California · Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC

RTC §30473.5: (a) Any person who possesses, sells, or offers to sell, or buys or offers to buy, any false, fraudulent, or unaffixed stamps or meter impressions provided for or authorized under this part in a quanti

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Possessing, selling, or buying false, fraudulent, or unaffixed cigarette tax stamps is a misdemeanor. Penalties vary by quantity: under 2,000 stamps carries up to one year jail and/or $5,000 fine; 2,000+ stamps carries up to one year jail and/or $50,000 fine.

Read the full statutory text

(a) Any person who possesses, sells, or offers to sell, or buys or offers to buy, any false, fraudulent, or unaffixed stamps or meter impressions provided for or authorized under this part in a quantity of less than 2,000 is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) or imprisonment not exceeding one year in a county jail, or by both the fine and imprisonment. (b) Any person who possesses, sells, or offers to sell, or buys or offers to buy, any false, fraudulent, or unaffixed stamps or meter impressions provided for or authorized under this part in a quantity of 2,000 or greater, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or imprisonment not exceeding one year in a county jail, or by both the fine and imprisonment. The court shall order any fines assessed be deposited in the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Compliance Fund. (c) For purposes of this section, “unaffixed stamps” means stamps for which the tax has previously been paid by a licensed distributor and previously affixed to a package. “Unaffixed stamps” do not include any unused and unapplied rolls of stamps or loose stamps acquired from the board or its authorized agent and in the possession of a licensed distributor. (d) The board shall destroy any stamps seized under this section.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.