Skip to content

General education, not advice for your situation.

Carry Forward Learning Start here Intern0 XP

Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.

§ 5311. Detention of containers

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. § 5311

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
Length
139 words · about 1 min to read

It shall be lawful for any internal revenue officer to detain any container, containing or supposed to contain, distilled spirits, wines, or beer, when he has reason to believe that the tax imposed by law on such distilled spirits, wines, or beer has not been paid or determined as required by law, or that such container is being removed in violation of law; and every such container may be held by him at a safe place until it shall be determined whether the property so detained is liable by law to be proceeded against for forfeiture; but such summary detention shall not continue in any case longer than 72 hours without process of law or intervention of the officer to whom such detention is to be reported.

(Added Pub. L. 85–859, title II, § 201, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1375.)

Amendment history

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

  1. 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 E General Provisions Relating to Distilled Spirits
  4. Part III MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Nearby sections

Official notes

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

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 5311, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 658, related to importation of alcohol for industrial purposes, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5232 of this title.

Provisions similar to those comprising this section were contained in prior section 5211, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 638, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1959, see section 210(a)(1) of Pub. L. 85–859, set out as a note under section 5001 of this title.