19 U.S.C. § 1431a
This section shall apply to all cargo to be exported that is moved by a vessel carrier from a port in the United States.
A vessel carrier shall notify the Customs Service of any cargo tendered to such carrier that is not properly documented pursuant to this section and that has remained in the marine terminal for more than 48 hours after being delivered to the marine terminal, and the location of the cargo in the marine terminal.
For vessel carriers that are members of vessel sharing agreements (or any other arrangement whereby a carrier moves cargo on another carrier's vessel), the vessel carrier accepting the booking shall be responsible for reporting undocumented cargo, without regard to whether it operates the vessel on which the transportation is to be made.
For purposes of this subsection and subsection (f), if merchandise has been tendered to a marine terminal operator and subsequently reassigned for carriage on another vessel, the merchandise shall be considered properly documented if the information provided reflects carriage on the previously assigned vessel and otherwise meets the requirements of subsection (b). Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, it shall be the responsibility of the vessel carrier to notify the Customs Service promptly of any reassignment of merchandise for carriage on a vessel other than the vessel on which the merchandise was originally assigned.
If a single shipment is comprised of multiple containers, the 48-hour period described in paragraph (1) shall begin to run from the time the last container of the shipment is delivered to the marine terminal operator. It shall be the responsibility of the person tendering the cargo to inform the carrier that the shipment consists of multiple containers that will be delivered to the marine terminal operator at different times as part of a single shipment.
Whoever is found to have violated subsection (b) of this section shall be liable to the United States for civil penalties in a monetary amount up to the value of the cargo, or the actual cost of the transportation, whichever is greater.
Nothing in this section shall be construed, interpreted, or applied to relieve or excuse any party from compliance with any obligation or requirement arising under any other law, regulation, or order with regard to the documentation or carriage of cargo.
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. Probably should be "1702(17)(B))))".
19 U.S.C. § 1431a
EDITORIAL NOTES
REFERENCES IN TEXTSection 3(17)(B) of the Shipping Act of 1984 (46 U.S.C. App. 1702(17)(B)), referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is section 3(17)(B) of Pub. L. 98-237 which was classified to section 1702(17)(B) of the former Appendix to Title 46, Shipping, prior to repeal and restatement as section 40102(16) of Title 46 by Pub. L. 109-304, §§7, Oct. 6, 2006, 19, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1523, 1710. Par. (16) of section 40102 was redesignated par. (17) by Pub. L. 115-282, title VII, §704(1), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4294.Section 3(14) of the Shipping Act of 1984 (46 U.S.C. App. 1702(14)), referred to in subsec. (c)(1), is section 3(14) of Pub. L. 98-237 which was classified to section 1702(14) of the former Appendix to Title 46, Shipping, prior to repeal and restatement as section 40102(14) of Title 46 by Pub. L. 109-304, §§7, Oct. 6, 2006, 19, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1523, 1710. Par. (14) of section 40102 was redesignated par. (15) by Pub. L. 115-282, title VII, §704(1), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4294.
AMENDMENTS2002-Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 107-295 amended heading and text of subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "A vessel carrier shall notify the Customs Service of any cargo tendered to such carrier that is not properly documented pursuant to this section and that has remained in the marine terminal for more than 48 hours after being delivered to the marine terminal, and the location of the cargo in the marine terminal. For vessel carriers that are members of vessel sharing agreements (or any other arrangement whereby a carrier moves cargo on another carrier's vessel), the vessel carrier accepting the booking shall be responsible for reporting undocumented cargo, without regard to whether it operates the vessel on which the transportation is to be made."
STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES
EFFECTIVE DATESection applicable to petitions for certification filed under part 2 or 3 of subchapter II of chapter 12 of this title on or after the date that is 90 days after Aug. 6, 2002, except as otherwise provided, see section 151 of Pub. L. 107-210 set out as an Effective Date of 2002 Amendment note preceding section 2271 of this title.
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONSFor transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the United States Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury, including functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 203(1), 551(d), 552(d),and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6. For establishment of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the Department of Homeland Security, treated as if included in Pub. L. 107-296 as of Nov. 25, 2002, see section 211 of Title 6, as amended generally by Pub. L. 114-125 and section 802(b) of Pub. L. 114-125 set out as a note under section 211 of Title 6.