Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 554: Smuggling goods from the United States

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

Unlawfully exporting goods from the United States or helping transport goods intended for illegal export is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and fines.

Read the full statutory text
Whoever fraudulently or knowingly exports or sends from the United States, or attempts to export or send from the United States, any merchandise, article, or object contrary to any law or regulation of the United States, or receives, conceals, buys, sells, or in any manner facilitates the transportation, concealment, or sale of such merchandise, article or object, prior to exportation, knowing the same to be intended for exportation contrary to any law or regulation of the United States, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both. In this section, the term “United States” has the meaning given that term in section 545.

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.