Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.

§ 5053. Exemptions

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. § 5053

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 5, 1997 by Pub. L. 105–34
Amendments: 5 dated changes in the source credit
Length: 9 subsections · 654 words · about 3 min to read
Defines: 1 term
Cross-references: cites 1; cited by 5 Code sections and 0 other regulations

¶(a) Removals for export

Beer may be removed from the brewery, without payment of tax, for export, in such containers and under such regulations, and on the giving of such notices, entries, and bonds and other security, as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe.

¶(b) Removals when unfit for beverage use

When beer has become sour or damaged, so as to be incapable of use as such, a brewer may remove the same from his brewery without payment of tax, for manufacturing purposes, under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe.

¶(c) Removals for laboratory analysis

Beer may be removed from the brewery, without payment of tax, for laboratory analysis, subject to such limitations and under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe.

¶(d) Removals for research, development, or testing

Under such conditions and regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, beer may be removed from the brewery without payment of tax for use in research, development, or testing (other than consumer testing or other market analysis) of processes, systems, materials, or equipment relating to beer or brewery operations.

¶(e) Beer for personal or family use Subject to regulation prescribed by the Secretary, any adult may, without payment of tax, produce beer for personal or family use and not for sale. The aggregate amount of beer exempt from tax under this subsection with respect to any household shall not exceed—

¶(1) 200 gallons per calendar year if there are 2 or more adults in such household, or

¶(2) 100 gallons per calendar year if there is only 1 adult in such household.

For purposes of this subsection, the term “adult” means an individual who has attained 18 years of age, or the minimum age (if any) established by law applicable in the locality in which the household is situated at which beer may be sold to individuals, whichever is greater.

¶(f) Removal for use as distilling material

Subject to such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, beer may be removed from a brewery without payment of tax to any distilled spirits plant for use as distilling material.

¶(g) Removals for use of foreign embassies, legations, etc.

¶(1) In general Subject to such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe—

¶(A) beer may be withdrawn from the brewery without payment of tax for transfer to any customs bonded warehouse for entry pending withdrawal therefrom as provided in subparagraph (B), and

¶(B) beer entered into any customs bonded warehouse under subparagraph (A) may be withdrawn for consumption in the United States by, and for the official and family use of, such foreign governments, organizations, and individuals as are entitled to withdraw imported beer from such warehouses free of tax.

Beer transferred to any customs bonded warehouse under subparagraph (A) shall be entered, stored, and accounted for in such warehouse under such regulations and bonds as the Secretary may prescribe, and may be withdrawn therefrom by such governments, organizations, and individuals free of tax under the same conditions and procedures as imported beer.

¶(2) Other rules to apply

Rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 5362(e) shall apply for purposes of this subsection.

¶(h) Removals for destruction

Subject to such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, beer may be removed from the brewery without payment of tax for destruction.

¶(i) Removal as supplies for certain vessels and aircraft

For exemption as to supplies for certain vessels and aircraft, see section 309 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1309).

(Added Pub. L. 85–859, title II, § 201, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1334; amended Pub. L. 89–44, title VIII, § 807(b), June 21, 1965, 79 Stat. 164; Pub. L. 91–673, § 2, Jan. 12, 1971, 84 Stat. 2056; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834; Pub. L. 95–458, § 2(b)(1), Oct. 14, 1978, 92 Stat. 1255; Pub. L. 105–34, title XIV, §§ 1414(b), 1418(a), 1419(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1047–1049.)

Terms defined here

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adult § 5053(e)(2)

Cross-references

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

This section cites 1 other section

§ 5362(e) Removals of wine from bonded wine cellars

Cited by 5 Code sections

Amendment history

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

August 5, 1997Amended by Pub. L. 105–34Parts changed in 1997: (f) (g) (h) (i)
October 14, 1978Amended by Pub. L. 95–458Parts changed in 1978: (e)
October 4, 1976Amended by Pub. L. 94–455Parts changed in 1976: (a)
January 12, 1971Amended by Pub. L. 91–673Parts changed in 1971: (d)
June 21, 1965Amended by Pub. L. 89–44Parts changed in 1965: (a)
September 2, 1958Added by Pub. L. 85–859

Where it sits in the Code

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Official notes

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Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 5053, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 612, consisted of provisions similar to those comprising this section, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859.

Amendments

1997—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1414(b), added subsec. (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (i).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1418(a), added subsec. (g).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1419(a), added subsec. (h).

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1414(b), redesignated subsec. (f) as (i).

1978—Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 95–458 added subsec. (e) and redesignated former subsec. (e) as (f).

1976—Subsecs. (a) to (d). Pub. L. 94–455 struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary” wherever appearing.

1971—Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 91–673 added subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsec. (d) as (e).

1965—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–44 struck out “to a foreign country” after “export”.

Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–34, title XIV, § 1414(d), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1047, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 5056 and 5222 of this title] shall take effect on the 1st day of the 1st calendar quarter that begins at least 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 5, 1997].”

Pub. L. 105–34, title XIV, § 1418(b), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1049, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the 1st day of the 1st calendar quarter that begins at least 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 5, 1997].”

Pub. L. 105–34, title XIV, § 1419(b), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1049, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the 1st day of the 1st calendar quarter that begins at least 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 5, 1997].”

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–458 effective on first day of first calendar month beginning more than 90 days after Oct. 14, 1978, see section 2(c) of Pub. L. 95–458, set out as a note under section 5042 of this title.

Effective Date of 1971 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 91–673 effective on first day of first calendar month which begins more than 90 days after Jan. 12, 1971, see section 5 of Pub. L. 91–673, set out as a note under section 5056 of this title.

Effective Date of 1965 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 89–44 effective July 1, 1965, see section 807(c) of Pub. L. 89–44, set out as a note under section 5002 of this title.