Cal. Code Regs. tit. 18, § 1620
(a) Sales Tax.
(2) Sales Following Movement of Property Into State From Point Outside State.
(3) Sales Preceding Movement of Goods From Within State to Points Outside State.
(B) Shipments Outside the State--When Sales Tax Does Not Apply. Sales tax does not apply when the property pursuant to the contract of sale, is required to be shipped and is shipped to a point outside this state by the retailer, by means of:
(C) Exports.
1. When Sales Tax Applies. Except for certain new motor vehicles delivered to a foreign country pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(D) of Regulation 1610 (18 CCR 1610), sales tax applies when the property is delivered in this state to the purchaser or the purchaser's representative prior to an irrevocable commitment of the property into the process of exportation. It is immaterial that the disclosed or undisclosed intention of the purchaser is to ship or deliver the property to a foreign country or that the property is actually transported to a foreign country.
Sales of property such as fuel oil and other items consumed during a voyage to a foreign country are not exempt even though they are transported out of, and are not returned to this country. It is immaterial that the ship to which the property is delivered is of foreign registry.
2. When Sales Tax Does Not Apply. Sales tax does not apply when the property is sold to a purchaser for shipment abroad and is shipped or delivered by the retailer to the foreign county. To be exempt as an export the property must be intended for a destination in a foreign country, it must be irrevocably committed to the exportation process at the time of sale, and must actually be delivered to the foreign country prior to any use of the property. Movement of the property into the process of exportation does not begin until the property has been shipped, or entered with a common carrier for transportation to another country, or has been started upon a continuous route or journey which constitutes the final and certain movement of the property to its foreign destination.
c. A ship, airplane, or other conveyance furnished by the purchaser for the purpose of carrying the property in a continuous journey to the foreign country, title to and control of the property passing to the purchaser upon delivery. Delivery by the retailer of property into a facility furnished by the purchaser constitutes an irrevocable commitment of the property into the exportation process only in those instances where the means of transportation and character of the property shipped provide certainty that the property is headed for its foreign destination and will not be diverted for domestic use. The following are examples of deliveries by the retailer into facilities furnished by the purchaser which demonstrate an irrevocable commitment of the property into the exportation process:
Example 1. Sale of fuel oil delivered into the hold of a vessel provided by the purchaser. The fuel is to be unloaded at the foreign destination.
Example 2. Sale of jewelry delivered aboard a scheduled airline with a scheduled departure to a foreign destination.
Example 3. Sale of equipment, designed specifically for use in the foreign destination, delivered to a foreign purchaser's aircraft. The foreign purchaser has filed a flight plan showing that the aircraft will be transporting the property on a continuous journey to its foreign destination.
The following are examples of sales which do not demonstrate sufficient indicia of an irrevocable commitment to the exportation process and do not qualify as exports:
Example 4. Sale of jewelry delivered to a foreign purchaser at the retailer's place of business or to the purchaser or his representative at the airport prior to boarding the plane. The tax applies even though the purchaser may hold tickets for the foreign destination.
Example 5. Sale of a television set delivered into the trunk of a passenger vehicle or into the storage area of a pickup truck.
Example 6. Sale of equipment delivered to a foreign purchaser's aircraft even though a flight plan had been filed showing that the aircraft was to be flown to a foreign destination. If the equipment sold had been altered or specifically designed for use in the foreign destination, then the combined factors of the character of the property and the means of transportation would provide certainty of export and the sale would qualify as an export as described in (3) above.
Export has not begun where property is transported from a point within this state to a warehouse or other collecting point in this state even though it is intended that the property then be transported, and in fact is transported, to another country. Nevertheless, sales of property are exempt if transported under the circumstances described in 2.b. above to a warehouse or other collecting point of a carrier, forwarding agent, export packer, customs broker, or other person engaged in the business of preparing property for export, or arranging for its export. Property is regarded as transported under the circumstances described in 2.b. above, when the property is sold to a purchaser for shipment abroad and is shipped or delivered to a point in this state to a person who is not the purchaser, whether or not that person is a legal entity related to the purchaser, who ships or delivers the property to a foreign destination as provided in paragraph (a)(3)(C)2.b. of this regulation.
There has been an irrevocable commitment of the property to the exportation process when the property is sold to a purchaser for shipment abroad and is shipped or delivered by the retailer in a continuous route or journey to the foreign country by means of:
(E) Particular Applications.
1. Property Mailed to Persons in the Armed Forces. Tax does not apply to sales of property which is mailed by the retailer, pursuant to the contract of sale, to persons in the armed forces at points outside the United States, notwithstanding the property is addressed in care of the postmaster at a point in this state and forwarded by him to the addressee.
When mail is addressed to Army Post Offices (A.P.O.'s) or to Fleet Post Offices (F.P.O.'s) in care of the postmaster, it will be presumed that it is forwarded outside California. The retailer must keep records showing the names and addresses as they appear on the mailed matter and should keep evidence that the mailing was done by him.
(b) Use Tax.
(2) Exceptions.
(B) Interstate and Foreign Commerce.
2. Intermodal Cargo Containers. Intermodal cargo containers are containers that are used to transport freight during a continuous movement of that freight from the origin shipper to the destination receiver by the use of two or more of the following modes of transportation: railroad, vehicle, or vessel. The use of an intermodal cargo container in California is exempt from tax if the use meets the requirements of subdivision (b)(2)(B)1 of this regulation.
An intermodal cargo container is regarded as first used in interstate or foreign commerce prior to its entry into California if the container is loaded with freight outside California and then first enters California during a continuous movement of that freight from the origin shipper to the destination receiver. For purposes of the requirements set forth in subdivision (b)(2)(B)1 of this regulation, an intermodal cargo container is also regarded as first used in interstate or foreign commerce prior to its entry into California if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(D) Hand-Carried from a Foreign Country.
(3) Purchase for Use in this State. Property delivered outside of California to a purchaser known by the retailer to be a resident of California is regarded as having been purchased for use in this state unless a statement in writing, signed by the purchaser or the purchaser's authorized representative, that the property was purchased for use at a designated point or points outside this state is retained by the vendor.
Notwithstanding the filing of such a statement, property purchased outside of California which is brought into California is regarded as having been purchased for use in this state if the first functional use of the property is in California. For purposes of this regulation, “functional use” means use for the purposes for which the property was designed. Except as provided in subdivision (b)(5) of this regulation, when property is first functionally used outside of California, the property will nevertheless be presumed to have been purchased for use in this state if it is brought into California within 90 days after its purchase, unless the property is used, stored, or both used and stored outside of California one-half or more of the time during the six-month period immediately following its entry into this state. Except as provided in subdivision (b)(5) of this regulation, prior out-of-state use not exceeding 90 days from the date of purchase to the date of entry into California is of a temporary nature and is not proof of an intent that the property was purchased for use elsewhere. Except as provided in subdivision (b)(5) of this regulation, prior out-of-state use in excess of 90 days from the date of purchase to the date of entry into California, exclusive of any time of shipment to California, or time of storage for shipment to California, will be accepted as proof of an intent that the property was not purchased for use in California.
(4) Purchase for Use in this State -- Vehicles, Vessels, and Aircraft--90-Day Test (Prior to October 2, 2004, and from July 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008). The provisions of subdivision (b)(4) apply prior to October 2, 2004, and from July 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008. A vehicle, vessel or aircraft purchased outside of California which is brought into California is regarded as having been purchased for use in this state if the first functional use of the vehicle, vessel or aircraft is in California. When the vehicle, vessel or aircraft is first functionally used outside of California, the vehicle, vessel or aircraft will nevertheless be presumed to have been purchased for use in this state if it is brought into California within 90 days after its purchase, exclusive of any time of shipment to California or time of storage for shipment to California, unless:
(B) Used in Interstate or Foreign Commerce.
(5) Purchase for Use in this State -- Vehicles, Vessels, and Aircraft -- 12-Month Test (From October 2, 2004, through June 30, 2007, and after September 30, 2008).
(A) Purchased for Use in California. Except as provided in subdivision (b)(5)(D) below, the provisions of subdivision (b)(5) apply from October 2, 2004, through June 30, 2007, and after September 30, 2008. A vehicle, vessel, or aircraft purchased outside of California which is brought into California is regarded as having been purchased for use in this state if the first functional use of the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft is in California. When a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft is purchased outside of California, is first functionally used outside of California, and is brought into California within 12 months from the date of its purchase, it is rebuttably presumed that the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft was acquired for storage, use, or other consumption in this state and is subject to use tax if any of the following occur:
(B) Evidence Rebutting Presumption. This presumption may be controverted by documentary evidence that the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft was purchased for use outside of this state during the first 12 months of ownership. This evidence may include, but is not limited to, evidence of registration of that vehicle, vessel, or aircraft, with the proper authority, outside of this state.
Operative September 20, 2006, through June 30, 2007, and after September 30, 2008, in the case of a vehicle, this presumption also may be controverted by documentary evidence that the vehicle was brought into this state for the exclusive purpose of warranty or repair service and was used or stored in this state for that purpose for 30 days or less. The 30-day period begins when the vehicle enters this state, includes any time of travel to and from the warranty or repair facility, and ends when the vehicle is returned to a point outside the state. The documentary evidence shall include a work order stating the dates that the vehicle is in the possession of the warranty or repair facility and a statement by the owner of the vehicle specifying dates of travel to and from the warranty or repair facility.
(C) Used in Interstate or Foreign Commerce.
3. If the property is an aircraft, use tax will not apply if one-half or more of the flight time traveled by the aircraft during the six-month period immediately following its entry into the state is commercial flight time traveled in interstate or foreign commerce.
Such use will be accepted as proof of an intent that the property was not purchased for use in California. For purposes of subdivision (b)(5)(C), the term “commercial” applies to business uses and excludes personal use. However, the term “commercial” is not limited to for-profit businesses.
(D) Repair, Retrofit, or Modification of Vessels or Aircraft.
Notwithstanding subdivision (b)(5)(A) above, aircraft or vessels, the purchase and use of which are subject to the 12-month test described in subdivision (b)(5), that are brought into this state exclusively for the purpose of repair, retrofit, or modification, shall not be deemed to be acquired for storage, use, or other consumption in this state if the repair, retrofit, or modification is, in the case of a vessel, performed by a repair facility that holds an appropriate permit issued by the Board and is licensed to do business by the city, county, or city and county in which it is located if the city, county, or city and county so requires, or, in the case of an aircraft, performed by a repair station certified by the Federal Aviation Administration or manufacturer's maintenance facility.
(6) Purchase for Use in This State -- Locomotives -- 90-Day Test. A locomotive purchased outside of California which is brought into California is regarded as having been purchased for use in this state if the first functional use of the locomotive is in California. When the locomotive is first functionally used outside of California, the locomotive will nevertheless be presumed to have been purchased for use in this state if it is brought into California within 90 days after its purchase, exclusive of any time of shipment to California or time of storage for shipment to California, unless:
(B) Used in Interstate or Foreign Commerce. Use tax will not apply to transactions involving locomotives if one-half or more of the miles traveled by the locomotive during the six-month period immediately following its entry into California are commercial miles traveled in interstate or foreign commerce.
Such use will be accepted as proof of an intent that the property was not purchased for use in California. For purposes of subdivision (b)(6), the term “commercial” applies to business uses and excludes personal use. However, the term “commercial” is not limited to for-profit businesses.
(7) Examples of Interstate and Foreign Commerce. Examples of what constitutes interstate or foreign commerce include, but are not limited to the following:
Example 1. A sightseeing tour bus group (charter) or regularly scheduled bus service (per capita) originates in California and travels to another state or country for a single day or several days, then returns to California where the charter or schedule terminates.
Example 2. A charter bus, vessel or aircraft deadheads under contract to another state, picks up the group and operates the charter without entering the state of California, drops the group in the other state, and deadheads back into the State of California. (The charter was quoted round trip.)
Example 3. A commercial vehicle deadheads to another state or country or transports property to another state or country and delivers that property within the other state or country or to another state or country. The vehicle then returns to California, either loaded or empty.
Example 4. A charter bus group tours under contract to another state or country for a day or several days, drops the passengers in the other state or country, and then deadheads back under contract to its terminal or next assignment.
Example 5. Property arriving in California via plane, train, or vessel from another state or country is picked up by a commercial vehicle, vessel or aircraft and transported to another state or country for a day or several days. The commercial vehicle, vessel or aircraft then returns to California, either loaded or empty.
Example 6. A sightseeing tour bus group (charter) arriving in California via plane, train, or ship from another state or country is picked up by bus and tours California for a number of days, goes to another state or country for a number of days, and then terminates service either in another state, country, or California.
Example 7. Property arriving in California via plane, train, or vessel from another state or country is picked up by a commercial vehicle, vessel or aircraft, which may be operating wholly within California, and transported for further distribution to one or more California locations or to locations in another state or country. The vehicle, vessel or aircraft then returns empty to pick up another load arriving in California via plane, train, or vessel from another state or country.
Example 8. A commercial vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or regularly scheduled bus service operating wholly within California is picking up or feeding passengers or property arriving from, or destined to, a state or country other than California to another form of transportation be it plane, train, ship, or bus. (Example: an airport bus service or a bridge carrier for Amtrak.)
Example 9. Property is transported by a commercial vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or locomotive from another state or country to California or from California to another state or country. While engaged in this transportation, the commercial vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or locomotive also transports property from one point in California to another.
Example 10. A commercial vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or locomotive is dispatched from one location in California to another location in California to pick up property and transport it to another state or country.
Example 11. A commercial vehicle, vessel or aircraft, sightseeing tour bus group (charter), or regularly scheduled bus service operating in interstate or foreign commerce experiences a mechanical failure and is replaced by another vehicle, vessel or aircraft. The replacement vehicle, vessel or aircraft is also deemed to be operating in interstate or foreign commerce as a continuation of the original trip.
Example 12. A vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or locomotive transports persons or property for commercial purposes (a) from California to another state or country; (b) from another state or country to California; (c) entirely within California, but the vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or locomotive picks up persons or property arriving in California via train, bus, truck, vessel, or aircraft from another state or country and then transports the persons or property in a continuous route or journey to one or more California locations or to locations in another state or country.
Example 13. A vessel transports persons or property for commercial purposes (a) from a California port to a port in another state or country; or (b) from a port in another state or country to a port in California.
(9) “Storage” and “Use”--Exclusions. “Storage” and “use” do not include the keeping, retaining or exercising any right or power over property for the purpose of subsequently transporting it outside the state for use thereafter solely outside the state, or for the purpose of being processed, fabricated or manufactured, into, attached to, or incorporated into, other property to be transported outside the state and thereafter used solely outside the state.
The following examples are illustrative of the meaning of the exclusion:
Example 1. An engine installed in an aircraft which is flown directly out of the state for use thereafter solely outside the state qualifies for the exclusion. The use of the engine in the transporting process does not constitute a use for purposes of the exclusion. However, if any other use is made of the aircraft during removal from this state, such as carrying passengers or property, the exclusion does not apply.
Example 2. An engine installed in a truck which is transported by rail or air directly out of the state for use thereafter solely outside the state qualifies for the exclusion.
Example 3. An engine transported outside the state and installed on an aircraft which returns to the state does not qualify for the exclusion. It does not matter whether the use of the aircraft in California is exclusively interstate or intrastate commerce or both.
Example 4. An engine transported outside the state and installed on an aircraft which does not return to the state qualifies for the exclusion.
Note: Authority cited: Section 7051, Revenue and Taxation Code. Reference: Sections 6006, 6008, 6009.1, 6051, 6201, 6247, 6248, 6352, 6366.2, 6368.5, 6387, 6396 and 6405, Revenue and Taxation Code.
1. Renumbering from section 2015 and amendment filed 12-16-70; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 70, No. 51).
2. Amendment filed 7-29-76; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 76, No. 31).
3. Amendment of subsection (a)(3)(D) filed 12-20-77; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 77, No. 52).
4. Amendment of subsection (b) filed 10-19-78; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 78, No. 42).
5. Amendment filed 1-9-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 2).
6. Amendment of subsections (a)(3)(C) and new subsection (b)(2)(C) filed 3-19-90; operative 4-18-90 (Register 90, No. 13).
7. Amendment of subsections (a)(2)(A), (a)(3)(C)1, (a)(3)(C)3, (b)(2)(A) and (b)(2)(C)-(3) and Note filed 6-14-94; operative 7-14-94 (Register 94, No. 24).
8. Amendment of subsection (a)(2)(A) and Note filed 10-5-95; operative 11-4-95 (Register 95, No. 40).
9. Amendment filed 1-8-99; operative 2-7-99 (Register 99, No. 2).
10. Amendment of subsections (a)(3)(C)1.c., (b)(3) and (b)(5) filed 1-24-2000; operative 2-23-2000 (Register 2000, No. 4).
11. Amendment of subsections (b)(2)(A) and (b)(3), new subsection (b)(4), subsection relettering and amendment of newly designated (b)(4) examples filed 11-17-2000; operative 12-17-2000 (Register 2000, No. 46).
12. Amendment of subsections (b)(1) and (b)(2)(A)-(B), new subsections (b)(2)(B)1.-(b)(2)(B)2.c. and amendment of subsection (b)(2)(C) filed 6-6-2001; operative 7-6-2001 (Register 2001, No. 23).
13. Amendment filed 1-8-2002; operative 2-7-2002 (Register 2002, No. 2).
14. Change without regulatory effect amending subsections (a)(3)(C)2.c. (Example 6) and (b)(3)-(4), adopting new subsections (b)(5)-(b)(6) and renumbering subsections filed 3-3-2005 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2005, No. 9).
15. Amendment of subsection (b)(2)(A), new subsections (b)(6)-(b)(6)(B), subsection renumbering and amendment of subsection (b)(7) filed 12-29-2005; operative 1-28-2006 (Register 2005, No. 52).
16. Change without regulatory effect amending subsections (b)(4), (b)(5) and (b)(5)(A) and amending Note filed 9-15-2006 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2006, No. 37).
17. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (b)(5)(B) filed 4-25-2007 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2007, No. 17).
18. Change without regulatory effect adopting subsections (b)(2)(D)-(b)(2)(D)2. and amending subsections (b)(4) and (b)(5)(C) and Note filed 4-23-2008 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2008, No. 17).
19. Change without regulatory effect amending subsections (b)(4), (b)(5), (b)(5)(A) and (b)(5)(B), repealing subsection (b)(5)(D)1., renumbering subsections and amending newly designated subsections (b)(5)(D)1.-2. and subsection (b)(5)(E) filed 2-5-2009 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2009, No. 6).
20. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (b)(2)(A) and (b)(5)(C) filed 9-29-2009 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2009, No. 40).
21. Change without regulatory effect amending subsections (b)(5)(A)1. and (b)(5)(A)4., redesignating and amending subsection (b)(5)(D)1. as subsection (b)(5)(D) and repealing subsection (b)(5)(D)2. filed 3-11-2013 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2013, No. 11).