21 U.S.C. § 952 – Importation of controlled substances
This statute makes it a crime to bring controlled substances into the United States unless specific legal exceptions apply.
Section 952 is one of the main federal laws governing drug importation. It bans bringing most controlled substances into the United States, either directly or through another country, unless the drug has been legally approved for import under federal regulations.
(a) General rule.
A person violates this law if they knowingly import a controlled substance listed in Schedules I or II, or certain substances listed in other schedules, unless the importation has been authorized by the United States government.
(b) Limited exceptions.
The law allows importation of certain controlled substances if:
- the Attorney General has approved the import, or
- the drug is being imported for medical, scientific, or research purposes under specific federal rules.
(c) Rules for narcotic drugs.
Certain narcotic drugs may be imported only if they meet strict requirements, including compliance with federal quotas, permits, or international agreements.
In short, most controlled substances cannot be brought into the United States unless the importer has express legal authorization.
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