18 U.S.C. § 2342

Current through P.L. 118-47 (published on www.congress.gov on 03/23/2024)
Section 2342 - Unlawful acts
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to ship, transport, receive, possess, sell, distribute, or purchase contraband cigarettes or contraband smokeless tobacco.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to make any false statement or representation with respect to the information required by this chapter to be kept in the records of any person who ships, sells, or distributes any quantity of cigarettes in excess of 10,000 in a single transaction.

18 U.S.C. § 2342

Added Pub. L. 95-575, §1, Nov. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 2464; amended Pub. L. 109-177, title I, §121(a)(2), (b) (2), Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 221, 222.

EDITORIAL NOTES

AMENDMENTS2006-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109-177, §121(b)(2), inserted "or contraband smokeless tobacco" after "contraband cigarettes". Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109-177, §121(a)(2), substituted "10,000" for "60,000".

STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES

EFFECTIVE DATESubsec. (a) of this section effective Nov. 2, 1978, and subsec. (b) of this section effective on first day of first month beginning more than 120 days after Nov. 2, 1978, see section 4 of Pub. L. 95-575 set out as a note under section 2341 of this title.

contraband cigarettes
the term "contraband cigarettes" means a quantity in excess of 10,000 cigarettes, which bear no evidence of the payment of applicable State or local cigarette taxes in the State or locality where such cigarettes are found, if the State or local government requires a stamp, impression, or other indication to be placed on packages or other containers of cigarettes to evidence payment of cigarette taxes, and which are in the possession of any person other than-(A) a person holding a permit issued pursuant to chapter 52 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as a manufacturer of tobacco products or as an export warehouse proprietor, or a person operating a customs bonded warehouse pursuant to section 311 or 555 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1311 or 1555 ) or an agent of such person;(B) a common or contract carrier transporting the cigarettes involved under a proper bill of lading or freight bill which states the quantity, source, and destination of such cigarettes;(C) a person-(i) who is licensed or otherwise authorized by the State where the cigarettes are found to account for and pay cigarette taxes imposed by such State; and(ii) who has complied with the accounting and payment requirements relating to such license or authorization with respect to the cigarettes involved; or(D) an officer, employee, or other agent of the United States or a State, or any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States or a State (including any political subdivision of a State) having possession of such cigarettes in connection with the performance of official duties;
contraband smokeless tobacco
the term "contraband smokeless tobacco" means a quantity in excess of 500 single-unit consumer-sized cans or packages of smokeless tobacco, or their equivalent, that are in the possession of any person other than-(A) a person holding a permit issued pursuant to chapter 52 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as manufacturer 1 of tobacco products or as an export warehouse proprietor, a person operating a customs bonded warehouse pursuant to section 311 or 555 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1311, 1555 ), or an agent of such person;(B) a common carrier transporting such smokeless tobacco under a proper bill of lading or freight bill which states the quantity, source, and designation of such smokeless tobacco;(C) a person who-(i) is licensed or otherwise authorized by the State where such smokeless tobacco is found to engage in the business of selling or distributing tobacco products; and(ii) has complied with the accounting, tax, and payment requirements relating to such license or authorization with respect to such smokeless tobacco; or(D) an officer, employee, or agent of the United States or a State, or any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States or a State (including any political subdivision of a State), having possession of such smokeless tobacco in connection with the performance of official duties; 21 So in original. Probably should be "a manufacturer".2 So in original. The semicolon probably should be a period.