Tenn. Code Ann. § 57-9-201 (2026)

• (a) All alcoholic beverages of more than five percent (5%) alcohol in excess of five gallons (5 gals.) that are owned or possessed by any person in any county of this state, whether or not such county has authorized the sale or distribution of alcohol within its jurisdiction, without the same having been purchased or obtained from an entity holding a license issued under § 57-3-204, § 57-3-203 or § 57-3-207, or manufactured at an entity holding a license issued under § 57-3-218, are declared to be contraband goods, and the same may be seized by the representative, agent or employee of the commission, or sheriff or deputy sheriffs of any such county, and such goods may be delivered to the alcoholic beverage commission for sale by the commissioner of general services in accordance with §§ 12-2-201 - 12-2-204. The reference to "sheriff or deputy sheriffs" in the preceding sentence also includes "constables" in those counties of this state enumerated in § 57-9-101. All alcoholic beverages, which are sold or stored in wet counties for the purpose of sale by a person who does not hold a state liquor license shall be contraband within the meaning of this part, and subject to seizure as provided herein. No bids shall be received on such contraband beverages except from persons duly licensed by the state to handle alcoholic beverages of more than five percent (5%).

• (b) Any vehicle, aircraft or boat not a common carrier which may be used for transportation or storage, either in wet or dry counties, for the purpose of distribution, gift or sale of untaxed alcoholic beverages shall likewise be subject to confiscation and sale in the manner herein provided. Should any untaxed alcoholic beverages be found in any vehicle, aircraft or boat, same shall be prima facie evidence that it was there for gift, sale or distribution.

• (c) Vehicles and any other articles of personal property which may be found at a still, still site, or place of storage, which still, still site or place of storage is being used by persons known or unknown who have failed to procure a state liquor license, or have failed to pay the taxes imposed by § 57-3-302 are declared to be contraband goods and shall likewise be subject to confiscation and sale in the manner herein provided; however, before any vehicle declared to be contraband, under this part, is sold as provided herein, a copy of notice of seizure shall be sent by registered mail to the owner and lienholder as of record in the motor vehicle division of the department of revenue. Such notice shall state a general description of the seized vehicle, the reasons for the seizure, the procedure by which recovery of the vehicle may be sought, including the time period in which a claim for recovery must be presented, and the consequences of failing to file within the time period. A copy of the notice shall be filed in the office of the commission and shall be open to the public for inspection.

• (d) This section shall be applicable to dry counties in like manner as to wet counties.

• (e) In the case of any vehicle, aircraft, or boat not a common carrier seized by any law enforcement officer of any incorporated municipality or of any county and turned over to the commission for confiscation, fifty percent (50%) of the amount received from the sale thereof shall be paid to the municipality or to the county served by such law enforcement officer, as the case may be.

• (f) The presence of alcoholic beverages at a still, still site or place of storage in excess of one gallon (1 gal.) without a bill of lading or receipt from a licensed retailer, wholesaler, winery or manufacturer shall create a rebuttable presumption that the taxes imposed by § 57-3-302 have not been paid.

Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 147,s 16, eff. 4/17/2017.

Acts 1941, ch. 119, § 1; C. Supp. 1950, § 6648.24 (Williams, § 6648.26); Acts 1955, ch. 347, § 5; impl. am. Acts 1959, ch. 9, § 14; Acts 1959, ch. 267, § 1; impl. am. Acts 1959, ch. 9, § 5; impl. am. Acts 1959, ch. 303, § 1; impl. am. Acts 1961, ch. 97, § 5; Acts 1963, ch. 258, § 1; 1967, ch. 72, § 1; 1969, ch. 160, § 3; 1969, ch. 319, §§ 3, 4; impl. am. Acts 1972, ch. 543, § 7; Acts 1973, ch. 357, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 57-622; Acts 1992, ch. 608, §§ 13-16; 2009, ch. 434, § 11; 2011, ch. 451, § 8.