Definitions and special rules

For purposes of this subchapter— The term “port use” means— The term “port” means any channel or harbor (or component thereof) in the United States, which— The term “port” does not include any channel or harbor with respect to which no Federal funds have been used since 1977 for construction, maintenance, or operation, or which was deauthorized by Federal law before 1985. The term “port” shall include the channels of the Columbia River in the States of Oregon and Washington only up to the downstream side of Bonneville lock and dam. The term “commercial cargo” means any cargo transported on a commercial vessel, including passengers transported for compensation or hire. The term “commercial cargo” does not include— The term “commercial vessel” means any vessel used— The term “commercial vessel” does not include any ferry engaged primarily in the ferrying of passengers (including their vehicles) between points within the United States, or between the United States and contiguous countries. The term “ferry” means any vessel which arrives in the United States on a regular schedule during its operating season at intervals of at least once each business day. The term “value” means, except as provided in regulations, the value of any commercial cargo as determined by standard commercial documentation. In the case of the transportation of passengers for hire, the term “value” means the actual charge paid for such service or the prevailing charge for comparable service if no actual charge is paid. No tax shall be imposed under section 4461(a) with respect to— For purposes of this subsection, the term “cargo” does not include crude oil with respect to Alaska. For purposes of this subsection, the term “United States mainland” means the continental United States (not including Alaska). No tax shall be imposed under this subchapter with respect to the loading or unloading of any cargo on or from a vessel if any fuel of such vessel has been (or will be) subject to the tax imposed by section 4042 (relating to tax on fuel used in commercial transportation on inland waterways). The tax imposed by section 4461(a) shall not apply to any port use with respect to any commercial cargo to be exported from the United States. No tax shall be imposed under this subchapter on the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof. Except to the extent otherwise provided in regulations, all administrative and enforcement provisions of customs laws and regulations shall apply in respect of the tax imposed by this subchapter (and in respect of persons liable therefor) as if such tax were a customs duty. For purposes of the preceding sentence, any penalty expressed in terms of a relationship to the amount of the duty shall be treated as not less than the amount which bears a similar relationship to the value of the cargo. For purposes of determining the jurisdiction of any court of the United States or any agency of the United States, the tax imposed by this subchapter shall be treated as if such tax were a customs duty. The tax imposed by this subchapter shall not be treated as a tax for purposes of subtitle F or any other provision of law relating to the administration and enforcement of internal revenue taxes. Except as provided by regulations— Only 1 tax shall be imposed under section 4461(a) with respect to the loading on and unloading from, or the unloading from and the loading on, the same vessel of the same cargo. Under regulations, no tax shall be imposed under section 4461(a) on the mere movement of cargo within a port. Only 1 tax shall be imposed under section 4461(a) on cargo (moving under a single bill of lading) which is unloaded from one vessel and loaded onto another vessel at any port in the United States for relay to or from any port in Alaska, Hawaii, or any possession of the United States. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “cargo” does not include any item not treated as cargo under subsection (b)(2). No tax shall be imposed under this subchapter on any nonprofit organization or cooperative for cargo which is owned or financed by such nonprofit organization or cooperative and which is certified by the United States Customs Service as intended for use in humanitarian or development assistance overseas. The Secretary may prescribe such additional regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this subchapter including, but not limited to, regulations—