15 USC 377 - Penalties

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

§ 377.

Penalties

(a)

Criminal penalties

(1)

In general

(2)

Exceptions

(A)

Governments

(B)

Delivery violations

A common carrier or independent delivery service, or employee of a common carrier or independent delivery service, shall be subject to criminal penalties under paragraph (1) for a violation of section 376a(e) of this title only if the violation is committed knowingly—

(i)

as consideration for the receipt of, or as consideration for a promise or agreement to pay, anything of pecuniary value; or

(ii)

for the purpose of assisting a delivery seller to violate, or otherwise evading compliance with, section 376a of this title.

(b)

Civil penalties

(1)

In general

Except as provided in paragraph (3), whoever violates this chapter shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed—

(A)

in the case of a delivery seller, the greater of—

(i)

$5,000 in the case of the first violation, or $10,000 for any other violation; or

(ii)

for any violation, 2 percent of the gross sales of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco of the delivery seller during the 1-year period ending on the date of the violation.

(B)

in the case of a common carrier or other delivery service, $2,500 in the case of a first violation, or $5,000 for any violation within 1 year of a prior violation.

(2)

Relation to other penalties

(3)

Exceptions

(A)

Delivery violations

An employee of a common carrier or independent delivery service shall be subject to civil penalties under paragraph (1) for a violation of section 376a(e) of this title only if the violation is committed intentionally—

(i)

as consideration for the receipt of, or as consideration for a promise or agreement to pay, anything of pecuniary value; or

(ii)

for the purpose of assisting a delivery seller to violate, or otherwise evading compliance with, section 376a of this title.

(B)

Other limitations

No common carrier or independent delivery service shall be subject to civil penalties under paragraph (1) for a violation of section 376a(e) of this title if—

(i)

the common carrier or independent delivery service has implemented and enforces effective policies and practices for complying with that section; or

(ii)

the violation consists of an employee of the common carrier or independent delivery service who physically receives and processes orders, picks up packages, processes packages, or makes deliveries, taking actions that are outside the scope of employment of the employee, or that violate the implemented and enforced policies of the common carrier or independent delivery service described in clause (i).

(Oct. 19, 1949, ch. 699, § 3, as added Pub. L. 111–154, § 2(d), Mar. 31, 2010, 124 Stat. 1100.)

cite as: 15 USC 377