§ 12.104e Seizure and forfeiture.

(a) Whenever any designated archaeological or ethnological material is imported into the U.S. in violation of 19 U.S.C. 2606, and the importer states in writing that he will not attempt to secure the certificate, documentation, or evidence, or the electronic equivalent, required by § 12.104c, or such certificate, documentation, or evidence, or the electronic equivalent, is not presented to the port director before the expiration of the time provided in § 12.104d, the material shall be seized and summarily forfeited to the U.S. in accordance with part 162 of this chapter. (1) Any designated archaeological or ethnological material which is forfeited to the U.S. shall, in accordance with the provisions of Title III of Pub. L. 97-446, 19 U.S.C. 2609(b): (i) First be offered for return to the State Party; (ii) If not returned to the State Party be returned to a claimant with respect to whom the designated material was forfeited if that claimant establishes— (A) Valid title to the material; (B) That the claimant is a bona fide purchaser for value of the material; or (iii) If not returned to the State Party under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section or to a claimant under paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, be disposed of in the manner prescribed by law for articles forfeited for violation of the customs laws. No return of material may be made under paragraph (a)(1) (i) or (ii) of this section unless the State Party or claimant, as the case may be, bears the expenses incurred incident to the return and delivery, and complies with such other requirements relating to the return as the Secretary shall prescribe. (b) Whenever any stolen article of cultural property is imported into the U.S. in violation of 19 U.S.C. 2607, such cultural property shall be seized and forfeited to the U.S. in accordance with part 162 of this chapter. (1) Any stolen article of cultural property which is forfeited to the U.S. shall, in accordance with the provisions of Title III of Pub. L. 97-446, 2609(c): (i) First be offered for return to the State Party in whose territory is situated the institution referred to in 19 U.S.C. 2607 and shall be returned if that State Party bears the expenses incident to such return and delivery and complies with such other requirements relating to the return as the Secretary prescribes; or (ii) If not returned to such State Party, be disposed of in the manner prescribed by law for articles forfeited for violation of the customs laws.