Title 22 — Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-73
§454 Unlawful use of the American flag by vessel of foreign state
Title 22 › Chapter CHAPTER 9— - FOREIGN WARS, WAR MATERIALS, AND NEUTRALITY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - NEUTRALITY › § 454
Summary
A foreign ship may not fly the U.S. flag or display any signs that make it look like an American vessel. If it does, the ship is barred from U.S. ports and territorial waters for three months, except in unavoidable emergencies.
Full Legal Text
Title 22, §454
Foreign Relations and Intercourse — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)It shall be unlawful for any vessel belonging to or operating under the jurisdiction of any foreign state to use the flag of the United States thereon, or to make use of any distinctive signs or markings, indicating that the same is an American vessel.
(b)Any vessel violating the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be denied for a period of three months the right to enter the ports or territorial waters of the United States except in cases of force majeure.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
22 U.S.C. § 454
Title 22 — Foreign Relations and Intercourse
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73