(a) General Authority.—The President by proclamation may prohibit vessels of the British dominions of North America, their masters and crews, and products of or coming from those dominions, from entering waters, ports, or places of the United States when the President is satisfied that—(1) fishermen or fishing vessels of the United States in waters, ports, or places of the British dominions of North America are being or recently have been—(A) denied rights provided by law or treaty;
(B) subjected to unreasonable restrictions in the exercise of those rights; or
(C) otherwise harassed;
(2) fishermen or fishing vessels of the United States, having a permit under the laws of the United States to dock or trade at a port or place in the British dominions of North America, are being or recently have been—(A) denied the privilege of entering the port or place in the same manner and under the same regulations applicable to trading vessels of the most-favored-nation;
(B) prevented from buying supplies allowed to be sold to trading vessels of the most-favored-nation; or
(C) otherwise harassed; or
(3) other vessels of the United States or their masters or crews in waters, ports, or places of the British dominions of North America are being or recently have been—(A) denied privileges given to vessels of the most-favored-nation or their masters or crews; or
(B) otherwise harassed.
(b) Coverage and Exceptions.—The President may apply a proclamation under this section to any of the subjects named, and may include exceptions for vessels in distress or need of supplies. The President may change, revoke, and renew the proclamation.
(c) Penalties.—A person violating a proclamation issued under this section shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both. A vessel or goods found in waters, ports, or places of the United States in violation of the proclamation may be seized by, and forfeited to, the United States Government.
Structure US Code
Subtitle VI— Clearance, Tonnage Taxes, and Duties
CHAPTER 605— DISCRIMINATING DUTIES AND RECIPROCAL PRIVILEGES
§ 60501. Vessels allowed to import
§ 60502. Discriminating duty on goods imported in foreign vessels or from contiguous countries
§ 60503. Reciprocal suspension of discriminating duties
§ 60504. Reciprocal privileges for recreational vessels
§ 60505. Retaliatory suspension of commercial privileges
§ 60506. Retaliation against British dominions of North America
§ 60507. Suspension of free passage through Saint Marys Falls Canal