19 U.S.C. § 1448 : US Code - Section 1448: Unlading

Search 19 U.S.C. § 1448 : US Code - Section 1448: Unlading

(a) Permits and preliminary entries
Except as provided in section 1441 of this title (relating to
vessels not required to enter or clear), no merchandise,
passengers, or baggage shall be unladen from any vessel required to
make entry under section 1434 of this title, or vehicle required to
report arrival under section 1433 of this title, until entry of
such vessel or report of the arrival of such vehicle has been made
and a permit for the unlading of the same issued or transmitted
pursuant to an electronic data interchange system by the Customs
Service. After the entry of any vessel or report of the arrival of
any vehicle, the Customs Service may issue a permit, electronically
pursuant to an authorized electronic data interchange system or
otherwise, to the master of the vessel, or to the person in charge
of the vehicle, to unlade merchandise or baggage, but except as
provided in subdivision (b) of this section merchandise or baggage
so unladen shall be retained at the place of unlading until entry
therefor is made and a permit for its delivery granted, and the
owners of the vessel or vehicle from which any imported merchandise
is unladen prior to entry of such merchandise shall be liable for
the payment of the duties accruing on any part thereof that may be
removed from the place of unlading without a permit therefor having
been issued. The owner or master of any vessel or vehicle, or agent
thereof, shall notify the Customs Service of any merchandise or
baggage so unladen for which entry is not made within the time
prescribed by law or regulation. The Secretary shall by regulation
prescribe administrative penalties not to exceed $1,000 for each
bill of lading for which notice is not given. Any such
administrative penalty shall be subject to mitigation and
remittance under section 1618 of this title. Such unentered
merchandise or baggage shall be the responsibility of the master or
person in charge of the importing vessel or vehicle, or agent
thereof, until it is removed from the carrier's control in
accordance with section 1490 of this title.
(b) Special delivery permit
The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to provide by
regulations for the issuing of special permits for delivery, prior
to formal entry therefor, of perishable articles and other
articles, the immediate delivery of which is necessary.