---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 30906"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "30906"
heading: "Venue"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/30906"
units:
  - "Subtitle III — Maritime Liability"
  - "Chapter 309 — Suits in Admiralty Against the United States"
---

# §30906. Venue

- (a) **In General.—** A civil action under this chapter shall be brought in the [district court](/usc/46/31301.md?p=2) of the United States for the district in which—
  - (1) any plaintiff resides or has its principal place of business; or
  - (2) the vessel or cargo is found.
- (b) **Transfer.—** On a motion by a party, the court may transfer the action to any other [district court](/usc/46/31301.md?p=2) of the United States.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 6(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1518.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 30906(a) | 46 App.:742 (2d sentence). | Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, § 2 (2d, last sentences), 41 Stat. 526. |
| 30906(b) | 46 App.:742 (last sentence). |  |

In subsection (a)(1), the words “in the United States” are omitted as unnecessary.

In subsection (a)(2), the words “charged with liability” are omitted as unnecessary.

In subsection (b), the words “in the discretion of the court” are omitted as unnecessary. For general change of venue provision, see 28 U.S.C. 1404.