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Code · U.S. Code · Title 19 - CUSTOMS DUTIES · CHAPTER 4— TARIFF ACT OF 1930 · Part V— Enforcement Provisions · § 1615

§ 1615. Burden of proof in forfeiture proceedings

596 words·~3 min read·/usc/title-19/section-1615

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

In all suits or actions (other than those arising under section 1592 of this title) brought for the forfeiture of any vessel, vehicle, aircraft, merchandise, or baggage seized under the provisions of any law relating to the collection of duties on imports or tonnage, where the property is claimed by any person, the burden of proof shall lie upon such claimant; and in all suits or actions brought for the recovery of the value of any vessel, vehicle, aircraft, merchandise, or baggage, because of violation of any such law, the burden of proof shall be upon the defendant:
Provided, That probable cause shall be first shown for the institution of such suit or action, to be judged of by the court, subject to the following rules of proof:
(1)The testimony or deposition of the officer of the customs who has boarded or required to come to a stop or seized a vessel, vehicle, or aircraft, or has arrested a person, shall be prima facie evidence of the place where the act in question occurred.
(2)Marks, labels, brands, or stamps, indicative of foreign origin, upon or accompanying mechandise 1 or containers of merchandise, shall be prima facie evidence of the foreign origin of such merchandise.
(3)The fact that a vessel of any description is found, or discovered to have been, in the vicinity of any hovering vessel and under any circumstances indicating contact or communication therewith, whether by proceeding to or from such vessel, or by coming to in the vicinity of such vessel, or by delivering to or receiving from such vessel any merchandise, person, or communication, or by any other means effecting contact or communication therewith, shall be prima facie evidence that the vessel in question has visited such hovering vessel.
(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 615, 46 Stat. 757; Aug. 5, 1935, ch. 438, title II, § 207, 49 Stat. 525; Pub. L. 95–410, title I, § 110(d), Oct. 3, 1978, 92 Stat. 896; Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 321, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2056; Pub. L. 98–573, title II, § 213(a)(13), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2987.)
Connections7 cite this · traces to 2
23 references not yet in our index
  • 1
  • June 17, 1930, ch. 497
  • 46 Stat. 757
  • Aug. 5, 1935, ch. 438
  • 49 Stat. 525
  • Pub. L. 95–410, title I, § 110(d)
  • 92 Stat. 896
  • Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 321
  • 98 Stat. 2056
  • Pub. L. 98–573, title II, § 213(a)(13)
  • 98 Stat. 2987
  • act Oct. 3, 1913, ch. 16
  • 38 Stat. 189
  • Act of June 10, 1890, ch. 407, § 21
  • 26 Stat. 140
  • Act of Aug. 5, 1909, ch. 6, § 28
  • 36 Stat. 101
  • act Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 356, title IV, § 615
  • 42 Stat. 987
  • Pub. L. 98–573
  • Pub. L. 98–473
  • Pub. L. 95–410
  • section 214(e) of Pub. L. 98–573
Citation graph
cites case law
§ 1615
Burden of proof in forfeiture proceedings
Stat.×3
U.S.C.×2
Fed. Reg.×1
Stat. Comp.×1
Cite1
ActJune 17, 1930, ch. 497
Stat.46 Stat. 757
ActAug. 5, 1935, ch. 438
Stat.49 Stat. 525
Cites 25 · showing 7Cited by 7 across 4 sources
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