21 U.S.C. § 960 | Prohibited acts A

(a)

Unlawful acts

Any person who—

(1)

contrary to section 825, 952, 953, or 957 of this title, knowingly or intentionally imports or exports a controlled substance,

(2)

section 955 of this title contrary to , knowingly or intentionally brings or possesses on board a vessel, aircraft, or vehicle a controlled substance, or

(3)

section 959 of this title contrary to , manufactures, possesses with intent to distribute, or distributes a controlled substance,

shall be punished as provided in subsection (b).

(b)

Penalties

(1)

In the case of a violation of subsection (a) of this section involving—

(A)

1 kilogram or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin;

(B)

5 kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of—

(i)

coca leaves, except coca leaves and extracts of coca leaves from which cocaine, ecgonine, and derivatives of ecgonine or their salts have been removed;

(ii)

cocaine, its salts, optical and geometric isomers, and salts or isomers;

(iii)

ecgonine, its derivatives, their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers; or

(iv)

any compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of any of the substances referred to in clauses (i) through (iii);

(C)

280 grams or more of a mixture or substance described in subparagraph (B) which contains cocaine base;

(D)

100 grams or more of phencyclidine (PCP) or 1 kilogram or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of phencyclidine (PCP);

(E)

10 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD);

(F)

400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N- [1- ( 2-phenylethyl ) -4-piperidinyl] propanamide or 100 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of any analogue of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide or a fentanyl-related substance;

(G)

1000 kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of marihuana; or

(H)

1 So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.

50 grams or more of methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, and salts of its isomers or 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, or salts of its isomers.

section 3583 of title 18the person committing such violation shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years and not more than life and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 20 years and not more than life, a fine not to exceed the greater of that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $10,000,000 if the defendant is an individual or $50,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both. If any person commits such a violation after a prior conviction for a serious drug felony or serious violent felony has become final, such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 15 years and not more than life imprisonment and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to life imprisonment, a fine not to exceed the greater of twice that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $20,000,000 if the defendant is an individual or $75,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both. Notwithstanding , any sentence under this paragraph shall, in the absence of such a prior conviction, impose a term of supervised release of at least 5 years in addition to such term of imprisonment and shall, if there was such a prior conviction, impose a term of supervised release of at least 10 years in addition to such term of imprisonment. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court shall not place on probation or suspend the sentence of any person sentenced under this paragraph. No person sentenced under this paragraph shall be eligible for parole during the term of imprisonment imposed therein.

(2)

In the case of a violation of subsection (a) of this section involving—

(A)

100 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin;

(B)

500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of—

(i)

coca leaves, except coca leaves and extracts of coca leaves from which cocaine, ecgonine, and derivatives of ecgonine or their salts have been removed;

(ii)

cocaine, its salts, optical and geometric isomers, and salts or isomers;

(iii)

ecgonine, its derivatives, their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers; or

(iv)

any compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of any of the substances referred to in clauses (i) through (iii);

(C)

28 grams or more of a mixture or substance described in subparagraph (B) which contains cocaine base;

(D)

10 grams or more of phencyclidine (PCP) or 100 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of phencyclidine (PCP);

(E)

1 gram or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD);

(F)

40 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N- [1- ( 2-phenylethyl ) -4-piperidinyl] propanamide or 10 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of any analogue of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide or a fentanyl-related substance;

(G)

100 kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of marihuana; or

(H)

¹ 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, and salts of its isomers or 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, or salts of its isomers.

section 3583 of title 18the person committing such violation shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 5 years and not more than 40 years and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than twenty years and not more than life, a fine not to exceed the greater of that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $5,000,000 if the defendant is an individual or $25,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both. If any person commits such a violation after a prior conviction for a serious drug felony or serious violent felony has become final, such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years and not more than life imprisonment and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to life imprisonment, a fine not to exceed the greater of twice that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $8,000,000 if the defendant is an individual or $50,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both. Notwithstanding , any sentence imposed under this paragraph shall, in the absence of such a prior conviction, include a term of supervised release of at least 4 years in addition to such term of imprisonment and shall, if there was such a prior conviction, include a term of supervised release of at least 8 years in addition to such term of imprisonment. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court shall not place on probation or suspend the sentence of any person sentenced under this paragraph. No person sentenced under this paragraph shall be eligible for parole during the term of imprisonment imposed therein.

(3)

section 3583 of title 18 In the case of a violation under subsection (a) of this section involving a controlled substance in schedule I or II, gamma hydroxybutyric acid (including when scheduled as an approved drug product for purposes of section 3(a)(1)(B) of the Hillory J. Farias and Samantha Reid Date-Rape Drug Prohibition Act of 2000), or flunitrazepam, the person committing such violation shall, except as provided in paragraphs (1), (2), and (4), be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 20 years and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than twenty years and not more than life, a fine not to exceed the greater of that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $1,000,000 if the defendant is an individual or $5,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both. If any person commits such a violation after a prior conviction for a felony drug offense has become final, such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 30 years and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to life imprisonment, a fine not to exceed the greater of twice that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $2,000,000 if the defendant is an individual or $10,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both. Notwithstanding , any sentence imposing a term of imprisonment under this paragraph shall, in the absence of such a prior conviction, impose a term of supervised release of at least 3 years in addition to such term of imprisonment and shall, if there was such a prior conviction, impose a term of supervised release of at least 6 years in addition to such term of imprisonment. Notwithstanding the prior sentence, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court shall not place on probation or suspend the sentence of any person sentenced under the provisions of this paragraph which provide for a mandatory term of imprisonment if death or serious bodily injury results.

(4)

section 841(b)(1)(D) of this title In the case of a violation under subsection (a) with respect to less than 50 kilograms of marihuana, except in the case of 100 or more marihuana plants regardless of weight, less than 10 kilograms of hashish, or less than one kilogram of hashish oil, the person committing such violation shall be sentenced in accordance with .

(5)

section 841(b)(1) of this title In the case of a violation of subsection (a) involving a controlled substance in schedule III, such person shall be sentenced in accordance with .

(6)

section 841(b)(2) of this title In the case of a violation of subsection (a) involving a controlled substance in schedule IV, such person shall be sentenced in accordance with .

(7)

section 841(b)(3) of this title In the case of a violation of subsection (a) involving a controlled substance in schedule V, such person shall be sentenced in accordance with .

(c)

Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 225Oct. 12, 198498 Stat. 2030 Pub. L. 99–570, title I, § 1005(c)Oct. 27, 1986100 Stat. 3207–6 Repealed. , formerly § 225(a), , , as amended by , ,

(d)

Penalty for importation or exportation

A person who knowingly or intentionally—

(1)

imports or exports a listed chemical with intent to manufacture a controlled substance in violation of this subchapter or subchapter I;

(2)

exports a listed chemical in violation of the laws of the country to which the chemical is exported or serves as a broker or trader for an international transaction involving a listed chemical, if the transaction is in violation of the laws of the country to which the chemical is exported;

(3)

imports or exports a listed chemical knowing, or having reasonable cause to believe, that the chemical will be used to manufacture a controlled substance in violation of this subchapter or subchapter I;

(4)

exports a listed chemical, or serves as a broker or trader for an international transaction involving a listed chemical, knowing, or having reasonable cause to believe, that the chemical will be used to manufacture a controlled substance in violation of the laws of the country to which the chemical is exported;

(5)

section 971 of this title section 971(f) of this title imports or exports a listed chemical, with the intent to evade the reporting or recordkeeping requirements of applicable to such importation or exportation by falsely representing to the Attorney General that the importation or exportation qualifies for a waiver of the 15-day notification requirement granted pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of by misrepresenting the actual country of final destination of the listed chemical or the actual listed chemical being imported or exported;

(6)

section 952 of this title section 971(d) of this title imports a listed chemical in violation of , imports or exports such a chemical in violation of section 957 or 971 of this title, or transfers such a chemical in violation of ; or

(7)

section 959 of this title 2

2 So in original. The period probably should be a comma.

manufactures, possesses with intent to distribute, or distributes a listed chemical in violation of .

shall be fined in accordance with title 18, imprisoned not more than 20 years in the case of a violation of paragraph (1) or (3) involving a list I chemical or not more than 10 years in the case of a violation of this subsection other than a violation of paragraph (1) or (3) involving a list I chemical, or both.

Pub. L. 91–513, title III, § 1010Oct. 27, 197084 Stat. 1290 Pub. L. 98–473, title IIOct. 12, 198498 Stat. 2030 Pub. L. 99–570, title IOct. 27, 1986100 Stat. 3207–6 Pub. L. 100–690, title VINov. 18, 1988102 Stat. 4315 Pub. L. 101–647, title XII, § 1204Nov. 29, 1990104 Stat. 4830 Pub. L. 103–200Dec. 17, 1993107 Stat. 2338 Pub. L. 103–322, title IX, § 90105(a)Sept. 13, 1994108 Stat. 1987 Pub. L. 104–237, title I, § 102(c)Oct. 3, 1996110 Stat. 3100 Pub. L. 104–305, § 2(b)(2)(B)Oct. 13, 1996110 Stat. 3807 Pub. L. 105–277, div. E, § 2(b)Oct. 21, 1998112 Stat. 2681–759 Pub. L. 106–172, § 3(b)(2)Feb. 18, 2000114 Stat. 9 Pub. L. 107–273, div. B, title III, § 3005(b)Nov. 2, 2002116 Stat. 1806 Pub. L. 109–177, title VIIMar. 9, 2006120 Stat. 267 Pub. L. 110–425, § 3(i)Oct. 15, 2008122 Stat. 4832 Pub. L. 111–220Aug. 3, 2010124 Stat. 2372 Pub. L. 113–260, § 3(b)Dec. 18, 2014128 Stat. 2931 Pub. L. 115–391, title IV, § 401(b)Dec. 21, 2018132 Stat. 5221 Pub. L. 119–26, § 6(b)July 16, 2025139 Stat. 417(, , ; , §§ 225, formerly § 225(a), 504, , , 2070; , §§ 1004(a), 1005(c), 1302, 1866(e), , , 3207–15, 3207–55; , §§ 6053(c), 6475, , , 4380; , title XXXV, § 3599J, , , 4932; , §§ 4(b), 5(b), , , 2339; , title XXXIII, § 330024(d)(2), , , 2151; , title III, § 302(b), , , 3105; , (C), , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 716(b)(1)(A), 717, , ; , , ; , §§ 2(b), 4(b), , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

section 812(c) of this titleSchedules I, II, III, IV, and V, referred to in subsec. (b), are set out in .

section 3(a)(1)(B) of Pub. L. 106–172 section 812 of this titleSection 3(a)(1)(B) of the Hillory J. Farias and Samantha Reid Date-Rape Prohibition Act of 2000, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), is , which is set out in a note under .

Amendments

Pub. L. 119–26, § 6(b)(1)2025—Subsec. (b)(1)(F). , inserted “or a fentanyl-related substance” after “any analogue of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide”.

Pub. L. 119–26, § 6(b)(2)Subsec. (b)(2)(F). , inserted “or a fentanyl-related substance” after “any analogue of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide”.

Pub. L. 115–391, § 401(b)(1)2018—Subsec. (b)(1). , in concluding provisions, substituted “If any person commits such a violation after a prior conviction for a serious drug felony or serious violent felony has become final, such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 15 years” for “If any person commits such a violation after a prior conviction for a felony drug offense has become final, such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 20 years”.

Pub. L. 115–391, § 401(b)(2)Subsec. (b)(2). , substituted “serious drug felony or serious violent felony” for “felony drug offense” in concluding provisions.

Pub. L. 113–2602014—Subsec. (a)(1). inserted “825,” before “952”.

Pub. L. 111–220, § 4(b)(1)2010—Subsec. (b)(1). , in concluding provisions, substituted “$10,000,000” for “$4,000,000”, “$50,000,000” for “$10,000,000”, “$20,000,000” for “$8,000,000”, and “$75,000,000” for “$20,000,000”.

Pub. L. 111–220, § 2(b)(1)Subsec. (b)(1)(C). , substituted “280 grams” for “50 grams”.

Pub. L. 111–220, § 4(b)(2)Subsec. (b)(2). , in concluding provisions, substituted “$5,000,000” for “$2,000,000”, “$25,000,000” for “$5,000,000”, “$8,000,000” for “$4,000,000”, and “$50,000,000” for “$10,000,000”.

Pub. L. 111–220, § 2(b)(2)Subsec. (b)(2)(C). , substituted “28 grams” for “5 grams”.

Pub. L. 110–425, § 3(i)(3)2008—Subsec. (b)(3). , struck out before period at end “, nor shall a person so sentenced be eligible for parole during the term of such a sentence”.

Pub. L. 110–425, § 3(i)(1)section 841(b)(1)(D) of this title section 3583 of title 18Subsec. (b)(4). , inserted “or” after “hashish,”, struck out “or any quantity of a controlled substance in schedule III, IV, or V, (except a violation involving flunitrazepam and except a violation involving gamma hydroxybutyric acid)” after “hashish oil,”, and substituted “sentenced in accordance with ” for “imprisoned not more than five years, or be fined not to exceed the greater of that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $250,000 if the defendant is an individual or $1,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both. If a sentence under this paragraph provides for imprisonment, the sentence shall, notwithstanding , in addition to such term of imprisonment, include (A) a term of supervised release of not less than two years if such controlled substance is in schedule I, II, III, or (B) a term of supervised release of not less than one year if such controlled substance is in schedule IV”.

Pub. L. 110–425, § 3(i)(2)Subsec. (b)(5) to (7). , added pars. (5) to (7).

Pub. L. 109–177, § 716(b)(1)(A)section 971(f) of this title2006—Subsec. (d)(5). , substituted “paragraph (2) or (3) of ” for “section 971(e)(2) or (3) of this title”.

Pub. L. 109–177, § 717Subsec. (d)(6). , amended par. (6) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (6) read as follows: “imports or exports a listed chemical in violation of section 957 or 971 of this title; or”.

Pub. L. 107–273, § 3005(b)(1)section 3583 of title 182002—Subsec. (b)(1), (2). , substituted “Notwithstanding , any sentence” for “Any sentence” in concluding provisions.

Pub. L. 107–273, § 3005(b)(1)section 3583 of title 18Subsec. (b)(3). , substituted “Notwithstanding , any sentence” for “Any sentence”.

Pub. L. 107–273, § 3005(b)(2)section 3583 of title 18Subsec. (b)(4). , inserted “notwithstanding ,” before “in addition to such term of imprisonment”.

Pub. L. 106–172, § 3(b)(2)(A)2000—Subsec. (b)(3). , inserted “gamma hydroxybutyric acid (including when scheduled as an approved drug product for purposes of section 3(a)(1)(B) of the Hillory J. Farias and Samantha Reid Date-Rape Drug Prohibition Act of 2000),” after “schedule I or II,” in first sentence.

Pub. L. 106–172, § 3(b)(2)(B)Subsec. (b)(4). , substituted “flunitrazepam and except a violation involving gamma hydroxybutyric acid)” for “flunitrazepam)”.

Pub. L. 105–277, § 2(b)(1)1998—Subsec. (b)(1)(H). , substituted “50 grams” and “500 grams” for “100 grams” and “1 kilogram”, respectively.

Pub. L. 105–277, § 2(b)(2)Subsec. (b)(2)(H). , substituted “5 grams” and “50 grams” for “10 grams” and “100 grams”, respectively.

Pub. L. 104–305, § 2(b)(2)(B)1996—Subsec. (b)(3). , inserted “or flunitrazepam,” after “schedule I or II,”.

Pub. L. 104–305, § 2(b)(2)(C)Subsec. (b)(4). , inserted “(except a violation involving flunitrazepam)” after “schedule III, IV, or V,”.

Pub. L. 104–237, § 302(b)Subsec. (d). , in closing provisions, substituted “not more than 20 years in the case of a violation of paragraph (1) or (3) involving a list I chemical or not more than 10 years in the case of a violation of this subsection other than a violation of paragraph (1) or (3) involving a list I chemical,” for “not more than 10 years,”.

Pub. L. 104–237, § 102(c)Subsec. (d)(7). , added par. (7).

Pub. L. 103–322, § 90105(a)1994—Subsec. (b)(1), (2). , in sentence in concluding provisions beginning “If any person commits”, substituted “a prior conviction for a felony drug offense has become final” for “one or more prior convictions for an offense punishable under this subsection, or for a felony under any other provision of this subchapter or subchapter I of this chapter or other law of a State, the United States, or a foreign country relating to narcotic drugs, marihuana, or depressant or stimulant substances, have become final”.

Pub. L. 103–322, § 90105(a)Subsec. (b)(3). , in sentence beginning “If any person commits”, substituted “a prior conviction for a felony drug offense has become final” for “one or more prior convictions for an offense punishable under this subsection, or for a felony under any other provision of this subchapter or subchapter I of this chapter or other law of a State, the United States or a foreign country relating to narcotic drugs, marihuana, or depressant or stimulant substances, have become final”.

Pub. L. 103–322, § 330024(d)(2)Pub. L. 103–200, § 5(b)(3)Subsec. (d)(5), (6). , amended directory language of . See 1993 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 103–200, § 5(b)Pub. L. 103–322, § 330024(d)(2)1993—Subsec. (d). , as amended by , added pars. (5) and (6).

Pub. L. 103–200, § 4(b), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) read as follows: “Any person who knowingly or intentionally—

“(1) imports or exports a listed chemical with intent to manufacture a controlled substance in violation of this subchapter or, in the case of an exportation, in violation of the law of the country to which the chemical is exported; or

“(2) imports or exports a listed chemical knowing, or having reasonable cause to believe, that the listed chemical will be used to manufacture a controlled substance in violation of this subchapter or, in the case of an exportation, in violation of the law of the country to which the chemical is exported;

shall be fined in accordance with title 18, or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.”

Pub. L. 101–647, § 1204(a)1990—Subsec. (b)(1)(H). , added subpar. (H).

Pub. L. 101–647, § 3599JSubsec. (b)(2). , substituted “supervised” for “suspervised” in two places in concluding provisions.

Pub. L. 101–647, § 1204(b)Subsec. (b)(2)(H). , added subpar. (H).

Pub. L. 100–690, § 64751988—Subsec. (a)(3). , substituted “manufactures, possesses with intent to distribute, or distributes a controlled substance” for “manufactures or distributes a controlled substance”.

Pub. L. 100–690, § 6053(c)Subsec. (d). , added subsec. (d).

Pub. L. 99–570, § 1005(c)Pub. L. 98–473, § 2251986—, amended . See 1984 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 99–570, § 1302(a)(2)Subsec. (b)(1), (2). , added pars. (1) and (2) and struck out former pars. (1) and (2) which read as follows:

“(1) In the case of a violation under subsection (a) of this section involving—

“(A) 100 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of a narcotic drug in schedule I or II other than a narcotic drug consisting of—

“(i) coca leaves;

“(ii) a compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, or preparation of coca leaves; or

“(iii) a substance chemically identical thereto;

“(B) a kilogram or more of any other narcotic drug in schedule I or II;

“(C) 500 grams or more of phencyclidine (PCP);

“(D) 5 grams or more of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD);

the person committing such violation shall be imprisoned for not more than twenty years, or fined not more than $250,000, or both.

“(2) In the case of a violation under subsection (a) of this section with respect to a controlled substance in schedule I or II, the person committing such violation shall, except as provided in paragraphs (1) and (3), be imprisoned not more than fifteen years, or fined not more than $125,000, or both. If a sentence under this paragraph provides for imprisonment, the sentence shall include a special parole term of not less than three years in addition to such term of imprisonment.”

Pub. L. 99–570, § 1302(a)(2)Subsec. (b)(3). , added par. (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (4).

Pub. L. 99–570, § 1302(a)(1)Subsec. (b)(4). , (3), (b)(2), (3), redesignated former par. (3) as (4), inserted “except in the case of 100 or more marihuana plants regardless of weight,” and substituted “fined not to exceed the greater of that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18 or $250,000 if the defendant is an individual or $1,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual” for “fined not more than $50,000”.

Pub. L. 99–570, §§ 1302(b)(1), 1866(e), made identical amendment striking out “, except as provided in paragraph (4)” after “such violation shall”.

Pub. L. 99–570, § 1004(a), substituted “term of supervised release” for “special parole term” in two places.

Pub. L. 99–570, § 1004(a)Nov. 1, 1987Pub. L. 98–473, § 225Subsec. (c). , substituted “term of supervised release” for “special parole term” wherever appearing, effective , the effective date of the repeal of subsec. (c) by . See 1984 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 98–473, § 225(a)Nov. 1, 1987section 235(a)(1) of Pub. L. 98–473 section 3551 of Title 18 section 225 of Pub. L. 98–473 Pub. L. 99–570, § 1005(c)1984—Subsec. (b). , which directed amendment of this subsection effective (see set out as an Effective Date note under , Crimes and Criminal Procedure) was omitted in the general amendment of by .

Pub. L. 98–473, § 504(1)Subsec. (b)(1). , added par. (1). Former par. (1) redesignated (2).

Pub. L. 98–473, § 504(1)Subsec. (b)(2). , (2), redesignated former par. (1) as (2), inserted provisions excepting pars. (1) and (3), and substituted reference to controlled substance for reference to narcotic drug, and “$125,000” for “$25,000”. Former par. (2) redesignated (3).

Pub. L. 98–473, § 504(1)Subsec. (b)(3). , (3), redesignated former par. (2) as (3) and substituted “less than 50 kilograms of marihuana, less than 10 kilograms of hashish, less than one kilogram of hashish oil, or any quantity of a controlled substance in schedule III, IV, or V, the person committing such violation shall, except as provided in paragraph (4)” for “a controlled substance other than a narcotic drug in schedule I or II, the person committing such violation shall”, and “$50,000” for “$15,000”.

Pub. L. 98–473, § 225 Pub. L. 99–570, § 1005(c)section 962 of this title 21 U.S.C. 960Subsec. (c). , as amended by , struck out subsec. (c) which related to special parole terms imposed under this section or . Notwithstanding directory language that the amendment be made to “Section 1515 of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act ()”, the amendment was executed to this section as the probable intent of Congress.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–391Dec. 21, 2018Dec. 21, 2018section 401(c) of Pub. L. 115–391 section 802 of this titleAmendment by applicable to any offense that was committed before , if a sentence for the offense has not been imposed as of , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–425Oct. 15, 2008section 3(j) of Pub. L. 110–425 section 802 of this titleAmendment by effective 180 days after , except as otherwise provided, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

section 330024(d)(2) of Pub. L. 103–322Dec. 17, 1993section 330024(f) of Pub. L. 103–322 section 802 of this titleAmendment by effective 120 days after , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–200Dec. 17, 1993section 11 of Pub. L. 103–200 section 802 of this titleAmendment by effective on date that is 120 days after , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

section 6053(c) of Pub. L. 100–690Nov. 18, 1988section 6061 of Pub. L. 100–690 section 802 of this titleAmendment by effective 120 days after , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

section 1004(a) of Pub. L. 99–570 section 3583 of Title 18Nov. 1, 1987section 1004(b) of Pub. L. 99–570 section 841 of this titleAmendment by effective on date of taking effect of , Crimes and Criminal Procedure (), see set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

section 225 of Pub. L. 98–473Nov. 1, 1987section 235(a)(1) of Pub. L. 98–473 section 3551 of Title 18Amendment by effective , and applicable only to offenses committed after the taking effect of such amendment, see , set out as an Effective Date note under , Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

Effective Date

Oct. 26, 1970Pub. L. 91–513 section 951 of this titleSection effective on first day of seventh calendar month that begins after , see 1105(a) of , set out as a under .

Construction of 2025 Amendment

Pub. L. 119–26July 16, 2025section 7(b) of Pub. L. 119–26 section 841 of this titleNothing in amendment made by to be construed as evidence that, in applying subsec. (b) of this section with respect to conduct occurring before , a fentanyl-related substance (as defined by such amendment) is not an analogue of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide, see , set out as a note under .