49 U.S.C. § 14915 — Penalties for failure to give up possession of household goods

(a) Civil penaltyn(1) Anyone found holding a household-goods shipment hostage is liable to the United States^* for at least $10,000 for each violation. The United States may give all or part of the penalty to an aggrieved shipper, using criteria set by the Secretary^* of Transportation^*. After notice and an opportunity for a proceeding, the Secretary may order the person to return the goods to an aggrieved shipper.n(2) Each day a carrier^* fails to give up possession of household goods may be a separate violation.n(3) If the person is a carrier or broker^*, the Secretary may suspend that carrier’s or broker’s registration under chapter 139 for 12 to 36 months. The suspension also applies to any carrier or broker with the same ownership or operational control as the suspended carrier or broker.n(4) This section does not prevent the Secretary from accepting partial payment of a civil penalty as part of a settlement agreement in the public interest, or from holding enforcement of any part of a civil penalty in abeyance.nn(b) Criminal penaltynA person convicted of having failed to give up possession of household goods may be fined under title 18, imprisoned for up to 2 years, or both.nn(c) Failure To Give Up Possession of Household Goods DefinednFor this section, “failed to give up possession of household goods” means knowingly and willfully failing, in violation of a contract, to deliver household goods to, or unload them at, the shipment’s destination. The shipment must be household goods transportation subject to subchapter I or III of chapter 135 of this title. The motor carrier^* providing the transportation must have estimated the charges, and the shipper must have tendered a payment described in section 13707(b)(3)(A)(i), (ii), or (iii).