H.R. 1268 — Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act

This section provides the short title of the Act as the “Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act.”

This section revises the definition of “customs waters” under section 401(j) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1401(j)) and section 401(c) of the Anti-Smuggling Act (19 U.S.C. 1709(c)) by replacing the reference to waters “within four leagues of the coast of the United States” with a two-part definition covering: (1) 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 (2) the contiguous zone of the United States, to the limits permitted by international law in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 7219 of September 2, 1999. Thus, the provision expands the geographic area in which U.S. authorities may board, examine, search, seize, or otherwise enforce U.S. law on covered vessels from a four-league coastal zone to the territorial sea and contiguous zone as recognized under international law. The amendments take effect on the day after enactment.