---
kind: "section"
citation: "22 U.S.C. § 454"
title: "22"
title_heading: "Foreign Relations and Intercourse"
number: "454"
heading: "Unlawful use of the American flag by vessel of foreign state"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/22/454"
units:
  - "Chapter 9 — Foreign Wars, War Materials, and Neutrality"
  - "Subchapter II — Neutrality"
---

# §454. Unlawful use of the American flag by vessel of foreign state

- (a) It shall be unlawful for any [vessel](/usc/22/456.md?p=c) belonging to or operating under the jurisdiction of any foreign [state](/usc/22/456.md?p=e) to use the flag of the [United States](/usc/22/456.md?p=a) thereon, or to make use of any distinctive signs or markings, indicating that the same is an [American vessel](/usc/22/456.md?p=d).
- (b) Any [vessel](/usc/22/456.md?p=c) violating the provisions of [subsection (a)](#a) of this section shall be denied for a period of three months the right to enter the ports or territorial waters of the [United States](/usc/22/456.md?p=a) except in cases of force majeure.

## Source credit

(Nov. 4, 1939, ch. 2, § 14, 54 Stat. 11.)