Title 19 — Customs DutiesRelease 119-73
§1599 Officers not to be interested in vessels or cargo
Title 19 › Chapter CHAPTER 4— - TARIFF ACT OF 1930 › Subtitle SUBTITLE III— - ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › Part Part V— - Enforcement Provisions › § 1599
Summary
Employees who collect import or tonnage duties for the United States must not own any ship (except a yacht or other pleasure boat). They must not act as an agent, lawyer, or consignee for ship owners or for cargo on a ship. They also must not import goods for sale or be involved in importing goods for sale in any way. If someone breaks these rules, they must pay a $500 fine.
Full Legal Text
Title 19, §1599
Customs Duties — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
No person employed under the authority of the United States, in the collection of duties on imports or tonnage, shall own, either in whole or in part, any vessel (other than a yacht or other pleasure boat), or act as agent, attorney, or consignee for the owner or owners of any vessel, or of any cargo or lading on board the same; nor shall any such person import, or be concerned directly or indirectly in the importation of, any merchandise for sale into the United States. Every person who violates this section shall be liable to a penalty of $500.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Identical provisions were contained in R.S. § 2638, which was superseded by act Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 356, title IV, § 599, 42 Stat. 984, and repealed by section 642 thereof. section 599 of the 1922 act was superseded by section 599 of act June 17, 1930, comprising this section, and repealed by section 651(a)(1) of the 1930 act.
Amendments
1978—Pub. L. 95–410 excepted from the interest prohibition ownership of a yacht or other pleasure boat.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
19 U.S.C. § 1599
Title 19 — Customs Duties
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73