                        TITLE 19--CUSTOMS DUTIES
 
                      CHAPTER 4--TARIFF ACT OF 1930
 
                 SUBTITLE III--ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
 
                     Part V--Enforcement Provisions
 
Sec. 1630. Authority to settle claims


(a) In general

    With respect to a claim that cannot be settled under chapter 171 of 
title 28, the Secretary may settle, for not more than $50,000 in any one 
case, a claim for damage to, or loss of, privately owned property caused 
by an investigative or law enforcement officer (as defined in section 
2680(h) of title 28) who is employed by the Customs Service and acting 
within the scope of his or her employment.

(b) Limitations

    The Secretary may not pay a claim under subsection (a) that--
        (1) concerns commercial property;
        (2) is presented to the Secretary more than 1 year after it 
    occurs; or
        (3) is presented by an officer or employee of the United States 
    Government and arose within the scope of employment.

(c) Final settlement

    A claim may be paid under this section only if the claimant accepts 
the amount of settlement in complete satisfaction of the claim.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, Sec. 630, as added Pub. L. 103-182, 
title VI, Sec. 670, Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2216.)

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in title 31 section 9703.
