Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

18 U.S.C. § 1588

Transportation of slaves from United States

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. 64562 Stat. 773Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(K)108 Stat. 2147Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title II, § 218(a)110 Stat. 3009–573(, ; , , ; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 25335 Stat. 1139Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 428 (, ).

section 5 of this titleWords “subject to the jurisdiction of” which appeared twice in this section were omitted and “within” substituted, in view of defining “United States”.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 104–2081996— substituted “10 years” for “five years”.

Pub. L. 103–3221994— substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $5,000”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Pub. L. 104–208section 218(d) of Pub. L. 104–208section 1581 of this titleAmendment by applicable with respect to offenses occurring on or after , see , set out as a note under .