---
kind: "section"
citation: "40 U.S.C. § 704"
title: "40"
title_heading: "Public Buildings, Property, and Works"
number: "704"
heading: "Other methods of disposal"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/40/704"
units:
  - "Subtitle I — Federal Property and Administrative Services"
  - "Chapter 7 — Foreign Excess Property"
---

# §704. Other methods of disposal

- (a) **In General.—** [Foreign excess property](/usc/40/102.md?p=6) not disposed of under section [702](/usc/40/702.md) or [703](/usc/40/703.md) of this title may be disposed of as provided in this section.
- (b) **Methods of Disposal.—**
  - (1) **Sale, exchange, lease, or transfer.—** The head of an [executive agency](/usc/40/102.md?p=4) may dispose of [foreign excess property](/usc/40/102.md?p=6) by sale, exchange, lease, or transfer, for cash, credit or other [property](/usc/40/102.md?p=9), with or without warranty, under terms and conditions the head of the [executive agency](/usc/40/102.md?p=4) considers proper.
  - (2) **Exchange for foreign currency or credit.—** If the head of an [executive agency](/usc/40/102.md?p=4) determines that it is in the interest of the United States, [foreign excess property](/usc/40/102.md?p=6) may be exchanged for—
    - (A) foreign currencies or credits; or
    - (B) substantial benefits or the discharge of claims resulting from the compromise or settlement of claims in accordance with law.
  - (3) **Abandonment, destruction, or donation.—** The head of an [executive agency](/usc/40/102.md?p=4) may authorize the abandonment, destruction, or donation of [foreign excess property](/usc/40/102.md?p=6) if the [property](/usc/40/102.md?p=9) has no commercial value or if estimated costs of [care and handling](/usc/40/102.md?p=1) exceed the estimated proceeds from sale.
- (c) **Advertising.—** The head of an [executive agency](/usc/40/102.md?p=4) may dispose of [foreign excess property](/usc/40/102.md?p=6) without advertising if the head of the [executive agency](/usc/40/102.md?p=4) finds that disposal without advertising is the most practicable and advantageous means for the Federal Government to dispose of the [property](/usc/40/102.md?p=9).
- (d) **Transfer of Title.—** The head of an [executive agency](/usc/40/102.md?p=4) may execute documents to transfer title or other interests in, and take other action necessary or proper to dispose of, [foreign excess property](/usc/40/102.md?p=6).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 107–217, Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1126.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 704 | 40:512(a). | June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title IV, § 402(a), 63 Stat. 398; Pub. L. 91–426, § 2(a)–(c), Sept. 26, 1970, 84 Stat. 883; Pub. L. 99–627, § 3(a), Nov. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 3509. |