Requests to Waive the Navigation Laws

Waivers of the navigation laws may be granted pursuant to 46 U.S.C. § 501. In the event a party seeks a waiver of the navigation laws enforced by CBP, including the Jones Act, all such requests must include the following information:

Cargo (description, type, weight and dimensions of cargo, units if containerized)

• Name of the vessel that will be used for the proposed transportation
• Vessel Flag/County of Registration of the vessel that will be used for the proposed transportation
• Available for Loading Date (ready for pick-up)
• Required Shipping Date (must be shipped by)
• Required Delivery Date
• Preferred Port of Lading
• Preferred Port of Unlading
• Name of Shipper
• Name of Consignee
• Point of Contact (name, phone, email)
• Special Instructions (Hazmat? Other concerns?)
• A statement that the requester does not have under charter any coastwise-qualified vessel that is: capable of transporting the type of merchandise at issue, and whether or not it is laden with the type of cargo described in the request.
• Why granting the waiver for the proposed transportation of cargo would be necessary in the interest of national defense.

Waiver requests which do not contain each of the above items will not be processed. 

Public Posting Requirement

CBP is required under 46 U.S.C. § 501(b)(6)(A) to publish waiver requests on this website upon receipt. All requests to waive the navigation laws will be released in full to the public. 

Information which is claimed to constitute trade secrets or privileged or confidential commercial or financial information should not be submitted. 

Point of Contact

Requests to waive the Jones Act navigation laws should be sent to the following: JonesActWaiverRequest@cbp.dhs.gov

Questions? Please contact 202-860-7502.

Past Waiver Requests