Smuggling goods from the United States
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
(a) In General. Whoever fraudulently or knowingly exports or sends from the United States, or 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 , imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.
(b) Definition. In this section, the term "United States" has the meaning given that term in section 545.
History: (Added Pub. L. 109–177, title III, §311(a), Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 242.)
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime to knowingly export, or try to export, any goods from the United States in violation of U.S. law or regulation. It is also a crime to buy, sell, hide, or help move such goods knowing they are meant to be exported illegally.