HR 1268 United States House · 119th Congress

Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act

HR 1268 updates the legal definition of U.S. customs waters in two key laws (the Tariff Act of 1930 and the Anti-Smuggling Act) to align with current international maritime standards. It replaces the outdated "four leagues from the coast" language with specific references to the U.S. territorial sea (per Presidential Proclamation 5928, 1988) and contiguous zone (per Presidential Proclamation 7219, 1999). This change directly affects U.S. Customs and Border Protection enforcement activities in coastal waters. The bill makes no new policy or tax changes - it only clarifies existing legal boundaries for customs jurisdiction. The update takes effect upon the bill's enactment.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Feb 12, 2025 Last action Feb 12, 2025