Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act

This legislation aims to expand the operational reach of U.S. customs enforcement by redefining the scope of customs waters . It proposes amendments to both the Tariff Act of 1930 and the Anti-Smuggling Act, which currently define these waters. The core purpose is to extend the outer boundary of customs waters from the existing 12 nautical miles to 24 nautical miles from the baselines of the United States. The bill achieves this by specifying that customs waters will now include the contiguous zone of the United States, consistent with Presidential Proclamation 7219 of September 2, 1999. This change would align the statutory definition with the internationally recognized contiguous zone, thereby enhancing the ability of U.S. authorities to interdict smuggling and other illicit activities further offshore. The amendments are designed to take effect on the day following the bill's enactment.