27-55-53 - Evidence of product transported; unlawful for carriers or transporters to divert gasoline to a destination other than the destination on the manifest or bill of lading; inspections; notice - Mississippi Statutes

§ 27-55-53. Evidence of product transported; unlawful for carriers or transporters to divert gasoline to a destination other than the destination on the manifest or bill of lading; inspections; notice of intent to import gasoline; penalties.
 

Every person hauling, transporting or conveying more than fifty (50) gallons of gasoline over the highways, streets, alleys or waters of this state, or into this state over any highway, street, alley or water route, shall, during the entire time he is so engaged, have in his possession a bill of sale, bills of lading, invoices or other written evidence, each of which shall be serially numbered, showing the kind and amount of gasoline being transported, the name and address of the person from whom said gasoline was received, and the name and address of the person to whom delivery is to be made. The vehicle or boat conveying said gasoline shall have clearly printed on it the name and address of the person transporting such gasoline on both sides of the vehicle, or boat, in well-balanced letters of not less than two (2) inches in height on a contrasting background. 
 

Any person transporting gasoline without a shipping document containing the information set forth in this section or who diverts a shipment of gasoline to a destination other than the destination listed on such shipping document or who alters a shipping document without notice to the commission shall be liable for a fine of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) per offense and the entire amount of the state excise tax upon such gasoline shall be deemed due and payable, plus a penalty of twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount of such tax. Any authorized representative of the commission or the enforcement officers of the Mississippi Department of Transportation shall have the right to seize or impound such vehicle or boat until the excise tax and penalty have been paid. Notice to the commission shall consist of contacting the National Diversion Registry, reporting the diversion and obtaining a registration number. 
 

The commission, its employees or agents, including the enforcement officers of the Mississippi Department of Transportation, or any sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable or police officer of this state is hereby authorized to inspect any vehicle or boat transporting gasoline over the highways, streets, alleys or waters of this state, to examine the contents of any such vehicle or boat, to take a sample of each grade of gasoline contained in said vehicle or boat provided no sample shall exceed one (1) gallon, and to inspect the bills of lading, invoices or other records pertaining to the gasoline being transported in such vehicle or boat. 
 

Any person other than a common or contract carrier bringing gasoline into this state in quantities of more than fifty (50) gallons shall give notice to the commission of his intent to import such gasoline. The commission is authorized to promulgate rules setting forth the manner in which such notice is to be given. However, if information on gasoline imported into this state can be accurately secured from other sources by the commission, it may waive the requirements of such notice. 
 

If any person, other than a common or contract carrier, shall transport gasoline over the highways of this state by motor vehicle without having given the notice required by this section, or if a copy of such notice is not carried in such motor vehicle as required by this section, the entire amount of the state excise tax upon such gasoline being transported shall be deemed due and payable, plus a penalty of twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount of such tax, and any authorized representative of the commission or the enforcement officers of the Mississippi Department of Transportation shall have the right to seize or impound the motor vehicle in which such gasoline is being transported until such excise tax together with the penalty thereon has been paid. Provided, however, that said penalty shall not apply when the driver of the truck stops at the first weighing station in the line of travel and secures the signature of the officer on duty on the import notice. 
 

Sources: Codes, 1942, § 10076-27; Laws,  1969 Ex Sess, ch. 58, § 27; Laws, 1995, ch. 364, § 1; Laws, 2004, ch. 525, § 2, eff from and after July 1, 2004.