22 U.S.C. § 288a — Privileges, exemptions, and immunities of international organizations

This section lists the status, immunities, exemptions, and privileges that international organizations get under this subchapter. (a) Legal capacity. To the extent their founding document allows it, international organizations can (i) make contracts; (ii) buy and get rid of real and personal property; and (iii) start legal proceedings (sue in court). (b) Immunity from suit. International organizations, and their property and assets no matter where located or who holds them, get the same immunity from lawsuits and from every kind of court process that foreign governments get. This immunity does not apply where the organization has clearly given it up (waived it), either for a specific case or under the terms of a contract. (c) Immunity of property and archives. The property and assets of international organizations, wherever located and whoever holds them, cannot be searched or confiscated unless the organization clearly waives that protection. Their archives cannot be entered or interfered with (they are "inviolable"). (d) Customs, taxes, agent registration, and communications. For customs duties and internal-revenue taxes tied to importing goods (and the procedures around that), for registering as a foreign agent, and for how their official communications are treated, international organizations get the same privileges, exemptions, and immunities that foreign governments get under similar circumstances.