15 USC 377 – Penalties
Terms Used In 15 USC 377
- common carrier: means any person (other than a local messenger service or the United States Postal Service) that holds itself out to the general public as a provider for hire of the transportation by water, land, or air of merchandise (regardless of whether the person actually operates the vessel, vehicle, or aircraft by which the transportation is provided) between a port or place and a port or place in the United States. See 15 USC 375
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- delivery seller: means a person who makes a delivery sale. See 15 USC 375
- Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
- smokeless tobacco: means any finely cut, ground, powdered, or leaf tobacco, or other product containing tobacco, that is intended to be placed in the oral or nasal cavity or otherwise consumed without being combusted. See 15 USC 375
- State: means each of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States. See 15 USC 375
- tribal: refers to an Indian tribe as defined in section 5304(e) of title 25 or as listed pursuant to section 5131 of title 25. See 15 USC 375
- whoever: include corporations, companies, associations, firms, partnerships, societies, and joint stock companies, as well as individuals. See 1 USC 1
(a) Criminal penalties
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), whoever knowingly violates this chapter shall be imprisoned for not more than 3 years, fined under title 18, or both.
(2) Exceptions
(A) Governments
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a State, local, or tribal government.
(B) Delivery violations
A common carrier or independent delivery service, or employee of a common carrier or independent delivery service, shall be subject to criminal penalties under paragraph (1) for a violation of section 376a(e) of this title only if the violation is committed knowingly—
(i) as consideration for the receipt of, or as consideration for a promise or agreement to pay, anything of pecuniary value; or
(ii) for the purpose of assisting a delivery seller to violate, or otherwise evading compliance with, section 376a of this title.
(b) Civil penalties
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (3), whoever violates this chapter shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed—
(A) in the case of a delivery seller, the greater of—
(i) $5,000 in the case of the first violation, or $10,000 for any other violation; or
(ii) for any violation, 2 percent of the gross sales of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco of the delivery seller during the 1-year period ending on the date of the violation.
(B) in the case of a common carrier or other delivery service, $2,500 in the case of a first violation, or $5,000 for any violation within 1 year of a prior violation.
(2) Relation to other penalties
A civil penalty imposed under paragraph (1) for a violation of this chapter shall be imposed in addition to any criminal penalty under subsection (a) and any other damages, equitable relief, or injunctive relief awarded by the court, including the payment of any unpaid taxes to the appropriate Federal, State, local, or tribal governments.
(3) Exceptions
(A) Delivery violations
An employee of a common carrier or independent delivery service shall be subject to civil penalties under paragraph (1) for a violation of section 376a(e) of this title only if the violation is committed intentionally—
(i) as consideration for the receipt of, or as consideration for a promise or agreement to pay, anything of pecuniary value; or
(ii) for the purpose of assisting a delivery seller to violate, or otherwise evading compliance with, section 376a of this title.
(B) Other limitations
No common carrier or independent delivery service shall be subject to civil penalties under paragraph (1) for a violation of section 376a(e) of this title if—
(i) the common carrier or independent delivery service has implemented and enforces effective policies and practices for complying with that section; or
(ii) the violation consists of an employee of the common carrier or independent delivery service who physically receives and processes orders, picks up packages, processes packages, or makes deliveries, taking actions that are outside the scope of employment of the employee, or that violate the implemented and enforced policies of the common carrier or independent delivery service described in clause (i).