Title 19 — Customs DutiesRelease 119-73
§70 Obstruction of revenue officers by masters of vessels
Title 19 › Chapter CHAPTER 1— - COLLECTION DISTRICTS, PORTS, AND OFFICERS › § 70
Summary
A vessel's captain who blocks or causes a lawful officer from boarding to enforce U.S. revenue or navigation laws can be fined $500–$2,000 for each offense.
Full Legal Text
Title 19, §70
Customs Duties — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
If the master of any vessel shall obstruct or hinder, or shall intentionally cause any obstruction or hindrance to any officer in lawfully going on board such vessel, for the purpose of carrying into effect any of the revenue or navigation laws of the United States, he shall for every such offense be liable to a penalty of not more than $2,000 nor less than $500.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Codification R.S. § 3068 derived from act Mar. 2, 1799, ch. 22, § 71, 1 Stat. 678.
Amendments
1935—Act Aug. 5, 1935, inserted reference to navigation laws, and increased penalty from $500 and $50 to $2,000 and $500, respectively.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
19 U.S.C. § 70
Title 19 — Customs Duties
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73