---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 543"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "543"
heading: "Entry of goods for less than legal duty"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/543"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 27 — Customs"
---

# §543. Entry of goods for less than legal duty


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), being an [officer](/usc/18/202.md?p=c) of the revenue, knowingly admits to entry, any goods, wares, or merchandise, upon payment of less than the amount of duty legally due, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both, and removed from office.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 716; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 125 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 68, 35 Stat. 1101).

Reference to persons aiding, contained in words “or aid in admitting,” was omitted as unnecessary as such persons are made principals by section 2 of this title.

Changes were made in phraseology.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $5,000”.