USC Chapter 803

in effect

49 U.S.C. § 80301 Definitions

In this chapter— (1) “aircraft” means a contrivance used, or capable of being used, for transportation in the air. (2) “vehicle” means a contrivance used, or capable of being used, for transportation on, below, or above land, but does not include aircraft. (3) “vessel” means a contrivance used, or capable of being used, for transportation in water, but does not include aircraft.

49 U.S.C. § 80302 Prohibitions

(a) Definition.—In this section, “contraband” means—(1) a narcotic drug (as defined in section 102 of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (21 U.S.C. 802)), including marihuana (as defined in section 102 of that Act (21 U.S.C. 802)), that—(A) is possessed with intent to sell or offer for sale in violation of the laws and regulations of the United States; (B) is acquired, possessed, sold, transferred, or offered for sale in violation of those laws; (C) is acquired by theft, robbery, or burglary and transported—(i) in the District of Columbia or a territory or possession of the United States; or (ii) from a place in a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of the United States, to a place in another State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession; or (D) does not bear tax-paid internal revenue stamps required by those laws or regulations; (2) a firearm involved in a violation of chapter 53 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.); (3) a forged, altered, or counterfeit—(A) coin or an obligation or other security of the United States Government (as defined in section 8 of title 18); or (B) coin, obligation, or other security of the government of a foreign country; (4) material or equipment used, or intended to be used, in making a coin, obligation, or other security referred to in clause (3) of this subsection; (5) a cigarette involved in a violation of chapter 114 of title 18 or a regulation prescribed under chapter 114; or (6)(A) a counterfeit label for a phonorecord, copy of a computer program or computer program documentation or packaging, or copy of a motion picture or other audiovisual work (as defined in section 2318 of title 18); (B) a phonorecord or copy in violation of section 2319 of title 18; (C) a fixation of a sound recording or music video of a live musical performance in violation of section 2319A of title 18; or (D) any good bearing a counterfeit mark (as defined in section 2320 of title 18). (b) Prohibitions.—A person may not—(1) transport contraband in an aircraft, vehicle, or vessel; (2) conceal or possess contraband on an aircraft, vehicle, or vessel; or (3) use an aircraft, vehicle, or vessel to facilitate the transportation, concealment, receipt, possession, purchase, sale, exchange, or giving away of contraband.

49 U.S.C. § 80303 Seizure and forfeiture

The Secretary of the Treasury or the Governor of Guam or of the Northern Mariana Islands as provided in section 80304 of this title, or, when the violation of this chapter involves contraband described in paragraph (2) or (5) of section 80302(a), the Attorney General or a person authorized by another law to enforce section 80302 of this title, shall seize an aircraft, vehicle, or vessel involved in a violation of section 80302 and place it in the custody of a person designated by the Secretary, the Attorney General, or appropriate Governor, as the case may be. The seized aircraft, vehicle, or vessel shall be forfeited, except when the owner establishes that a person except the owner committed the violation when the aircraft, vehicle, or vessel was in the possession of a person who got possession by violating a criminal law of the United States or a State. However, an aircraft, vehicle, or vessel used by a common carrier to provide transportation for compensation may be forfeited only when— (1) the owner, conductor, driver, pilot, or other individual in charge of the aircraft or vehicle (except a rail car or engine) consents to, or knows of, the alleged violation when the violation occurs; (2) the owner of the rail car or engine consents to, or knows of, the alleged violation when the violation occurs; or (3) the master or owner of the vessel consents to, or knows of, the alleged violation when the violation occurs.

49 U.S.C. § 80304 Administrative

(a) General.—Except as provided in subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, the Secretary of the Treasury—(1) may designate officers, employees, agents, or other persons to carry out this chapter; and (2) shall prescribe regulations to carry out this chapter. (b) In Guam.—The Governor of Guam—(1) or officers of the government of Guam designated by the Governor shall carry out this chapter in Guam; (2) may carry out laws referred to in section 80306(b) of this title with modifications the Governor decides are necessary to meet conditions in Guam; and (3) may prescribe regulations to carry out this chapter in Guam. (c) In Northern Mariana Islands.—The Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands—(1) or officers of the government of the Northern Mariana Islands designated by the Governor shall carry out this chapter in the Northern Mariana Islands; (2) may carry out laws referred to in section 80306(b) of this title with modifications the Governor decides are necessary to meet conditions in the Northern Mariana Islands; and (3) may prescribe regulations to carry out this chapter in the Northern Mariana Islands. (d) Attorney General.—The Attorney General, or officers, employees, or agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Department of Justice 11 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma. designated by the Attorney General, shall carry out the laws referred to in section 80306(b) of this title to the extent that the violation of this chapter involves contraband described in section 80302(a)(2) or (a)(5). (e) Customs Laws on Seizure and Forfeiture.—The Secretary, or the Governor of Guam or of the Northern Mariana Islands as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, shall carry out the customs laws on the seizure and forfeiture of aircraft, vehicles, and vessels under this chapter.

49 U.S.C. § 80305 Availability of certain appropriations

Appropriations for enforcing customs, narcotics, counterfeiting, or internal revenue laws are available to carry out this chapter.

49 U.S.C. § 80306 Relationship to other laws

(a) Chapter as Additional Law.—This chapter is in addition to another law—(1) imposing, or authorizing the compromise of, fines, penalties, or forfeitures; or (2) providing for seizure, condemnation, or disposition of forfeited property, or the proceeds from the property. (b) Laws Applicable to Seizures and Forfeitures.—To the extent applicable and consistent with this chapter, the following apply to a seizure or forfeiture under this chapter:(1) provisions of law related to the seizure, forfeiture, and condemnation of vehicles and vessels violating the customs laws. (2) provisions of law related to the disposition of those vehicles or vessels or the proceeds from the sale of those vehicles or vessels. (3) provisions of law related to the compromise of those forfeitures or claims related to those forfeitures. (4) provisions of law related to the award of compensation to an informer about those forfeitures.