Title 19 — Customs DutiesRelease 119-73
§1466 Equipment and repairs of vessels
Title 19 › Chapter CHAPTER 4— - TARIFF ACT OF 1930 › Subtitle SUBTITLE III— - ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › Part Part II— - Report, Entry, and Unlading of Vessels and Vehicles › § 1466
Summary
Equipment or repair parts bought abroad for a U.S.-documented ship that trades internationally must be reported and a 50% duty paid on their foreign cost when the ship first arrives at a U.S. port. If the owner or captain intentionally fails to report, enter, or pay, or makes false statements about the purchases or repairs, the vessel can be seized and forfeited or the owner can be fined up to the vessel’s value as set by the Secretary. Pay given to regular crew for installing equipment or doing repairs abroad is not counted in the cost for duty. If a customs officer believes a violation occurred, the officer must give written notice saying what happened, what rules were broken, the important facts, the estimated lost duties and proposed penalty, and that the person can respond in writing or in person. After any response, the officer will decide and either cancel the claim in writing or issue a written penalty claim with any changes. The owner or captain can avoid duty if they prove the work was forced by weather or casualty to make the ship safe; or the items were made in the United States and installed by U.S. residents or the crew; or the items were used as dunnage, packing/shoring, temporary bulkheads, or for preparing tanks without permanent repair. Special rules limit duties if the ship returns after two years (duties then apply only to fish nets/netting and other equipment/repairs bought or done in the first six months after leaving), and there are specific exemptions for certain civil aircraft (see HTS general note 3(c)(iv)), tuna purse seine nets and related repairs entered on or after October 1, 1979 and before January 1, 1982, LASH barges used as cargo containers, certified spare parts if duties are paid on first U.S. entry, spare parts installed before first entry if duties are paid on first entry, and equipment or repairs done by the regular crew on the high seas or in foreign ports that are not foreign shipyard repairs by foreign labor.
Full Legal Text
Title 19, §1466
Customs Duties — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)The equipments, or any part thereof, including boats, purchased for, or the repair parts or materials to be used, or the expenses of repairs made in a foreign country upon a vessel documented under the laws of the United States to engage in the foreign or coasting trade, or a vessel intended to be employed in such trade, shall, on the first arrival of such vessel in any port of the United States, be liable to entry and the payment of an ad valorem duty of 50 per centum on the cost thereof in such foreign country. If the owner or master willfully or knowingly neglects or fails to report, make entry, and pay duties as herein required, or if he makes any false statement in respect of such purchases or repairs without reasonable cause to believe the truth of such statements, or aids or procures the making of any false statement as to any matter material thereto without reasonable cause to believe the truth of such statement, such vessel, or a monetary amount up to the value thereof as determined by the Secretary, to be recovered from the owner, shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture. For the purposes of this section, compensation paid to members of the regular crew of such vessel in connection with the installation of any such equipments or any part thereof, or the making of repairs, in a foreign country, shall not be included in the cost of such equipment or part thereof, or of such repairs.
(b)If 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)After considering representations, if any, made by the person concerned pursuant to the notice issued under subsection (b), the appropriate customs officer shall determine whether any violation of subsection (a), as alleged in the notice, has occurred. If such officer determines that there was no violation, he shall promptly notify, in writing, the person to whom the notice was sent. If such officer determines that there was a violation, he shall issue a written penalty claim to such person. The written penalty claim shall specify all changes in the information provided under paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (b).
(d)If 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;
(e)(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)The duty imposed under subsection (a) shall not apply to the cost of equipments, or any part thereof, purchased, of repair parts or materials used, or of repairs made in a foreign country with respect to a United States civil aircraft, within the meaning of general note 3(c)(iv) of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
(g)The 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,
(h)The 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.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, referred to in subsecs. (f) and (h)(2), (3), is not set out in the Code. See Publication of Harmonized Tariff Schedule note set out under section 1202 of this title.
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in subsecs. (a) and (b) of this section were contained respectively in R.S. §§ 3114 and 3115, as amended, which were formerly classified to section 257 and 258 of this title prior to repeal by section 3 of Pub. L. 91–654.
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (h)(4). Pub. L. 109–280 added par. (4) and struck out former par. (4) which read as follows: “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.” 2004—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 108–429 added par. (4) and concluding provisions. 1994—Subsec. (h)(3). Pub. L. 103–465 added par. (3). 1990—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 101–382 added subsec. (h). 1988—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 100–418 substituted “general note 3(c)(iv) of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States” for “headnote 3 to schedule 6, part 6, subpart C of the Tariff Schedules of the United States”. 1984—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 98–573 designated existing provisions as par. (1), in par. (1) as so designated substituted reference to any vessel referred to in subsec. (a) for reference to any vessel designed and used primarily for purposes other than transporting passengers or property in the foreign or coasting trade, redesignated former cls. (1) and (2) as subpars. (A) and (B), respectively, and added par. (2). 1980—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 96–467 substituted “of equipments, or any part thereof, purchased, of repair parts or materials used, or of repairs made in a foreign country with respect to” for “of repair parts, materials, or expenses of repairs in a foreign country upon” and “schedule 6” for “Schedule 6”. Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 96–609 added subsec. (g). 1979—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 96–39 added subsec. (f). 1978—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–410, § 206(1), incorporated seizure and forfeiture provision formerly a part of first sentence in an inserted second sentence; substituted therein “willfully or knowingly” for “willfully and knowingly” and “such vessel, or a monetary amount up to the value thereof as determined by the Secretary, to be recovered from the owner, shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture” for “such vessel, with her tackle, apparel, and furniture, shall be seized and forfeited”; and authorized the seizure and forfeiture for making false statements in respect of purchases or repairs or aiding or procuring the making of false statements. Subsecs. (b) to (e). Pub. L. 95–410, § 206(2), added subsecs. (b) and (c) and redesignated former subsecs. (b) and (c) as (d) and (e), respectively. 1971—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 91–654 added subsec. (c).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2006 Amendment Pub. L. 109–280, title XIV, § 1631(c), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 1165, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by this section [amending this section] apply to vessel equipment, repair parts, and materials installed on or after April 25, 2001.”
Effective Date
of 2004 Amendment Pub. L. 108–429, title I, § 1554(c), Dec. 3, 2004, 118 Stat. 2578, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by this section [amending this section] apply to vessel equipment, repair parts, and materials installed on or after April 25, 2001.”
Effective Date
of 1994 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 103–465 effective on the date on which the WTO Agreement enters into force with respect to the United States (Jan. 1, 1995), see section 116(a) of Pub. L. 103–465, set out as an
Effective Date
note under section 3521 of this title.
Effective Date
of 1990 Amendment Pub. L. 101–382, title III, § 484E(b), (c), Aug. 20, 1990, 104 Stat. 710, as amended by Pub. L. 103–465, title I, § 112(a), Dec. 8, 1994, 108 Stat. 4825; Pub. L. 104–295, § 27, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3533, provided that: “(b)
Effective Date
.—The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to—“(1) any entry made before the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 20, 1990] that is not liquidated on the date of enactment of this Act, “(2) any entry made—“(A) on or after the date of enactment of this Act, and “(B) on or before
December 31, 1992, “(3) any entry listed in subsection (c) that was made during the period beginning on
January 1, 1993, and ending on
December 31, 1994, to the extent such entry involves the purchase of equipment, the use of materials, or the expense of repairs in a foreign country for 66 LASH (Lighter Aboard Ship) barges documented under the laws of the United States if—“(A) such entry was not liquidated on
January 1, 1995; and “(B) such entry, had it been made on or after
January 1, 1995, would otherwise be eligible for the exemption provided in section 466(h)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1466(h)(1)), and “(4) any entry made pursuant to section 466(h)(1) or (2) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1466(h)(1) or (2)), on or after the date of the entry into force of the WTO Agreement with respect to the United States [Jan. 1, 1995]. “(c) Entries.—The entries referred to in subsection (b)(3) are the following:“(1) Numbered entries.— Entry NumberDate of Entry C14–0025455–8
August 18, 1993 C14–0025456–6
August 18, 1993 C14–0025457–4
August 18, 1993 C14–0025473–1
August 27, 1993 C14–0025478–0
September 13, 1993 C14–0025479–8
September 13, 1993 C14–0025480–6
September 13, 1993 C14–0025481–4
September 13, 1993 C14–0025511–8
April 16, 1993 C14–0025533–2
April 30, 1993 C14–0025545–6
May 21, 1993 C14–0025546–4
May 21, 1993 C14–0025547–2
May 21, 1993 C14–0025558–9
June 15, 1993 C14–0025560–5
June 15, 1993 C14–0025574–6
July 21, 1993 C14–0025575–3
July 21, 1993 C14–0025603–3
July 23, 1993 C14–0025604–1
July 23, 1993 C14–0025605–8
July 23, 1993 C14–0025623–1
October 25, 1993 C14–0025624–9
October 25, 1993 C14–0025625–6
October 25, 1993 C14–0025635–5
November 8, 1993 C14–0025636–3
November 8, 1993 C14–0025637–1
November 8, 1993 C14–0025653–8
November 30, 1993 C14–0025654–6
November 30, 1993 C14–0025655–3
November 30, 1993 C14–0025657–9
November 30, 1993 C14–0025679–3
January 3, 1994 C14–0025680–1
January 3, 1994 C14–0025688–4
February 14, 1994 C14–0025689–2
February 14, 1994 C14–0025690–0
February 14, 1994 C14–0025691–8
February 14, 1994 C14–0025692–6
February 14, 1994 C14–0026803–8
January 24, 1994 C14–0026804–6
January 24, 1994 C14–0026805–3
January 24, 1994 C14–0026807–9
January 24, 1994 C14–0026808–7
January 24, 1994 C14–0026809–5
January 24, 1994 C14–0026810–3
January 24, 1994 C14–0026811–1
January 24, 1994 C14–0026826–9
March 10, 1994 C14–0026827–7
March 10, 1994 C14–0026828–5
March 10, 1994 C14–0026829–3
March 10, 1994 C14–0026830–1
March 10, 1994 C14–0026831–9
March 10, 1994 C14–0026832–7
March 10, 1994 C14–0026833–5
March 10, 1994 C14–0026841–8
March 31, 1994 C14–0026843–4
March 31, 1994 C14–0026852–5
May 5, 1994 C14–0026853–3
May 5, 1994 C14–0026854–1
May 5, 1994 C14–0026867–3
May 18, 1994 C14–0026869–9
May 18, 1994 C14–0026874–9
June 8, 1994 C14–0026875–6
June 8, 1994 C14–0026898–8
August 2, 1994 C14–0026899–6
August 2, 1994 C14–0040625–7
October 5, 1994. “(2) Additional entry.—The entry of a 66th LASH barge (No. CG E69), for which no entry number is available, if, within 60 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection [Oct. 11, 1996], a proper entry is filed with the Customs Service.”
Effective Date
of 1988 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 100–418 effective Jan. 1, 1989, and applicable with respect to articles entered on or after such date, see section 1217(b)(1) of Pub. L. 100–418, set out as an
Effective Date
note under section 3001 of this title.
Effective Date
of 1984 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 98–573 applicable with respect to entries made in connection with arrivals of vessels on or after the 15th day after Oct. 30, 1984, with certain exceptions for vessels transporting passengers or property, see section 214(a), (c)(3) of Pub. L. 98–573, set out as a note under section 1304 of this title.
Effective Date
of 1980 Amendment Pub. L. 96–467, § 14(b), Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2226, provided in part that: “The amendment made by paragraph (3) of subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to entries made under section 466 of the Tariff Act of 1930 [this section] on or after January 1, 1980.”
Effective Date
of 1979 Amendment Pub. L. 96–39, title VI, § 601(a),
July 26, 1979, 93 Stat. 267, provided that the amendment made by section 601(a)(3) is effective upon a Presidential proclamation authorized to be made after Sept. 30, 1979, when the conditions under section 2503(b) of this title on acceptance of the Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft are fulfilled. Entries Made in Connection With Arrival of Vessels On or After
October 1, 1979, and Before
December 28, 1980 Pub. L. 96–609, title I, § 115(b), Dec. 28, 1980, 94 Stat. 3558, provided that: “Upon request therefor filed with the customs officer concerned on or before the 90th day after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 28, 1980], the entry of any article to which section 466(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 [subsec. (a) of this section] applied and—“(1) that was made on or after
October 1, 1979, and before the date of the enactment of this Act; and “(2) with respect to which there would have been no duty if the amendment made by subsection (a) [adding subsec. (g) of this section] applied to such entry or withdrawal; shall, notwithstanding the provisions of section 514 of the Tariff Act of 1930 [section 1514 of this title] or any other provision of law, be liquidated or reliquidated as though such entry or withdrawal had been made on the date of the enactment of this Act.” Entries Made in Connection With Arrivals of Vessels On or After
January 5, 1971; Entries in Connection With the Arrival of Shrimp Vessels After
January 1, 1969, and Before
January 5, 1971 Pub. L. 91–654, § 2, Jan. 5, 1971, 84 Stat. 1945, provided that: “(a) The amendment made by the first section of this Act [amending this section] shall apply with respect to entries made in connection with arrivals of vessels on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 5, 1971]. “(b) Upon request therefor filed with the customs officer concerned on or before the ninetieth day after the date of the enactment of this Act, any entry in connection with the arrival of a vessel used primarily for the catching of shrimp—“(1) which was made after
January 1, 1969, and before the date of the enactment of this Act, and “(2) with respect to which there would have been no duty if the amendment made by the first section of this Act applied to such entry, shall, notwithstanding the provisions of section 514 of the Tariff Act of 1930 [section 1514 of this title] or any other provision of law, be liquidated or reliquidated as though such entry had been made on the day after the date of the enactment of this Act.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
19 U.S.C. § 1466
Title 19 — Customs Duties
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73