Limit of time for unlading.
Whenever any merchandise shall be imported into any port of the United States from any foreign port, in any vessel, at the expiration of ten working days if the vessel is less than five hundred tons register, and within fifteen working days if it is of five hundred tons register and less than one thousand, and within twenty working days if it is of one thousand tons register and less than fifteen hundred, and within twenty-five working days if it is of fifteen hundred tons register and upward, not including legal holidays and days when the condition of the weather prevents the unlading of the vessel with safety to its cargo, after the time within which the report of the master of any vessel is required to be made to the collector of the district, if there is found any merchandise other than has been reported for some other district or some foreign port, the collector shall take possession thereof; but with the consent of the owner or consignee of any merchandise, or with the consent of the owner or master of the vessel in which the same may be imported, the merchandise may be taken possession of by the collector after one day's notice to the collector of the district. All merchandise so taken shall be delivered pursuant to the order of the collector of the district, for which a certificate or receipt shall be granted. (R. S., 2880; May 9, 1896.)
The limitation of time for unlading, prescribed by the preceding section, shall not extend to vessels laden exclusively with coal, salt, sugar, hides, dyewoods, wool, or jute butts, consigned to one consignee, arriving at a port for orders; but if the master of any such vessel requires a longer time to discharge her cargo, the wages or compensation of the inspector, for every day's attendance exceeding the number of days allowed by law, shall be paid by the master or owner; and thereupon the collector is hereby authorized and required to allow such longer time, not exceeding fifteen days. (R. S., 2881; June 3, 1892; sec. 2.)
All merchandise of which the collector shall take possession under the provisions relating to the time for the discharge of a vessel's cargo shall be kept with due and reasonable care at the charge and risk of the owner. (R. S., 2969.)