PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

Knowingly bringing in or sending out stolen cars, boats, planes, or their parts, or moving vehicles whose identification numbers have been removed or changed, can lead to a civil fine up to $10,000 for each violation and the items can be seized and forfeited. When exporting a used vehicle, you must show the vehicle and a document with its vehicle identification number to the customs officer before it is loaded on a ship or plane, or before export if by rail, road, or driven out; failing to follow those rules can mean a fine up to $500 for each violation. Definitions: "self-propelled vehicle" = cars, trucks, tractors, buses, motorcycles, motor homes, farm and construction machines, and other land vehicles (not trains); "aircraft" = as defined in 49 U.S.C. 40102(a)(6); "used" = title moved from maker/distributor/dealer to the first buyer; "ultimate purchaser" = the first non-dealer buyer who bought in good faith for use. Customs officers may share information about vehicles, equipment, vessels, or aircraft with federal, state, local, foreign law enforcement, and theft-prevention groups the Secretary designates.

Title 19, §1627a

Customs Duties, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Violations; penalties; seizures and forfeitures

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

(A)Any 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;

shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount determined by the Secretary, not to exceed $10,000 for each violation.

(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)Regulations; violations; penalties

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)Definitions

For purposes of this section

(1)

(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)Cooperation of law enforcement and governmental authorities

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