(a) General authority. A Customs officer, for the purpose of examining the manifest and other documents and papers and examining, inspecting and searching the vessel, may at any time go on board:

(1) Any vessel at any place in the United States or within the Customs waters of the United States;

(2) Any American vessel on the high seas;

(3) Any vessel within a Customs-enforcement area designated such under the provisions of the Anti-Smuggling Act (Act of August 5, 1935, as amended, 49 Stat. 517; 19 U.S.C. 1701, 1703 through 1711), but Customs officers shall not board a foreign vessel upon the high seas in contravention of any treaty with a foreign government, or in the absence of a special arrangement with the foreign government concerned.

(b) Search of army or navy vessel. If the port director or special agent in charge believes that sufficient grounds exist to justify a search of any army or navy vessel, the facts shall be reported to the commanding officer or master of the vessel with a request that he cause a full search to be made, and advise the port director or special agent in charge of the result of such search. If, after the cargo has been discharged, passengers and their baggage landed, and the baggage of officers and crewmembers examined and passed, the port director or special agent in charge believes that sufficient grounds exist to justify the continuance of Customs supervision of the vessel, the commanding officer or master of the vessel shall be advised accordingly.

(c) Assistance of other agencies. Customs officers are authorized to assist any other agency in the enforcement of United States laws on any vessel.

[T.D. 84-18, 48 FR 52899, Nov. 23, 1983]

A Customs officer may search vessels for letters which may be on board or may have been conveyed contrary to law on board any vessel or on any post route, and shall seize such letters and deliver them to the nearest post office or detain them subject to the orders of the postal authorities.

[T.D. 72-211, 37 FR 16488, Aug. 15, 1972]

A customs officer may stop any vehicle and board any aircraft arriving in the United States from a foreign country for the purpose of examining the manifest and other documents and papers and examining, inspecting, and searching the vehicle or aircraft.

[T.D. 72-211, 37 FR 16488, Aug. 15, 1972, as amended by T.D. 90-34, 55 FR 17597, Apr. 26, 1990]

All persons, baggage, and merchandise arriving in the Customs territory of the United States from places outside thereof are liable to inspection and search by a Customs officer. Port directors and special agents in charge are authorized to cause inspection, examination, and search to be made under section 467, Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1467), of persons, baggage, or merchandise, even though such persons, baggage, or merchandise were inspected, examined, searched, or taken on board the vessel at another port or place in the United States or the Virgin Islands, if such action is deemed necessary or appropriate.

[T.D. 72-211, 37 FR 16488, Aug. 15, 1972]

A Customs officer may stop, search, and examine any vehicle, person, or beast, or search any trunk or envelope wherever found, in accordance with section 3061 of the Revised Statutes (19 U.S.C. 482).

[T.D. 72-211, 37 FR 16488, Aug. 15, 1972, as amended by T.D. 90-34, 55 FR 17597, Apr. 26, 1990]

In connection with inspections and examinations conducted in accordance with § 148.22(a) of this chapter, United States Customs officers stationed in a foreign country may exercise such functions and perform such duties (including inspections, examinations, searches, seizures, and arrests), as may be permitted by treaty, agreement, or law of the country in which they are stationed.

[T.D. 89-22, 54 FR 5077, Feb. 1, 1989]