DHS Extends Jones Act Waiver Again And Adds Substantial Procedural Requirements

Highlights

• The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended the Jones Act waiver first announced in March 2026, allowing certain qualifying goods to move between two U.S. ports on vessels that do not qualify as U.S. vessels under the Merchant Marine Act of 1920.
• The waiver now runs for an additional 90-day period, from August 17, 2026, through November 15, 2026. Covered products must be loaded onboard before 11:59 p.m. ET on November 15, 2026, to qualify.
• The list of potentially covered products has been significantly reduced – from more than 600 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes in April 2026 to 237 HTS codes in August 2026 – removing coal products, numerous chemical compounds and other commodities while retaining petroleum products, liquid natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, fertilizers and related energy commodities.