(a) Application for clearance. A clearance application for a vessel intending to depart for a foreign port must be made by filing CBP Form 1300 (Vessel Entrance or Clearance Statement) executed by the vessel master or other proper officer. The master, licensed deck officer, or purser may appear in person to clear the vessel, or the properly executed CBP Form 1300 may be delivered to the customhouse by the vessel agent or other personal representative of the master. Necessary information may also be transmitted electronically pursuant to a system authorized by CBP. Clearance will be granted by CBP either on the CBP Form 1300 or by approved electronic means. CBP port directors may permit the clearance of vessels at locations other than the customhouse, and at times outside of normal business hours. CBP may take local resources into consideration in allowing clearance to be transacted on board vessels themselves or at other mutually convenient sites and times either within or outside of port limits. CBP must be satisfied that the place designated for clearance is sufficiently under CBP control at the time of clearance, and that the expenses incurred by CBP will be reimbursed as authorized. CBP may require that advance notice of vessel departure be given prior to granting requests for optional clearance locations.

(b) When clearance required. Under certain circumstances, American vessels departing from ports of the United States directly for other United States ports must obtain CBP clearance. The clearance of such vessels is required when they have merchandise aboard which is being transported in-bond, or when they have unentered foreign merchandise aboard. For the purposes of the vessel clearance requirements, merchandise transported in-bond does not include bonded ship's stores or supplies. While American vessels transporting unentered foreign merchandise must fully comply with usual clearance procedures, American vessels carrying no unentered foreign merchandise but that have in-bond merchandise aboard may satisfy vessel clearance requirements by reporting intended departure within 72 hours prior thereto by any means of communication that is satisfactory to the local CBP port director, and by presenting a completed CBP Form 1300 (Vessel Entrance or Clearance Statement). Also, the CBP officer may require the production of any documents or papers deemed necessary for the proper inspection/examination of the vessel, cargo, passenger, or crew. Report of departure together with providing information to CBP as specified in this paragraph satisfies all clearance requirements for the subject vessels.

(c) Verification of compliance. Before clearance is granted to a vessel bound to a foreign port as provided in § 4.60 and this section, the port director will verify compliance with respect to the following matters:

(d) Vessel built for foreign account. A new vessel built in the United States for foreign account will be cleared under a certificate of record, Coast Guard Form 1316, in lieu of a marine document.

(e) Clearance not granted. Clearance will not be granted to any foreign vessel using the flag of the United States or any distinctive signs or markings indicating that the vessel is an American vessel (22 U.S.C. 454(a)).

(f) Clearance in order of itinerary. Unless otherwise provided in this section, every vessel bound for a foreign port or ports will be cleared for a definite port or ports in the order of its itinerary, but an application to clear for a port or place for orders, that is, for instructions to masters as to destination of the vessel, may be accepted if the vessel is in ballast or if any cargo on board is to be discharged in a port of the same country as the port for which clearance is sought.