[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 19, Volume 1] [Revised as of April 1, 2005] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 19CFR4.61] [Page 47-48] TITLE 19--CUSTOMS DUTIES CHAPTER I--BUREAU OF CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY; DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY PART 4_VESSELS IN FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC TRADES--Table of Contents Sec. 4.61 Requirements for clearance. (a) Application for clearance. A clearance application for a vessel intending to depart for a foreign port must be made by filing Customs Form 1300 (Vessel Entrance or Clearance Statement) executed by the vessel master or other proper officer. The master, licensed deck officer, or purser may appear in person to clear the vessel, or the properly executed Customs Form 1300 may be delivered to the customhouse by the vessel agent or other personal representative of the master. Necessary information may also be transmitted electronically pursuant to a system authorized by Customs. Clearance will be granted by Customs either on the Customs Form 1300 or by approved electronic means. Customs port directors may permit the clearance of vessels at locations other than the customhouse, and at times outside of normal business hours. Customs may take local resources into consideration in allowing clearance to be transacted on board vessels themselves or at other mutually convenient sites and times either within or outside of port limits. Customs must be satisfied that the place designated for clearance is sufficiently under Customs control at the time of clearance, and that the expenses incurred by Customs will be reimbursed as authorized. Customs may require that advance notice of vessel departure be given prior to granting requests for optional clearance locations. (b) When clearance required. Under certain circumstances, American vessels departing from ports of the United States directly for other United States ports must obtain Customs clearance. The clearance of such vessels is required when they have merchandise aboard which is being transported in-bond, or when they have unentered foreign merchandise aboard. For the purposes of the vessel clearance requirements, merchandise transported in-bond does not include bonded ship's stores or supplies. While American vessels transporting unentered foreign merchandise must fully comply with usual clearance procedures, American vessels carrying no unentered foreign merchandise but that have in-bond merchandise aboard may satisfy vessel clearance requirements by reporting intended departure within 72 hours prior thereto by any means of communication that is satisfactory to the local Customs port director, and by presenting a completed Customs Form 1300 (Vessel Entrance or Clearance Statement). Also, the Customs officer may require the production of any documents or papers deemed necessary for the proper inspection/examination of the vessel, cargo, passenger, or crew. Report of departure together with providing information to Customs as specified in this paragraph satisfies all clearance requirements for the subject vessels. (c) Verification of compliance. Before clearance is granted to a vessel bound to a foreign port as provided in Sec. 4.60 and this section, the port director will verify compliance with respect to the following matters: [[Page 48]] (1) Accounting for inward cargo (see Sec. 4.62). (2) Outward Cargo Declarations; shippers export declarations (see Sec. 4.63). (3) Documentation (see Sec. 4.0(c)). (4) Verification of nationality and tonnage (see Sec. 4.65). (5) Verification of inspection (see Sec. 4.66). (6) Inspection under State laws (46 U.S.C. App. 97). (7) Closed ports or places (see Sec. 4.67). (8) Passengers (see Sec. 4.68). (9) Shipping articles and enforcement of Seamen's Act (see Sec. 4.69). (10) Medicine and slop chests. (11) Load line regulations (see Sec. 4.65a). (12) Carriage of United States securities, etc. (46 U.S.C. App. 98). (13) Carriage of mail. (14) Public Health regulations (see Sec. 4.70). (15) Inspection of vessels carrying livestock (see Sec. 4.71). (16) Inspection of meat, meat-food products, and inedible fats (see Sec. 4.72). (17) Neutrality exportation of arms and munitions (see Sec. 4.73). (18) Payment of State and Federal fees and fees due the Government of the Virgin Islands of the United States (46 U.S.C. App. 100). (19) Orders restricting shipping (see Sec. 4.74). (20) Estimated duties deposited or a bond given to cover duties on foreign repairs and equipment for vessels of the United States (see Sec. 4.14). (21) Illegal discharge of oil (see Sec. 4.66a). (22) Attached or arrested vessel. (23) Immigration laws. (24) Electronic receipt of required vessel cargo information (see Sec. 192.14(c) of this chapter). (d) Vessel built for foreign account. A new vessel built in the United States for foreign account will be cleared under a certificate of record, Coast Guard Form 1316, in lieu of a marine document. (e) Clearance not granted. Clearance will not be granted to any foreign vessel using the flag of the United States or any distinctive signs or markings indicating that the vessel is an American vessel (22 U.S.C. 454a). (f) Clearance in order of itinerary. Unless otherwise provided in this section, every vessel bound for a foreign port or ports will be cleared for a definite port or ports in the order of its itinerary, but an application to clear for a port or place for orders, that is, for instructions to masters as to destination of the vessel, may be accepted if the vessel is in ballast or if any cargo on board is to be discharged in a port of the same country as the port for which clearance is sought. [T.D. 00-4, 65 FR 2874, Jan. 19, 2000; T.D. 00-22, 65 FR 16515, Mar. 29, 2000; CBP Dec. 03-32, 68 FR 68169, Dec. 5, 2003]