§60105 Clearance of vessels

Summary

Vessels must get clearance from the Secretary of Homeland Security before leaving a U.S. port in certain cases. For U.S. vessels, clearance is required before sailing to a foreign port, before going to another U.S. port if they have foreign goods on board that have not been entered, and before going outside the territorial sea to visit a hovering vessel or to receive merchandise. For non‑U.S. vessels, clearance is required before going to a foreign port, before going to another U.S. port, and before going outside the territorial sea to visit a hovering vessel or to receive or deliver merchandise. The Secretary can make rules about how to obtain clearance, including what papers or electronic information must be sent and how. The Secretary can allow clearance before every requirement is met if the owner or operator posts a bond in an amount set by the Secretary and agrees to meet the remaining requirements within a time the Secretary sets, not more than 4 business days. The Secretary can also allow clearance at places that are not official ports of entry under conditions the Secretary sets.