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Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.

§ 5273. Sale, use, and recovery of denatured distilled spirits

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. § 5273

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
March 23, 2018 by Pub. L. 115–141
Amendments
3 dated changes in the source credit
Length
5 subsections · 366 words · about 2 min to read
Cross-references
cites 4; cited by 2 Code sections and 0 other regulations
(a) Use of specially denatured distilled spirits

Any person using specially denatured distilled spirits in the manufacture of articles shall file such formulas and statements of process, submit such samples, and comply with such other requirements, as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe, and no person shall use specially denatured distilled spirits in the manufacture or production of any article until approval of the article, formula, and process has been obtained from the Secretary.

(b) Internal medicinal preparations and flavoring extracts
(1) Manufacture

No person shall use denatured distilled spirits in the manufacture of medicinal preparations or flavoring extracts for internal human use where any of the spirits remains in the finished product.

(2) Sale

No person shall sell or offer for sale for internal human use any medicinal preparations or flavoring extracts manufactured from denatured distilled spirits where any of the spirits remains in the finished product.

(c) Recovery of spirits for reuse in manufacturing

Manufacturers employing processes in which denatured distilled spirits withdrawn under section 5214(a)(1) are expressed, evaporated, or otherwise removed, from the articles manufactured shall be permitted to recover such distilled spirits and to have such distilled spirits restored to a condition suitable solely for reuse in manufacturing processes under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe.

(d) Prohibited withdrawal or sale

No person shall withdraw or sell denatured distilled spirits, or sell any article containing denatured distilled spirits for beverage purposes.

(e) Cross references
(1) For penalty and forfeiture for unlawful use or concealment of denatured distilled spirits, see section 5607.
(2) For applicability of all provisions of law relating to distilled spirits that are not denatured, including those requiring payment of tax, to denatured distilled spirits or articles produced, withdrawn, sold, transported, or used in violation of law or regulations, see section 5001(a)(5).
(3) For definition of “articles”, see section 5002(a)(14).

(Added Pub. L. 85–859, title II, § 201, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1372; amended Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834; Pub. L. 96–39, title VIII, § 807(a)(39), July 26, 1979, 93 Stat. 286; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(244), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1195.)

Cross-references

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

This section cites 4 other sections

Cited by 2 Code sections

Amendment history

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

  1. Amended by Pub. L. 115–141Parts changed in 2018: (e)(2)
  2. Amended by Pub. L. 96–39Parts changed in 1979: (e)(3)
  3. Amended by Pub. L. 94–455Parts changed in 1976: (a)
  4. 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 D Industrial Use of Distilled Spirits

Nearby sections

Official notes

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

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 5273, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 650, related to premises of rectifier, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5178(a)(1)(A), (4)(B), (D) and (c)(1) of this title.

Provisions similar to those comprising this section were contained in prior sections of act Aug. 16, 1954, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859, as follows:

Present subsecs.:

Prior sections

(a)

5331(a), (b).

(b)

5303, 5305, 5310(a), 5331(a)(1), (2), (b), 5647.

(c)

5332.

(d)

5303, 5305, 5310(a), 5331(a), 5647.

(e)(1), (2)

5334.

The prior sections, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, are set out in 68A Stat. 655, 657, 658, 661, 662, 693.

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 115–141 substituted “section 5001(a)(5)” for “section 5001(a)(6)”.

1979—Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 96–39 substituted “section 5002(a)(14)” for “section 5002(a)(11)”.

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

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

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.