Title 19 — Customs DutiesRelease 119-73not60
§1484a Articles Returned From Space Not to Be Construed as Importation
Title 19 › Chapter 4— TARIFF ACT OF 1930 › Subtitle SUBTITLE III— ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › Part III— Ascertainment, Collection, and Recovery of Duties › § 1484a
Summary
Things coming back from space won't be treated as imports and won't need customs entry if three things are true. They were launched from the U.S. on a spacecraft run or controlled by U.S. people or companies and owned wholly, mostly, or by the U.S.; they were kept or used only on that craft (or another that meets the same ownership/control); and they returned straight to the U.S. on such a craft.
Full Legal Text
Title 19, §1484a
Customs Duties — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The return of articles from space shall not be considered an importation, and an entry of such articles shall not be required, if:
(1)such articles were previously launched into space from the customs territory of the United States aboard a spacecraft operated by, or under the control of, United States persons and owned—
(A)wholly by United States persons, or
(B)in substantial part by United States persons, or
(C)by the United States;
(2)such articles were maintained or utilized while in space solely on board such spacecraft or aboard another spacecraft which meets the requirements of paragraph (1)(A) through (C) of this section; and
(3)such articles were returned to the customs territory directly from space aboard such spacecraft or aboard another spacecraft which meets the requirements of paragraph (1)(A) through (C) of this section;
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section applicable with respect to articles launched into space from the customs territory of the United States on or after Jan. 1, 1985, see section 214(c)(4) of Pub. L. 98–573, set out as an
Effective Date
of 1984 Amendment note under section 1304 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
19 U.S.C. § 1484a
Title 19 — Customs Duties
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60