The US Port Security Bill could result in $20,000 (£12,900) fines for vessel owners and operators who describe their freight incorrectly, warn marine and transit lawyers.
Davies Lavery solicitors Kay Pysden and Samuel Perez- Goldzveig said the Bill, which has not yet been passed, would result in strict penalties if incorrect information was given to US Customs.
The Bill was mooted after the 11 September attacks increased fears about terrorists targeting US trade centres such as ports.
"Terms such as `freight of all kind', `hazardous, but not other specified' and `said to contain' or any description that does not provide adequate information regarding the mechandise on any manifest required by the customs service will be prohibited," Pysden said.
"Detailed attention will have to be paid to freight documentation as numerous customary phrases are intended by this draft legislation to be phased out."
The Bill also sets out that 10%of all merchandise carried on any vessel must be manually examined.
The home of American football team Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Raymond James Stadium, has lost its insurance cover after insurer US-based K&K Insurance decided to pull out of stadium insurance because of insufficient capacity.
The stadium owners have until 1 October to find cover.
