Resources for Understanding US Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Random Inspections

US EXPORTS

19 USC 1646b – RANDOM CUSTOMS INSPECTIONS FOR STOLEN AUTOMOBILES BEING EXPORTED

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title19/pdf/USCODE-2011-title19-chap4-subtitleIII-partVI-sec1646b.pdf

SECTION 1646b in the above link mentions:

§ 1646b. Random customs inspections for stolen automobiles being exported

“The Commissioner of Customs shall direct customs officers to conduct at random inspections of automobiles, and of shipping containers that may contain automobiles that are being exported, for purposes of determining whether such automobiles were stolen.”

EXPORTING A VEHICLE FROM THE UNITED STATES: http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/publications/trade/ export_vehicle.ctt/exportingavehicle.doc – this document provides guidance on proper procedures for exporting used self-propelled motor vehicles and also addresses the issue of random US Customs inspections.

REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPORTING USED SELF-PROPELLED VEHICLES, VESSELS, AND AIRCRAFT: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/CFR-2012-title19-vol2/CFR-2012-title19-vol2-sec192-2

US IMPORTS

19 U.S.C. 1467 – SPECIAL INSPECTION, EXAMINATION, AND SEARCH: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title19/pdf/USCODE-2011-title19-chap4-subtitleIII-partII-sec1467.pdf

SECTION 1467 in the above link mentions:

§ 1467. Special inspection, examination, and search

“Whenever a vessel from a foreign port or place or from a port or place in any Territory or possession of the United States arrives at a port or place in the United States or the Virgin Islands, whether directly or via another port or place in the United States or the Virgin Islands, the appropriate customs officer for such port or place of arrival may, under such regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe and for the purpose of assuring compliance with any law, regulation, or instruction which the Secretary of the Treasury or the Customs Service is authorized to enforce, cause inspection, examination, and search to be made of the persons, baggage, and merchandise discharged or unladen from such vessel, whether or not any or all such persons, baggage, or merchandise has previously been inspected, examined, or searched by officers of the customs.”