27 U.S.C. § 203 — Unlawful businesses without permit; application to State agency

This section regulates alcohol businesses — distilled spirits, wine, and malt beverages — to control interstate and foreign trade, enforce the 21st Amendment, and protect tax revenue and postal laws. (a) Importing — It's illegal, without a basic permit from the Secretary of the Treasury, to: (1) run a business importing distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages into the U.S.; or (2) for someone running that business to sell, offer to sell, agree to sell, or ship those imported drinks across state or international lines, directly or through an affiliate. (b) Producing — It's illegal, without that same kind of permit, to: (1) run a business distilling spirits, making wine, blending or rectifying spirits or wine, or bottling spirits (with or without warehousing them); or (2) for someone running that business to sell, offer, agree to sell, or ship the spirits or wine they made across state or international lines. (c) Wholesaling — It's illegal, without that same permit, to: (1) run a business buying distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages for wholesale resale; or (2) for someone running that business to receive, sell, offer, agree to sell, or ship those drinks across state or international lines. This part took effect July 1, 1936. This section does not apply to a state or local government agency, or to its officers or employees — they don't need a basic permit.