(a) General Authority.—The President may proclaim a suspension of commercial privileges to vessels of a foreign country when—
(1) vessels of that country have been given the same commercial privileges in the ports and waters of the United States given to vessels of the United States (except the privilege of engaging in coastwise commerce); and
(2) vessels of the United States are denied commercial privileges in the ports or waters of that country given to vessels of that country.
Terms Used In 46 USC 60505
- officer: includes any person authorized by law to perform the duties of the office. See 1 USC 1
- vessel: includes every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water. See 1 USC 3
(b) Application.—A suspension under this section shall apply to the same commercial privileges denied to vessels of the United States in the ports or waters of the foreign country, and to the same class of vessels of that country as the class of vessels of the United States denied the privileges.
(c) Effective Date.—The President shall designate the effective date of the suspension in the proclamation.
(d) Penalties.—
(1) Seizure and forfeiture.—If the master, officer, or agent of a vessel of a foreign country does an act for the vessel in the ports or waters of the United States in violation of a proclamation issued under this section, the vessel and the goods on the vessel may be seized by, and forfeited to, the United States Government.
(2) Fine or imprisonment.—A person opposing an official of the Government enforcing this section shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both.
