                        TITLE 19--CUSTOMS DUTIES
 
                      CHAPTER 4--TARIFF ACT OF 1930
 
                 SUBTITLE III--ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
 
                     Part V--Enforcement Provisions
 
Sec. 1627a. Unlawful importation or exportation of certain 
        vehicles; inspections
        

(a) Violations; penalties; seizures and forfeitures

    (1) Whoever knowingly imports, exports, or attempts to import or 
export--
        (A) Any \1\ stolen self-propelled vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or 
    part of a self-propelled vehicle, vessel, or aircraft; or
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    \1\ So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.
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        (B) any self-propelled vehicle or part of a self-propelled 
    vehicle from which the identification number has been removed, 
    obliterated, tampered with, or altered;

shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount determined by the 
Secretary, not to exceed $10,000 for each violation.
    (2) Any violation of this subsection shall make such self-propelled 
vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or part thereof subject to seizure and 
forfeiture under this chapter.

(b) Regulations; violations; penalties

    A person attempting to export a used self-propelled vehicle shall 
present, pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary, to the 
appropriate customs officer both the vehicle and a document describing 
such vehicle which includes the vehicle identification number, before 
lading if the vehicle is to be transported by vessel or aircraft, or 
before export if the vehicle is to be transported by rail, highway, or 
under its own power. Failure to comply with the regulations of the 
Secretary shall subject such person to a civil penalty of not more than 
$500 for each violation.

(c) Definitions

    For purposes of this section--
        (1) the term ``self-propelled vehicle'' includes any automobile, 
    truck, tractor, bus, motorcycle, motor home, self-propelled 
    agricultural machinery, self-propelled construction equipment, self-
    propelled special use equipment, and any other self-propelled 
    vehicle used or designed for running on land but not on rail;
        (2) the term ``aircraft'' has the meaning given it in section 
    40102(a)(6) of title 49;
        (3) the term ``used'' refers to any self-propelled vehicle the 
    equitable or legal title to which has been transferred by a 
    manufacturer, distributor, or dealer to an ultimate purchaser; and
        (4) the term ``ultimate purchaser'' means the first person, 
    other than a dealer purchasing in his capacity as a dealer, who in 
    good faith purchases a self-propelled vehicle for purposes other 
    than resale.

(d) Cooperation of law enforcement and governmental authorities

    Customs officers may cooperate and exchange information concerning 
motor vehicles, off-highway mobile equipment, vessels, or aircraft, 
either before exportation or after exportation or importation, with such 
Federal, State, local, and foreign law enforcement or governmental 
authorities, and with such organizations engaged in theft prevention 
activities, as may be designated by the Secretary.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, Sec. 627, as added Pub. L. 98-573, 
title II, Sec. 205, Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2974.)

                          Codification

    In subsec. (c)(2), ``section 40102(a)(6) of title 49'' substituted 
for ``section 101(5) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (49 U.S.C. 
1301(5))'' on authority of Pub. L. 103-272, Sec. 6(b), July 5, 1994, 108 
Stat. 1378, the first section of which enacted subtitles II, III, and V 
to X of Title 49, Transportation.
    Another section 627 of act June 17, 1930, as added by Pub. L. 98-
547, title III, Sec. 302, Oct. 25, 1984, 98 Stat. 2771, was classified 
to section 1627 of this title and subsequently repealed.


                             Effective Date

    Section effective on 15th day after Oct. 30, 1984, see section 
214(a), (b) of Pub. L. 98-573, set out as an Effective Date of 1984 
Amendment note under section 1304 of this title.
