[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: 19CFR171.1]

[Page 284-285]
 
                        TITLE 19--CUSTOMS DUTIES
 
  CHAPTER I--UNITED STATES CUSTOMS SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
 
PART 171--FINES, PENALTIES, AND FORFEITURES--Table of Contents
 
                    Subpart A--Application for Relief
 
Sec. 171.1  Petition for relief.

    Source: T.D. 00-57, 65 FR 53576, Sept. 5, 2000, unless otherwise 
noted.


    (a) To whom addressed. Petitions for the remission or mitigation of 
a fine, penalty, or forfeiture incurred under any law administered by 
Customs must be addressed to the Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures 
Officer designated in the notice of claim.
    (b) Signature. For commercial violations, the petition for remission 
or mitigation must be signed by the petitioner, his attorney-at-law or a 
Customs broker. If the petitioner is a corporation, the petition may be 
signed by an officer or responsible supervisory official of the 
corporation, or a responsible employee representative of the 
corporation. Electronic signatures are acceptable. In non-commercial 
violations, a non-English speaking petitioner or petitioner who has a 
disability which may impede his ability to file a petition may enlist a 
family member or other representative to file a petition on his behalf. 
The deciding Customs officer may, in his or her discretion, require 
proof of representation before consideration of any petition.
    (c) Form. The petition for remission or mitigation need not be in 
any particular form. Customs can require that the petition and any 
documents submitted in support of the petition be in English or be 
accompanied by an English translation. The petition must set forth the 
following:
    (1) A description of the property involved (if a seizure);
    (2) The date and place of the violation or seizure;
    (3) The facts and circumstances relied upon by the petitioner to 
justify remission or mitigation; and
    (4) If a seizure case, proof of a petitionable interest in the 
seized property.

[[Page 285]]

    (d) False statement in petition. A false statement contained in a 
petition may subject the petitioner to prosecution under the provisions 
of 18 U.S.C. 1001.