WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

The law › Title 19, Customs Duties › Chapter 4

19 U.S.C. 1607: Seizure; value $500,000 or less, prohibited merchandise, transporting conveyances

Created in 1970 by Public Law 91-271. Changed by 6 later laws. No bill we track in this Congress changes it.

2 other sections of the Code cite this one, including 19 U.S.C. 1610, 19 U.S.C. 1612.

4 parts of federal rules cite it as their authority, written by Department of Justice (2), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security; Department of the Treasury (1), Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Department of the Treasury (1).

This Congress

No bill we track in the 119th Congress changes this section.

    How it got here

    1996

    • Pub. L. 104–237, §201(c)(1), inserted "or listed chemical" after "controlled substance". (Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act of 1996) Law text · (a)
    • Pub. L. 104–237, §201(c)(2), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: "As used in this section, the term 'controlled substance' has the meaning given that term in section 802 of title 21." (Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act of 1996) Law text · (b)

    1990

    • Pub. L. 101–382, §122(6), substituted "$500,000" for "$100,000" in section catchline.
    • Pub. L. 101–382, §122(1), substituted "$500,000" for "$100,000". · (a)
    • Pub. L. 101–382, §122(2)–(4), added par. (4). · (a)
    • Pub. L. 101–382, §122(5), added subsec. (c). · (c)

    1984

    • Pub. L. 98–573 amended section generally. See explanation below for amendment by Pub. L. 98–473.
    • Pub. L. 98–473 amended section generally in manner substantially identical to amendment by Pub. L. 98–573, on which text of section is based. Prior to amendment, section read as follows: "If such value of such vessel, vehicle, merchandise, or baggage does not exceed $10,000, the appropriate customs…

    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.

    Text, outline and history from the official U.S. Code (2024 edition) on GovInfo, published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel. Changes made after that edition appear under This Congress.