# 19 CFR § 162.3: Boarding and search of vessels

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-19-162.3

## Section

- **Citation:** 19 CFR § 162.3
- **Heading:** Boarding and search of vessels
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 19—Customs Duties > CHAPTER I—U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY › DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY > PART 162—INSPECTION, SEARCH, AND SEIZURE > Subpart A—Inspection, Examination, and Search

## Text

(a) General authority. A Customs officer, for the purpose of examining the manifest and other documents and papers and examining, inspecting and searching the vessel, may at any time go on board:
(1) Any vessel at any place in the United States or within the Customs waters of the United States;
(2) Any American vessel on the high seas;
(3) Any vessel within a Customs-enforcement area designated such under the provisions of the Anti-Smuggling Act (Act of August 5, 1935, as amended, 49 Stat. 517; 19 U.S.C. 1701, 1703 through 1711), but Customs officers shall not board a foreign vessel upon the high seas in contravention of any treaty with a foreign government, or in the absence of a special arrangement with the foreign government concerned.
(b) Search of army or navy vessel. If the port director or special agent in charge believes that sufficient grounds exist to justify a search of any army or navy vessel, the facts shall be reported to the commanding officer or master of the vessel with a request that he cause a full search to be made, and advise the port director or special agent in charge of the result of such search. If, after the cargo has been discharged, passengers and their baggage landed, and the baggage of officers and crewmembers examined and passed, the port director or special agent in charge believes that sufficient grounds exist to justify the continuance of Customs supervision of the vessel, the commanding officer or master of the vessel shall be advised accordingly.
(c) Assistance of other agencies. Customs officers are authorized to assist any other agency in the enforcement of United States laws on any vessel.
[T.D. 84-18, 48 FR 52899, Nov. 23, 1983]

## Nearby sections

- [19 CFR § 162.3 § 162.3 Boarding and search of vessels.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-19-162.3.md)
- [19 CFR § 162.4 § 162.4 Search for letters.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-19-162.4.md)
- [19 CFR § 162.5 § 162.5 Search of arriving vehicles and aircraft.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-19-162.5.md)
- [19 CFR § 162.6 § 162.6 Search of persons, baggage, and merchandise.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-19-162.6.md)
- [19 CFR § 162.7 § 162.7 Search of vehicles, persons, or beasts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-19-162.7.md)
- [19 CFR § 162.8 § 162.8 Preclearance inspections and examinations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-19-162.8.md)
- [19 CFR § 162.11 § 162.11 Authority to procure warrants.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-19-162.11.md)
- [19 CFR § 162.12 § 162.12 Service of search warrant.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-19-162.12.md)
- [19 CFR § 162.13 § 162.13 Search of rooms not described in warrant.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-19-162.13.md)
- [19 CFR § 162.15 § 162.15 Receipt for seized property.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-19-162.15.md)
- [19 CFR § 162.21 § 162.21 Responsibility and authority for seizures.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-19-162.21.md)
- [19 CFR § 162.22 § 162.22 Seizure of conveyances.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-19-162.22.md)
- [19 CFR § 162.23 § 162.23 Seizure under section 596(c), Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1595a(c)).](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-19-162.23.md)
- [19 CFR § 162.31 § 162.31 Notice of fine, penalty, or forfeiture incurred.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-19-162.31.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-19-162.3. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.