[USMCmech]

First the bad news, customs (and DOT/TSA) regulations are part of "criminal law" which means you can actually be thrown in jail if you bust them.

The good news is that under criminal law you have the right to due process, unlike adminstrative law where the FAA is judge, jury and exicutioner.


For a possible 5k fine, I'd be contacting a lawyer if for nothing else to learn about what having this violation on the record books means.