§1627a — Title 19 Customs Duties | U.S. Code

Summary

It is illegal to knowingly import, export, or try to import or export a stolen self-propelled vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or parts, or any self-propelled vehicle or part whose identification number has been removed, altered, or tampered with. Those items can be seized and forfeited. If you try to export a used self-propelled vehicle, you must show the vehicle and a paper with its vehicle identification number to the customs officer under the Secretary’s rules before loading onto a ship or plane, or before exporting by rail, road, or driving it. Not following the rules can lead to a civil fine of up to $500 for each violation. Definitions: “self-propelled vehicle” — cars, trucks, tractors, buses, motorcycles, motor homes, self-moving farm or construction machines, special-use equipment, and other land vehicles (not trains); “aircraft” — as defined in federal aviation law; “used” — a vehicle whose title was transferred by a maker, distributor, or dealer to a buyer; “ultimate purchaser” — the first buyer (not a dealer) who bought in good faith and not to resell. Customs officers may share and get information about vehicles, off‑highway equipment, vessels, or aircraft with federal, state, local, and foreign law enforcement and theft-prevention groups as the Secretary allows.

Title 19, §1627a

Customs Duties — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)Whoever knowingly imports, exports, or attempts to import or export—

(A)Any 11 So in original. Probably should not be capitalized. stolen self-propelled vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or part of a self-propelled vehicle, vessel, or aircraft; or

(B)any self-propelled vehicle or part of a self-propelled vehicle from which the identification number has been removed, obliterated, tampered with, or altered;

(2)Any violation of this subsection shall make such self-propelled vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or part thereof subject to seizure and forfeiture under this chapter.

(b)A person attempting to export a used self-propelled vehicle shall present, pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary, to the appropriate customs officer both the vehicle and a document describing such vehicle which includes the vehicle identification number, before lading if the vehicle is to be transported by vessel or aircraft, or before export if the vehicle is to be transported by rail, highway, or under its own power. Failure to comply with the regulations of the Secretary shall subject such person to a civil penalty of not more than $500 for each violation.

(c)For purposes of this section—

(1)the term “self-propelled vehicle” includes any automobile, truck, tractor, bus, motorcycle, motor home, self-propelled agricultural machinery, self-propelled construction equipment, self-propelled special use equipment, and any other self-propelled vehicle used or designed for running on land but not on rail;

(2)the term “aircraft” has the meaning given it in section 40102(a)(6) of title 49;

(3)the term “used” refers to any self-propelled vehicle the equitable or legal title to which has been transferred by a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer to an ultimate purchaser; and

(4)the term “ultimate purchaser” means the first person, other than a dealer purchasing in his capacity as a dealer, who in good faith purchases a self-propelled vehicle for purposes other than resale.

(d)Customs officers may cooperate and exchange information concerning motor vehicles, off-highway mobile equipment, vessels, or aircraft, either before exportation or after exportation or importation, with such Federal, State, local, and foreign law enforcement or governmental authorities, and with such organizations engaged in theft prevention activities, as may be designated by the Secretary.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification In subsec. (c)(2), “section 40102(a)(6) of title 49” substituted for “section 101(5) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (49 U.S.C. 1301(5))” on authority of Pub. L. 103–272, § 6(b),

July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1378, the first section of which enacted subtitles II, III, and V to X of Title 49, Transportation. Another section 627 of act

June 17, 1930, as added by Pub. L. 98–547, title III, § 302, Oct. 25, 1984, 98 Stat. 2771, was classified to section 1627 of this title and subsequently repealed.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective on 15th day after Oct. 30, 1984, see section 214(a), (b) of Pub. L. 98–573, set out as an

Effective Date

of 1984 Amendment note under section 1304 of this title.

§1627a Unlawful importation or exportation of certain vehicles; inspections

Summary

Title 19, §1627a

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Effective Date

Citations & Metadata