---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 963"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "963"
heading: "Detention of armed vessel"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/963"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 45 — Foreign Relations"
---

# §963. Detention of armed vessel

- (a) During a war in which the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) is a neutral nation, the President, or any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) authorized by him, may detain any armed vessel owned wholly or in part by citizens of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), or any vessel, domestic or foreign (other than one which has entered the ports of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) as a public vessel), which is manifestly built for warlike purposes or has been converted or adapted from a private vessel to one suitable for warlike use, until the [owner](/usc/18/1839.md?p=4) or master, or [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) having charge of such vessel, shall furnish proof satisfactory to the President, or to the [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) duly authorized by him, that the vessel will not be employed to cruise against or commit or attempt to commit hostilities upon the subjects, citizens, or property of any foreign prince or [state](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9), or of any colony, district, or people with which the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) is at peace, and that the said vessel will not be sold or delivered to any belligerent nation, or to an agent, [officer](/usc/18/202.md?p=c), or citizen of such nation, by them or any of them, within the jurisdiction of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), or upon the high seas.
- (b) [Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), in violation of this section takes, or attempts to take, or authorizes the taking of any such vessel, out of port or from the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.

  In addition, such vessel, her tackle, apparel, furniture, equipment, and her cargo shall be forfeited to the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9).


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 746; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(L), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§ 32, 36 (June 15, 1917, ch. 30, title V, §§ 2, 6, 40 Stat. 221, 222; Mar. 28, 1940, ch. 72, § 5, 54 Stat. 79).

Section consolidates said sections of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed.

Words “within the United States” were substituted for “within the jurisdiction” etc., in view of the definition of United States in section 5 of this title.

Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.

The conspiracy provision of said section 36 was omitted as covered by section 371 of this title. See reviser’s note under that section.

Changes in phraseology were also made.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $10,000”.

### Executive Documents

### Delegation of Functions

For delegation to Secretary of Homeland Security of authority vested in President by this section, see section 1(l) of Ex. Ord. No. 10637, Sept. 16, 1955, 20 F.R. 7025, as amended, set out as a note under section 301 of Title 3, The President.