U.S. Code » Title 46 » Subtitle Subtitle V— Merchant Marine › Part Part D— Promotional Programs › Chapter CHAPTER 551— COASTWISE TRADE

46 U.S.C. § 55103

Transportation of passengers

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(a)In General.—Except as otherwise provided in this chapter or chapter 121 of this title, a vessel may not transport passengers between ports or places in the United States to which the coastwise laws apply, either directly or via a foreign port, unless the vessel—(1) is wholly owned by citizens of the United States for purposes of engaging in the coastwise trade; and(2) has been issued a certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement under chapter 121 or is exempt from documentation but would otherwise be eligible for such a certificate and endorsement.(b)Penalty.—The penalty for violating subsection (a) is $300 for each passenger transported and landed.(Pub. L. 109–304, § 8(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1633.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

55103

46 App.:289.

June 19, 1886, ch. 421, § 8, 24 Stat. 81; Feb. 17, 1898, ch. 26, § 2, 30 Stat. 248.

This section is substituted for the source provision for consistency with section 55102. See 19 C.F.R. §§ 4.80, 4.80a (2004).

In subsection (b), the penalty amount reflects the adjustment for inflation pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (28 U.S.C. 2461 note). See 19 C.F.R. § 4.80(b)(2) (2004).

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 2007–2026 · leading case: Am. Cruise Lines v. United States, 96 F.4th 283 (2d Cir. 2024).
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Am. Cruise Lines v. United States, 96 F.4th 283 (2d Cir. 2024). · cites it 2× “, 46 U.S.C. § 55103 (barring foreign companies from transporting passengers between ports within the United States in most situations); Id.”
Am. Classic Voyages Co. v. JP Morgan Chase Bank (In Re Am. Classic Voyages Co.), 367 B.R. 500 (Bankr. D. Del. 2007). “1710 , re-codified as 46 U.S.C.A. § 55103 (2007). 8 . Hereinafter, Defendant's Trial Exhibits will be referred to as "DTE_and Plaintiffs' Trial Exhibits will be referred to as "PTE 9 .”
Demarest, No. 4:25-cv-10001 (S.D. Fla. Feb. 24, 2026). · cites it 3× “§ 289, but that provision was repealed and re-codified at 46 U.S.C. § 55103. See Pub. L. No. 109-304, §§ 8(c), 19, 120 Stat.”
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