---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 1586"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "1586"
heading: "Service on vessels in slave trade"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/1586"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 77 — Peonage, Slavery, and Trafficking in Persons"
---

# §1586. Service on vessels in slave trade


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), being a citizen or resident of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), voluntarily serves on board of any vessel employed or made use of in the transportation of slaves from any foreign country or place to another, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 773; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(I), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 427 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 252, 35 Stat. 1139).

Mandatory-punishment provisions were rephrased in the alternative.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $2,000”.