Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act
Sponsored By: Representative Salazar
Introduced
Summary
This bill would extend the United States' customs waters from 12 nautical miles to 24 nautical miles and tie enforcement limits to Presidential Proclamations 5928 and 7219 that reflect international law.
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- U.S. customs and anti-smuggling agencies would have clear statutory jurisdiction to operate in the territorial sea and the contiguous zone as defined by international law, effectively extending enforcement reach to 24 nautical miles.
- The bill rewrites the statutory definitions in the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1401(j)) and the Anti-Smuggling Act (19 U.S.C. 1709(c)) so those laws reference the territorial sea and contiguous zone in line with the named proclamations.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Wider U.S. customs zone at sea
This bill would expand where U.S. customs can act at sea. It would redefine customs waters to include the territorial sea and the contiguous zone, measured from U.S. baselines. In practice, this would extend the reach from about 12 nautical miles to up to 24 nautical miles, in line with presidential proclamations. Vessels and importers could face checks and enforcement farther from shore. If enacted, the change would start the day after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Salazar
FL • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28]
FL • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]
CA • D
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Levin
CA • D
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]
LA • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15]
TX • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Webster (FL)
FL • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Bean (FL)
FL • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]
TX • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4]
MS • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]
GU • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Davidson
OH • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19]
FL • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Davis (NC)
NC • D
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21]
FL • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Franklin, Scott
FL • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Allen
GA • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3]
MS • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]
NY • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Rutherford
FL • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Lee (FL)
FL • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]
IN • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10]
TX • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Haridopolos
FL • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
NJ • R
Sponsored 2/12/2025
Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2]
IA • R
Sponsored 2/24/2025
Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]
FL • R
Sponsored 2/24/2025
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 6/6/2025
Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]
NH • D
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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