§2075. Importation and transportation of spirits

1.  Only the commission may import spirits; exception.

[PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. P, §6 (RP); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

1-A.  Only bureau may import spirits.  Except as provided in subsection 1-B, a person other than the bureau may not import spirits into the State.

A. A person who illegally imports or causes to be shipped into the State spirits in a quantity of less than 10 gallons commits a civil violation for which a fine of not more than $500 must be adjudged.   [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. P, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

B. A person who illegally imports or causes to be shipped into the State spirits in a quantity of 10 or more gallons commits a Class E crime, which is a strict liability crime as defined in Title 17-A, section 34, subsection 4-A.   [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. P, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

[PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. P, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF); PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. V, §61 (REV).]

1-B.  Permitted importation.  An individual may transport into the State and may transport from place to place within the State spirits for the individual's personal use in a quantity not greater than 4 quarts.

[PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. P, §6 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

2.  Transportation of spirits within State.  A person may not transport or cause to be transported any spirits within the State in a quantity greater than 4 quarts unless the spirits were purchased from an agency liquor store.

[PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. V, §50 (AMD).]

2-A.  Evidence.  The possession of more than 8 quarts of spirits in one or more containers that are not labeled in accordance with Title 38, section 3105 is prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.

[PL 2015, c. 166, §7 (AMD).]

3.  Importation and transportation of spirits for special purposes.  The bureau may, in writing, permit and authorize the importation of spirits into the State and the transportation of spirits from place to place within the State to the following destinations for the specified purposes:

A. To industrial establishments for use as an ingredient in the manufacture of food products, or for use as an ingredient in the manufacture of commodities that by reason of their nature can not be used for beverage purposes, or for use in the manufacture of commodities unfit for beverage purposes;   [PL 1993, c. 730, §47 (AMD).]

B. To licensed distillers and manufacturers of spirits in the State for use as an ingredient in distilling or manufacturing spirits and other spirituous products that are authorized by 27 Code of Federal Regulations; and   [PL 1993, c. 730, §47 (AMD).]

C. To churches or to the pastor of any church for sacramental purposes or similar religious rites.   [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]

[PL 1993, c. 730, §47 (AMD).]

4.  Penalties.

[PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. P, §6 (RP); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

5.  Forfeiture of spirits.  Notwithstanding section 2221-A, if a person fails to appear in court on the date and time specified in response to a Uniform Summons and Complaint issued for a violation of this section, either in person or by counsel, the court shall order the spirits imported or transported in excess of that allowed by subsection 1-A or 2 to be forfeited to the State. As part of every adjudication and forfeiture imposed under this section the court shall order the spirits imported or transported in excess of that allowed by subsection 1-A or 2 to be forfeited to the State. Spirits forfeited under this subsection must be disposed of as prescribed in section 2229.

[PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. P, §6 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1987, c. 45, §A4 (NEW). PL 1989, c. 817, §1 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 266, §§25,26 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 730, §§47,48 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 373, §155 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 452, §P6 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 452, §X2 (AFF). PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. V, §50 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. V, §61 (REV). PL 2015, c. 166, §7 (AMD).