# 46 C.F.R. § 381.5 (2026): Fix American-flag tonnage first

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P381_S381_5

## Section

- **Citation:** 46 C.F.R. § 381.5 (2026)
- **Heading:** Fix American-flag tonnage first
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 46 CFR: Shipping / Chapter II: MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION / Part 381: CARGO PREFERENCE—U.S.-FLAG VESSELS / § 381.5: § 381.5   Fix American-flag tonnage first.

## Text

Each department or agency having responsibility under the Cargo Preference Act of 1954 shall cause each full shipload of cargo subject to said act to be fixed on U.S.-flag vessels prior to any fixture on foreign-flag vessels for at least that portion of all preference cargoes required by that Act and the Food Security Act of 1985 to be shipped on U.S.-flag vessels, computed by purchase authorization or other quantitative unit satisfactory to the agency involved and the Maritime Administration, except where such department or agency determines, with the concurrence of the Maritime Administration, that (a) U.S.-flag vessels are not available at fair and reasonable rates for U.S.-flag commercial vessels, or (b) that there is a substantially valid reason for fixing foreign-flag vessels first.
[G.O. 103, Amdt. 2, 36 FR 19254, Oct. 1, 1971, as amended at 57 FR 13047, Apr. 15, 1992]

## Nearby sections

- [46 C.F.R. § 381.1 (2026) § 381.1   Purpose.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P381_S381_1.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 381.2 (2026) § 381.2   Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P381_S381_2.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 381.3 (2026) § 381.3   Reporting information and procedure.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P381_S381_3.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 381.4 (2026) § 381.4   Fair and reasonable participation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P381_S381_4.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 381.5 (2026) § 381.5   Fix American-flag tonnage first.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P381_S381_5.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 381.6 (2026) § 381.6   Informal grievance procedure.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P381_S381_6.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 381.7 (2026) § 381.7   Federal Grant, Guaranty, Loan and Advance of Funds Agreements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P381_S381_7.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 381.8 (2026) § 381.8   Subsidized vessel participation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P381_S381_8.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 381.9 (2026) § 381.9   Available U.S.-flag service.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P381_S381_9.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P381_S381_5. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.