---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 42301"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "42301"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/42301"
units:
  - "Subtitle IV — Regulation of Ocean Shipping"
  - "Part B — Actions To Address Foreign Practices"
  - "Chapter 423 — Foreign Shipping Practices"
---

# §42301. Definitions

- (a) **Defined in Part A.—** In this chapter, the terms “[common carrier](/usc/46/40102.md?p=7)”, “[marine terminal operator](/usc/46/40102.md?p=15)”, “[ocean common carrier](/usc/46/40102.md?p=18)”, “[ocean transportation intermediary](/usc/46/40102.md?p=20)”, “[shipper](/usc/46/40102.md?p=23)”, and “[shippers](/usc/46/40102.md?p=24)’ association” have the meaning given those terms in [section 40102 of this title](/usc/46/40102.md).
- (b) **Other Definitions.—** In this chapter:
  - (1) **Foreign carrier.—** The term “foreign carrier” means an [ocean common carrier](/usc/46/40102.md?p=18) a majority of whose vessels are documented under the laws of a foreign country.
  - (2) **Maritime services.—** The term “maritime services” means port-to-port transportation of cargo by vessels operated by an [ocean common carrier](/usc/46/40102.md?p=18).
  - (3) **Maritime-related services.—** The term “maritime-related services” means intermodal operations, terminal operations, cargo solicitation, agency services, [ocean transportation intermediary](/usc/46/40102.md?p=20) services and operations, and all other activities and services integral to total transportation systems of [ocean common carriers](/usc/46/40102.md?p=18) and their foreign domiciled affiliates for themselves and others.
  - (4) **United states carrier.—** The term “United States carrier” means an [ocean common carrier](/usc/46/40102.md?p=18) operating vessels documented under the laws of the United States.
  - (5) **United states oceanborne trade.—** The term “United States oceanborne trade” means the carriage of cargo between the United States and a foreign country, whether directly or indirectly, by an [ocean common carrier](/usc/46/40102.md?p=18).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 7, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1551.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 42301 | 46 App.:1710a(a). | Pub. L. 100–418, title X, § 10002(a), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1570; Pub. L. 105–258, title I, § 111(1)–(3), Oct. 14, 1998, 112 Stat. 1911. |