---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 14915"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "14915"
heading: "Penalties for failure to give up possession of household goods"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/14915"
units:
  - "Subtitle IV — Interstate Transportation"
  - "Part B — Motor Carriers, Water Carriers, Brokers, and Freight Forwarders"
  - "Chapter 149 — Civil and Criminal Penalties"
---

# §14915. Penalties for failure to give up possession of household goods

- (a) **Civil Penalty.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** Whoever is found holding a [household goods](/usc/49/13102.md?p=10) shipment hostage is liable to the [United States](/usc/49/10102.md?p=10) for a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 for each violation. The [United States](/usc/49/10102.md?p=10) may assign all or a portion of the civil penalty to an aggrieved shipper. The [Secretary](/usc/49/13102.md?p=20) of [Transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) shall establish criteria upon which such assignments shall be made. The [Secretary](/usc/49/13102.md?p=20) may order, after notice and an opportunity for a proceeding, that a [person](/usc/49/13102.md?p=18) found holding a [household goods](/usc/49/13102.md?p=10) shipment hostage return the goods to an aggrieved shipper.
  - (2) **Each day, a separate violation.—** Each day a [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) is found to have failed to give up possession of [household goods](/usc/49/13102.md?p=10) may constitute a separate violation.
  - (3) **Suspension.—** If the [person](/usc/49/13102.md?p=18) found holding a shipment hostage is a [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) or [broker](/usc/49/13102.md?p=2), the [Secretary](/usc/49/13102.md?p=20) may suspend for a period of not less than 12 months nor more than 36 months the registration of such [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) or [broker](/usc/49/13102.md?p=2) under chapter 139. The force and effect of such suspension of a [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) or [broker](/usc/49/13102.md?p=2) shall extend to and include any [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) or [broker](/usc/49/13102.md?p=2) having the same ownership or operational [control](/usc/49/13102.md?p=5) as the suspended [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) or [broker](/usc/49/13102.md?p=2).
  - (4) **Settlement authority.—** Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the [Secretary](/usc/49/13102.md?p=20) from accepting partial payment of a civil penalty as part of a settlement agreement in the public interest, or from holding imposition of any part of a civil penalty in abeyance.
- (b) **Criminal Penalty.—** Whoever has been convicted of having failed to give up possession of [household goods](/usc/49/13102.md?p=10) shall be fined under [title 18](/usc/18.md) or imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both.
- (c) **Failure To Give Up Possession of Household Goods Defined.—** For purposes of this section, the term “failed to give up possession of [household goods](/usc/49/13102.md?p=10)” means the knowing and willful failure, in violation of a contract, to deliver to, or unload at, the destination of a shipment of [household goods](/usc/49/13102.md?p=10) that is subject to jurisdiction under subchapter I or III of [chapter 135](/usc/49/chstIV/ptB/ch135.md) of this title, for which charges have been estimated by the [motor carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=14) providing [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) of such goods, and for which the shipper has tendered a payment described in clause [(i)](/usc/49/13707.md?p=b-3-A-i), [(ii)](/usc/49/13707.md?p=b-3-A-ii), or [(iii)](/usc/49/13707.md?p=b-3-A-iii) of section 13707(b)(3)(A).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 109–59, title IV, § 4210(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1758; amended Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title II, §§ 32922(b), 32923(b), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 828.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2012—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 112–141, § 32922(b), inserted at end “The United States may assign all or a portion of the civil penalty to an aggrieved shipper. The Secretary of Transportation shall establish criteria upon which such assignments shall be made. The Secretary may order, after notice and an opportunity for a proceeding, that a person found holding a household goods shipment hostage return the goods to an aggrieved shipper.”

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 112–141, § 32923(b), added par. (4).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of Title 23, Highways.