---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 226"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "226"
heading: "Bribery affecting port security"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/226"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 11 — Bribery, Graft, and Conflicts of Interest"
---

# §226. Bribery affecting port security

- (a) **In General.—** [Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) knowingly—
  - (1) directly or indirectly, [corruptly](/usc/18/1515.md?p=b) gives, offers, or promises anything of value to any public or private [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5), with intent to commit [international terrorism](/usc/18/2331.md?p=1) or [domestic terrorism](/usc/18/2331.md?p=5) (as those terms are defined under [section 2331](/usc/18/2331.md)), to—
    - (A) influence any action or any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) to commit or aid in committing, or collude in, or allow, any fraud, or make opportunity for the commission of any fraud affecting any secure or restricted area or seaport; or
    - (B) induce any official or [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) to do or omit to do any act in violation of the lawful duty of such official or [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) that affects any secure or restricted area or seaport; or
  - (2) directly or indirectly, [corruptly](/usc/18/1515.md?p=b) demands, seeks, receives, accepts, or agrees to receive or accept anything of value personally or for any other [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) or entity in return for—
    - (A) being influenced in the performance of any official act affecting any secure or restricted area or seaport; and
    - (B) knowing that such influence will be used to commit, or plan to commit, international or [domestic terrorism](/usc/18/2331.md?p=5),

  shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both.

- (b) **Definition.—** In this section, the term “secure or restricted area” means an area of a vessel or facility designated as secure in an approved security plan, as required under [section 70103 of title 46](/usc/46/70103.md), United States Code, and the rules and regulations promulgated under that section.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 109–177, title III, § 309(a), Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 241.)