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S221119th Congress

Extending Limits of United States Customs Waters Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Scott, Rick [R-FL]

Introduced

Summary

Extending U.S. customs waters to the 24-nautical-mile limit would let Customs and Border Protection enforce customs and anti-smuggling laws farther offshore. The change is pitched as a response to modern maritime technology that makes evasion easier and as a way to strengthen law enforcement and public health protections.

Show full summary
  • Customs and Border Protection: The bill updates the Tariff Act of 1930 and the Anti-Smuggling Act so CBP authority would cover the territorial sea and the contiguous zone out to 24 nautical miles.
  • Ships and mariners: Vessels in the expanded contiguous zone could face customs, fiscal, immigration, and sanitary controls and penalties under U.S. law.
  • Public health and border security: The text frames the extension as a tool to curb technology-driven smuggling and to advance public health and enforcement interests by using the limits allowed under international law.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Expanded customs enforcement to 24 nautical miles

This bill would expand what counts as U.S. customs waters. For the Tariff Act of 1930 and the Anti‑Smuggling Act, waters would be measured from U.S. baselines under international law. The territorial sea up to 12 nautical miles and the contiguous zone up to 24 nautical miles would fall under U.S. customs enforcement. If enacted, this could increase inspections, boardings, and enforcement for boat operators, importers, ship crews, and maritime businesses. The change would take effect the day after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Scott, Rick [R-FL]

FL • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 1/23/2025

  • Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 1/23/2025

  • Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 1/23/2025

  • Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 3/31/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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