---
kind: "section"
citation: "22 U.S.C. § 463"
title: "22"
title_heading: "Foreign Relations and Intercourse"
number: "463"
heading: "Bonds from armed vessels on clearing"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/22/463"
units:
  - "Chapter 9 — Foreign Wars, War Materials, and Neutrality"
  - "Subchapter III — Prevention of Offenses Against Neutrality"
---

# §463. Bonds from armed vessels on clearing


The owners or consignees of every armed [vessel](/usc/22/456.md?p=c) sailing out of the ports of, or under the jurisdiction of, the [United States](/usc/22/456.md?p=a), belonging wholly or in part to [citizens](/usc/22/456.md?p=f) thereof, shall, before clearing out the same, give bond to the [United States](/usc/22/456.md?p=a), with sufficient sureties, in double the amount of the value of the [vessel](/usc/22/456.md?p=c) and cargo on board, including her armament, conditioned that the [vessel](/usc/22/456.md?p=c) shall not be employed by such owners to cruise or commit hostilities against the subjects, [citizens](/usc/22/456.md?p=f), or property of any foreign prince or [state](/usc/22/456.md?p=e), or of any colony, district, or people, with whom the [United States](/usc/22/456.md?p=a) are at peace.


## Source credit

(Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 16, 35 Stat. 1091.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 28 of title 18 prior to the general revision and enactment of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, by act June 25, 1948, ch. 645, § 1, 62 Stat. 683.

### Prior Provisions

Section was derived from R.S. § 5289 (act Apr. 20, 1818, ch. 88, § 10, 3 Stat. 449), which was repealed by act Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 341, 35 Stat. 1153.