Louisiana

• 1/1/2015 last updated

Louisiana defers state laws to the federal laws, which means it should be legal to own a still if it is not used in the manufacture of moonshine and using a still for distilling water, manufacturing essential oils, etc. should be legal. The manufacture of distilled spirits is illegal.

• Louisiana ATC law book
  
• Louisiana ATC applications
  
• ATC website

I could not find any information about ethanol fuel licenses but there are several producers in Louisiana so licenses seem to be available.

§71. Permits required; fees; exception
Except as provided in Subsections B and C of this Section, before engaging in the business of manufacturing, supplying, or dealing in alcoholic beverages, all persons shall obtain from the commissioner, according to established rules and regulations, a permit to conduct each separate business and shall pay the commissioner a fee not to exceed the amounts provided for in the following schedule and in accordance with regulations promulgated pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act for each year the permit is valid:

• (1)(a) In-state manufacturers - one thousand dollars for each establishment in the state.
• (b) Out-of-state manufacturers and suppliers who do not maintain an establishment in the state.
• (i) Manufacturers and suppliers who sell less than one thousand cases of their product in the state - two hundred dollars.
• (ii) All other out-of-state manufacturers and suppliers - one thousand dollars.
• (2) Wholesalers - two thousand five hundred dollars for each place of business in the state.
• (3) Retailers - (a) There shall be three types of Class A retail liquor permits:
• (i) Class A-General - two hundred dollars for each place of business in any city in the state and one hundred dollars for each place of business in a town, village, or unincorporated place.
• (ii) Class A-Restaurant - two hundred dollars for each establishment in the state.
• (iii) Class A-Special - two hundred dollars for each facility in the state.

§71.3. Microdistillery; retail sales for consumption on or off premises

• A. Any person who has properly obtained a microdistiller's permit as provided for in R.S. 26:71, shall be authorized to engage in the distilling, making, blending, rectifying, or processing of any alcoholic beverage in Louisiana in a quantity not to exceed twelve thousand gallons during the licensed year. The holder of such permit shall also be authorized to sell the manufactured beverages at retail for consumption on or off the licensed premises, if the holder also has been issued a Retailer Class A permit.
• B. The provisions of this Section shall not authorize the holder of a microdistiller's permit to sell the manufactured beverages at wholesale or to any wholesale dealer.
• C. The microdistiller shall not sell any alcoholic beverages for transportation off the premises to any other licensed alcoholic beverage retail dealer.
• D. Beverages produced by a microdistiller shall be taxed in the same manner and at the same rate as beverages produced by other manufacturers, as provided by law.
• E. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 26:149, microdistillers may reuse alcoholic beverage containers in connection with distilling and bottling operations.
• F. Prior to commencing distilling operations, microdistillers shall obtain approval from the state fire marshal.

There are several licenses you need to request to legally manufacture spirits. Below are the federal licenses only. Additional state requirements will need to be followed as well.

You must submit a request for a license to manufacture spirits: TTB 5110.41 Basic permit.

This license only allows you to produce spirits. You also need a license for the distilling equipment / distillery: TTB 5100.24 Distilled spirit plant

For manufacturing ethanol fuel you will need to submit a request for a TTB 5110.74 for a federal license.

I was unable to find any specific laws or fines specific to still ownership, or the manufacture or transportation of moonshine.

Current federal laws allow citizens the right to own a still and operate it for non-alcohol production.

This means legally you can:

• Own, manufacture, sell or be in possession of a still.
• Distill water
• Produce essential oils or other non-alcohol liquids
• Fuel production is legal federally with the correct licenses.

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