19 CFR 162.49 – Forfeiture by court decree
(a) Report to the U.S. attorney or the Department of Justice if the penalty was assessed under section 592, Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. § 1592). When it is necessary to institute legal proceedings in order to forfeit seized property, or to forfeit the value of property subject to forfeiture, the Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Officer or the special agent in charge of the area involved shall furnish a report to the U.S. attorney or the Department of Justice if the penalty was assessed under section 592, Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. § 1592), in accordance with the provisions of section 603, Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. § 1603).
(b) Bonding of seized property. When a claimant desires to file a bond for the release of seized property which is the subject of a court proceeding, he shall be referred to the U.S. attorney. The Government is entitled to recover the penal sum of the bond if forfeiture is then decreed.