---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 1423a"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "1423a"
heading: "Prohibitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/1423a"
units:
  - "Chapter 31 — Marine Mammal Protection"
  - "Subchapter VI — Polar Bears"
---

# §1423a. Prohibitions

- (a) **In general—** It is unlawful for any [person](/usc/16/1362.md?p=10) who is subject to the jurisdiction of the [United States](/usc/16/1362.md?p=14) or any [person](/usc/16/1362.md?p=10) in waters or on lands under the jurisdiction of the [United States](/usc/16/1362.md?p=14)—
  - (1) to [take](/usc/16/1362.md?p=13) any polar bear in [violation](/usc/16/620e.md?p=11) of the [Agreement](/usc/16/1423.md?p=1);
  - (2) to [take](/usc/16/1362.md?p=13) any polar bear in [violation](/usc/16/620e.md?p=11) of the [Agreement](/usc/16/1423.md?p=1) or any annual [taking](/usc/16/1423.md?p=6) limit or other restriction on the [taking](/usc/16/1423.md?p=6) of polar bears that is adopted by the [Commission](/usc/16/1423.md?p=7) pursuant to the [Agreement](/usc/16/1423.md?p=1);
  - (3) to [import](/usc/16/1423.md?p=3), export, possess, transport, sell, receive, [acquire](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1), or purchase, exchange, barter, or offer to sell, purchase, exchange, or barter any polar bear, or any [part or product of a polar bear](/usc/16/1423.md?p=4), that is taken in [violation](/usc/16/620e.md?p=11) of [paragraph (2)](#a-2);
  - (4) to [import](/usc/16/1423.md?p=3), export, sell, purchase, exchange, barter, or offer to sell, purchase, exchange, or barter, any polar bear gall bile or polar bear gall bladder;
  - (5) to attempt to commit, solicit another [person](/usc/16/1362.md?p=10) to commit, or cause to be committed, any offense under this subsection; or
  - (6) to violate any regulation promulgated by the [Secretary](/usc/16/1423.md?p=5) to implement any of the prohibitions established in this subsection.
- (b) **Exceptions—** For the purpose of forensic testing or any other law enforcement purpose, the [Secretary](/usc/16/1423.md?p=5), and Federal law enforcement officials, and any [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) or local law enforcement official authorized by the [Secretary](/usc/16/1423.md?p=5), may [import](/usc/16/1423.md?p=3) a polar bear or any [part or product of a polar bear](/usc/16/1423.md?p=4).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 92–522, title V, § 502, as added Pub. L. 109–479, title IX, § 902(a), Jan. 12, 2007, 120 Stat. 3661.)