If there are provisions on board ships which have been cleared of duties and taxes as being to be consumed at sea, they must, until the departure of the ship, be represented at any requisition of the customs service.
When a vessel stops its landing or embarkation operations, customs officers may close customs officers may close the hatches and affix seals which may only be removed by themselves.
Pirogues and other craft of less than ten gross tons are required to present their cargo at the customs office nearest to their place of origin or destination, either to pay duties and receive a receipt, or to obtain the required documents or certificates.
Pirogues and other craft of less than ten gross tons may not leave port without a customs permit, regardless of the point on the coast towards which they are bound.
The above provisions do not apply to boats and pirogues engaged in fishing, whose operations are not subject to any customs formalities.
It is forbidden for ships and boats of any kind to enter inland waters other than through estuaries, passes or rivers leading to the first customs office. On leaving, they may only use the same passes or waterways, and must produce, if required, the receipt for payment of duties or any other expedients.
Where several equally direct waterways lead to the same office, the authorized route is determined by decision of the National Director of Customs.
The foregoing provisions do not apply to navigation in rivers bordering States which, by convention, have recognized the freedom of navigation and the neutrality of waters.
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