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Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.

§ 5002. Definitions

In force Text current through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026) release point 119-121

Official text, no changes From the Office of the Law Revision Counsel, release point 119-121 (current through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026)). Compare it with the official text at uscode.house.gov (external site).

Cite as 26 U.S.C. § 5002

At a glance

Read from the text, the source credit and the official notes. Not part of the law.

Status
In force
Added
September 2, 1958 by Pub. L. 85–859
Last amended
August 10, 2005 by Pub. L. 109–59
Amendments
5 dated changes in the source credit
Length
2 subsections · 686 words · about 3 min to read
Defines
14 terms
Cross-references
cites 3; cited by 6 Code sections and 0 other regulations
(a) In general For purposes of this chapter—
(1) Distilled spirits plant

The term “distilled spirits plant” means an establishment which is qualified under subchapter B to perform any distilled spirits operation.

(2) Distilled spirits operation

The term “distilled spirits operation” means any operation for which qualification is required under subchapter B.

(3) Bonded premises

The term “bonded premises”, when used with respect to distilled spirits, means the premises of a distilled spirits plant, or part thereof, on which distilled spirits operations are authorized to be conducted.

(4) Distiller The term “distiller” includes any person who—
(A) produces distilled spirits from any source or substance,
(B) brews or makes mash, wort, or wash fit for distillation or for the production of distilled spirits (other than the making or using of mash, wort, or wash in the authorized production of wine or beer, or the production of vinegar by fermentation),
(C) by any process separates alcoholic spirits from any fermented substance, or
(D) making or keeping mash, wort, or wash, has a still in his possession or use.
(5) Processor
(A) In general The term “processor”, when used with respect to distilled spirits, means any person who—
(i) manufactures, mixes, or otherwise processes distilled spirits, or
(ii) manufactures any article.
(B) Rectifier, bottler, etc., included

The term “processor” includes (but is not limited to) a rectifier, bottler, and denaturer.

(6) Certain operations not treated as processing In applying paragraph (5), there shall not be taken into account—
(A) Operations as distiller

Any process which is the operation of a distiller.

(B) Mixing of taxpaid spirits for immediate consumption

Any mixing (after determination of tax) of distilled spirits for immediate consumption.

(C) Use by apothecaries

Any process performed by an apothecary with respect to distilled spirits which such apothecary uses exclusively in the preparation or making up of medicines unfit for use for beverage purposes.

(7) Warehouseman

The term “warehouseman”, when used with respect to distilled spirits, means any person who stores bulk distilled spirits.

(8) Distilled spirits

The terms “distilled spirits”, “alcoholic spirits”, and “spirits” mean that substance known as ethyl alcohol, ethanol, or spirits of wine in any form (including all dilutions and mixtures thereof from whatever source or by whatever process produced).

(9) Bulk distilled spirits

The term “bulk distilled spirits” means distilled spirits in a container having a capacity in excess of 1 wine gallon.

(10) Proof spirits

The term “proof spirits” means that liquid which contains one-half its volume of ethyl alcohol of a specific gravity of 0.7939 at 60 degrees Fahrenheit (referring to water at 60 degrees Fahrenheit as unity).

(11) Proof gallon

The term “proof gallon” means a United States gallon of proof spirits, or the alcoholic equivalent thereof.

(12) Container

The term “container”, when used with respect to distilled spirits, means any receptacle, vessel, or form of package, bottle, tank, or pipeline used, or capable of use, for holding, storing, transferring, or conveying distilled spirits.

(13) Approved container

The term “approved container”, when used with respect to distilled spirits, means a container the use of which is authorized by regulations prescribed by the Secretary.

(14) Article

Unless another meaning is distinctly expressed or manifestly intended, the term “article” means any substance in the manufacture of which denatured distilled spirits are used.

(15) Export

The terms “export”, “exported”, and “exportation” include shipments to a possession of the United States.

(b) Cross references
(1) For definition of manufacturer of stills, see section 5102.
(2) For definition of dealer, see section 5121(c)(3).
(3) For definitions of wholesale dealers, see section 5121(c).
(4) For definitions of retail dealers, see section 5122(c).
(5) For definitions of general application to this title, see chapter 79.

(Added Pub. L. 85–859, title II, § 201, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1315; amended Pub. L. 89–44, title VIII, § 807(a), June 21, 1965, 79 Stat. 164; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834; Pub. L. 96–39, title VIII, § 805(e), July 26, 1979, 93 Stat. 278; Pub. L. 103–465, title I, § 136(c)(1), Dec. 8, 1994, 108 Stat. 4841; Pub. L. 109–59, title XI, § 11125(b)(13), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1956.)

Terms defined here

Where the text says “the term … means”. Select a term to jump to its definition.

Cross-references

Computed from the citations in the text of Title 26 and 26 CFR.

This section cites 3 other sections

Cited by 6 Code sections

Amendment history

From the source credit and the official notes, newest first.

  1. Amended by Pub. L. 109–59Parts changed in 2005: (b)(2) (b)(3) (b)(4)
  2. Amended by Pub. L. 103–465Parts changed in 1994: (b)(1)
  3. Amended by Pub. L. 96–39Parts changed in 1979: (a)(1) (a)(2) (a)(4) (a)(5) (a)(8) (a)(9) (a)(10) (b)
  4. Amended by Pub. L. 94–455Parts changed in 1976: (a)(10)
  5. Amended by Pub. L. 89–44Parts changed in 1965: (a)
  6. Added by Pub. L. 85–859

Where it sits in the Code

  1. Subtitle E Alcohol, Tobacco, and Certain Other Excise Taxes
  2. Chapter 51 DISTILLED SPIRITS, WINES, AND BEER
  3. Subchapter A Gallonage and Occupational Taxes
  4. Part I GALLONAGE TAXES
  5. Subpart A Distilled Spirits

Nearby sections

Official notes

Show the Law Revision Counsel's notes (amendments, effective dates)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 5002, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 597, consisted of provisions similar to those comprising this section, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859.

Provisions similar to those comprising subsec. (a)(6), (9), and (11) of this section were contained in prior sections 5213(a)(1) and 5319(1), (2), and (7), act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 639, 661, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859.

Amendments

2005—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 109–59, § 11125(b)(13)(A), substituted “section 5121(c)(3)” for “section 5112(a)”.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 109–59, § 11125(b)(13)(B), substituted “section 5121(c)” for “section 5112”.

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 109–59, § 11125(b)(13)(C), substituted “section 5122(c)” for “section 5122”.

1994—Subsec. (b)(1) to (6). Pub. L. 103–465 redesignated pars. (2) to (6) as (1) to (5), respectively, and struck out former par. (1) which provided a cross reference to section 5041(c) of this title for definition of “wine gallon”.

1979—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 96–39 substituted “distilled spirits operation” for “operation, or any combination of operations, for which qualification is required under such subchapter”.

Subsec. (a)(2), (3). Pub. L. 96–39 added par. (2) and redesignated former par. (2) as (3). Former par. (3), defining “bottling premises”, was struck out.

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 96–39 redesignated par. (5) as (4). Former par. (4), defining “bonded warehouseman”, was struck out.

Subsec. (a)(5) to (7). Pub. L. 96–39 added pars. (5) to (7) and redesignated former pars. (5) to (7) as (4), (8), and (10), respectively.

Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 96–39 redesignated former par. (6) as (8). Former par. (8) redesignated (11).

Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 96–39 added par. (9) and redesignated par. (9) as (12).

Subsec. (a)(10) to (15). Pub. L. 96–39 redesignated former pars. (7) to (12) as (10) to (15), respectively.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–39 struck out par. (2) which provided for a cross reference to section 5082 for a definition of rectifier and redesignated pars. (3) to (7) as (2) to (6), respectively.

1976—Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 94–455 struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.

1965—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–44 added par. (12).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2005 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–59, title XI, § 11125(c), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1957, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [see Tables for classification] shall take effect on July 1, 2008, but shall not apply to taxes imposed for periods before such date.”

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–465 effective Jan. 1, 1995, see section 136(d) of Pub. L. 103–465, set out as a note under section 5001 of this title.

Effective Date of 1979 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–39 effective Jan. 1, 1980, see section 810 of Pub. L. 96–39, set out as a note under section 5001 of this title.

Effective Date of 1965 Amendment

Pub. L. 89–44, title VIII, § 807(c), June 21, 1965, 79 Stat. 164, provided that: “The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section and section 5053 of this title] shall take effect on July 1, 1965.”