Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

18 U.S.C. § 551

Concealing or destroying invoices or other papers

Whoever willfully conceals or destroys any invoice, book, or paper relating to any merchandise imported into the United States, after an inspection thereof has been demanded by the collector of any collection district; or

Whoever conceals or destroys at any time any such invoice, book, or paper for the purpose of suppressing any evidence of fraud therein contained—

Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

June 25, 1948, ch. 645 62 Stat. 718 Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(K)108 Stat. 2147 (, ; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 64 35 Stat. 1100 Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 120 (, ).

Minor changes were made in phraseology.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 103–3221994— substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $5,000” in last par.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

79 Stat. 1317 64 Stat. 1280 All offices of collector of customs, comptroller of customs, surveyor of customs, and appraiser of merchandise in Bureau of Customs of Department of the Treasury to which appointments were required to be made by President with advice and consent of Senate ordered abolished, with such offices to be terminated not later than , by Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1965, eff. , 30 F.R. 7035, , set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees. All functions of offices eliminated were already vested in Secretary of the Treasury by Reorg. Plan No. 26 of 1950, eff. , 15 F.R. 4935, , set out in the Appendix to Title 5.