Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 1582: Vessels for slave trade

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

It is a federal crime to build, equip, or send a vessel from a U.S. port for the purpose of transporting people to be enslaved or held in forced labor. Violations carry up to seven years imprisonment and/or fines.

Read the full statutory text

Whoever, whether as master, factor, or owner, builds, fits out, equips, loads, or otherwise prepares or sends away any vessel, in any port or place within the United States, or causes such vessel to sail from any such port or place, for the purpose of procuring any person from any foreign kingdom or country to be transported and held, sold, or otherwise disposed of as a slave, or held to service or labor, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than seven years, or both.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.