[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 19, Volume 2]
[Revised as of April 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 19CFR171.53]

[Page 293]
 
                        TITLE 19--CUSTOMS DUTIES
 
  CHAPTER I--UNITED STATES CUSTOMS SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
 
PART 171--FINES, PENALTIES, AND FORFEITURES--Table of Contents
 
               Subpart F--Expedited Petitioning Procedures
 
Sec. 171.53  Ruling on petition for expedited procedures.

    (a) Final administrative determination. Upon receipt of a petition 
filed pursuant to Sec. 171.52, Customs shall determine first whether a 
final administrative determination of the case can be made within 21 
days of the seizure. If such a final administrative determination is 
made within 21 days, no further action need be taken under this subpart.
    (b) Determination within 20 days. If no such final administrative 
determination is made within 21 days of the seizure, Customs shall 
within 20 days after the receipt of the petition make a determination as 
follows:
    (1) If Customs determines that the factors listed in Sec. 171.52(c) 
have been established, it shall terminate the administrative proceedings 
and release the property from seizure, or in the case of a commercial 
fishing industry vessel for which a summons has been issued, but not yet 
answered, dismiss the summons. The property shall not be returned if it 
is evidence of a violation of law.
    (2) If Customs determines that the factors listed in Sec. 171.52(c) 
have not been established, it shall proceed with the administrative 
forfeiture.

[T.D. 89-86, 54 FR 37602, Sept. 11, 1989]