The regulations in this subpart relate to the purchase, receipt, possession, offering for sale, or sale or other disposition of tobacco products by dealers in such products.

The provisions of the regulations in this subpart shall apply in the several States of the United States and the District of Columbia.

When used in this subpart, where not otherwise distinctly expressed or manifestly incompatible with the intent thereof, each of the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed in this section. Words in the plural form shall include the singular, words in the singular form shall include the plural, and words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine. The terms “includes” and “including” do not exclude things not enumerated which are in the same general class.

Appropriate TTB officer. An officer or employee of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) authorized to perform any functions relating to the administration or enforcement of this part by TTB Order 1135.46, Delegation of the Administrator's Authorities in 27 CFR Part 46, Miscellaneous Regulations Relating to Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes.

Dealer. Any person who sells, or offers for sale, at wholesale or retail levels, any cigars or cigarettes after removal.

Manufacturer of tobacco products. Any person who manufactures cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, pipe tobacco, or roll-your-own tobacco but does not include:

(1) A person who produces tobacco products solely for that person's own consumption or use; or

(2) A proprietor of a Customs bonded manufacturing warehouse with respect to the operation of such warehouse.

Package. The container in which tobacco products are put up by the manufacturer or the importer and offered for delivery to the consumer.

Person. An individual, partnership, association, company, corporation, estate, or trust.

Removal or remove. The removal of tobacco products from the factory or release from Customs custody, including the smuggling or other unlawful importation of such articles into the United States.

Tobacco Products. Cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, pipe tobacco, and roll-your-own tobacco.

U.S.C. The United States Code.

Any appropriate TTB officer may enter in the daytime any premises where tobacco products are kept or stored, so far as it may be necessary for the purpose of examining such products. When such premises are open at night, any appropriate TTB officer may enter them, while so open, in the performance of his official duties. The owner of such premises, or person having the superintendence of the same, who refuses to admit any appropriate TTB officer or permit him to examine such products shall be liable to the penalties prescribed by law for the offense. Operators of vending machines shall make the tobacco products in their machines available for inspection upon the request of any appropriate TTB officer.

Whoever, corruptly or by force or threats of force, endeavors to hinder or obstruct the administration of this subpart, or endeavors to intimidate or impede any appropriate TTB officer acting in his official capacity, or forcibly rescues or attempts to rescue or causes to be rescued any property, after it has been duly seized for forfeiture to the United States in connection with a violation of the internal revenue laws, shall be liable to the penalties prescribed by law.

(a) All tobacco products purchased, received, possessed, offered for sale, sold or otherwise disposed of, by any dealer must be in proper packages which bear the mark or notice as prescribed in parts 40 and 41 of this chapter. Tobacco products may be sold, or offered for sale, at retail from such packages, provided the products remain in the packages until removed by the customer or in the presence of the customer. Where a vending machine is used, tobacco products must similarly be vended in proper packages or directly from such packages.

(b) Tobacco products manufactured in the United States and labeled for exportation under chapter 52 of title 26, U.S.C. may not be sold or held for sale for domestic consumption in the United States unless such articles are removed from their export packaging and repackaged by the original manufacturer into new packaging that does not contain an export label. This applies to articles labeled for export even if the packaging or the appearance of such packaging to the consumer of such articles has been modified or altered by a person other than the original manufacturer so as to remove or conceal or attempt to remove or conceal (including by placement of a sticker over) the export label.

(c) For penalty and forfeiture provisions applicable to the selling, relanding or receipt of articles which have been labeled or shipped for exportation, see § 41.83 of this chapter.

Any dealer who, with intent to defraud the United States, possesses tobacco products (a) upon which the tax has not been paid or determined in the manner and at the time prescribed in parts 40 and 41 of this chapter or (b) which, after removal without payment of tax pursuant to section 5704, I.R.C., and regulations issued thereunder, have been diverted from the applicable purpose or use specified in that section or (c) which are not put up in packages prescribed in parts 40 and 41 of this chapter or are put up in packages not bearing the marks and notices prescribed in such regulations shall be liable for a tax equal to the tax on such products.

Any dealer who fails to comply with the provisions of this subpart becomes liable to the civil and criminal penalties, and forfeitures, provided by law.