46 U.S.C. § 80505 — Enforcement

1. (a)In GeneralTo enforce the Convention, this chapter, and regulations prescribed under this chapter, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may—
   1. (1)examine, or require to be examined, containers in international transport;
   2. (2)approve designs for containers;
   3. (3)inspect and test containers being manufactured;
   4. (4)issue a detention order removing or excluding a container from service until the container owner satisfies the Secretary that the container meets the standards of the Convention, if the container—
      1. (A)does not have a safety approval plate attached to it; or
      2. (B)has a safety approval plate attached but there is significant evidence that the container is in a condition that creates an obvious risk to safety;
   5. (5)take other appropriate action, including issuing necessary orders, to remove a container from service or restrict its use if the container is not in compliance with the Convention, this chapter, or regulations prescribed under this chapter, but does not present an obvious risk to safety; and
   6. (6)allow a container found to be unsafe or without a safety approval plate to be moved to another location for repair or other disposition, under restrictions consistent with the intent of the Convention.
2. (b)Payment of Expenses
   1. (1)ExaminationThe owner of a container involved in an action by the Secretary under this section related to an examination of the container shall pay or reimburse the Secretary for the expenses arising from that action, except for the costs of routine examinations of the container or a safety approval plate.
   2. (2)Testing, inspection, and initial approvalThe owner of a container submitted to the procedure established by the Secretary for testing, inspection, and initial approval, and the manufacturer of a container that submits a design to the procedure established by the Secretary for testing, inspection, and initial approval, shall pay or reimburse the Secretary for the expenses arising from the testing, inspection, or approval.
   3. (3)Credit to appropriationAmounts received by the Secretary as reimbursement shall be credited to the appropriation for operations and support of the Coast Guard.
3. (c)Presumption Based on Safety Approval PlateA container bearing a safety approval plate authorized by a country that is a party to the Convention is presumed to be in a safe condition unless there is significant evidence that the container is in a condition that creates an obvious risk to safety.
4. (d)Notice of Orders
   1. (1)In generalWhen the Secretary issues a detention or other order under this section, the Secretary promptly shall notify in writing—
      1. (A)the owner of the container;
      2. (B)the owner’s agent; or
      3. (C)if the identity of the owner is not apparent from the container or shipping documents, the custodian.
   2. (2)Information to includeThe notification shall identify the container involved, give the location of the container, and describe the condition or situation giving rise to the order.
5. (e)Duration of OrdersAn order issued by the Secretary under this section remains in effect until—
   1. (1)the Secretary declares the container to be in compliance with the standards of the Convention; or
   2. (2)the container is removed permanently from service.
6. (f)Notice of Defective Container to Country Issuing Safety Approval PlateIf the Secretary has reason to believe that a container bearing a safety approval plate issued by another country was defective at the time of approval, the Secretary shall notify that country.