18 USC § 1587 - Possession of slaves aboard vessel

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t18/s1587"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "18 USC § 1587 - Possession of slaves aboard vessel"
title_number: 18
title_name: "CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE"
section_number: "1587"
section_name: "Possession of slaves aboard vessel"
chapter_number: 77
chapter_name: "PEONAGE, SLAVERY, AND TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS"
part_number: "I"
part_name: "CRIMES"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-21"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 773; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(L), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147; Pub. L. 115–392, § 11(1)(B), Dec. 21, 2018, 132 Stat. 5255.)"
---


# § 1587. Possession of slaves aboard vessel

Whoever, being the captain, master, or commander of any vessel found in any river, port, bay, harbor, or on the high seas within the jurisdiction of the United States, or hovering off the coast thereof, and having on board any person for the purpose of selling such person as a slave, or with intent to land such person for such purpose, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.

---

**Source Credit**: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 773; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(L), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147; Pub. L. 115–392, § 11(1)(B), Dec. 21, 2018, 132 Stat. 5255.)

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 426 (, ).

Mandatory-punishment provisions were rephrased in the alternative.

Minor change was made in phraseology.

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2018— substituted “10 years” for “four years”.

1994— substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $10,000”.