Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-102
§480 Possessing Counterfeit Foreign Obligations or Securities
Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 25 — COUNTERFEITING AND FORGERY › § 480
Summary
Inside the United States, anyone who knowingly and with the intent to defraud has or gives fake or forged foreign financial papers—like bonds, certificates, securities, treasury notes or bills, promises to pay, bank notes, or similar documents issued by a foreign country, bank, or corporation—can be fined under federal law, jailed for up to 20 years, or both.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §480
Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever, within the United States, knowingly and with intent to defraud, possesses or delivers any false, forged, or counterfeit bond, certificate, obligation, security, treasury note, bill, promise to pay, bank note, or bill issued by a bank or corporation of any foreign country, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 274 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 160, 35 Stat. 1118). Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative. Changes were also made in phraseology.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2001—Pub. L. 107–56 substituted “20 years” for “one year”. 1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $1,000”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 480
Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102