[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 19, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 19CFR127.41]

[Page 627]
 
                        TITLE 19--CUSTOMS DUTIES
 
  CHAPTER I--UNITED STATES CUSTOMS SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
 
PART 127--GENERAL ORDER, UNCLAIMED, AND ABANDONED MERCHANDISE--Table of Contents
 
   Subpart E--Title to Unclaimed and Abandoned Merchandise Vesting in 
                               Government
 
Sec. 127.41  Government title to unclaimed and abandoned merchandise.

    Source: T.D. 02-65, 67 FR 68034, Nov. 8, 2002, unless otherwise 
noted.


    (a) Vesting of title in Government. At the end of the 6-month period 
noted in Sec. 127.11 of this part, at which time merchandise having thus 
remained in Customs custody is considered as unclaimed and abandoned, 
the port director, with the concurrence of the Assistant Commissioner, 
Office of Field Operations, may, in lieu of sale of the merchandise as 
provided in subpart C of this part, provide notice to all known 
interested parties under paragraph (b) of this section that the title to 
such merchandise will be considered as vesting in the United States, 
free and clear of any liens or encumbrances, as of the 30th day after 
the date of the notice unless, before the 30th day, the merchandise is 
entered or withdrawn for consumption and all duties, taxes, fees, 
transfer and storage charges, and any other expenses that may have 
accrued on the merchandise are paid.
    (b) Notice to known interested parties. Notice that the title to 
unclaimed and abandoned merchandise will vest in the United States, as 
described in paragraph (a) of this section, will be sent to the 
following parties on Customs Form (CF) 5251, appropriately modified, or 
other similar Customs document as designated by the port director or an 
electronic equivalent as authorized by Customs:
    (1) Importer, if known;
    (2) Consignee, if name and address can be ascertained;
    (3) Shipper, or the shipper's representative or agent, if 
merchandise is consigned to order or the consignee cannot be 
ascertained; and
    (4) Any other known interested parties.
    (c) Appraisement of merchandise. Before title to unclaimed and 
abandoned merchandise is vested in the United States, the merchandise 
will be appraised in accordance with section 402, Tariff Act of 1930, as 
amended (19 U.S.C. 1401a).