§552 Abandoned or Unclaimed Property on Government Premises

Summary

The Administrator of General Services can take abandoned or unclaimed items found on federal property. The Administrator decides when the Government becomes the owner and can use, transfer, sell, or otherwise get rid of the items. If a former owner files a valid claim within three years after the Government becomes owner, the owner will be paid either the sale proceeds minus care and handling costs the Administrator decides, or, if the item was used or transferred, its fair value when the Government took ownership minus those costs.