§ 73.401 Gifts and decorations from foreign governments.

(a) An employee may not request or otherwise encourage the tender of a gift or decorations from a foreign government or official of a foreign government. (b) An employee may accept from a foreign government: (1) A gift which is in the nature of medical treatment or an educational scholarship; (2) A tangible gift of minimal value, as defined in § 73.102, tendered or received as a mark of courtesy; (3) A tangible gift of more than minimal value when it appears that to refuse the gift would be likely to cause offense or embarrassment or otherwise adversely affect the foreign relations of the United States. However, the acceptance of such a gift would be on behalf of the United States and the gift would become the property of the United States. Employees should refer to internal Department guides for information regarding the disposition of a gift accepted under these circumstances. (4) An employee may accept from a foreign government gifts of travel or expenses for travel (such as transportation, food, and lodging) taking place entirely outside the United States of more than minimal value, as defined in § 73.102, if such acceptance is appropriate, consistent with the interests of the United States, and approved by the travel approving authority) in accordance with the HHS Travel Policy Manual. (5) An employee may accept, retain, and wear a decoration tendered in recognition of active field service in time of combat operations or awarded for other outstanding or unusually meritorious performance, subject to the approval of the Secretary or the Secretary's designee. (c) An employee's spouse (unless they are separated) and dependents (within the meaning of section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) are also subject to the regulations in this section. However, if a member of an employee's family and household is employed by another agency of the Government, the offer or acceptance of a gift shall be treated under the regulations of that agency.