 effective on first day of first month which begins more than 90 days after Oct. 4, 1976, see section 1905(d) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as a note under section 5005 of this title.

Effective Date of 1958 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 85–859 effective Sept. 3, 1958, see section 210(a)(1) of Pub. L. 85–859, set out as an Effective Date note under section 5001 of this title.

About This Section

26 U.S.C. § 5751 is part of Title 26 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 26 U.S.C. § 5751. 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

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 5751

What does United States Code § 5751 cover?

Section 5751 ("Purchase, receipt, possession, or sale of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes, after removal") 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 § 5751?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 5751" (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 § 5751 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.