Extending Limits of United States Customs Waters Act of 2025

Current understanding

The bill would codify a statutory extension of U.S. customs waters from 12 to 24 nautical miles by aligning the definition with the territorial sea (Presidential Proclamation 5928) and contiguous zone (Presidential Proclamation 7219) limits already established by executive action. The practical effect is to give CBP and other federal agencies clearer statutory authority to conduct customs enforcement (boardings, searches, seizures) in the outer 12 nautical miles that were previously covered only by proclamation, potentially affecting commercial mariners, fishing vessels, and small craft operating in the contiguous zone. Status: introduced.

Evidence log

• 2026-08-25 — Establishment of Four Customs-Enforcement Areas: cross-connection with customs-enforcement-areas: Both expand CBP’s maritime jurisdiction — the Extending Limits Act broadens the geographic reach of customs waters, while the Customs-Enforcement Areas rule designates specific near-shore zones with boarding/arrest authority against hovering vessels. (novelty: 3)
• 2025-02-12 — Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act: HR1268 as introduced would revise the statutory definition of U.S. customs waters to 24 nautical miles from the baselines, codifying Proclamations 5928 and 7219. (novelty: 2)

Open questions

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