§148.23. Examination and clearance of baggage. — Inbound Citations

(a) When places have been established in a foreign country where U.S. Customs officers have been stationed for the purpose of conducting Customs inspections and examinations (see §§ 101.5 and 162.8 of this chapter), persons destined to the United States on flights shall present themselves to those officers for inspection and examination of their baggage which may be passed in accordance with § 148.23 prior to boarding the flight. They shall comply with all U.S. Customs laws and other civil and criminal laws of the United States relating to importation of merchandise, including baggage, to the filing of false or fraudulent statements, and to the unlawful removal of merchandise from Customs custody, in the same manner as if the passengers, were arriving at an airport within the Customs territory of the United States. When baggage is examined in foreign territory, the baggage declaration shall be surrendered to the Customs officer at the airport of departure for the United States prior to boarding the flight.

(a) In determining the dutiable value of articles examined under § 148.23, the Customs inspector shall apply the principles of section 402, Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1401a), and shall not regard the declared value or price as conclusive.

Articles not personal in character, or which are intended for sale or are brought in on commission for another person, may be included in the baggage declaration of a resident or nonresident under the conditions specified in § 148.23(c). If not so included, regular entry shall be required.