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18 U.S.C. § 1588

U.S. CodeFederalPositive Law
Transportation of slaves from United States
About This Law
/us/usc/t18/s1588
Title
18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Chapter
PTI/CH77
Release
119-84
Release Date
2026-04-17

Section Text

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Whoever, being the master or owner or person having charge of any vessel, receives on board any other person with the knowledge or intent that such person is to be carried from any place within the United States to any other place to be held or sold as a slave, or carries away from any place within the United States any such person with the intent that he may be so held or sold as a slave, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both. (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 773; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147; Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title II, § 218(a), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–573.) Historical and Revision NotesBased on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 428 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 253, 35 Stat. 1139). Words “subject to the jurisdiction of” which appeared twice in this section were omitted and “within” substituted, in view of section 5 of this title defining “United States”. Editorial Notes Amendments1996—Pub. L. 104–208 substituted “10 years” for “five years”. 1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $5,000”. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries Effective Date of 1996 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 104–208 applicable with respect to offenses occurring on or after Sept. 30, 1996, see section 218(d) of Pub. L. 104–208, set out as a note under section 1581 of this title.

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