Regulations last checked for updates: May 01, 2025

Title 49 - Transportation last revised: Mar 20, 2025
§ 1503.401 - Maximum penalty amounts.

(a) General. TSA may assess civil penalties not exceeding the following amounts against a person for the violation of a TSA requirement.

(b) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, in the case of violation of title 49 U.S.C. or 46 U.S.C. chapter 701, or a regulation prescribed or order issued under any of those provisions, TSA may impose a civil penalty in the following amounts:

(1) For violations that occurred on or before November 2, 2015, $10,000 per violation, up to a total of $50,000 per civil penalty action, in the case of an individual or small business concern (“small business concern” as defined in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632)). For violations that occurred after November 2, 2015, $14,602 per violation, up to a total of $73,011 per civil penalty action, in the case of an individual or small business concern; and

(2) For violations that occurred on or before November 2, 2015, $10,000 per violation, up to a total of $400,000 per civil penalty action, in the case of any other person. For violations that occurred after November 2, 2015, $14,602 per violation, up to a total of $584,078 per civil penalty action, in the case of any other person.

(c) Certain aviation related violations. In the case of a violation of 49 U.S.C. chapter 449 (except sections 44902, 44903(d), 44907(a)-(d)(1)(A), 44907(d)(1)(C)-(f), 44908, and 44909), or 49 U.S.C. 46302 or 46303, or a regulation prescribed or order issued under any of those provisions, TSA may impose a civil penalty in the following amounts:

(1) For violations that occurred on or before November 2, 2015, $10,000 per violation, up to a total of $50,000 per civil penalty action, in the case of an individual or small business concern (“small business concern” as defined in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632)). For violations that occurred after November 2, 2015, $17,062 per violation, up to a total of $85,314 per civil penalty action, in the case of an individual (except an airman serving as an airman), or a small business concern.

(2) For violations that occurred on or before November 2, 2015, $10,000 per violation, up to a total of $400,000 per civil penalty action, in the case of any other person (except an airman serving as an airman) not operating an aircraft for the transportation of passengers or property for compensation. For violations that occurred after November 2, 2015, $17,062 per violation, up to a total of $682,509 per civil penalty action, in the case of any other person (except an airman serving as an airman) not operating an aircraft for the transportation of passengers or property for compensation.

(3) For violations that occurred on or before November 2, 2015, $25,000 per violation, up to a total of $400,000 per civil penalty action, in the case of a person operating an aircraft for the transportation of passengers or property for compensation (except an individual serving as an airman). For violations that occurred after November 2, 2015, $42,657 per violation, up to a total of $682,509 per civil penalty action, in the case of a person (except an individual serving as an airman) operating an aircraft for the transportation of passengers or property for compensation.

[81 FR 8583, Jan. 27, 2017, as amended at 83 FR 13838, Apr. 2, 2018; 84 FR 13512, Apr. 5, 2019; 85 FR 36482, June 17, 2020; 86 FR 57544, Oct. 18, 2021; 87 FR 1330, Jan. 11, 2022; 88 FR 2186, Jan. 13, 2023; 89 FR 53863, June 28, 2024; 90 FR 13, Jan. 2, 2025]
authority: : 6 U.S.C. 1142; 18 U.S.C. 6002; 28 U.S.C. 2461 (note); 49 U.S.C. 114,20109,31105,40113,40119,44901,44939,46101,46109,46301,46305,46311,46313; Pub. L. 110-53 (121 Stat. 266, Aug. 3, 2007) secs. 1408 (6 U.S.C. 1137), 1501 (6 U.S.C. 1151), 1517 (6 U.S.C. 1167), and 1534 (6 U.S.C. 1184)
source: 74 FR 36039, July 21, 2009, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 49 CFR 1503.401