[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 19, Volume 2]
[Revised as of April 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 19CFR161.16]

[Page 241]
 
                        TITLE 19--CUSTOMS DUTIES
 
  CHAPTER I--UNITED STATES CUSTOMS SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
 
PART 161--GENERAL ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS--Table of Contents
 
                  Subpart B--Compensation of Informant
 
Sec. 161.16  Filing a claim for informant compensation.

    (a) Limitations on claims. Pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 1619, an informant 
may be paid up to 25 percent of the net recovery to the government from 
duties withheld; from any fine (civil or criminal), forfeited bail bond, 
penalty, or forfeiture incurred; or, if the forfeiture is remitted, from 
the monetary penalty recovered for remission of the forfeiture. The 
amount of the award paid to informants shall not exceed $250,000 for any 
one case, regardless of the number of recoveries that result from the 
information furnished; however, no claim of less than $100 will be paid.
    (b) Filing of claim. A claim shall be filed, in duplicate, on 
Customs Form 4623 with the Special Agent in Charge, who shall make a 
recommendation on the form as to approval and the amount of the award. 
The Special Agent in Charge shall forward the form to the port director, 
who shall make a recommendation on the form as to approval and the 
amount of the award. The port director shall forward the form to Customs 
Headquarters for action. If for any reason a claim has not been 
transmitted by the port director, the claimant may apply directly to 
Customs Headquarters.

[T.D. 98-22, 63 FR 11826, Mar. 11, 1998]