Title 19Customs DutiesRelease 119-73

§1630 Authority to settle claims

Title 19 › Chapter CHAPTER 4— - TARIFF ACT OF 1930 › Subtitle SUBTITLE III— - ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › Part Part V— - Enforcement Provisions › § 1630

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary may settle claims up to $50,000 for damage or loss to private property caused by a Customs Service officer (see 28 U.S.C. 2680(h)) while acting within their job, if the claim cannot be settled under chapter 171 of title 28. No payment if the property is commercial, the claim is filed more than 1 year after the loss, or the claimant is a U.S. employee and the loss happened on duty. The claimant must accept the payment as full settlement.

Full Legal Text

Title 19, §1630

Customs Duties — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)With respect to a claim that cannot be settled under chapter 171 of title 28, the Secretary may settle, for not more than $50,000 in any one case, a claim for damage to, or loss of, privately owned property caused by an investigative or law enforcement officer (as defined in section 2680(h) of title 28) who is employed by the Customs Service and acting within the scope of his or her employment.
(b)The Secretary may not pay a claim under subsection (a) that—
(1)concerns commercial property;
(2)is presented to the Secretary more than 1 year after it occurs; or
(3)is presented by an officer or employee of the United States Government and arose within the scope of employment.
(c)A claim may be paid under this section only if the claimant accepts the amount of settlement in complete satisfaction of the claim.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

For

Transfer of Functions

, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the United States Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury, including functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see section 203(1), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6. For establishment of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the Department of Homeland Security, treated as if included in Pub. L. 107–296 as of Nov. 25, 2002, see section 211 of Title 6, as amended generally by Pub. L. 114–125, and section 802(b) of Pub. L. 114–125, set out as a note under section 211 of Title 6.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

19 U.S.C. § 1630

Title 19Customs Duties

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73