Designed primarily for the transport of persons, this category spans ocean-going cruise liners, day-excursion vessels, and ferry boats of all kinds — a commercially distinct group from cargo-carrying tonnage. Ferry boats are explicitly included regardless of size or propulsion method, making this heading relevant to both large international operators and regional transit authorities acquiring vessels abroad. The US cruise industry's reliance on foreign-built and foreign-flagged vessels means most cruise ship transactions involve documentation under foreign registries rather than US customs entry in the traditional sense, though vessel components and refits may generate separate import entries. Operators should be aware that passenger vessel safety standards are enforced by the US Coast Guard under SOLAS and domestic statutes.

AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.