---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 41301"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "41301"
heading: "Complaints"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/41301"
units:
  - "Subtitle IV — Regulation of Ocean Shipping"
  - "Part A — Ocean Shipping"
  - "Chapter 413 — Enforcement"
---

# §41301. Complaints

- (a) **In General.—** A person may file with the Federal Maritime [Commission](/usc/46/42501.md?p=1) a sworn complaint alleging a violation of this part, except [section 41307(b)(1)](/usc/46/41307.md?p=b-1). If the complaint is filed within 3 years after the claim accrues, the complainant may seek reparations for an injury to the complainant caused by the violation.
- (b) **Notice and Response.—** The [Commission](/usc/46/42501.md?p=1) shall provide a copy of the complaint to the person named in the complaint. Within a reasonable time specified by the [Commission](/usc/46/42501.md?p=1), the person shall satisfy the complaint or answer it in writing.
- (c) **If Complaint Not Satisfied.—** If the complaint is not satisfied, the [Commission](/usc/46/42501.md?p=1) shall investigate the complaint in an appropriate manner and make an appropriate order.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 7, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1545.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 41301(a) | 46 App.:1710(a), (g) (related to time limit). | Pub. L. 98–237, § 11(a), (b), (g) (related to time limit), Mar. 20, 1984, 98 Stat. 80; Pub. L. 98–595, § 3(b)(2), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 3132; Pub. L. 105–258, title I, § 110, Oct. 14, 1998, 112 Stat. 1911. |
| 41301(b) | 46 App.:1710(b) (1st sentence). |  |
| 41301(c) | 46 App.:1710(b) (last sentence). |  |

In subsection (a), the words “If the complaint is filed within 3 years after the claim accrues” are substituted for “For any complaint filed within 3 years after the cause of action accrued” in 46 App. U.S.C. 1710(g) to alert the reader to that time limitation.