Federal · Title 26 — Internal Revenue Code

26 U.S.C. § 5662: Penalty for alteration of wine labels

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Altering wine labels or misrepresenting wine identity without permission is prohibited. Violation carries a maximum fine of $1,000, imprisonment up to 1 year, or both.

Read the full statutory text

Any person who, without the permission of the Secretary, so alters as to materially change the meaning of any mark, brand, or label required to appear upon any wine upon its removal from premises subject to the provisions of subchapter F, or from customs custody, or who, after such removal, represents any wine, whether in its original containers or otherwise, to be of an identity or origin other than its proper identity or origin as shown by such stamp, mark, brand, or label, or who, directly or indirectly, and whether by manner of packaging or advertising or any other form of representation, represents any still wine to be an effervescent wine or a substitute for an effervescent wine, shall be fined not more than $1,000, or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both, for each such offense.

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