1. (a) A Texas resident may import not more than one quart of liquor for his own personal use without being required to hold a permit. A Texas resident may import for his own personal use not more than three gallons of wine without being required to hold a permit. A nonresident of Texas may import not more than a gallon of liquor for his own personal use without being required to hold a permit. A person importing liquor into the state under this subsection must pay the state tax on liquor and an administrative fee of 50 cents and must affix the required tax stamps. No minor and no intoxicated person may import any liquor into the state. A person importing wine or liquor under this subsection must personally accompany the wine or liquor as it enters the state. A person may not avail himself of the exemptions set forth in this subsection more than once every thirty days.
2. (b) A person may import beer into this state for his own personal use without being required to hold a license, but may not import more than 24 twelve-ounce bottles or an equivalent quantity in any one thirty-day period. He must pay the state tax on beer and an administrative fee of 50 cents.
3. (c) A member of the armed forces stationed in Texas is treated as a Texas resident for the purposes of Subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
4. (d) A railroad company operating in this state may import beer owned by the company in quantities necessary to meet the needs of its passengers, but it may not sell or serve beer in a dry area.
5. (e) The administrative fees collected under this section shall be used by the commission for the administrative costs of enforcing the requirements of Subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
6. (f) Any person in the business of selling alcoholic beverages in another state or country who ships or causes to be shipped any alcoholic beverage directly to any Texas resident under this section is in violation of this code.

Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 518, ch. 194, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.

Amended by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 258, ch. 107, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1981;

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 2212, ch. 515, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 31, 1981;

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 285, Sec. 12, eff. Sept. 1, 1986;

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 462, Sec. 13, eff. Sept. 1, 1986;

Acts 1986, 69th Leg., 3rd C.S., ch. 9, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 30, 1986;

Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 495, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 31, 1987;

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 135, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1995.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1359 (H.B. 1545), Sec. 410(a)(17), eff. September 1, 2021.