19 U.S.C. § 1433

Verified against govinfo.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on govinfo.gov ↗

(a)
1. (1)Immediately upon the arrival at any port or place within the United States or the Virgin Islands of—the master of the vessel shall report the arrival at the nearest customs facility or such other place as the Secretary may prescribe by regulations.
  1. (A)any vessel from a foreign port or place;
  2. (B)any foreign vessel from a domestic port;
  3. (C)any vessel of the United States carrying foreign merchandise for which entry has not been made; or
  4. (D)any vessel which has visited a hovering vessel or received merchandise while outside the territorial sea;
2. (2)The Secretary may by regulation—
  1. (A)prescribe the manner in which arrivals are to be reported under paragraph (1); and
  2. (B)extend the time in which reports of arrival must be made, but not later than 24 hours after arrival.
(b)
1. (1)Vehicles may arrive in the United States only at border crossing points designated by the Secretary.
2. (2)Except as otherwise authorized by the Secretary, immediately upon the arrival of any vehicle in the United States at a border crossing point, the person in charge of the vehicle shall—to the customs officer at the customs facility designated for that crossing point.
  1. (A)report the arrival; and
  2. (B)present the vehicle, and all persons and merchandise (including baggage) on board, for inspection;
(c)The pilot of any aircraft arriving in the United States or the Virgin Islands from any foreign airport or place shall comply with such advance notification, arrival reporting, and landing requirements as the Secretary may by regulation prescribe.
(d)The master, person in charge of a vehicle, or aircraft pilot shall present, or transmit pursuant to an electronic data interchange system, to the Customs Service such information, data, documents, papers, or manifests as the Secretary may by regulation prescribe.
(e)Unless otherwise authorized by law, a vessel, aircraft or vehicle after arriving in the United States or Virgin Islands may, but only in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary—
1. (1)depart from the port, place, or airport of arrival; or
2. (2)discharge any passenger or merchandise (including baggage).