N.C. Gen. Stat. § 105-164.37

If any taxpayer subject to the provisions of this Article goes into bankruptcy, receivership or turns over his stock of merchandise by voluntary transfer to creditors, the tax liability under this Article shall constitute a prior lien upon such stock of merchandise and shall become subject to levy under execution and it shall be the duty of the transferee in any such case to retain the amount of the tax due from the first sales of such stock of merchandise and pay the same to the Secretary.