Collapse to view only § 1455. Boarding and discharging inspectors

§ 1431. Manifests
(a) In general
(b) Production of manifest
(c) Public disclosure of certain manifest information
(1) Except as provided in subparagraph (2), the following information, when contained in a vessel vessel 1
1 So in original.
or aircraft manifest, shall be available for public disclosure:
(A) The name and address of each importer or consignee and the name and address of the shipper to such importer or consignee, unless the importer or consignee has made a biennial certification, in accordance with procedures adopted by the Secretary of the Treasury, claiming confidential treatment of such information.
(B) The general character of the cargo.
(C) The number of packages and gross weight.
(D) The name of the vessel, aircraft, or carrier.
(E) The seaport or airport of loading.
(F) The seaport or airport of discharge.
(G) The country of origin of the shipment.
(H) The trademarks appearing on the goods or packages.
(2)
(A) The information listed in paragraph (1) shall not be available for public disclosure if—
(i) the Secretary of the Treasury makes an affirmative finding on a shipment-by-shipment basis that disclosure is likely to pose a threat of personal injury or property damage; or
(ii) the information is exempt under the provisions of section 552(b)(1) of title 5.
(B) The Secretary shall ensure that any personally identifiable information, including Social Security numbers and passport numbers, is removed from any manifest signed, produced, delivered, or electronically transmitted under this section before access to the manifest is provided to the public.
(3) The Secretary of the Treasury, in order to allow for the timely dissemination and publication of the information listed in paragraph (1), shall establish procedures to provide access to manifests. Such procedures shall include provisions for adequate protection against the public disclosure of information not available for public disclosure from such manifests.
(d) Regulations
(1) In generalThe Secretary shall by regulation—
(A) specify the form for, and the information and data that must be contained in, the manifest required by subsection (a);
(B) allow, at the option of the individual producing the manifest and subject to paragraph (2), letters and documents shipments to be accounted for by summary manifesting procedures;
(C) prescribe the manner of production for, and the delivery for electronic transmittal of, the manifest required by subsection (a); and
(D) prescribe the manner for supplementing manifests with bill of lading data under subsection (b).
(2) Letters and documents shipmentsFor purposes of paragraph (1)(B)—
(A) the Customs Service may require with respect to letters and documents shipments—
(i) that they be segregated by country of origin, and
(ii) additional examination procedures that are not necessary for individually manifested shipments;
(B) standard letter envelopes and standard document packs shall be segregated from larger document shipments for purposes of customs inspections; and
(C) the term “letters and documents” means—
(i) data described in General Headnote 4(c) of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States,
(ii) securities and similar evidences of value described in span 4907 of such Schedule, but not monetary instruments defined pursuant to chapter 53 of title 31, and
(iii) personal correspondence, whether on paper, cards, photographs, tapes, or other media.
(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 431, 46 Stat. 710; Aug. 8, 1953, ch. 397, § 15, 67 Stat. 516; Pub. L. 98–573, title II, § 203, Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2974; Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, § 7367(c)(1), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4479; Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 635, Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2199; Pub. L. 104–153, § 11, July 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 1389; Pub. L. 104–295, § 3(a)(3), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3515; Pub. L. 118–39, § 2(a), Feb. 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 16.)
§ 1431a. Documentation of waterborne cargo
(a) Applicability
(b) Documentation required
(1) No shipper of cargo subject to this section (including an ocean transportation intermediary that is a non-vessel-operating common carrier (as defined in section 3(17)(B) of the Shipping Act of 1984 (46 U.S.C. App. 1702(17)(B) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
) 2
2 So in original. Probably should be “1702(17)(B))))”.
may tender or cause to be tendered to a vessel carrier cargo subject to this section for loading on a vessel in a United States port, unless such cargo is properly documented pursuant to this subsection.
(2) For the purposes of this subsection, cargo shall be considered properly documented if the shipper submits to the vessel carrier or its agent a complete set of shipping documents no later than 24 hours after the cargo is delivered to the marine terminal operator, but under no circumstances later than 24 hours prior to departure of the vessel.
(3) A complete set of shipping documents shall include—
(A) for shipments for which a shipper’s export declaration is required, a copy of the export declaration or, if the shipper files such declarations electronically in the Automated Export System, the complete bill of lading, and the master or equivalent shipping instructions, including the Internal Transaction Number (ITN); or
(B) for shipments for which a shipper’s export declaration is not required, a shipper’s export declaration exemption statement and such other documents or information as the Secretary may by regulation prescribe.
(4) The Secretary shall by regulation prescribe the time, manner, and form by which shippers shall transmit documents or information required under this subsection to the Customs Service.
(c) Loading undocumented cargo prohibited
(1) No marine terminal operator (as defined in section 3(14) of the Shipping Act of 1984 (46 U.S.C. App. 1702(14))) 1 may load, or cause to be loaded, any cargo subject to this section on a vessel unless instructed by the vessel carrier operating the vessel that such cargo has been properly documented in accordance with this section.
(2) When cargo is booked by 1 vessel carrier to be transported on the vessel of another vessel carrier, the booking carrier shall notify the operator of the vessel that the cargo has been properly documented in accordance with this section. The operator of the vessel may rely on such notification in releasing the cargo for loading aboard the vessel.
(d) Reporting of undocumented cargo
(1) In general
(2) Sharing arrangements
(3) Reassignment to another vessel
(4) Multiple containers
(e) Assessment of penalties
(f) Seizure of undocumented cargo
(1) Any cargo that is not properly documented pursuant to this section and has remained in the marine terminal for more than 48 hours after being delivered to the marine terminal operator shall be subject to search, seizure, and forfeiture.
(2) The shipper of any such cargo is liable to the marine terminal operator and to the ocean carrier for demurrage and other applicable charges for any undocumented cargo which has been notified to or searched or seized by the Customs Service for the entire period the cargo remains under the order and direction of the Customs Service. Unless the cargo is seized by the Customs Service and forfeited, the marine terminal operator and the ocean carrier shall have a lien on the cargo for the amount of the demurrage and other charges.
(g) Effect on other provisions
(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 431A, as added Pub. L. 107–210, div. A, title III, § 343(b), Aug. 6, 2002, 116 Stat. 983; amended Pub. L. 107–295, title I, § 108(a), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2088.)
§§ 1432, 1432a. Repealed. Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 690(b)(1), (c)(5), Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2223
§ 1433. Report of arrival of vessels, vehicles, and aircraft
(a) Vessel arrival
(1) Immediately upon the arrival at any port or place within the United States or the Virgin Islands of—
(A) any vessel from a foreign port or place;
(B) any foreign vessel from a domestic port;
(C) any vessel of the United States carrying foreign merchandise for which entry has not been made; or
(D) any vessel which has visited a hovering vessel or received merchandise while outside the territorial sea;
the master of the vessel shall report the arrival at the nearest customs facility or such other place as the Secretary may prescribe by regulations.
(2) The Secretary may by regulation—
(A) prescribe the manner in which arrivals are to be reported under paragraph (1); and
(B) extend the time in which reports of arrival must be made, but not later than 24 hours after arrival.
(b) Vehicle arrival
(1) Vehicles may arrive in the United States only at border crossing points designated by the Secretary.
(2) Except as otherwise authorized by the Secretary, immediately upon the arrival of any vehicle in the United States at a border crossing point, the person in charge of the vehicle shall—
(A) report the arrival; and
(B) present the vehicle, and all persons and merchandise (including baggage) on board, for inspection;
to the customs officer at the customs facility designated for that crossing point.
(c) Aircraft arrival
(d) Presentation of documentation
(e) Prohibition on departures and dischargeUnless otherwise authorized by law, a vessel, aircraft or vehicle after arriving in the United States or Virgin Islands may, but only in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary—
(1) depart from the port, place, or airport of arrival; or
(2) discharge any passenger or merchandise (including baggage).
(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 433, 46 Stat. 711; Pub. L. 99–570, title III, § 3112, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–80; Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 652, Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2209; Pub. L. 106–476, title I, § 1452(a)(1), Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2167.)
§ 1434. Entry; vessels
(a) Formal entryWithin 24 hours (or such other period of time as may be provided under subsection (c)(2)) after the arrival at any port or place in the United States of—
(1) any vessel from a foreign port or place;
(2) any foreign vessel from a domestic port;
(3) any vessel of the United States having on board foreign merchandise for which entry has not been made; or
(4) any vessel which has visited a hovering vessel or has delivered or received merchandise while outside the territorial sea;
the master of the vessel shall, unless otherwise provided by law, make formal entry at the nearest customs facility or such other place as the Secretary may prescribe by regulation.
(b) Preliminary entry
(c) RegulationsThe Secretary may by regulation—
(1) prescribe the manner and format in which entry under subsection (a) or subsection (b), or both, must be made, and such regulations may provide that any such entry may be made electronically pursuant to an electronic data interchange system;
(2) provide that—
(A) formal entry must be made within a greater or lesser time than 24 hours after arrival, but in no case more than 48 hours after arrival, and
(B) formal entry may be made before arrival; and
(3) authorize the Customs Service to permit entry or preliminary entry of any vessel to be made at a place other than a designated port of entry, under such conditions as may be prescribed.
(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 434, 46 Stat. 711; Aug. 5, 1935, ch. 438, title III. § 301, 49 Stat. 527; Pub. L. 91–271, title III, § 301(b), June 2, 1970, 84 Stat. 287; Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 653, Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2210; Pub. L. 106–476, title I, § 1452(a)(2), Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2167.)
§ 1435. Repealed. Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 690(b)(2), Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2223
§ 1435a. Transferred
§ 1435b. Repealed. Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 690(c)(6), Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2223
§ 1436. Penalties for violations of arrival, reporting, entry, and clearance requirements
(a) Unlawful acts
It is unlawful—
(1) to fail to comply with section 1431, 1433, or 1434 of this title or section 60105 of title 46;
(2) to present or transmit, electronically or otherwise, any forged, altered, or false document, paper, information, data or manifest to the Customs Service under section 1431, 1433(d), or 1434 of this title or section 60105 of title 46 without revealing the facts;
(3) to fail to make entry or to obtain clearance as required by section 1434 or 1644 of this title, section 60105 of title 46, or section 1644a(b)(1) or (c)(1) of this title; or
(4) to fail to comply with, or violate, any regulation prescribed under any section referred to in any of paragraphs (1) through (3).
(b) Civil penalty
(c) Criminal penalty
(d) Additional civil penalty
(e) Civil penalties for postal shipments
(1) Civil penalty
(2) Modification of civil penalty
(A) In general
U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall reduce or dismiss a civil penalty imposed pursuant to paragraph (1) if U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines that the United States Postal Service—
(i) has a low error rate in compliance with section 1415(a)(3)(K) of this title;
(ii) is cooperating with U.S. Customs and Border Protection with respect to the violation of section 1415(a)(3)(K)(vii)(I) of this title; or
(iii) has taken remedial action to prevent future violations of section 1415(a)(3)(K)(vii)(I) of this title.
(B) Written notification
(3) Ongoing lack of compliance
If U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines that the United States Postal Service—
(A) has repeatedly committed violations of section 1415(a)(3)(K)(vii)(I) of this title,
(B) has failed to cooperate with U.S. Customs and Border Protection with respect to violations of section 1415(a)(3)(K)(vii)(I) of this title, and
(C) has an increasing error rate in compliance with section 1415(a)(3)(K) of this title,
civil penalties may be imposed against the United States Postal Service until corrective action, satisfactory to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is taken.
(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 436, 46 Stat. 711; Aug. 5, 1935, ch. 438, title II, § 202, 49 Stat. 521; Pub. L. 99–570, title III, § 3113(a), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–81; Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 611, Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2170; Pub. L. 104–295, § 21(e)(3), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3530; Pub. L. 115–271, title VIII, § 8007, Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 4080.)
§ 1436a. Report on violations of arrival, reporting, entry, and clearance requirements and falsity or lack of manifest
(a) In general
(b) Information described
The information described in this subsection is the following:
(1) The name and address of the violator.
(2) The specific violation that was committed.
(3) The location or port of entry through which the items were transported.
(4) An inventory of the items seized, including a description of the items and the quantity seized.
(5) The location from which the items originated.
(6) The entity responsible for the apprehension or seizure, organized by location or port of entry.
(7) The amount of penalties assessed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, organized by name of the violator and location or port of entry.
(8) The amount of penalties that U.S. Customs and Border Protection could have levied, organized by name of the violator and location or port of entry.
(9) The rationale for negotiating lower penalties, organized by name of the violator and location or port of entry.
(c) Appropriate congressional committees defined
In this section, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means—
(1) the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives.
(Pub. L. 115–271, title VIII, § 8008, Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 4081.)
§ 1437. Repealed. Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 690(b)(3), Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2223
§ 1438. Unlawful return of foreign vessel’s papers

It shall not be lawful for any foreign consul to deliver to the master of any foreign vessel the register, or document in lieu thereof, deposited with him in accordance with the provisions of section 1434 of this title, or regulations issued thereunder, until such master shall produce to him a clearance in due form from the Customs Service in the port in which such vessel has entered. Any consul offending against the provisions of this section shall be liable to a fine of not more than $5,000.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 438, 46 Stat. 712; Pub. L. 91–271, title III, § 301(b), June 2, 1970, 84 Stat. 287; Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 654, Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2210.)
§§ 1439, 1440. Repealed. Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 690(b)(4), (5), Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2223
§ 1441. Exceptions to vessel entry and clearance requirementsThe following vessels shall not be required to make entry under section 1434 of this title or to obtain clearance under section 60105 of title 46:
(1) Vessels of war and public vessels employed for the conveyance of letters and dispatches and not permitted by the laws of the nations to which they belong to be employed in the transportation of passengers or merchandise in trade.
(2) Passenger vessels making three trips or oftener a week between a port of the United States and a foreign port, or vessels used exclusively as ferryboats, carrying passengers, baggage, or merchandise: Provided, That the master of any such vessel shall be required to report such baggage and merchandise to the appropriate customs officer within twenty-four hours after arrival.
(3) Any vessel carrying passengers on excursion from the United States Virgin Islands to the British Virgin Islands and returning, if—
(A) the vessel does not in any way violate the customs or navigation laws of the United States;
(B) the vessel has not visited any hovering vessel; and
(C) the master of the vessel, if there is on board any article required by law to be entered, reports the article to the Customs Service immediately upon arrival.
(4) Any United States documented vessel with recreational endorsement or any undocumented United States pleasure vessel not engaged in trade, if—
(A) the vessel complies with the reporting requirements of section 1433 of this title, and with the customs and navigation laws of the United States;
(B) the vessel has not visited any hovering vessel; and
(C) the master of, and any other person on board, the vessel, if the master or such person has on board any article required by law to be entered or declared, reports such article to the Customs Service immediately upon arrival.
(5) Vessels arriving in distress or for the purpose of taking on bunker coal, bunker oil, sea stores, or ship’s stores and which shall depart within twenty-four hours after arrival without having landed or taken on board any passengers, or any merchandise other than bunker coal, bunker oil, sea stores, or ship’s stores: Provided, That the master, owner, or agent of such vessel shall report under oath to the appropriate customs officer the hour and date of arrival and departure and the quantity of bunker coal, bunker oil, sea stores, or ship’s stores taken on board.
(6) Any vessel required to anchor at the Belle Isle Anchorage in the waters of the Detroit River in the State of Michigan, for the purposes of awaiting the availability of cargo or berthing space or for the purpose of taking on a pilot or awaiting pilot services, or at the direction of the Coast Guard, prior to proceeding to the Port of Toledo, Ohio, where the vessel makes entry under section 1434 of this title or obtains clearance under section 60105 of title 46.
(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 441, 46 Stat. 712; Aug. 5, 1935, ch. 438, title III, § 302, 49 Stat. 527; Aug. 14, 1937, ch. 620, § 1, 50 Stat. 638; Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1213, title V, § 501(b), 68 Stat. 1140; Pub. L. 91–271, title III, § 301(b), June 2, 1970, 84 Stat. 287; Pub. L. 98–573, title II, § 204, Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2974; Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 655, Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2210; Pub. L. 104–295, § 21(e)(5), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3530; Pub. L. 106–36, title I, § 1001(b)(10), June 25, 1999, 113 Stat. 132; Pub. L. 106–476, title I, § 1452(b), Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2168.)
§ 1442. Residue cargo

Any vessel having on board merchandise shown by the manifest to be destined to a foreign port or place may, after the report and entry of such vessel under the provisions of this chapter, proceed to such foreign port of destination with the cargo so destined therefor, without unlading the same and without the payment of duty thereon. Any vessel arriving from a foreign port or place having on board merchandise shown by the manifest to be destined to a port or ports in the United States other than the port of entry at which such vessel first arrived and made entry may proceed with such merchandise from port to port or from district to district for the unlading thereof.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 442, 46 Stat. 713.)
§§ 1443 to 1445. Repealed. Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 690(b)(6), Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2223
§ 1446. Supplies and stores retained on board

Vessels arriving in the United States from foreign ports may retain on board, without the payment of duty, all coal and other fuel supplies, ships’ stores, sea stores, and the legitimate equipment of such vessels. Any such supplies, ships’ stores, sea stores, or equipment landed and delivered from such vessel shall be considered and treated as imported merchandise: Provided, That bunker coal, bunker oil, ships’ stores, sea stores, or the legitimate equipment of vessels belonging to regular lines plying between foreign ports and the United States, which are delayed in port for any cause, may be transferred under a permit by the appropriate customs officer and under customs supervision from the vessel so delayed to another vessel of the same line and owner, and engaged in the foreign trade, without the payment of duty thereon.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 446, 46 Stat. 713; Pub. L. 91–271, title III, § 301(b), June 2, 1970, 84 Stat. 287.)
§ 1447. Place of entry and unlading

It shall be unlawful to make entry of any vessel or to unlade the cargo or any part thereof of any vessel elsewhere than at a port of entry: Provided, That upon good cause therefor being shown, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection may permit entry of any vessel to be made at a place other than a port of entry designated by him, under such conditions as he shall prescribe: And provided further, That any vessel laden with merchandise in bulk may proceed after entry of such vessel to any place designated by the Secretary of the Treasury for the purpose of unlading such cargo, under the supervision of customs officers if the Customs Service considers the same necessary, and in such case the compensation and expenses of such officers shall be reimbursed to the Government by the party in interest.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 447, 46 Stat. 714; 1946 Reorg. Plan No. 3, §§ 101–104, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7875, 60 Stat. 1097; Pub. L. 91–271, title III, § 301(b), June 2, 1970, 84 Stat. 287; Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 649(a), Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2208; Pub. L. 114–125, title VIII, § 802(d)(2), Feb. 24, 2016, 130 Stat. 210.)
§ 1448. Unlading
(a) Permits and preliminary entries
(b) Special delivery permit
(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 448, 46 Stat. 714; Pub. L. 91–271, title III, § 301(e), June 2, 1970, 84 Stat. 288; Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 656, Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2211.)
§ 1449. Unlading at port of entry

Except as provided in sections 1442 and 1447 of this title (relating to residue cargo and to bulk cargo respectively), merchandise and baggage imported in any vessel by sea shall be unladen at the port of entry to which such vessel is destined, unless (1) such vessel is compelled by any cause to put into another port of entry, and the Customs Service issues a permit for the unlading of such merchandise or baggage at such port, or (2) the Secretary of the Treasury, because of an emergency existing at the port of destination, authorizes such vessel to proceed to another port of entry. Merchandise and baggage so unladen may be entered in the same manner as other imported merchandise or baggage and may be treated as unclaimed merchandise or baggage and stored at the expense and risk of the owner thereof, or may be reladen without entry upon the vessel from which it was unladen for transportation to its destination.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 449, 46 Stat. 714; Pub. L. 91–271, title III, § 301(b), June 2, 1970, 84 Stat. 287; Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 649(b), Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2208.)
§ 1450. Unlading on Sundays, holidays, or during overtime hours

No merchandise, baggage, or passengers arriving in the United States from any foreign port or place, and no bonded merchandise or baggage being transported from one port to another, shall be unladen from the carrying aircraft, vessel or vehicle on Sunday, a holiday, or during overtime hours, except under special license granted by the appropriate customs officer under such regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 450, 46 Stat. 715; Pub. L. 91–271, title III, § 301(b), June 2, 1970, 84 Stat. 287; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13811(b)(2), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 670.)
§ 1451. Extra compensation 1
1 See Codification note below.

Before any such 1 special license to unlade shall be granted, the master, owner, or agent of such 1 vessel or vehicle, or the person in charge of such 1 vehicle, shall be required to deposit sufficient money to pay, or to give a bond in an amount to be fixed by the Secretary conditioned to pay, the compensation and expenses of the customs officers and employees assigned to duty in connection with such 1 unlading at night or on Sunday or a holiday, in accordance with the provisions of section 267 of this title. In lieu of such deposit or bond the owner or agent of any vessel or vehicle or line of vessels or vehicles may execute a bond in an amount to be fixed by the Secretary of the Treasury to cover and include the issuance of special licenses for the unlading of such vessels or vehicles for a period not to exceed one year. Upon a request made by the owner, master, or person in charge of a vessel or vehicle, or by or on behalf of a common carrier or by or on behalf of the owner or consignee of any merchandise or baggage, for overtime services of customs officers or employees at night or on a Sunday or holiday, the appropriate customs officer shall assign sufficient customs officers or employees if available to perform any such services which may lawfully be performed by them during regular hours of business, but only if the person requesting such services deposits sufficient money to pay, or gives a bond in an amount to be fixed by the 2

2 So in original. The word “the” probably should not appear.
such customs officer, conditioned to pay the compensation and expenses of such customs officers and employees, who shall be entitled to rates of compensation fixed on the same basis and payable in the same manner and upon the same terms and conditions as in the case of customs officers and employees assigned to duty in connection with lading or unlading at night or on Sunday or a holiday. Nothing in this section shall be construed to impair the existing authority of the Treasury Department to assign customs officers or employees to regular tours of duty at nights or on Sundays or holidays when such assignments are in the public interest: Provided, That the provisions of this section, sections 1450 and 1452 of this title, and the provisions of section 267 of this title insofar as such section 267 of this title requires payment of compensation by the master, owner, agent, or consignee of a vessel or conveyance, shall not apply to the owner, operator, or agent of a highway vehicle, bridge, tunnel, or ferry, between the United States and Canada or between the United States and Mexico, nor to the lading or unlading of merchandise, baggage, or persons arriving in or departing from the United States by motor vehicle, trolley car, on foot, or by other means of highway travel upon, over, or through any highway, bridge, tunnel, or ferry. At ports of entry and customs stations where any merchandise, baggage, or persons shall arrive in or depart from the United States by motor vehicle, trolley car, on foot, or by other means of highway travel upon, over, or through any highway, bridge, tunnel, or ferry, between the United States and Canada or between the United States and Mexico, the appropriate customs officer, under such regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe, shall assign customs officers and employees to duty at such times during the twenty-four hours of each day, including Sundays and holidays, as the Secretary of the Treasury in his discretion may determine to be necessary to facilitate the inspection and passage of such merchandise, baggage, or persons. Officers and employees assigned to such duty at night or on Sunday or a holiday shall be paid compensation in accordance with existing law as interpreted by the United States Supreme Court in the case of the United States v. Howard C. Myers (320 U.S. 561); but all compensation payable to such customs officers and employees shall be paid by the United States without requiring any license, bond, obligation, financial undertaking, or payment in connection therewith on the part of any owner, operator, or agent of any such highway vehicle, bridge, tunnel, or ferry, or other person. As used in this section, the term “ferry” shall mean a passenger service operated with the use of vessels which arrive in the United States on regular schedules at intervals of at least once each hour during any period in which customs service is to be furnished without reimbursement as above provided.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 451, 46 Stat. 715; June 25, 1938, ch. 679, § 9, 52 Stat. 1082; June 3, 1944, ch. 233, § 1, 58 Stat. 269; Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1213, title V, § 503, 68 Stat. 1141; Pub. L. 91–271, title III, § 301(f), June 2, 1970, 84 Stat. 288.)
§ 1451a. Repealed. Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13811(b)(1), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 670
§ 1452. Lading on Sundays, holidays, or at night

No merchandise or baggage entered for transportation under bond or for exportation with the benefit of drawback, or other merchandise or baggage required to be laden under customs supervision, shall be laden on any vessel or vehicle at night or on Sunday or a holiday, except under special license therefor to be issued by the appropriate customs officer under the same conditions and limitations as pertain to the unlading of imported merchandise or merchandise being transported in bond.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 452, 46 Stat. 715; Pub. L. 91–271, title III, § 301(b), June 2, 1970, 84 Stat. 287.)
§ 1453. Lading and unlading of merchandise or baggage; penalties

If any merchandise or baggage is laden on, or unladen from, any vessel or vehicle without a special license or permit therefor issued by the appropriate customs officer, the master of such vessel or the person in charge of such vehicle and every other person who knowingly is concerned, or who aids therein, or in removing or otherwise securing such merchandise or baggage, shall each be liable to a penalty equal to the value of the merchandise or baggage so laden or unladen, and such merchandise or baggage shall be subject to forfeiture, and if the value thereof is $500 or more, the vessel or vehicle on or from which the same shall be laden or unladen shall be subject to forfeiture.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 453, 46 Stat. 716; Pub. L. 91–271, title III, § 301(b), June 2, 1970, 84 Stat. 287.)
§ 1454. Unlading of passengers; penalty

If any passenger is unladen from any vessel or vehicle without a special license or permit therefor issued by the appropriate customs officer, the master of such vessel or the person in charge of such vehicle and every other person who knowingly is concerned, or who aids therein, shall each be liable to a penalty of $1,000 for the first passenger and $500 for each additional such passenger so unladen.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 454, 46 Stat. 716; Pub. L. 91–271, title III, § 301(b), June 2, 1970, 84 Stat. 287; Pub. L. 99–570, title III, § 3114, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–82.)
§ 1455. Boarding and discharging inspectors

The appropriate customs officer for the district in which any vessel or vehicle arrives from a foreign port or place may put on board of such vessel or vehicle while within such district, and if necessary while going from one district to another, one or more inspectors or other customs officers to examine the cargo and contents of such vessel or vehicle and superintend the unlading thereof, and to perform such other duties as may be required by law or the customs regulations for the protection of the revenue. Such inspector or other customs officer may, if he shall deem the same necessary for the protection of the revenue, secure the hatches or other communications or outlets of such vessel or vehicle with customs seals or other proper fastenings while such vessel is not in the act of unlading and such fastenings shall not be removed without permission of the inspector or other customs officer. Such inspector or other customs officer may require any vessel or vehicle to discontinue or suspend unlading during the continuance of unfavorable weather or any conditions rendering the discharge of cargo dangerous or detrimental to the revenue. Any officer, owner, agent of the owner, or member of the crew of any such vessel who obstructs or hinders any such inspector or other customs officer in the performance of his duties, shall be liable to a penalty of not more than $500.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 455, 46 Stat. 716; Pub. L. 91–271, title III, § 301(b), June 2, 1970, 84 Stat. 287.)
§ 1456. Compensation and expenses of inspectors between ports; reimbursement

The compensation of any inspector or other customs officer, stationed on any vessel or vehicle while proceeding from one port to another and returning therefrom, shall be reimbursed to the Government by the master or owner of such vessel, together with the actual expense of such inspector or customs officer for subsistence, or in lieu of such expenses such vessel or vehicle may furnish such inspector or customs officer, the accommodations usually supplied to passengers.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 456, 46 Stat. 716.)
§ 1457. Time for unlading

Whenever any merchandise remains on board any vessel or vehicle from a foreign port more than twenty-five days after the date on which report of said vessel or vehicle was made, the appropriate customs officer may take possession of such merchandise and cause the same to be unladen at the expense and risk of the owners thereof, or may place one or more inspectors or other customs officers on board of said vessel or vehicle to protect the revenue. The compensation and expenses of any such inspector or customs officer for subsistence while on board of such vessel or vehicle shall be reimbursed to the Government by the owner or master of such vessel or vehicle.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 457, 46 Stat. 716; Pub. L. 91–271, title III, § 301(b), June 2, 1970, 84 Stat. 287.)
§ 1458. Bulk cargo, time for unlading

The limitation of time for unlading shall not extend to vessels laden exclusively with merchandise in bulk consigned to one consignee and arriving at a port for orders, but if the master of such vessel requests a longer time to discharge its cargo, the compensation of the inspectors or other customs officers whose services are required in connection with the unlading shall, for every day consumed in unlading in excess of twenty-five days from the date of the vessel’s entry, be reimbursed by the master or owner of such vessel.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 458, 46 Stat. 717.)
§ 1459. Reporting requirements for individuals
(a) Individuals arriving other than by conveyanceExcept as otherwise authorized by the Secretary, individuals arriving in the United States other than by vessel, vehicle, or aircraft shall—
(1) enter the United States only at a border crossing point designated by the Secretary; and
(2) immediately—
(A) report the arrival, and
(B) present themselves, and all articles accompanying them for inspection;
to the customs officer at the customs facility designated for that crossing point.
(b) Individuals arriving by reported conveyance
(c) Individuals arriving by unreported conveyance
(d) Departure from designated customs facilities
(e) Unlawful actsIt is unlawful—
(1) to fail to comply with subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section;
(2) to present any forged, altered, or false document or paper to a customs officer under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section without revealing the facts;
(3) to violate subsection (d) of this section; or
(4) to fail to comply with, or violate, any regulation prescribed to carry out subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this section.
(f) Civil penalty
(g) Criminal penalty
(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 459, 46 Stat. 717; June 25, 1938, ch. 679, § 10(a), 52 Stat. 1082; Pub. L. 99–570, title III, § 3115(a), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–82.)
§ 1460. Repealed. Pub. L. 99–570, title III, § 3115(b), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–83
§ 1461. Inspection of merchandise and baggage 1
1 See Codification note below.

All merchandise and baggage imported or brought in from any contiguous country, except as otherwise provided by law or by regulations of the Secretary of the Treasury, shall be unladen in the presence of and be inspected by a customs officer at the first port of entry at which the same shall arrive; and such officer may require the owner, or his agent, or other person having charge or possession of any trunk, traveling bag, sack, valise, or other container, or of any closed vehicle, to open the same for inspection, or to furnish a key or other means for opening the same.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 461, 46 Stat. 717.)
§ 1462. Forfeiture 1
1 See Codification note below.

If such 1 owner, agent, or other person shall fail to comply with his demand, the officer 1 shall retain such trunk, traveling bag, sack, valise, or other container or closed vehicle, and open the same, and, as soon thereafter as may be practicable, examine the contents, and if any article subject to duty or any article the importation of which is prohibited is found therein, the whole contents and the container or vehicle shall be subject to forfeiture.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 462, 46 Stat. 718.)
§ 1463. Sealed vessels and vehicles 1
1 See Codification note below.

To avoid unnecessary inspection of merchandise imported from a contiguous country at the first port of arrival, the master of the vessel or the person in charge of the vehicle in which such merchandise is imported may apply to the customs officer of the United States stationed in the place from which such merchandise is shipped, and such officer may seal such vessel or vehicle. Any vessel or vehicle so sealed may proceed with such merchandise to the port of destination under such regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 463, 46 Stat. 718.)
§ 1464. Penalties in connection with sealed vessels and vehicles 1
1 See Codification note below.

If the master of such 1 vessel or the person in charge of any such vehicle fails to proceed with reasonable promptness to the port of destination and to deliver such vessel or vehicle to the proper officers of the customs, or fails to proceed in accordance with such regulations of the Secretary of the Treasury, or unlades such merchandise or any part thereof at other than such port of destination, or disposes of any such merchandise by sale or otherwise, he shall be guilty of a felony and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both; and any such vessel or vehicle, with its contents, shall be subject to forfeiture.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 464, 46 Stat. 718.)
§ 1465. Repealed. Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 690(b)(7), Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2223
§ 1466. Equipment and repairs of vessels
(a) Vessels subject to duty; penalties
(b) NoticeIf the appropriate customs officer has reasonable cause to believe a violation has occurred and determines that further proceedings are warranted, he shall issue to the person concerned a written notice of his intention to issue a penalty claim. Such notice shall—
(1) describe the circumstances of the alleged violation;
(2) specify all laws and regulations allegedly violated;
(3) disclose all the material facts which establish the alleged violation;
(4) state the estimated loss of lawful duties, if any, and taking into account all of the circumstances, the amount of the proposed penalty; and
(5) inform such person that he shall have a reasonable opportunity to make representations, both oral and written, as to why such penalty claim should not be issued.
(c) Violation
(d) Remission for necessary repairsIf the owner or master of such vessel furnishes good and sufficient evidence that—
(1) such vessel, while in the regular course of her voyage, was compelled, by stress of weather or other casualty, to put into such foreign port and purchase such equipments, or make such repairs, to secure the safety and seaworthiness of the vessel to enable her to reach her port of destination;
(2) such equipments or parts thereof or repair parts or materials, were manufactured or produced in the United States, and the labor necessary to install such equipments or to make such repairs was performed by residents of the United States, or by members of the regular crew of such vessel; or
(3) such equipments, or parts thereof, or materials, or labor, were used as dunnage for cargo, or for the packing or shoring thereof, or in the erection of temporary bulkheads or other similar devices for the control of bulk cargo, or in the preparation (without permanent repair or alteration) of tanks for the carriage of liquid cargo;
then the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to remit or refund such duties, and such vessel shall not be liable to forfeiture, and no license or enrollment and license, or renewal of either, shall hereafter be issued to any such vessel until the collector to whom application is made for the same shall be satisfied, from the oath of the owner or master, that all such equipments or parts thereof or materials and repairs made within the year immediately preceding such application have been duly accounted for under the provisions of this section, and the duties accruing thereon duly paid; and if such owner or master shall refuse to take such oath, or take it falsely, the vessel shall be seized and forfeited.
(e) Exclusions for arrivals two or more years after last departure
(1) In the case of any vessel referred to in subsection (a) that arrives in a port of the United States two years or more after its last departure from a port in the United States, the duties imposed by this section shall apply only with respect to—
(A) fish nets and netting, and
(B) other equipments and parts thereof, repair parts and materials purchased, or repairs made, during the first six months after the last departure of such vessel from a port of the United States.
(2) If such vessel is designed and used primarily for transporting passengers or property, paragraph (1) shall not apply if the vessel departed from the United States for the sole purpose of obtaining such equipments, parts, materials, or repairs.
(f) Civil aircraft exception
(g) Fish net and netting purchases and repairsThe duty imposed by subsection (a) shall not apply to entries on and after October 1, 1979, and before January 1, 1982, of—
(1) tuna purse seine nets and netting which are equipments or parts thereof,
(2) repair parts for such nets and netting, or materials used in repairing such nets and netting, or
(3) the expenses of repairs of such nets and netting,
for any United States documented tuna purse seine vessel of greater than 500 tons carrying capacity or any United States tuna purse seine vessel required to carry a certificate of inclusion under the general permit issued to the American Tunaboat Association pursuant to section 1374 of title 16.
(h) Foreign repair of vesselsThe duty imposed by subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to—
(1) the cost of any equipment, or any part of equipment, purchased for, or the repair parts or materials to be used, or the expense of repairs made in a foreign country with respect to, LASH (Lighter Aboard Ship) barges documented under the laws of the United States and utilized as cargo containers;
(2) the cost of spare repair parts or materials (other than nets or nettings) which the owner or master of the vessel certifies are intended for use aboard a cargo vessel, documented under the laws of the United States and engaged in the foreign or coasting trade, for installation or use on such vessel, as needed, in the United States, at sea, or in a foreign country, but only if duty is paid under appropriate commodity classifications of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States upon first entry into the United States of each such spare part purchased in, or imported from, a foreign country;
(3) the cost of spare parts necessarily installed before the first entry into the United States, but only if duty is paid under appropriate commodity classifications of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States upon first entry into the United States of each such spare part purchased in, or imported from, a foreign country; or
(4) the cost of equipment, repair parts, and materials that are installed on a vessel documented under the laws of the United States and engaged in the foreign or coasting trade, if the installation is done by members of the regular crew of such vessel while the vessel is on the high seas, in foreign waters, or in a foreign port, and does not involve foreign shipyard repairs by foreign labor.
Declaration and entry shall not be required with respect to the installation, equipment, parts, and materials described in paragraph (4).
(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 466, 46 Stat. 719; Pub. L. 91–654, § 1, Jan. 5, 1971, 84 Stat. 1944; Pub. L. 95–410, title II, § 206, Oct. 3, 1978, 92 Stat. 900; Pub. L. 96–39, title VI, § 601(a)(3), July 26, 1979, 93 Stat. 268; Pub. L. 96–467, § 14(a)(3)(B), Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2225; Pub. L. 96–609, title I, § 115(a), Dec. 28, 1980, 94 Stat. 3558; Pub. L. 98–573, title II, § 208, Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2976; Pub. L. 100–418, title I, § 1214(h)(4), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1157; Pub. L. 101–382, title III, § 484E(a), Aug. 20, 1990, 104 Stat. 709; Pub. L. 103–465, title I, § 112(b), Dec. 8, 1994, 108 Stat. 4825; Pub. L. 108–429, title I, § 1554(a), Dec. 3, 2004, 118 Stat. 2578; Pub. L. 109–280, title XIV, § 1631(a), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 1164.)
§ 1467. Special inspection, examination, and search

Whenever a vessel from a foreign port or place or from a port or place in any Territory or possession of the United States arrives at a port or place in the United States or the Virgin Islands, whether directly or via another port or place in the United States or the Virgin Islands, the appropriate customs officer for such port or place of arrival may, under such regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe and for the purpose of assuring compliance with any law, regulation, or instruction which the Secretary of the Treasury or the Customs Service is authorized to enforce, cause inspection, examination, and search to be made of the persons, baggage, and merchandise discharged or unladen from such vessel, whether or not any or all such persons, baggage, or merchandise has previously been inspected, examined, or searched by officers of the customs.

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, § 467, as added June 25, 1938, ch. 679, § 11, 52 Stat. 1083; amended Pub. L. 91–271, title III, § 301(g), June 2, 1970, 84 Stat. 288.)