46 USC § 41301 - Complaints

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s41301"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "46 USC § 41301 - Complaints"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
section_number: "41301"
section_name: "Complaints"
chapter_number: 413
chapter_name: "ENFORCEMENT"
part_number: "A"
part_name: "Ocean Shipping"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-03-26"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 109–304, § 7, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1545.)"
---


# § 41301. Complaints

**(a)** **In General.—** A person may file with the Federal Maritime Commission a sworn complaint alleging a violation of this part, except section 41307(b)(1). If the complaint is filed within 3 years after the claim accrues, the complainant may seek reparations for an injury to the complainant caused by the violation.

**(b)** **Notice and Response.—** The Commission shall provide a copy of the complaint to the person named in the complaint. Within a reasonable time specified by the Commission, the person shall satisfy the complaint or answer it in writing.

**(c)** **If Complaint Not Satisfied.—** If the complaint is not satisfied, the Commission shall investigate the complaint in an appropriate manner and make an appropriate order.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 109–304, § 7, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1545.)

| RevisedSection | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 41301(a) | 46 App.:1710(a), (g) (related to time limit). | Pub. L. 98–237, § 11(a), (b), (g) (related to time limit), Mar. 20, 1984, 98 Stat. 80; Pub. L. 98–595, § 3(b)(2), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 3132; Pub. L. 105–258, title I, § 110, Oct. 14, 1998, 112 Stat. 1911. |
| 41301(b) | 46 App.:1710(b) (1st sentence). |  |
| 41301(c) | 46 App.:1710(b) (last sentence). |  |

In subsection (a), the words “If the complaint is filed within 3 years after the claim accrues” are substituted for “For any complaint filed within 3 years after the cause of action accrued” in 46 App. U.S.C. 1710(g) to alert the reader to that time limitation.