Ocean-Going Vessels

Non-tax-paid cigarettes may be sold for use or consumption by or on ocean-going vessels which leave the continental United States and which ply the high seas in interstate or foreign commerce in the transport of freight or passengers for hire exclusively when delivered to an officer or agent of such vessel for use by or on such vessel accordingly. Receipt for delivery of such non-tax-paid cigarettes shall be signed for by an authorized officer or agent of such vessel, and such signed receipts shall be retained by the distributor for a period of three years; also, a copy of same shall be appended to the appropriate monthly tax report of the distributor. Only North Carolina tax-paid cigarettes may be sold by such vessels while in port or within the territorial limits of this state.