1. (a) (1) All spirits and fortified wines imported or transported into this State shall be imported or transported by and through the Board of Liquor and Lottery. A person importing or transporting or causing to be imported or transported into this State any spirits or fortified wines, or both, in violation of this section shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $5,000.00, or both.

   1. (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1) of this subsection, a person may import or transport not more than eight quarts of spirits or fortified wines, or both, into this State in the person’s own private vehicle or in his or her actual possession at the time of importation without a license or permit, provided the beverages are not for resale.

2. (b) (1) Except as provided in sections 277, 278, and 283 of this title, all malt beverages, vinous beverages, or ready-to-drink spirits beverages, or a combination of malt beverages, vinous beverages, and ready-to-drink spirits beverages, imported or transported into this State shall be imported or transported by and through the holder of a wholesale dealer’s license issued by the Board of Liquor and Lottery. A person importing or transporting or causing to be imported or transported into this State any malt beverages, vinous beverages, or ready-to-drink spirits beverages in violation of this section shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $1,000.00, or both.

   1. (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1) of this subsection, a person may import or transport not more than six gallons of malt beverages, vinous beverages, or ready-to-drink spirits beverages, or a combination of malt beverages, vinous beverages, and ready-to-drink spirits beverages, into this State in the person’s own private vehicle or in the person’s actual possession at the time of importation without a license or permit, provided the beverages are not for resale.

(Amended 1991, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.); 2005, No. 140 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. May 10, 2006; 2007, No. 151 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 19, 2008; 2013, No. 72, § 24; 2017, No. 83, § 8; 2018, No. 1 (Sp. Sess.), § 5; 2019, No. 73, § 2; 2021, No. 177 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. July 1, 2022.)