HR 1268
Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act
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Bill overview
This bill extends the U.S. Customs Waters Act, increasing the area of the ocean around the United States that U.S. authorities can enforce to 24 nautical miles from the baselines of the country. It modifies existing laws to define these waters as extending to the territorial sea and contiguous zone, as determined by international law and referencing specific presidential proclamations. The changes aim to strengthen the U.S.'s ability to combat smuggling and protect its maritime interests.
Key provisions
- Expands U.S. Customs Waters to 24 nautical miles.
- Defines Customs Waters based on international law and presidential proclamations.
- Extends the territorial sea and contiguous zone for enforcement purposes.
- Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to reflect the expanded Customs Waters.
- Amends the Anti-Smuggling Act to reflect the expanded Customs Waters.
- Specifies the legal basis for determining Customs Waters (Presidential Proclamations 5928 and 7219).
Who is affected
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- U.S. Coast Guard
- International Shipping Companies
- Maritime Industry
- Foreign Nationals operating in U.S. Waters
Notable changes
- Increases the distance of U.S. Customs Waters from 12 to 24 nautical miles.
- Clarifies the legal basis for determining the boundaries of Customs Waters.
- Updates existing legislation to align with the expanded Customs Waters.
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 1268
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To extend the customs waters of the United States from 12 nautical miles to 24 nautical miles from the baselines of the United States, consistent with Presidential Proclamation 7219.
This Act may be cited as the Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act
.
Section 401(j) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1401(j)) is amended—
by striking means, in the case
and inserting the following: “means—
in the case
by striking of the coast of the United States
the first place it appears and inserting from the baselines of the United States, determined in accordance with international law,
;
by striking and, in the case
and inserting the following: “; and
in the case
by striking the waters within four leagues of the coast of the United States.
and inserting the following: “the waters within—
the territorial sea of the United States, to the limits permitted by international law in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 5928 of December 27, 1988; and
the contiguous zone of the United States, to the limits permitted by international law in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 7219 of September 2, 1999.
Section 401(c) of the Anti-Smuggling Act (19 U.S.C. 1709(c)) is amended—
by striking means, in the case
and inserting the following: “means—
in the case
by striking of the coast of the United States
the first place it appears and inserting from the baselines of the United States, determined in accordance with international law,
;
by striking and, in the case
and inserting the following: “; and
in the case
by striking the waters within four leagues of the coast of the United States.
and inserting the following: “the waters within—
the territorial sea of the United States, to the limits permitted by international law in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 5928 of December 27, 1988; and
the contiguous zone of the United States, to the limits permitted by international law in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 7219 of September 2, 1999.
The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the day after the date of the enactment of this Act.