Title 19 — Customs DutiesRelease 119-73not60
§240 Value at Date of Shipment
Title 19 › Chapter 3— THE TARIFF AND RELATED PROVISIONS › Subtitle SUBTITLE IV— CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION › Part 1— definitions › § 240
Summary
When an import tax is based on how much the goods were worth in the seller’s main market or at the export port, customs must use the value from the day the goods were actually shipped. That happens when the importer gives a bill of lading that shows the shipment date and that document is certified by a U.S. consul or an authorized deputy.
Full Legal Text
Title 19, §240
Customs Duties — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
When the duty upon any imports shall be subject to be levied upon the true market value of such imports in the principal markets of the country from whence the importation has been made, or at the port of exportation, the duty shall be estimated and collected upon the value on the day of actual shipment, whenever a bill of lading shall be presented showing the date of shipment, and which shall be certified by a certificate of the United States consul or legally authorized deputy.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Codification R.S. § 2904 derived from act Mar. 2, 1861, ch. 68, § 28, 12 Stat. 197.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
19 U.S.C. § 240
Title 19 — Customs Duties
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60