Title 46ShippingRelease 119-73

§70033 Limitation on application to foreign vessels

Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle VII— - Security and Drug Enforcement › Chapter CHAPTER 700— - PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IV— - DEFINITIONS, REGULATIONS, ENFORCEMENT, INVESTIGATORY POWERS, APPLICABILITY › § 70033

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Subchapters I–III and this subchapter don't apply to foreign vessels not bound for U.S. ports that are merely in innocent passage or transiting international straits, unless the U.S. joined an international treaty, convention, or agreement saying otherwise.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §70033

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Except pursuant to international treaty, convention, or agreement, to which the United States is a party, subchapters I through III and this subchapter shall not apply to any foreign vessel that is not destined for, or departing from, a port or place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and that is in— (1)
(2)transit through the navigable waters of the United States that form a part of an international strait.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283 substituted “I through III” for “A through C” in introductory provisions.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 70033

Title 46Shipping

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73