19 CFR § 171.53 - Ruling on petition for expedited procedures.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t19/s171.53"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "19 CFR § 171.53 - Ruling on petition for expedited procedures."
title_number: 19
title_name: "Customs Duties"
section_number: "171.53"
section_name: "Ruling on petition for expedited procedures."
chapter_name: "U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY; DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY"
part_number: "171"
part_name: "FINES, PENALTIES, AND FORFEITURES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "18 U.S.C. 983; 19 U.S.C. 66, 1592, 1593a, 1618, 1624; 22 U.S.C. 401; 31 U.S.C. 5321."
regulatory_source: "T.D. 70-249, 35 FR 18265, Dec. 1, 1970, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "171"
---


# 171.53 Ruling on petition for expedited procedures.

(a) *Final administrative determination.* Upon receipt of a petition filed pursuant to § 171.52, Customs shall determine first whether a final administrative determination of the case can be made within 21 days of the seizure. If such a final administrative determination is made within 21 days, no further action need be taken under this subpart.

(b) *Determination within 20 days.* If no such final administrative determination is made within 21 days of the seizure, Customs shall within 20 days after the receipt of the petition make a determination as follows:

(1) If Customs determines that the factors listed in § 171.52(c) have been established, it shall terminate the administrative proceedings and release the property from seizure, or in the case of a commercial fishing industry vessel for which a summons has been issued, but not yet answered, dismiss the summons. The property shall not be returned if it is evidence of a violation of law.

(2) If Customs determines that the factors listed in § 171.52(c) have not been established, it shall proceed with the administrative forfeiture.

[T.D. 89-86, 54 FR 37602, Sept. 11, 1989]