---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 2251A"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "2251A"
heading: "Selling or buying of children"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/2251A"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 110 — Sexual Exploitation and Other Abuse of Children"
---

# §2251A. Selling or buying of children

- (a) Any parent, legal guardian, or other [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) having [custody or control](/usc/18/2256.md?p=7) of a [minor](/usc/18/2256.md?p=1) who sells or otherwise transfers [custody or control](/usc/18/2256.md?p=7) of such [minor](/usc/18/2256.md?p=1), or offers to sell or otherwise transfer custody of such [minor](/usc/18/2256.md?p=1) either—
  - (1) with knowledge that, as a consequence of the sale or transfer, the [minor](/usc/18/2256.md?p=1) will be portrayed in a [visual depiction](/usc/18/2256.md?p=5) engaging in, or assisting another [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) to engage in, sexually explicit conduct; or
  - (2) with intent to promote either—
    - (A) the engaging in of sexually explicit conduct by such [minor](/usc/18/2256.md?p=1) for the purpose of [producing](/usc/18/2256.md?p=3) any [visual depiction](/usc/18/2256.md?p=5) of such conduct; or
    - (B) the rendering of assistance by the [minor](/usc/18/2256.md?p=1) to any other [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of [producing](/usc/18/2256.md?p=3) any [visual depiction](/usc/18/2256.md?p=5) of such conduct;

  shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than 30 years or for life and by a fine under this title, if any of the circumstances described in [subsection (c)](#c) of this section exist.

- (b) [Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) purchases or otherwise obtains [custody or control](/usc/18/2256.md?p=7) of a [minor](/usc/18/2256.md?p=1), or offers to purchase or otherwise obtain [custody or control](/usc/18/2256.md?p=7) of a [minor](/usc/18/2256.md?p=1) either—
  - (1) with knowledge that, as a consequence of the purchase or obtaining of custody, the [minor](/usc/18/2256.md?p=1) will be portrayed in a [visual depiction](/usc/18/2256.md?p=5) engaging in, or assisting another [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) to engage in, sexually explicit conduct; or
  - (2) with intent to promote either—
    - (A) the engaging in of sexually explicit conduct by such [minor](/usc/18/2256.md?p=1) for the purpose of [producing](/usc/18/2256.md?p=3) any [visual depiction](/usc/18/2256.md?p=5) of such conduct; or
    - (B) the rendering of assistance by the [minor](/usc/18/2256.md?p=1) to any other [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of [producing](/usc/18/2256.md?p=3) any [visual depiction](/usc/18/2256.md?p=5) of such conduct;

  shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than 30 years or for life and by a fine under this title, if any of the circumstances described in [subsection (c)](#c) of this section exist.

- (c) The circumstances referred to in subsections [(a)](#a) and [(b)](#b) are that—
  - (1) in the course of the conduct described in such subsections the [minor](/usc/18/2256.md?p=1) or the actor traveled in or was transported in or affecting [interstate or foreign commerce](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-2);
  - (2) any offer described in such subsections was communicated or transported using any means or facility of [interstate or foreign commerce](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-2) or in or affecting [interstate or foreign commerce](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-2) by any means including by [computer](/usc/18/2256.md?p=6) or mail; or
  - (3) the conduct described in such subsections took place in any territory or possession of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, § 7512(a), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4486; amended Pub. L. 108–21, title I, § 103(b)(1)(B), Apr. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 653; Pub. L. 110–358, title I, § 103(a)(2), (b), Oct. 8, 2008, 122 Stat. 4002, 4003.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2008—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110–358, § 103(b), substituted “in or affecting interstate” for “in interstate” in pars. (1) and (2).

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 110–358, § 103(a)(2), inserted “using any means or facility of interstate or foreign commerce or” after “or transported”.

2003—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 108–21 substituted “30 years” for “20 years” in concluding provisions.