Us Code § 2403 - Criminal penalties and statute of limitations

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 2403 — Criminal penalties and statute of limitations, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 2403. Criminal penalties and statute of limitations

(a) In general

(1) Criminal penalty

Whoever violates section 2402 of this title shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment for not more than 10 years, fined $250,000 if the person is an individual or $1,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both.

(2) Forfeiture

Any property real or personal, tangible or intangible, may be seized and criminally forfeited to the United States if that property—

(A) is used or intended to be used, in any manner, to commit or facilitate a violation of section 2402 of this title; or

(B) constitutes or is traceable to the proceeds taken, obtained, or retained in connection with or as a result of a violation of section 2402 of this title.

(b) Limitation on prosecution

(1) In general

No person shall be prosecuted, tried, or punished for violation of section 2402 of this title unless the indictment is returned or the information is filed within 10 years after the date on which the offense was completed.

(2) Tolling

Upon application in the United States, filed before a return of an indictment, indicating that evidence of an offense under this chapter is in a foreign country, the district court before which a grand jury is impaneled to investigate the offense shall suspend the running of this statute of limitation for the offense if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that an official request has been made for such evidence and that it reasonably appears, or reasonably appeared at the time the request was made, that such evidence is, or was, in such foreign country.

(Pub. L. 116–206, §4, Dec. 4, 2020, 134 Stat. 999.)

About This Section

21 U.S.C. § 2403 is part of Title 21 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 21 U.S.C. § 2403. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 2403

What does United States Code § 2403 cover?

Section 2403 ("Criminal penalties and statute of limitations") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 2403?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 2403" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 2403 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.