2016 US Code
Title 46 - Shipping
Subtitle VI - Clearance, Tonnage Taxes, and Duties
Chapter 603 - Tonnage Taxes and Light Money
Sec. 60303 - Light money

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Citation 46 U.S.C. § 60303 (2016)
Section Name §60303. Light money
Section Text

(a) Imposition of Tax.—A tax of 50 cents per ton, to be called "light money", is imposed on a vessel not of the United States at each entry in a port of the United States. This tax shall be imposed and collected under the same regulations that apply to tonnage taxes.

(b) Exception for Vessels Owned by Citizens.—

(1) In general.—Subsection (a) does not apply to a vessel owned only by citizens of the United States if—

(A) the vessel is carrying a regular document issued by a customhouse of the United States proving the vessel to be owned only by citizens of the United States; and

(B) on entry of the vessel from a foreign port, the individual designated under paragraph (2) states under oath that—

(i) the document contains the names of all the owners of the vessel; or

(ii) part of the ownership has been transferred since the document was issued and, to the best of that individual's knowledge and belief, the vessel is still owned only by citizens of the United States.


(2) Person to make statement.—The statement under paragraph (1)(B) shall be made by—

(A) an owner if one resides at the port of entry; or

(B) the master if an owner does not reside at the port of entry.


(c) Exception for Vessels Becoming Documented.—Subsection (a) section does not apply to a vessel that—

(1) is owned only by citizens of the United States; and

(2) after entering a port of the United States, becomes documented as a vessel of the United States before leaving that port.

Source Credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, §9(b), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1678.)

Editorial Notes
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
60303(a) 46 App.:128 (words before proviso). R.S. §4225.
60303(b) 46 App.:129. R.S. §4226.
60303(c) 46 App.:128 (proviso). Mar. 4, 1915, ch. 171, §1, 38 Stat. 1193.

In subsection (a), the word "tax" is substituted for "duty", and the word "imposed" is substituted for "levied and collected", for consistency in the chapter. The words "in the same manner" are omitted as unnecessary.

In subsection (b)(1), before subparagraph (A), the words "does not apply to" are substituted for "shall not be deemed to operate upon" to eliminate unnecessary words. The word "unregistered" is omitted as unnecessary. The word "only" is added for clarity and for consistency in the revised title. In subparagraph (A), the words "owned only by citizens of the United States" are substituted for "American property" for consistency. In subparagraph (B)(ii), the words "sold or" are omitted as unnecessary. The words "owned only by citizens of the United States" are substituted for "no foreign subject or citizen has . . . any share, by way of trust, confidence, or otherwise" to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (b)(2), subparagraph (A) is substituted for "if the same shall be at the port at which the owner or any of the part owners reside", and subparagraph (B) is substituted for "If the owner or any part owner does not reside at the port or place at which such vessel shall enter, then the master shall make oath to the like effect", to eliminate unnecessary words.

Publication Title United States Code, 2012 Edition, Supplement 4, Title 46 - SHIPPING
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 46 - SHIPPING
Subtitle VI - Clearance, Tonnage Taxes, and Duties
CHAPTER 603 - TONNAGE TAXES AND LIGHT MONEY
Sec. 60303 - Light money
Contains section 60303
Date 2016
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 6, 2017
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 38 Stat. 1193
120 Stat. 1678
Public Law References Public Law 109-304
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