---
kind: "section"
citation: "28 U.S.C. § 2462"
title: "28"
title_heading: "Judiciary and Judicial Procedure"
number: "2462"
heading: "Time for commencing proceedings"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/28/2462"
units:
  - "Part VI — Particular Proceedings"
  - "Chapter 163 — Fines, Penalties and Forfeitures"
---

# §2462. Time for commencing proceedings


Except as otherwise provided by Act of Congress, an action, suit or proceeding for the enforcement of any civil fine, penalty, or forfeiture, pecuniary or otherwise, shall not be entertained unless commenced within five years from the date when the claim first accrued if, within the same period, the offender or the [property](/usc/28/3002.md?p=12) is found within the [United States](/usc/28/3002.md?p=15) in order that proper service may be made thereon.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 974.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 791 (R.S. § 1047).

Changes were made in phraseology.