What needs to be established for aviation smuggling sea transfers under 19 USC 1590 (b)?

The requirement that needs to be established for aviation smuggling sea transfers under 19 USC 1590 (b) is the transfer of merchandise between aircraft and vessel. This provision specifically addresses the scenarios where goods are moved from an aircraft to a vessel or vice versa, highlighting the need to properly document and authorize such transfers to prevent illegal smuggling activities.

This focus on the transfer of merchandise emphasizes the importance of tracking and regulating goods that may move between different modes of transport, which is critical in enforcing customs laws and ensuring that all appropriate duties and taxes are collected. The legal framework surrounding this regulation aims to combat smuggling and ensure that there are established procedures that mitigate the risk of contraband being transferred through such methods.

In the context of the question, the other choices refer to different aspects of aviation and customs regulations but do not specifically address the critical element of the actual transfer of goods necessary for the application of 19 USC 1590 (b). For example, while an aircraft landing in US territory and the presence of customs agents are important in the enforcement of customs laws, they do not relate directly to the specific requirement of establishing the transfer mechanism between aircraft and vessels.