Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 551: Concealing or destroying invoices or other papers

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

Federal law criminalizes willfully concealing or destroying import-related documents after inspection demand or to suppress fraud evidence, punishable by fine and/or up to two years imprisonment.

Read the full statutory text

Whoever willfully conceals or destroys any invoice, book, or paper relating to any merchandise imported into the United States, after an inspection thereof has been demanded by the collector of any collection district; or Whoever conceals or destroys at any time any such invoice, book, or paper for the purpose of suppressing any evidence of fraud therein contained— Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.