Federal · Title 19 — Customs Duties

19 U.S.C. § 70: Obstruction of revenue officers by masters of vessels

Infraction

What this law says, in plain English

A vessel master who obstructs or hinders a revenue officer boarding the vessel for lawful enforcement purposes faces a civil penalty of $500–$2,000 per offense.

Read the full statutory text

If the master of any vessel shall obstruct or hinder, or shall intentionally cause any obstruction or hindrance to any officer in lawfully going on board such vessel, for the purpose of carrying into effect any of the revenue or navigation laws of the United States, he shall for every such offense be liable to a penalty of not more than $2,000 nor less than $500.

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.