19 U.S.C. § 1308 - Prohibition on importation of dog and cat fur products

• Cite as: 19 U.S.C. § 1308

(a) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Cat fur

The term "cat fur" means the pelt or skin of any animal of the species Felis catus.

(2) Interstate commerce

The term "interstate commerce" means the transportation for sale, trade, or use between any State, territory, or possession of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and any place outside thereof.

(3) Customs laws

The term "customs laws of the United States" means any other law or regulation enforced or administered by the United States Customs Service.

(4) Designated authority

The term "designated authority" means the Secretary of the Treasury, with respect to the prohibitions under subsection (b)(1)(A), and the President (or the President's designee), with respect to the prohibitions under subsection (b)(1)(B).

(5) Dog fur

The term "dog fur" means the pelt or skin of any animal of the species Canis familiaris.

(6) Dog or cat fur product

The term "dog or cat fur product" means any item of merchandise which consists, or is composed in whole or in part, of any dog fur, cat fur, or both.

(7) Person

The term "person" includes any individual, partnership, corporation, association, organization, business trust, government entity, or other entity subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

(8) United States

The term "United States" means the customs territory of the United States, as defined in general note 2 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.

(b) Prohibitions

(1) In general

It shall be unlawful for any person to-

(A) import into, or export from, the United States any dog or cat fur product; or

(B) introduce into interstate commerce, manufacture for introduction into interstate commerce, sell, trade, or advertise in interstate commerce, offer to sell, or transport or distribute in interstate commerce in the United States, any dog or cat fur product.

(2) Exception

This subsection shall not apply to the importation, exportation, or transportation, for noncommercial purposes, of a personal pet that is deceased, including a pet preserved through taxidermy.

(c) Penalties and enforcement

(1) Civil penalties

(A) In general

Any person who violates any provision of this section or any regulation issued under this section may, in addition to any other civil or criminal penalty that may be imposed under title 18 or any other provision of law, be assessed a civil penalty by the designated authority of not more than-

(i) $10,000 for each separate knowing and intentional violation;

(ii) $5,000 for each separate grossly negligent violation; or

(iii) $3,000 for each separate negligent violation.

(B) Debarment

The designated authority may prohibit a person from importing, exporting, transporting, distributing, manufacturing, or selling any fur product in the United States, if the designated authority finds that the person has engaged in a pattern or practice of actions that has resulted in a final administrative determination with respect to the assessment of civil penalties for knowing and intentional or grossly negligent violations of any provision of this section or any regulation issued under this section.