Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Part I · Chapter 113 — Stolen Property
§ 2314. Transportation of stolen goods, securities, moneys, fraudulent State tax stamps, or articles used in counterfeiting
Statutory text
Whoever transports, transmits, or transfers in interstate or foreign commerce any goods, wares, merchandise, securities or money, of the value of $5,000 or more, knowing the same to have been stolen, converted or taken by fraud; or
Whoever, having devised or intending to devise any scheme or artifice to defraud, or for obtaining money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, transports or causes to be transported, or induces any person or persons to travel in, or to be transported in interstate or foreign commerce in the execution or concealment of a scheme or artifice to defraud that person or those persons of money or property having a value of $5,000 or more; or
Whoever, with unlawful or fraudulent intent, transports in interstate or foreign commerce any falsely made, forged, altered, or counterfeited securities or tax stamps, knowing the same to have been falsely made, forged, altered, or counterfeited; or
Whoever, with unlawful or fraudulent intent, transports in interstate or foreign commerce any traveler’s check bearing a forged countersignature; or
Whoever, with unlawful or fraudulent intent, transports in interstate or foreign commerce, any tool, implement, or thing used or fitted to be used in falsely making, forging, altering, or counterfeiting any security or tax stamps, or any part thereof; or
Whoever transports, transmits, or transfers in interstate or foreign commerce any veterans’ memorial object, knowing the same to have been stolen, converted or taken by fraud—
Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both. If the offense involves a pre-retail medical product (as defined in section 670) the punishment for the offense shall be the same as the punishment for an offense under section 670 unless the punishment under this section is greater. If the offense involves the transportation, transmission, or transfer in interstate or foreign commerce of veterans’ memorial objects with a value, in the aggregate, of less than $1,000, the defendant shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
This section shall not apply to any falsely made, forged, altered, counterfeited or spurious representation of an obligation or other security of the United States, or of an obligation, bond, certificate, security, treasury note, bill, promise to pay or bank note issued by any foreign government. This section also shall not apply to any falsely made, forged, altered, counterfeited, or spurious representation of any bank note or bill issued by a bank or corporation of any foreign country which is intended by the laws or usage of such country to circulate as money.
For purposes of this section the term “veterans’ memorial object” means a grave marker, headstone, monument, or other object, intended to permanently honor a veteran or mark a veteran’s grave, or any monument that signifies an event of national military historical significance.
Legislative history
Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.
Pub. L. 80–645 · 62 Stat. 683
Enacted · 18 U.S.C. § 2314
June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 806
Source evidence
Code source credit
June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 806Pub. L. 87–371 § 2 · 75 Stat. 802
Inserted · 18 U.S.C. § 2314
Pub. L. 87–371 inserted “or tax stamps” after “securities” in third par. and after “security” in fourth par., and “fraudulent State tax stamps,” in section catchline
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 87–371 inserted “or tax stamps” after “securities” in third par. and after “security” in fourth par., and “fraudulent State tax stamps,” in section catchline.Enacted provision · exact public law section
Sec. 2. Section 2314 of title 18 of the United States Code is amended as follows: (a) by inserting after the word “securities” in the third paragraph thereof, the words “or tax stamps”, and (b) by inserting after the word “security” in the fourth paragraph thereof, the words “or tax stamps”, and (c) by amending the heading of section 2314 to read as follows:Pub. L. 90–535 · 82 Stat. 885
Changed · 18 U.S.C. § 2314
Pub. L. 90–535 prohibited transportation with unlawful or fraudulent intent in interstate or foreign commerce of traveler’s checks bearing forged countersignatures
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 90–535 prohibited transportation with unlawful or fraudulent intent in interstate or foreign commerce of traveler’s checks bearing forged countersignatures.Minor and Technical Criminal Law Amendments Act of 1988
Pub. L. 100–690 § 7057(a) · 102 Stat. 4181
Substituted · 18 U.S.C. § 2314
Pub. L. 100–690, § 7057(a), substituted “transports, transmits, or transfers” for “transports” in first par
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 100–690, § 7057(a), substituted “transports, transmits, or transfers” for “transports” in first par.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(a) Transmission or Transfer.— The first paragraph of section 2314 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking “transports” and inserting “transports, transmits, or transfers”.Minor and Technical Criminal Law Amendments Act of 1988
Pub. L. 100–690 § 7080 · 102 Stat. 4181
Inserted · 18 U.S.C. § 2314
Pub. L. 100–690, § 7080, inserted “or persons” after “any person” and “or those persons” after “that person” in second par
Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 100–690, § 7080, inserted “or persons” after “any person” and “or those persons” after “that person” in second par.Enacted provision · exact public law section
SEC. 7080. AGGREGATION TO PERMIT PROSECUTION OF CERTAIN SCHEMES TO DEFRAUD MULTIPLE VICTIMS. The second paragraph of section 2314 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting “or persons” after “person” the first place it appears, and by inserting “or those persons” after “person” the second place it appears.Minor and Technical Criminal Law Amendments Act of 1988
Pub. L. 100–690 § 7057(b) · 102 Stat. 4181
Struck and inserted · 18 U.S.C. § 2314
Pub. L. 100–690, § 7057(b), struck out “or by a bank or corporation of any foreign country” after “foreign government” in last par. and inserted at end “This section also shall not apply to any falsely made, forged, altered, counterfeited, or spurious representation of any bank note or bill issued by a bank or corporation of any foreign country which is intended by the laws or usage of such country to circulate as money.”
Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 100–690, § 7057(b), struck out “or by a bank or corporation of any foreign country” after “foreign government” in last par. and inserted at end “This section also shall not apply to any falsely made, forged, altered, counterfeited, or spurious representation of any bank note or bill issued by a bank or corporation of any foreign country which is intended by the laws or usage of such country to circulate as money.”Enacted provision · exact public law section
(b) Inapplicability of Section.— The final paragraphs of sections 2314 and 2315 of title 18, United States Code, are amended— (1) by striking “or by a bank or corporation of any foreign country”; and (2) by adding at the end thereof: “This section also shall not apply to any falsely made, forged, altered, counterfeited, or spurious representation of any bank note or bill issued by a bank or corporation of any foreign country which is intended by the laws or usage of such country to circulate as money.”.Crime Control Act of 1990
Pub. L. 101–647 title XII § 1208 · 104 Stat. 4789
Inserted · 18 U.S.C. § 2314
Pub. L. 101–647 inserted “or foreign” after “interstate” in second par
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 101–647 inserted “or foreign” after “interstate” in second par.Enacted provision · exact public law section
SEC. 1208. CONFORMING JURISDICTIONAL AMENDMENT FOR SECTION 2314 TO COVER FRAUDULENT SCHEMES INVOLVING FOREIGN AS WELL AS INTERSTATE TRAVEL. The second paragraph of section 2314 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting “or foreign” after “interstate”.Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994
Pub. L. 103–322 § 330016(1)(L) · 108 Stat. 1796
Substituted · 18 U.S.C. § 2314
Pub. L. 103–322, § 330016(1)(L), substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $10,000” in sixth par
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 103–322, § 330016(1)(L), substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $10,000” in sixth par.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(L) in sections 33, 224, 231, 241, 245, 246, 286, 289, 332, 335, 337, 351, 371, 437, 440, 441, 493, 496, 500, 510, 545, 595, 599, 600, 601, 641, 664, 665, 667, 757, 792, 793, 798, 844, 892, 893, 894, 924, 952, 955, 962, 963, 964, 965, 966, 967, 970, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1019, 1020, 1022, 1023, 1027, 1082, 1084, 1115, 1202, 1361, 1362, 1364, 1365, 1385, 1461, 1462, 1464, 1587, 1623, 1654, 1656, 1735, 1737, 1751, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1910, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1958, 1992, 2101, 2113, 2153, 2154, 2155, 2156, 2231, 2232, 2271, 2274, 2275, 2314, 2315, 2383, 2386, 2387, 2388, and 2512 by striking “not more than $10,000” each place it appears and inserting “under this title”;Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994
Pub. L. 103–322 § 330016(1)(K) · 108 Stat. 1796
Struck and inserted · 18 U.S.C. § 2314
Pub. L. 103–322, § 330016(1)(K), which directed the amendment of this section by striking “not more than $5,000” and inserting “under this title”, could not be executed because the phrase “not more than $5,000” did not appear in text
Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 103–322, § 330016(1)(K), which directed the amendment of this section by striking “not more than $5,000” and inserting “under this title”, could not be executed because the phrase “not more than $5,000” did not appear in text.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(K) in sections 35, 81, 112, 152, 153, 155, 212, 213, 214, 285, 334, 351, 435, 436, 438, 471, 472, 473, 476, 477, 478, 481, 485, 487, 488, 497, 498, 505, 506, 508, 509, 541, 542, 543, 544, 546, 547, 548, 549, 550, 551, 552, 592, 593, 602, 603, 606, 607, 642, 655, 658, 659, 660, 661, 663, 751, 799, 844, 872, 874, 875, 876, 877, 878, 914, 915, 924, 953, 954, 956, 1004, 1010, 1011, 1015, 1017, 1025, 1028, 1071, 1073, 1074, 1163, 1169, 1231, 1265, 1363, 1421, 1422, 1423, 1424, 1425, 1426, 1427, 1428, 1429, 1461, 1462, 1463, 1465, 1503, 1505, 1506, 1507, 1510, 1581, 1582, 1583, 1584, 1585, 1588, 1658, 1659, 1717, 1732, 1735, 1737, 1751, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1915, 1991, 2072, 2073, 2113, 2217, 2152, 2197, 2231, 2244, 2314, 2316, 2317, 2344, and 2701 by striking “not more than $5,000” each place it appears and inserting “under this title”;Strengthening and Focusing Enforcement to Deter Organized Stealing and Enhance Safety Act of 2012
Pub. L. 112–186 § 4(d)(1) · 126 Stat. 1427
Inserted · 18 U.S.C. § 2314
Pub. L. 112–186 inserted at end of sixth par. “If the offense involves a pre-retail medical product (as defined in section 670) the punishment for the offense shall be the same as the punishment for an offense under section 670 unless the punishment under this section is greater.”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 112–186 inserted at end of sixth par. “If the offense involves a pre-retail medical product (as defined in section 670) the punishment for the offense shall be the same as the punishment for an offense under section 670 unless the punishment under this section is greater.”Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) Transportation of stolen goods and related offenses.— Section 2314 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end of the sixth undesignated paragraph the following: “If the offense involves a pre-retail medical product (as defined in section 670) the punishment for the offense shall be the same as the punishment for an offense under section 670 unless the punishment under this section is greater.”.National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013
Pub. L. 112–239 § 1084(a)(4) · 126 Stat. 1632
Inserted · 18 U.S.C. § 2314
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1084(a)(4), inserted par. at end defining “veterans’ memorial object”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1084(a)(4), inserted par. at end defining “veterans’ memorial object”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(4) by adding at the end the following: “For Definition. purposes of this section the term ‘veterans’ memorial object’ means a grave marker, headstone, monument, or other object, intended to permanently honor a veteran or mark a veteran’s grave, or any monument that signifies an event of national military historical significance.” .National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013
Pub. L. 112–239 § 1084(a)(3) · 126 Stat. 1632
Inserted · 18 U.S.C. § 2314
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1084(a)(3), inserted at end of seventh par. “If the offense involves the transportation, transmission, or transfer in interstate or foreign commerce of veterans’ memorial objects with a value, in the aggregate, of less than $1,000, the defendant shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.”
Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1084(a)(3), inserted at end of seventh par. “If the offense involves the transportation, transmission, or transfer in interstate or foreign commerce of veterans’ memorial objects with a value, in the aggregate, of less than $1,000, the defendant shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.”Enacted provision · exact public law section
(3) by inserting after “under this section is greater.” the following: “If the offense involves the transportation, transmission, or transfer in interstate or foreign commerce of veterans’ memorial objects with a value, in the aggregate, of less than $1,000, the defendant shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.”; andNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013
Pub. L. 112–239 § 1084(a)(1) · 126 Stat. 1632
Inserted · 18 U.S.C. § 2314
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1084(a)(1), (2), inserted sixth par. relating to veterans’ memorial objects
Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1084(a)(1), (2), inserted sixth par. relating to veterans’ memorial objects.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) by striking “or any part thereof—” and inserting the following: “or any part thereof; or”;
11 of 13 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 2 partial
Notes
Historical and Revision Notes
1948 Act
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§ 413, 415, 418, 418a, 419 (May 22, 1934, ch. 333, §§ 1, 3, 6, 48 Stat. 794, 795; May 22, 1934, ch. 333, § 7, as added Aug. 3, 1939, ch. 413, § 5, 53 Stat. 1179; May 22, 1934, ch. 333, § 7, renumbered § 8 by Aug. 3, 1939, ch. 413, § 6, 53 Stat. 1179; Aug. 3, 1939, ch. 413, §§ 1, 4, 5, 53 Stat. 1178, 1179).
Section consolidates sections 413, 415, 417, 418, 418a, and 419 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed.
Words “or with intent to steal or purloin, knowing the same to have been so stolen, converted, or taken” were omitted as surplusage, since property so “taken” is “stolen,” and insertion of word “knowingly” after “Whoever” at beginning of section renders such omission possible.
Reference to persons causing or procuring was omitted as unnecessary in view of definition of “principal” in section 2 of this title.
Section 413 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., providing the short title “National Stolen Property Act,” was omitted as not appropriate in a revision.
Section 414 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., containing definitions of “interstate or foreign commerce,” “securities,” and “money,” is incorporated in sections 10 and 2311 of this title.
Section 417 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., relating to indictments and determination of “value” of goods, wares, merchandise, securities, and money referred to in indictments, is also incorporated in section 2311 of this title.
Section 418 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., relating to venue, was omitted as completely covered by section 3237 of this title.
Section 418a of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., relating to conspiracy, was omitted as covered by section 371 of this title, the general conspiracy section.
Section 419 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., providing that nothing contained in the National Stolen Property Act should be construed to repeal, modify, or amend any part of the National Motor Vehicle Theft Act, was omitted as unnecessary, in view of this revision and reenactment of the provisions of the latter act (sections 10, 2311–2313 of this title).
Changes were made in phraseology and arrangement.
1949 Act
This amendment [see section 45] restates and clarifies the first paragraph of section 2314 of title 18, U.S.C., to conform to the original law upon which the section is based.
Editorial Notes
Amendments1949–2013 · 9 rounds
2013
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1084(a)(4), inserted par. at end defining “veterans’ memorial object”.
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1084(a)(3), inserted at end of seventh par. “If the offense involves the transportation, transmission, or transfer in interstate or foreign commerce of veterans’ memorial objects with a value, in the aggregate, of less than $1,000, the defendant shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.”
Pub. L. 112–239, § 1084(a)(1), (2), inserted sixth par. relating to veterans’ memorial objects.
2012
Pub. L. 112–186 inserted at end of sixth par. “If the offense involves a pre-retail medical product (as defined in section 670) the punishment for the offense shall be the same as the punishment for an offense under section 670 unless the punishment under this section is greater.”
1994
Pub. L. 103–322, § 330016(1)(L), substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $10,000” in sixth par.
Pub. L. 103–322, § 330016(1)(K), which directed the amendment of this section by striking “not more than $5,000” and inserting “under this title”, could not be executed because the phrase “not more than $5,000” did not appear in text.
1990
Pub. L. 101–647 inserted “or foreign” after “interstate” in second par.
1988
Pub. L. 100–690, § 7057(a), substituted “transports, transmits, or transfers” for “transports” in first par.
Pub. L. 100–690, § 7080, inserted “or persons” after “any person” and “or those persons” after “that person” in second par.
Pub. L. 100–690, § 7057(b), struck out “or by a bank or corporation of any foreign country” after “foreign government” in last par. and inserted at end “This section also shall not apply to any falsely made, forged, altered, counterfeited, or spurious representation of any bank note or bill issued by a bank or corporation of any foreign country which is intended by the laws or usage of such country to circulate as money.”
1968
Pub. L. 90–535 prohibited transportation with unlawful or fraudulent intent in interstate or foreign commerce of traveler’s checks bearing forged countersignatures.
1961
Pub. L. 87–371 inserted “or tax stamps” after “securities” in third par. and after “security” in fourth par., and “fraudulent State tax stamps,” in section catchline.
1956
Act , inserted par. relating to interstate transportation of persons in schemes to defraud.
1949
Act , substituted “knowing the same to have been stolen, converted or taken by fraud” for “theretofore stolen, converted, or taken by fraud” in first par.
Credits
1948–2013 · 10 acts
- 1948June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 806
- 1949May 24, 1949, ch. 139, § 45, 63 Stat. 96
- 1956July 9, 1956, ch. 519, 70 Stat. 507
- 1961Pub. L. 87–371, § 2, , 75 Stat. 802
- 1968Pub. L. 90–535, , 82 Stat. 885
- 1988Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, §§ 7057, 7080, , 102 Stat. 4402, 4406
- 1990Pub. L. 101–647, title XII, § 1208, , 104 Stat. 4832
- 1994Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(K), (L), , 108 Stat. 2147
- 2012Pub. L. 112–186, § 4(d)(1), , 126 Stat. 1429
- 2013Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, § 1084(a), , 126 Stat. 1963.
Show as published
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 806; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, § 45, 63 Stat. 96; July 9, 1956, ch. 519, 70 Stat. 507; Pub. L. 87–371, § 2, , 75 Stat. 802; Pub. L. 90–535, , 82 Stat. 885; Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, §§ 7057, 7080, , 102 Stat. 4402, 4406; Pub. L. 101–647, title XII, § 1208, , 104 Stat. 4832; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(K), (L), , 108 Stat. 2147; Pub. L. 112–186, § 4(d)(1), , 126 Stat. 1429; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, § 1084(a), , 126 Stat. 1963.)