---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 55103"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "55103"
heading: "Transportation of passengers"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/55103"
units:
  - "Subtitle V — Merchant Marine"
  - "Part D — Promotional Programs"
  - "Chapter 551 — Coastwise Trade"
---

# §55103. Transportation of passengers

- (a) **In General.—** Except as otherwise provided in this chapter or [chapter 121](/usc/46/chstII/ptH/ch121.md) of this title, a [vessel](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9) may not transport passengers between ports or places in the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10) to which the coastwise laws apply, either directly or via a foreign port, unless the [vessel](/usc/46/53501.md?p=9)—
  - (1) is wholly owned by citizens of the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10) for purposes of engaging in the coastwise trade; and
  - (2) has been issued a certificate of documentation with a coastwise endorsement under [chapter 121](/usc/46/chstII/ptH/ch121.md) or is exempt from documentation but would otherwise be eligible for such a certificate and endorsement.
- (b) **Penalty.—** The penalty for violating [subsection (a)](#a) is $300 for each passenger transported and landed.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 8(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1633.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 55103 | 46 App.:289. | June 19, 1886, ch. 421, § 8, 24 Stat. 81; Feb. 17, 1898, ch. 26, § 2, 30 Stat. 248. |

This section is substituted for the source provision for consistency with section 55102. See 19 C.F.R. §§ 4.80, 4.80a (2004).

In subsection (b), the penalty amount reflects the adjustment for inflation pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (28 U.S.C. 2461 note). See 19 C.F.R. § 4.80(b)(2) (2004).