46 U.S.C. § 55102 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 46. Shipping § 55102. Transportation of merchandise

(a) Definition.--In this section, the term “merchandise” includes--

(b) Requirements.--Except as otherwise provided in this chapter or chapter 121 of this title, a vessel may not provide any part of the transportation of merchandise by water, or by land and water, between points in the United States to which the coastwise laws apply, either directly or via a foreign port, unless the vessel--

(c) Penalty.--Merchandise transported in violation of subsection (b) is liable to seizure by and forfeiture to the Government. Alternatively, an amount equal to the value of the merchandise (as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security) or the actual cost of the transportation, whichever is greater, may be recovered from any person transporting the merchandise or causing the merchandise to be transported.