---
kind: "section"
citation: "21 U.S.C. § 954"
title: "21"
title_heading: "Food and Drugs"
number: "954"
heading: "Transshipment and in-transit shipment of controlled substances"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/21/954"
units:
  - "Chapter 13 — Drug Abuse Prevention and Control"
  - "Subchapter II — Import and Export"
---

# §954. Transshipment and in-transit shipment of controlled substances


Notwithstanding sections [952](/usc/21/952.md), [953](/usc/21/953.md), and [957](/usc/21/957.md) of this title—

- (1) A controlled substance in schedule I may—
  - (A) be imported into the United States for transshipment to another country, or
  - (B) be transferred or transshipped from one vessel, vehicle, or aircraft to another vessel, vehicle, or aircraft within the United States for immediate exportation,

  if and only if it is so imported, transferred, or transshipped (i) for scientific, medical, or other legitimate purposes in the country of destination, and (ii) with the prior written approval of the Attorney General (which shall be granted or denied within 21 days of the request).

- (2) A controlled substance in schedule II, III, or IV may be so imported, transferred, or transshipped if and only if advance notice is given to the Attorney General in accordance with regulations of the Attorney General.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 91–513, title III, § 1004, Oct. 27, 1970, 84 Stat. 1287.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Schedules I, II, III, and IV, referred to in text, are set out in section 812(c) of this title.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective on first day of seventh calendar month that begins after Oct. 26, 1970, see 1105(a) of Pub. L. 91–513, set out as a under section 951 of this title.