---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 40103"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "40103"
heading: "Administrative exemptions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/40103"
units:
  - "Subtitle IV — Regulation of Ocean Shipping"
  - "Part A — Ocean Shipping"
  - "Chapter 401 — General"
---

# §40103. Administrative exemptions

- (a) **In General.—** The Federal Maritime [Commission](/usc/46/42501.md?p=1), on application or its own motion, may by order or regulation exempt for the future any class of [agreements](/usc/46/40102.md?p=1) between persons subject to this part or any specified activity of those persons from any requirement of this part if the [Commission](/usc/46/42501.md?p=1) finds that the exemption will not result in substantial reduction in competition or be detrimental to commerce. The [Commission](/usc/46/42501.md?p=1) may attach conditions to an exemption and may, by order, revoke an exemption.
- (b) **Opportunity for Hearing.—** An order or regulation of exemption or revocation of an exemption may be issued only if the [Commission](/usc/46/42501.md?p=1) has provided an opportunity for a hearing to interested persons and departments and agencies of the United States Government.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 7, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1527.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 40103 | 46 App.:1715. | Pub. L. 98–237, § 16, Mar. 20, 1984, 98 Stat. 84; Pub. L. 105–258, title I, § 114, Oct. 14, 1998, 112 Stat. 1912. |