(a) Transportation of merchandise in-bond by bonded carriers—(1) Generally. Except as provided for in paragraph (b) of this section, merchandise to be transported from one port to another in the United States in-bond must be delivered to a common carrier, contract carrier, freight forwarder, or private carrier, each of which must be bonded for that purpose. Such merchandise delivered to a bonded common carrier, contract carrier, or freight forwarder may be transported with the use of facilities of other bonded or non-bonded carriers; however, the responsibility for the merchandise will remain with the common carrier, contract carrier, or freight forwarder that obligated its bond for that purpose. Only vessels entitled to engage in the coastwise trade (see §4.80 of this chapter) will be entitled to transport merchandise under this section.

(2) Merchandise transported under a TIR carnet. Merchandise to be transported from one port to another in the United States under cover of a TIR carnet (see part 114 of this chapter), except merchandise not otherwise subject to CBP control, as provided in §§18.41 through 18.45, must be delivered to a common carrier or contract carrier bonded for that purpose, but the merchandise thereafter may be transported with the use of other bonded or non-bonded common or contract carriers. The TIR carnet will be responsible for liability incurred in the carriage of merchandise under the carnet, and the carrier's bond will be responsible as provided in §114.22(c) of this chapter.

(3) Merchandise transported under an A.T.A. or a TECRO/AIT carnet. Merchandise to be transported from one port to another in the United States under cover of an A.T.A. or TECRO/AIT carnet (see part 114 of this chapter) must be delivered to a common carrier or contract carrier bonded for that purpose, but the merchandise thereafter may be transported with the use of other bonded or non-bonded common or contract carriers. The A.T.A. or TECRO/AIT carnet will be responsible for liability incurred in the carriage of merchandise under the carnet, and the carrier's bond will be responsible as provided in §114.22(d) of this chapter.

(b) Transportation of merchandise in-bond between certain ports by bonded cartmen or lighterman. Pursuant to Public Resolution 108, of June 19, 1936, (19 U.S.C. 1551, 1551a) and subject to compliance with all other applicable provisions of this part, CBP, upon the request of a party named in §18.1(c), may permit merchandise that has been entered and subject to CBP examination to be transported in-bond between the ports of New York, Newark, and Perth Amboy, by bonded cartmen or lightermen duly qualified in accordance with the provisions of part 112 of this chapter, if CBP is satisfied that the transportation of such merchandise in this manner will not endanger the revenue and does not pose a risk to health, safety or security.