Code of Federal Regulations Title 19. Customs Duties § 19.103.27 Procedure in the event of a demand for CBP information in a foreign proceeding

(a) Required prior approval for disclosure. In any foreign proceeding in which CBP is not a party, no CBP employee shall, in response to a demand, furnish CBP documents or testimony as to any material contained in CBP files, any information relating to or based upon material contained in CBP files, or any information or material acquired as part of the performance of that person's official duties (or because of that person's official status) without the prior approval of the Chief Counsel, as described in paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) Employee notification to Counsel. Whenever a demand in a foreign proceeding is made upon a CBP employee concerning pre-clearance activities within the territory of the foreign country, that employee shall immediately notify the appropriate Associate Chief Counsel responsible for the pre-clearance location. All other demands in a foreign proceeding shall be reported by CBP employees to the Chief Counsel. The CBP employee shall then await instructions from the Chief Counsel concerning the response to the demand.

(c) Counsel notification to originating component. Upon receipt of a proper demand for CBP information, one which complies with the provisions of § 103.22(c), if the Chief Counsel believes that it will comply with any part of the demand, it will immediately advise the originating component.

(d) Conditions for authorization of disclosure. The Chief Counsel, subject to the terms of paragraph (e) of this section, may authorize the disclosure of CBP documents or the appearance and testimony of a CBP employee if:

(e) Limitations on the scope of authorized disclosure.