46 U.S.C. § 12133: Duty to carry certificate on vessel and allow examination

46 U.S.C. 12133: Duty to carry certificate on vessel and allow examinationText contains those laws in effect through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).

From Title 46-SHIPPINGCHAPTER 121-DOCUMENTATION OF VESSELS

Jump To: Source CreditHistorical and Revision Notes

§12133. Duty to carry certificate on vessel and allow examination

(a) Duty To Carry.⁠—The certificate of documentation of a vessel shall be carried on the vessel unless the vessel is exempt by regulation from carrying the certificate.

(b) Availability.⁠—The owner or individual in charge of a vessel required to carry its certificate of documentation shall make the certificate available for examination at the request of an officer enforcing the revenue laws or as otherwise required by law or regulation.

(c) Criminal Penalty.⁠—A person willfully violating subsection (b) shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.

( Pub. L. 109–304, § 5 , Oct. 6, 2006 , 120 Stat. 1505 .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
12133	46:12103(e).
	46 App.:277.	R.S. § 4336; Aug. 5, 1935, ch. 438, title III, § 312, 49 Stat. 528; Pub. L. 85–237, § 2, Aug. 30, 1957, 71 Stat. 518; Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 686(a)(5), Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2220.

12133

46:12103(e).

46 App.:277.

R.S. § 4336; Aug. 5, 1935, ch. 438, title III, § 312, 49 Stat. 528; Pub. L. 85–237, § 2, Aug. 30, 1957, 71 Stat. 518; Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 686(a)(5), Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2220.

This section consolidates and clarifies the requirements contained in the source provisions. The specific civil penalties are omitted as unnecessary because of the general civil penalty in section 12151(a) of the revised title. See also 19 U.S.C. 1581.