Title 19

SECTION 162.77a

162.77a Prepenalty notice for violation of section 593A, Tariff Act of 1930, as amended.

§ 162.77a Prepenalty notice for violation of section 593A, Tariff Act of 1930, as amended.

(a) When required. If the appropriate Customs field officer has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of section 593A, Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1593a) has occurred, and determines that further proceedings are warranted, the officer will issue to the person concerned a notice of intent to issue a claim for a monetary penalty.

(b) Contents - (1) Facts of violation. The prepenalty notice will:

(i) Identify the drawback claim;

(ii) Set forth the details relating to the seeking, inducing, or affecting, or the attempted seeking, inducing, or affecting, or the aiding or procuring of, the drawback claim;

(iii) Specify all laws and regulations allegedly violated;

(iv) Disclose all the material facts which establish the alleged violation;

(v) State whether the alleged violation occurred as a result of fraud or negligence; and

(vi) State the estimated actual or potential loss of revenue due to the drawback claim and, taking into account all circumstances, the amount of the proposed monetary penalty.

(2) Right to make presentations. The prepenalty notice also will inform the person of his right to make an oral and a written presentation within 30 days of mailing of the notice (or such shorter period as may be prescribed under § 162.78) as to why a claim for a monetary penalty should not be issued or, if issued, why it should be in a lesser amount than proposed.

(c) Exceptions. A prepenalty notice will not be issued for a violation of 19 U.S.C. 1593a if the amount of the proposed monetary penalty is $1,000 or less.

(d) Prior approval. If an alleged violation of 19 U.S.C. 1593a occurred as a result of fraud, a prepenalty notice will not be issued without prior approval by Customs Headquarters.

[T.D. 00-5; 65 FR 3809, Jan. 25, 2000]

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