                        TITLE 19--CUSTOMS DUTIES
 
                      CHAPTER 4--TARIFF ACT OF 1930
 
                 SUBTITLE III--ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
 
      Part II--Report, Entry, and Unlading of Vessels and Vehicles
 
Sec. 1453. Lading and unlading of merchandise or baggage; 
        penalties
        
    If any merchandise or baggage is laden on, or unladen from, any 
vessel or vehicle without a special license or permit therefor issued by 
the appropriate customs officer, the master of such vessel or the person 
in charge of such vehicle and every other person who knowingly is 
concerned, or who aids therein, or in removing or otherwise securing 
such merchandise or baggage, shall each be liable to a penalty equal to 
the value of the merchandise or baggage so laden or unladen, and such 
merchandise or baggage shall be subject to forfeiture, and if the value 
thereof is $500 or more, the vessel or vehicle on or from which the same 
shall be laden or unladen shall be subject to forfeiture.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, Sec. 453, 46 Stat. 716; Pub. L. 91-
271, title III, Sec. 301(b), June 2, 1970, 84 Stat. 287.)


                            Prior Provisions

    Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in act 
Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 356, title IV, Sec. 453, 42 Stat. 955. That section 
was superseded by section 453 of act June 17, 1930, comprising this 
section, and repealed by section 651(a)(1) of the 1930 act.
    Provisions imposing penalties and forfeitures for violation of R.S. 
Sec. 2872, which required a special license for unloading or delivering 
merchandise otherwise than in open day, were contained in R.S. 
Secs. 2873 and 2874, prior to repeal by act Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 356, 
title IV, Sec. 642, 42 Stat. 989.


                               Amendments

    1970--Pub. L. 91-271 substituted reference to appropriate customs 
officer for reference to collector.


                    Effective Date of 1970 Amendment

    For effective date of amendment by Pub. L. 91-271, see section 203 
of Pub. L. 91-271, set out as a note under section 1500 of this title.
