{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/misuse-of-drugs-act-1971/section-3",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/misuse-of-drugs-act-1971/section-3.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/1971/38",
  "legislation_title": "Misuse of Drugs Act 1971",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/misuse-of-drugs-act-1971",
  "path": "section/3",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "3",
  "heading": "Restriction of importation and exportation of controlled drugs.",
  "text": "(1) Subject to subsection (2) below—\n(a) the importation of a controlled drug; and\n(b) the exportation of a controlled drug,\nare hereby prohibited.\n(2) Subsection (1) above does not apply—\n(a) to the importation or exportation of a controlled drug which is for the time being excepted from paragraph (a) or, as the case may be, paragraph (b) of subsection (1) above by regulations under section 7 of this Act or by provision made in a temporary class drug order by virtue of section 7A ; or\n(b) to the importation or exportation of a controlled drug under and in accordance with the terms of a licence issued by the Secretary of State and in compliance with any conditions attached thereto.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Words in s. 3(2)(a) inserted (15.11.2011) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 17 para. 4; S.I. 2011/2515, art. 3(g)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/38/section/3",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T10:50:00.895978+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}