---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 2341"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "2341"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/2341"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 114 — Trafficking in Contraband Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco"
---

# §2341. Definitions


As used in this chapter—

- (1) the term “cigarette” means—
  - (A) any roll of tobacco wrapped in paper or in any substance not containing tobacco; and
  - (B) any roll of tobacco wrapped in any substance containing tobacco which, because of its appearance, the type of tobacco used in the filler, or its packaging and labeling, is likely to be offered to, or purchased by, consumers as a [cigarette](#1) described in [subparagraph (A)](#1-A);
- (2) the term “contraband cigarettes” means a quantity in excess of 10,000 [cigarettes](#1), which bear no evidence of the payment of applicable [State](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9) or local [cigarette](#1) taxes in the [State](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9) or locality where such [cigarettes](#1) are found, if the [State](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9) or local government requires a stamp, impression, or other indication to be placed on packages or other containers of [cigarettes](#1) to evidence payment of [cigarette](#1) taxes, and which are in the possession of any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) other than—
  - (A) a [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) holding a permit issued pursuant to chapter 52 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as a [manufacturer](/usc/18/841.md?p=h) of tobacco products or as an export warehouse proprietor, or a [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) operating a customs bonded warehouse pursuant to section 311 or 555 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ([19 U.S.C. 1311](/usc/19/1311.md) or 1555) or an agent of such [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5);
  - (B) a [common or contract carrier](#3) transporting the [cigarettes](#1) involved under a proper bill of lading or freight bill which [states](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9) the quantity, source, and destination of such [cigarettes](#1);
  - (C) a [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5)—
    - (i) who is licensed or otherwise authorized by the [State](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9) where the [cigarettes](#1) are found to account for and pay [cigarette](#1) taxes imposed by such [State](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9); and
    - (ii) who has complied with the accounting and payment requirements relating to such license or authorization with respect to the [cigarettes](#1) involved; or
  - (D) an [officer](/usc/18/202.md?p=c), [employee](/usc/18/202.md?p=c), or other agent of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) or a [State](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9), or any department, agency, or instrumentality of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) or a [State](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9) (including any political subdivision of a [State](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9)) having possession of such [cigarettes](#1) in connection with the performance of official duties;
- (3) the term “common or contract carrier” means a carrier holding a certificate of convenience and necessity, a permit for contract carrier by [motor vehicle](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-6), or other valid operating authority under subtitle IV of [title 49](/usc/49.md), or under equivalent operating authority from a regulatory agency of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) or of any [State](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9);
- (4) the term “[State](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9)” means a [State](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9) of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands;
- (5) the term “[Attorney General](/usc/18/841.md?p=k)” means the [Attorney General](/usc/18/841.md?p=k) of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9);
- (6) the term “smokeless tobacco” means any finely cut, ground, powdered, or leaf tobacco that is intended to be placed in the oral or nasal cavity or otherwise consumed without being combusted;
- (7) the term “contraband smokeless tobacco” means a quantity in excess of 500 single-unit consumer-sized cans or packages of [smokeless tobacco](#6), or their equivalent, that are in the possession of any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) other than—
  - (A) a [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) holding a permit issued pursuant to chapter 52 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as [manufacturer](/usc/18/841.md?p=h)[^1] of tobacco products or as an export warehouse proprietor, a [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) operating a customs bonded warehouse pursuant to section 311 or 555 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ([19 U.S.C. 1311](/usc/19/1311.md), 1555), or an agent of such [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5);
  - (B) a common carrier transporting such [smokeless tobacco](#6) under a proper bill of lading or freight bill which [states](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9) the quantity, source, and designation of such [smokeless tobacco](#6);
  - (C) a [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) who—
    - (i) is licensed or otherwise authorized by the [State](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9) where such [smokeless tobacco](#6) is found to engage in the business of selling or distributing tobacco products; and
    - (ii) has complied with the accounting, tax, and payment requirements relating to such license or authorization with respect to such [smokeless tobacco](#6); or
  - (D) an [officer](/usc/18/202.md?p=c), [employee](/usc/18/202.md?p=c), or agent of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) or a [State](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9), or any department, agency, or instrumentality of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) or a [State](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9) (including any political subdivision of a [State](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9)), having possession of such [smokeless tobacco](#6) in connection with the performance of official duties;[^2]

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be “a manufacturer”.
[^2]: So in original. The semicolon probably should be a period.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 95–575, § 1, Nov. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 2463; amended Pub. L. 97–449, § 5(c), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2442; Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095; Pub. L. 107–296, title XI, § 1112(i)(1), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2277; Pub. L. 109–177, title I, § 121(a)(1), (b)(1), (6), Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 221, 222.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Chapter 52 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in pars. (2)(A) and (7)(A), is classified generally to chapter 52 (§ 5701 et seq.) of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

### Amendments

2006—Par. (2). Pub. L. 109–177, § 121(b)(6), which directed amendment of par. (2) by substituting “State or local cigarette taxes in the State or locality where such cigarettes are found, if the State or local government” for “State cigarette taxes in the State where such cigarettes are found, if the State” in introductory provisions, was executed by making the substitution for “State cigarette taxes in the State where such cigarettes are found, if such State”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 109–177, § 121(a)(1), substituted “10,000 cigarettes” for “60,000 cigarettes” in introductory provisions.

Pars. (6), (7). Pub. L. 109–177, § 121(b)(1), added pars. (6) and (7).

2002—Par. (5). Pub. L. 107–296 added par. (5) and struck out former par. (5) which read as follows: “the term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of the Treasury.”

1986—Par. (2)(A). Pub. L. 99–514 substituted “Internal Revenue Code of 1986” for “Internal Revenue Code of 1954”.

1983—Par. (3). Pub. L. 97–449 substituted “subtitle IV of title 49” for “the Interstate Commerce Act”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective 60 days after Nov. 25, 2002, see section 4 of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as an Effective Date note under section 101 of Title 6, Domestic Security.

### Effective Date

Pub. L. 95–575, § 4, Nov. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 2466, provided: Except as provided in subsection (b), this Act [enacting this chapter, amending section 1961 of this title and sections 781 and 787 of former Title 49, Transportation, and enacting provisions set out as a note under this section] shall take effect on the date of its enactment [Nov. 2, 1978]. Sections 2342(b) and 2343 of title 18, United States Code as enacted by the first section of this Act, shall take effect on the first day of the first month beginning more than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 2, 1978].”

### Authorization of Appropriations

Pub. L. 95–575, § 5, Nov. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 2466, provided that: “There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of chapter 114 of title 18, United States Code, added by the first section of this Act.”