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§ 540. President may use suitable vessels for enforcing customs laws

Version history — every release point where this text changed

Release point 119-83 · current through 04/13/2026

119-87 is not ingested; this is Title 19 as published at 119-83 (2026-04-13), which is the latest release point at or before it that carries this title.

§ 540.

President may use suitable vessels for enforcing customs laws

In the execution of laws providing for the collection of duties on imports and tonnage, the President, in addition to the Coast Guard vessels in service, may employ in aid thereof such other suitable vessels as may, in his judgment, be required.

Source(R.S. § 5318; Jan. 28, 1915, ch. 20, § 1, 38 Stat. 800; Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, §§ 1, 20, 63 Stat. 496, 561.)
Notes

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. § 5318 derived from act July 13, 1861, ch. 3, § 7, 12 Stat. 257.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of
November 25, 2002
, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.
“Coast Guard vessels” substituted in text for “revenue-cutters”, the Revenue Cutter Service and the Life-Saving Service having been combined to form the Coast Guard by section 1 of act
Jan. 28, 1915
. That act was repealed by section 20 of act
Aug. 4, 1949
, section 1 of which reestablished the Coast Guard by enacting Title 14, Coast Guard.

Executive Documents

Delegation of Functions

For delegation to Secretary of the Treasury of authority vested in President by this section, see section 1(i) of Ex. Ord. No. 10289,
Sept. 17, 1951
, 16 F.R. 9499, as amended, set out as a note under section 301 of Title 3, The President.

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