Title 46ShippingRelease 119-73

§55103 Transportation of passengers

Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle V— - Merchant Marine › Part Part D— - Promotional Programs › Chapter CHAPTER 551— - COASTWISE TRADE › § 55103

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

A vessel must not carry passengers between U.S. ports or places covered by the coastwise rules — even if the trip goes through a foreign port — unless it is wholly owned by U.S. citizens for coastwise trade and has U.S. documentation with a coastwise endorsement, or is exempt but would otherwise qualify. The fine for breaking this rule is $300 for each passenger transported and landed.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §55103

Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Except as otherwise provided in this chapter or chapter 121 of this title, a vessel may not transport passengers between ports or places in the United States to which the coastwise laws apply, either directly or via a foreign port, unless the vessel—
(1)is wholly owned by citizens of the United States for purposes of engaging in the coastwise trade; and
(2)has been issued a certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement under chapter 121 or is exempt from documentation but would otherwise be eligible for such a certificate and endorsement.
(b)The penalty for violating subsection (a) is $300 for each passenger transported and landed.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 5510346 App.:289.June 19, 1886, ch. 421, § 8, 24 Stat. 81; Feb. 17, 1898, ch. 26, § 2, 30 Stat. 248. This section is substituted for the source provision for consistency with section 55102. See 19 C.F.R. §§ 4.80, 4.80a (2004). In subsection (b), the penalty amount reflects the adjustment for inflation pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (28 U.S.C. 2461 note). See 19 C.F.R. § 4.80(b)(2) (2004).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 55103

Title 46Shipping

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73