46 USC § 502 - Cargo exempt from forfeiture

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s502"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "46 USC § 502 - Cargo exempt from forfeiture"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
section_number: "502"
section_name: "Cargo exempt from forfeiture"
chapter_number: 5
chapter_name: "OTHER GENERAL PROVISIONS"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-03-26"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 109–304, § 4, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1490.)"
---


# § 502. Cargo exempt from forfeiture

Cargo on a vessel is exempt from forfeiture under this title if—

**(1)** the cargo is owned in good faith by a person not the owner, master, or crewmember of the vessel; and

**(2)** the customs duties on the cargo have been paid or secured for payment as provided by law.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 109–304, § 4, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1490.)

| RevisedSection | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 502 | 46 App.:326. | R.S. § 4378. |