U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced a new division dedicated to enforcement of the Jones Act.
The National Jones Act Division of Enforcement was created “in order to present a uniformed approach on issues involving the Jones Act,” the agency said in a statement. “The JADE will work in partnership with industry stakeholders in the enforcement of the Jones Act, along with all other coastwise trade laws.”
The JADE will be located within the CBP New Orleans Field Office, with a stated mission to “assist CBP and industry partners on issues concerning coastwise trade, with the goal of being a clearinghouse for all coastwise trade issues.”
The new division will be staffed by a team of subject matter experts to assist industry partners with questions and concerns about coastwise trade, the CBP said. All formal ruling requests will continue to be forwarded to Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade.
JADE will also conduct outreach presentations to industry partners on the subject of coastwise trade, the CBP said.
To report suspected violations of coastwise trade, individuals should visit the CBP e-Allegation website. The JADE can be reached via email.
