Title 19Customs DutiesRelease 119-73not60

§1610 Seizure; Judicial Forfeiture Proceedings

Title 19 › Chapter 4— TARIFF ACT OF 1930 › Subtitle SUBTITLE III— ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › Part V— Enforcement Provisions › § 1610

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Seized items not under section 1607 mean customs must send a report and witness names to the US attorney for forfeiture.

Full Legal Text

Title 19, §1610

Customs Duties — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

If any vessel, vehicle, aircraft, merchandise, or baggage is not subject to section 1607 of this title, the appropriate customs officer shall transmit a report of the case, with the names of available witnesses, to the United States attorney for the district in which the seizure was made for the institution of the proper proceedings for the condemnation of such property.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in act Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 356, title IV, § 610, 42 Stat. 985. That section was superseded by section 610 of act June 17, 1930, comprising this section, and repealed by section 651(a)(1) of the 1930 act.

Amendments

1988—Pub. L. 100–690 reenacted section without change. 1984—Pub. L. 98–573 substituted “If any vessel, vehicle, aircraft, merchandise, or baggage is not subject to section 1607 of this title” for “If the value of any vessel, vehicle, merchandise, or baggage so seized is greater than $10,000”. Pub. L. 98–473 amended section in manner substantially identical to amendment by Pub. L. 98–573. 1978—Pub. L. 95–410 substituted “$10,000” for “$2,500” wherever appearing. 1970—Pub. L. 91–271 substituted reference to appropriate customs officer for reference to collector, and struck out reference to appraiser’s return of value. 1954—Act Sept. 1, 1954, substituted “$2,500” for “$1,000”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1984 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 98–573 effective Oct. 15, 1984, see section 214(e) of Pub. L. 98–573, set out as a note under section 1304 of this title.

Effective Date

of 1970 AmendmentFor

Effective Date

of amendment by Pub. L. 91–271, see section 203 of Pub. L. 91–271, set out as a note under section 1500 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

19 U.S.C. § 1610

Title 19Customs Duties

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60