Embargo Act of 1807

The Embargo Act of 1807 was a United States law prohibiting all export of cargo from US ports. Specifically, the act prohibited American shipping bound for foreign ports and all foreign vessels from taking cargo at American ports. It represented President Thomas Jefferson's response to Great Britain's Orders of Council and France's Continental System, which were severly hurting America's merchant marine. Although it was designed to force the British and French to change their commercial systems, neither country did.

It was followed by the Non-Intercourse Act, lifting all embargoes except for those on Britain and France, and Macon's Bill Number 2, lifting the remaining embargoes. Attempts to enforce them led to near-rebellion in New England. Sometimes ridiculed as the O-grab-me (embargo spelled backwards) act.

It was a precursor to the War of 1812.