(a) Except as otherwise provided (relating to vessels not required to enter), no merchandise, passengers, or baggage shall be unloaded from any vessel until entry of such vessel has been made and a permit for the unloading of the same issued by the Collector; provided, that the master may make a preliminary entry of a vessel by making oath or affirmation to the truth of the statements contained in the vessel’s manifest, as provided in § 73110, and submitting the manifest to the Customs Officer, as provided in § 73111, but the making of such preliminary entry shall not excuse the master from making formal entry of his vessel at the Customs House, as provided in these regulations. After the entry, preliminary or otherwise, of any vessel, the Collector may issue a permit to the master of the vessel to unload merchandise or baggage but except as provided in Subsection (b) of this Section, merchandise or baggage so unladed shall be retained at the place of unlading until entry therefor is made and a permit for its delivery granted. Any merchandise or baggage so unladed from any vessel for which entry is not made shall be sent to Customs and held as unclaimed at the risk and expense of the consignee in
the case of merchandise and of the owner in case of baggage, until entry thereof is made. A master in violation of this Section shall be subject to a penalty as prescribed in § 73133 of this Article.

(b) The Collector of Customs is authorized to issue special permits for delivery, prior to formal entry thereof, of perishable articles and other articles, the immediate delivery of which is necessary.

SOURCE: GC § 47114. Amended by P.L. 35-105:3 (Oct. 30, 2020).