Federal · Title 19 — Customs Duties

19 U.S.C. § 1447: Place of entry and unlading

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Federal law prohibits entering vessels or unloading cargo at locations other than designated ports of entry, with exceptions for CBP-approved alternative locations and bulk cargo under Treasury Department authorization.

Read the full statutory text

It shall be unlawful to make entry of any vessel or to unlade the cargo or any part thereof of any vessel elsewhere than at a port of entry: Provided , That upon good cause therefor being shown, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection may permit entry of any vessel to be made at a place other than a port of entry designated by him, under such conditions as he shall prescribe: And provided further , That any vessel laden with merchandise in bulk may proceed after entry of such vessel to any place designated by the Secretary of the Treasury for the purpose of unlading such cargo, under the supervision of customs officers if the Customs Service considers the same necessary, and in such case the compensation and expenses of such officers shall be reimbursed to the Government by the party in interest.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.