Losses — Us Code Code § 5370

Us Code Code § 5370 — Losses. Reproduced from the official United States Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 5370. Losses

(a) General

No tax shall be collected in respect of any wines lost or destroyed while in bond, except that tax shall be collected—

(1) Theft

In the case of loss by theft, unless the Secretary shall find that the theft occurred without connivance, collusion, fraud, or negligence on the part of the proprietor or other person responsible for the tax, or the owner, consignor, consignee, bailee, or carrier, or the agents or employees of any of them; and

(2) Voluntary destruction

In the case of voluntary destruction, unless the wine was destroyed under Government supervision, or on such adequate notice to, and approval by, the Secretary as regulations shall provide.

(b) Proof of loss

In any case in which the wine is lost or destroyed, whether by theft or otherwise, the Secretary may require by regulations the proprietor of the bonded wine cellar or other person liable for the tax to file a claim for relief from the tax and submit proof as to the cause of such loss. In every case where it appears that the loss was by theft, the burden shall be on the proprietor or other person liable for the tax to establish to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that such loss did not occur as the result of connivance, collusion, fraud, or negligence on the part of the proprietor, owner, consignor, consignee, bailee, or carrier, or the agents or employees of any of them.

(Added Pub. L. 85–859, title II, §201, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1381; amended Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, §1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834.)


Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 5370, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 666, consisted of provisions similar to those comprising this section, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859.

Amendments

1976—Pub. L. 94–455 struck out "or his delegate" after "Secretary" wherever appearing.

About This Section

26 U.S.C. § 5370 is part of Title 26 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 26 U.S.C. § 5370. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

At a glance

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Common questions

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It addresses "Losses". Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.

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