---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 511e"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "511e"
heading: "Sampling and weighing; cost; disposition of moneys received; expenses; purpose"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/511e"
units:
  - "Chapter 21A — Tobacco Inspection"
---

# §511e. Sampling and weighing; cost; disposition of moneys received; expenses; purpose


The [Secretary](/usc/7/511.md?p=b), independently or in cooperation with other branches of the Government, [State](/usc/7/198.md?p=5) agencies, or [persons](/usc/7/511.md?p=a) whether operating in one or more jurisdictions, is authorized to [employ](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-10) and/or license competent [persons](/usc/7/511.md?p=a) as [samplers](/usc/7/511.md?p=d) to take official samples of [tobacco](/usc/7/511.md?p=f), or as [weighers](/usc/7/511.md?p=e) to weigh and certify the weight of [tobacco](/usc/7/511.md?p=f), or as [inspectors](/usc/7/511.md?p=c) of [tobacco](/usc/7/511.md?p=f) to determine and certify, upon the request of the owner or other financially interested [person](/usc/7/511.md?p=a), the type, grade, weight, condition, and/or such other facts as the [Secretary](/usc/7/511.md?p=b) may deem necessary.

The [Secretary](/usc/7/511.md?p=b) shall fix and collect such fees or charges in the administration of this section as will cover, as nearly as practicable, the costs of the services provided, including administrative and supervisory costs. Such fees and charges shall be credited to the account referred to in [section 511d of this title](/usc/7/511d.md). Fees or charges collected under an agreement with a [State](/usc/7/198.md?p=5), municipality, or [person](/usc/7/511.md?p=a), or by an individual licensed to inspect or weigh or sample [tobacco](/usc/7/511.md?p=f) under this chapter, may be disposed of in accordance with the terms of such agreement or license. Charges for expenses for travel and subsistence incurred by [inspectors](/usc/7/511.md?p=c) or [weighers](/usc/7/511.md?p=e) or [samplers](/usc/7/511.md?p=d) employed by the [Secretary](/usc/7/511.md?p=b) when required to be paid by the applicant for service, may be credited to the appropriation, or any other funds authorized in this chapter from which they were paid.

This section is intended merely to provide for the furnishing of services upon request of the owner or other [person](/usc/7/511.md?p=a) financially interested in [tobacco](/usc/7/511.md?p=f) to be sampled, inspected, or weighed and shall not be construed otherwise.


## Source credit

(Aug. 23, 1935, ch. 623, § 6, 49 Stat. 732; Pub. L. 97–35, title I, § 157(a)(2), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 375.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1981—Pub. L. 97–35 substituted provisions requiring the Secretary to fix and collect fees and charges to cover cost of services, for provisions authorizing the Secretary to fix and collect fees and charges as he deems reasonable and provisions respecting fees or charges collected under an agreement with a State, etc.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–35 effective Oct. 1, 1981, see section 157(b) of Pub. L. 97–35, set out as a note under section 511d of this title.