U.S. Customs and Border Protection Beefs Up Jones Act Enforcement

The Jones Act tanker MT Florida. Photo: Crowley

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection is beefing up its enforcement of the Jones Act with the creation of a special division strictly to handle Jones Act issues as they arise.

The CBP says the mission of the new division, called the National Jones Act Division of Enforcement (JADE), is to assist CBP and industry partners on issues concerning coastwise trade, with the goal of being a clearinghouse for all coastwise trade issues.

“The JADE will work in partnership with industry stakeholders in the enforcement of the Jones Act, along with all other coastwise trade laws,” the CBP said in their announcement of the new division. “As an advocate for coastwise trade, the JADE be available for outreach presentations to industry partners on the subject of coastwise trade.”

JADE will be located in New Orleans and staffed by a team of subject matter experts, according to the CBP.

To assist with enforcement, the CBP has set up a dedicated inbox for individuals to report suspected violations of coastwise trade through the existing e-Allegation portal.

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