(a) Types of articles. Various articles, as described in section 305, Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1305), and in part 12 of this chapter, are prohibited from importation. This prohibition includes the following types of articles:

(1) Obscene matter;

(2) Articles for causing unlawful abortion (see § 145.52 for the treatment of literature pertaining to such articles);

(3) Matter advocating treason or insurrection against the United States or forcible resistance to any law of the United States;

(4) Matter containing any threat to take the life of or inflict bodily harm upon any person in the United States; and

(5) Lottery matter, except any lottery ticket, printed paper that may be used as a lottery ticket, or advertisement of any lottery, that is printed in Canada for use in connection with a lottery conducted in the United States.

(b) Disposition of articles. Mail found to contain lottery matter shall be disposed of by the Postal Service under the postal laws and regulations. Mail found to contain any of the other prohibited articles described in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(4) of this section shall be given appropriate treatment by Customs under the Customs laws and regulations (see § 12.40 of this chapter).

Mail articles containing literature or advertisements concerning devices to produce unlawful abortions, are prohibited from the mails by 18 U.S.C. 1461, and shall be retained by, or delivered to, the Postal Service for disposition under the postal laws and regulations. If the Postal Service determines in any case that it is proper to release the material to the addressee, it shall be submitted for Customs treatment before delivery.

Importations of firearms, munitions of war, and related articles are subject to the import permit requirements and other restrictions set forth in 27 CFR parts 47, 178, 179.

(a) Nonmailable. Alcoholic beverages are nonmailable, with certain exceptions (see 18 U.S.C. 1716 and the postal regulations), and when imported in the mails are subject to seizure and forfeiture under 18 U.S.C. 545.

(b) Seizure. When alcoholic beverages are received in the mails, they shall be seized, and the addressee shall be advised that they are subject to forfeiture and that he has a right to file a petition for their release (see part 171 of this chapter).

(c) Conditions for release. If the port director is satisfied that there was no fraudulent intent involved, he may release the alcoholic beverages to the addressee upon the following conditions:

(1) Applicable duty and internal revenue tax shall be paid.

(2) The addressee shall comply with the alcoholic beverage laws of the State to which the shipment is destined.

(3) Any other conditions the port director may impose under his authority to remit or mitigate fines, penalties, and forfeitures shall be complied with.

(4) The addressee, his representative, or a common carrier shall pick up the merchandise at the Customs office where it is being held. Since the merchandise is nonmailable, it cannot be delivered by the Postal Service.

Merchandise bearing a trademark or trade name entitled to protection against imports, merchandise bearing a mark or name that copies or simulates such a trademark or trade name, and merchandise which is in violation of copyright law is subject to the restrictions and prohibitions set forth in part 133 of this chapter.

Merchandise subject to regulations of the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Treasury Department prohibiting or restricting entry of unlicensed importations of articles directly or indirectly from certain designated countries shall be detained until licensed or the question of its release, seizure, or other disposition has been determined under the Foreign Assets Control or Cuban Assets Control regulations (31 CFR parts 500 and 515) (See also 19 CFR 12.150).

Certain types of plants and plant products, food, drugs, cosmetics, hazardous or caustic and corrosive substances, viruses, serums, and various harmful articles are subject to examination and clearance by appropriate agencies before release to the addressee (see part 12 of this chapter).

Other restrictions and prohibitions pertaining to certain types of imported merchandise are set forth in part 12 of this chapter and are applicable to importations by mail.

(a) Articles prohibited and contrary to law. All mail shipments containing articles the importation of which is prohibited, or articles imported into the United States in any manner contrary to law, shall be seized or detained as appropriate and held by Customs officers for appropriate treatment, except for certain articles which will be handled by the Postal Service as specified in §§ 145.51 and 145.52.

(b) Notification of seizure or detention. In all cases where articles are seized or detained by Customs officers, the addressee shall be notified of the seizure or detention, of the reason for such action, and, if appropriate, of his right to petition for relief (see part 171 of this chapter).