Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in act Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 356, title IV, § 607, 42 Stat. 985. That section was superseded by section 607 of act June 17, 1930, comprising this section, and repealed by section 651(a)(1) of the 1930 act.

Prior provisions for publication or posting of notice of seizure, requiring claimants to appear and file their claim, when the appraised value did not exceed $500, were contained in R.S. § 3075, prior to repeal by act Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 356, title IV, § 642, 42 Stat. 989.

1996—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 104–237, § 201(c)(1), inserted “or listed chemical” after “controlled substance”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–237, § 201(c)(2), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: “As used in this section, the term ‘controlled substance’ has the meaning given that term in section 802 of title 21.”

1990—Pub. L. 101–382, § 122(6), substituted “$500,000” for “$100,000” in section catchline.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 101–382, § 122(1), substituted “$500,000” for “$100,000”.

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 101–382, § 122(2)–(4), added par. (4).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–382, § 122(5), added subsec. (c).

1984—Pub. L. 98–573 amended section generally. See explanation below for amendment by Pub. L. 98–473.

Pub. L. 98–473 amended section generally in manner substantially identical to amendment by Pub. L. 98–573. Prior to amendment, section read as follows: “If such value of such vessel, vehicle, merchandise, or baggage does not exceed $10,000, the appropriate customs officer shall cause a notice of the seizure of such articles and the intention to forfeit and sell or otherwise dispose of the same according to law to be published for at least three successive weeks in such manner as the Secretary of the Treasury may direct. For the purposes of this section and sections 1610 and 1612 of this title merchandise the importation of which is prohibited shall be held not to exceed $10,000 in value.”

1978—Pub. L. 95–410 substituted “$10,000” for “$2,500” wherever appearing.

1970—Pub. L. 91–271 substituted reference to appropriate customs officer for reference to collector, and struck out reference to appraiser’s return of value.

1954—Act Sept. 1, 1954, substituted “$2,500” for “$1,000” wherever appearing.

1938—Act June 25, 1938, substituted “forfeit and sell or otherwise dispose of the same according to law” for “forfeit and sell the same”.

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–573 effective Oct. 15, 1984, see section 214(e) of Pub. L. 98–573, set out as a note under section 1304 of this title.

For effective date of amendment by Pub. L. 91–271, see section 203 of Pub. L. 91–271, set out as a note under section 1500 of this title.

Amendment by act June 25, 1938, effective on thirtieth day following June 25, 1938, except as otherwise specifically provided, see section 37 of act June 25, 1938, set out as a note under section 1401 of this title.

For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the United States Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury, including functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 203 (1), 551 (d), 552 (d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.