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Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73

§4912 Penalties and regulations

Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 69— - WILD EXOTIC BIRD CONSERVATION › § 4912

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

People and businesses that import exotic birds who break the import rules or violate permits can be fined or jailed. The biggest civil fine is $25,000 for certain serious violations of section 4910(a)(1) or (2) or for breaking a permit rule. Another type of violation (4910(a)(3)) can bring a civil fine up to $12,000. Other violations can bring a civil fine up to $500. Criminal penalties apply too: violating 4910(a)(1) or (2) can lead to fines under Title 18, up to 2 years in prison, or both; violating 4910(a)(3) can lead to fines under Title 18, up to 6 months in prison, or both. Civil fines are collected the same way as under the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1540(a)). Federal district courts handle cases under this chapter. American Samoa is treated as part of the District of Hawaii for these cases. The Trust Territory of Palau and the Northern Marianas are treated as part of the District of Guam. Importing an exotic bird counts as transporting wildlife under the Lacey Act (16 U.S.C. 3372(a)). The Secretary must write rules needed to carry out these laws. The Secretary’s power here is in addition to, and does not replace, powers under the Endangered Species Act or the Lacey Act, and nothing here repeals or changes other federal law.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §4912

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)(A)Any person who knowingly violates, and any person engaged in business as an importer of exotic birds who violates, section 4910(a)(1) or (2) 11 So in original. Probably should be section “4910(a)(1)(A) or (B)”. of this title or any permit issued under section 4911 of this title may be assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary of not more than $25,000 for each violation.
(B)Any person who knowingly violates, and any person engaged in business as an importer of exotic birds who violates, section 4910(a)(3) 22 So in original. Probably should be section “4910(a)(1)(C)”. of this title may be assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary of not more than $12,000 for each such violation.
(C)Any person who otherwise violates section 4910(a) of this title or any permit issued under section 4911 of this title may be assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary of not more than $500 for each such violation.
(D)A civil penalty under this section shall be assessed, and may be collected, in the manner in which a civil penalty under the Act of December 28, 1973 (Public Law 93–205) [16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.], may be assessed and collected under section 111(a) 33 So in original. Probably should be section “11(a)”. of that Act [16 U.S.C. 1540(a)].
(2)(A)Any person who knowingly violates, and any person engaged in business as an importer of exotic birds who violates, section 4910(a)(1) or (2) 1 of this title or any permit issued under section 4911 of this title shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both.
(B)Any person who knowingly violates section 4910(a)(3) 2 of this title shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both.
(b)The several district courts of the United States, including the courts enumerated in section 460 of title 28, shall have jurisdiction over any action arising under this chapter. For the purposes of this chapter, American Samoa shall be included in the Judicial District of the District Court of the United States for the District of Hawaii, and the Trust Territory of Palau and the Northern Marianas shall be included in the Judicial District of the District Court of the United States for the District of Guam.
(c)The importation of an exotic bird is deemed to be transportation of wildlife for purposes of section 3(a) of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3372(a)).
(d)The Secretary shall prescribe regulations that are necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
(e)The authority of the Secretary under this chapter is in addition to and shall not affect the authority of the Secretary under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) or diminish the authority of the Secretary under the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.). Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as repealing, superseding, or modifying any provision of Federal law.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Act of December 28, 1973, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(D), and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, referred to in subsec. (e), are Pub. L. 93–205, Dec. 28, 1973, 87 Stat. 884, which is classified generally to chapter 35 (§ 1531 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 1531 of this title and Tables. The Lacey Act

Amendments

of 1981, referred to in subsec. (e), is Pub. L. 97–79, Nov. 16, 1981, 95 Stat. 1073, which is classified principally to chapter 53 (§ 3371 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 3371 of this title and Tables.

Executive Documents

Termination of Trust Territory For termination of Trust Territory of Palau and Northern Marianas, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 4912

Title 16 — Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73