---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 80301"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "80301"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/80301"
units:
  - "Subtitle X — Miscellaneous"
  - "Chapter 803 — Contraband"
---

# §80301. Definitions


In this chapter—

- (1) “aircraft” means a contrivance used, or capable of being used, for transportation in the air.
- (2) “vehicle” means a contrivance used, or capable of being used, for transportation on, below, or above land, but does not include [aircraft](#1).
- (3) “vessel” means a contrivance used, or capable of being used, for transportation in water, but does not include [aircraft](#1).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1353.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 80301(1) | 49 App.:787(c). | Aug. 9, 1939, ch. 618, § 7(a)–(c), 53 Stat. 1292. |
| 80301(2) | 49 App.:787(b). |  |
| 80301(3) | 49 App.:787(a). |  |

In this section, the word “means” is substituted for “includes” as being more precise.

In clause (1), the word “contrivance” is substituted for “every description of craft or carriage or other contrivance” to eliminate unnecessary words.

In clause (2), the word “contrivance” is substituted for “every description of carriage or other contrivance” to eliminate unnecessary words.

In clause (3), the word “contrivance” is substituted for “every description of watercraft or other contrivance” to eliminate unnecessary words.