---
type: "LegalText"
title: "46 U.S.C. § 14702"
description: "False statements"
jurisdiction: "us"
corpus: "united_states_code"
kind: "code_section"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
chapter_number: "147"
chapter_name: "PENALTIES"
section: "14702"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 14702"
status: "current"
release_point: "119-100"
release_date: "2026-06-26"
source: "official"
source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc46@119-100.zip"
source_identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s14702"
source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-46/usc46.xml"
source_hash: "98d0d20f5589c20f88dafce281a657addb5725d85d493b416d18205dffece8a9"
raw_snapshot_hash: "eb1331aa3c08ed87231a3606d86b30d1b5942cdf8542f6a3df8ac1d66e86057f"
text_hash: "9f8cea7186328cc435b1f1635976f1bae2f22e6c747bc7339fe909cd819f4302"
retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
confidence: "official"
tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
---

# 46 U.S.C. § 14702 - False statements

## Text

A person knowingly making a false statement or representation in a matter in which a statement or representation is required by this part or a regulation prescribed under this part is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $20,000 for each false statement or representation. The vessel also is liable in rem for the penalty.

(Pub. L. 99–509, title V, § 5101(3), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1925.)

## Notes

Historical and Revision NotesRevised section 14702 Source: Section (U.S. Code) 46 App. U.S.C. 83i. Section 14702 provides that a person knowingly making a false statement or representation in a matter in which a statement or representation is required by this part or a regulation prescribed under this part is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $20,000 for each false statement or representation. It further provides that the vessel is liable in rem for the penalty. This penalty is increased from $1,000 in existing law and conforms with the level of similar penalties throughout the subtitle.