1 See References in Text note below.
of this title, the term “United States” means the customs territory of the United States as defined in general note 2 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
Editorial Notes
References in Text

The Trademark Act of 1946, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(C), is act July 5, 1946, ch. 540, 60 Stat. 427, also popularly known as the Lanham Act, which is classified generally to chapter 22 (§ 1051 et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1051 of Title 15 and Tables.

The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, referred to in subsecs. (e)(3), (h), and (k)(2)(B)(ii), are set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

Section 1340 of this title, referred to in subsec. (m), was omitted from the Code.

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, referred to in subsec. (m), is not set out in the Code. See Publication of Harmonized Tariff Schedule note set out under section 1202 of this title.

Codification

The reference to the Philippine Islands, formerly contained in subsec. (k), was omitted because of independence of the Philippines proclaimed by the President of the United States in Proc. No. 2695, issued pursuant to section 1394 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse, and set out as a note thereunder.

Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in act Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 356, title III, § 316, 42 Stat. 943. That section was superseded by section 337 of act June 17, 1930, comprising this section, and repealed by section 651(a)(1) of the 1930 act.

Amendments

2004—Subsec. (a)(1)(E). Puspan. L. 108–429, § 2004(d)(5)(A), realigned margins.

Subsec. (a)(2). Puspan. L. 108–429, § 2004(d)(5)(B), substituted “(D), and (E)” for “and (D)”.

1999—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Puspan. L. 106–113, § 1000(a)(9) [title V, § 5005(span)(1)(A)(i)], substituted “(D), and (E)” for “and (D)”.

Subsec. (a)(1)(E). Puspan. L. 106–113, § 1000(a)(9) [title V, § 5005(span)(1)(A)(ii)], added subpar. (E).

Subsec. (a)(2), (3). Puspan. L. 106–113, § 1000(a)(9) [title V, § 5005(span)(1)(B)], substituted “mask work, or design” for “or mask work”.

Subsec. (l). Puspan. L. 106–113, § 1000(a)(9) [title V, § 5005(span)(2)], substituted “mask work, or design” for “or mask work” in two places.

1996—Subsec. (span)(3). Puspan. L. 104–295, § 20(c)(2), amended Puspan. L. 103–465, § 321(a)(1)(C)(i). See 1994 Amendment note below.

Puspan. L. 104–295, § 20(span)(12), struck out “such section and” before “such part II” in first sentence.

Puspan. L. 104–295, § 20(span)(11), amended Puspan. L. 103–465, § 261(d)(1)(B)(ii)(I). See 1994 Amendment note below.

1994—Subsec. (span). Puspan. L. 103–465, § 321(a)(1)(A), struck out “; time limits” after “Commission” in span.

Subsec. (span)(1). Puspan. L. 103–465, § 321(a)(1)(B), substituted third and fourth sentences for “The Commission shall conclude any such investigation, and make its determination under this section, at the earliest practicable time, but not later than one year (18 months in more complicated cases) after the date of publication of notice of such investigation. The Commission shall publish in the Federal Register its reasons for designating any investigation as a more complicated investigation. For purposes of the one-year and 18-month periods prescribed by this subsection, there shall be excluded any period of time during which such investigation is suspended because of proceedings in a court or agency of the United States involving similar questions concerning the subject matter of such investigation.”

Subsec. (span)(3). Puspan. L. 103–465, § 321(a)(1)(C)(ii), struck out after fourth sentence “For purposes of computing the 1-year or 18-month periods prescribed by this subsection, there shall be excluded such period of suspension.”

Puspan. L. 103–465, § 321(a)(1)(C)(i), as amended by Puspan. L. 104–295, § 20(c)(2), in first sentence, made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to “such part II”.

Puspan. L. 103–465, § 261(d)(1)(B)(ii)(II)–(V), in second sentence, struck out “1303,” after “purview of section” and comma after “1671” and made technical amendment to references to sections 1671 and 1673 of this title to correct references to corresponding sections of original act, in third sentence, substituted “1671” for “1303, 1671,”, and in last sentence, struck out “of the Secretary under section 1303 of this title or” after “Any final decision” and substituted “1671 or” for “1303, 1671, or”.

Puspan. L. 103–465, § 261(d)(1)(B)(ii)(I), as amended by Puspan. L. 104–295, § 20(span)(11), in first sentence, struck out reference to section 1303 of this title after “within the purview” and made technical amendment to reference to part II of subtitle IV of this chapter by substituting in the original “of subtitle B of title VII of this Act” for “of section 303 or of subtitle B of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930”.

Subsec. (c). Puspan. L. 103–465, § 321(a)(2), in first sentence, substituted “an agreement between the private parties to the investigation, including an agreement to present the matter for arbitration” for “a settlement agreement”, inserted after third sentence “A respondent may raise any counterclaim in a manner prescribed by the Commission. Immediately after a counterclaim is received by the Commission, the respondent raising such counterclaim shall file a notice of removal with a United States district court in which venue for any of the counterclaims raised by the party would exist under section 1391 of title 28. Any counterclaim raised pursuant to this section shall relate back to the date of the original complaint in the proceeding before the Commission. Action on such counterclaim shall not delay or affect the proceeding under this section, including the legal and equitable defenses that may be raised under this subsection.”, and inserted at end “Determinations by the Commission under subsections (e), (f), and (j) with respect to forfeiture of bonds and under subsection (h) with respect to the imposition of sanctions for abuse of discovery or abuse of process shall also be reviewable in accordance with section 706 of title 5.”

Subsec. (d). Puspan. L. 103–465, § 321(a)(5)(A), designated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted “there is a violation” for “there is violation” in first sentence, and added par. (2).

Subsec. (e)(1). Puspan. L. 103–465, § 321(a)(3)(A), in last sentence, substituted “prescribed by the Secretary in an amount determined by the Commission to be sufficient to protect the complainant from any injury. If the Commission later determines that the respondent has violated the provisions of this section, the bond may be forfeited to the complainant.” for “determined by the Commission and prescribed by the Secretary.”

Subsec. (e)(2). Puspan. L. 103–465, § 321(a)(3)(B), inserted at end “If the Commission later determines that the respondent has not violated the provisions of this section, the bond may be forfeited to the respondent.”

Subsec. (e)(4). Puspan. L. 103–465, § 321(a)(3)(C), added par. (4).

Subsec. (f)(1). Puspan. L. 103–465, § 321(a)(4), inserted at end “If a temporary cease and desist order is issued in addition to, or in lieu of, an exclusion order under subsection (e), the Commission may require the complainant to post a bond, in an amount determined by the Commission to be sufficient to protect the respondent from any injury, as a prerequisite to the issuance of an order under this subsection. If the Commission later determines that the respondent has not violated the provisions of this section, the bond may be forfeited to the respondent. The Commission shall prescribe the terms and conditions under which the bonds may be forfeited under this paragraph.”

Subsec. (g)(2)(C). Puspan. L. 103–465, § 321(a)(5)(B), added subpar. (C).

Subsec. (j)(3). Puspan. L. 103–465, § 321(a)(6), substituted “shall, until such determination becomes final, be entitled to entry under bond prescribed by the Secretary in an amount determined by the Commission to be sufficient to protect the complainant from any injury. If the determination becomes final, the bond may be forfeited to the complainant. The Commission shall prescribe the terms and conditions under which bonds may be forfeited under this paragraph.” for “shall be entitled to entry under bond determined by the Commission and prescribed by the Secretary until such determination becomes final.”

Subsec. (l). Puspan. L. 103–465, § 321(a)(8), substituted “Court of Federal Claims” for “Claims Court”.

Subsec. (n)(2)(A). Puspan. L. 103–465, § 321(a)(7)(A), amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: “an officer or employee of the Commission who is directly concerned with carrying out the investigation in connection with which the information is submitted,”.

Subsec. (n)(2)(C). Puspan. L. 103–465, § 321(a)(7)(B), amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (C) read as follows: “an officer or employee of the United States Customs Service who is directly involved in administering an exclusion from entry under this section resulting from the investigation in connection with which the information is submitted.”

1992—Subsec. (span)(3). Puspan. L. 102–563 amended second sentence generally. Prior to amendment, second sentence read as follows: “If the Commission has reason to believe the matter before it is based solely on alleged acts and effects which are within the purview of section 1303, 1671, or 1673 of this title, it shall terminate, or not institute, any investigation into the matter.”

1988—Subsec. (a). Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1342(a)(1), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows: “Unfair methods of competition and unfair acts in the importation of articles into the United States, or in their sale by the owner, importer, consignee, or agent of either, the effect or tendency of which is to destroy or substantially injure an industry, efficiently and economically operated, in the United States, or to prevent the establishment of such an industry, or to restrain or monopolize trade and commerce in the United States, are declared unlawful, and when found by the Commission to exist shall be dealt with, in addition to any other provisions of law, as provided in this section.”

Subsec. (span)(2). Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1342(span)(1)(A), substituted “Department of Health and Human Services” for “Department of Health, Education, and Welfare”.

Subsec. (span)(3). Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1342(span)(1)(B), substituted “Secretary of Commerce” for “Secretary of the Treasury”.

Subsec. (c). Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1342(a)(2), inserted before period at end of first sentence “, except that the Commission may, by issuing a consent order or on the basis of a settlement agreement, terminate any such investigation, in whole or in part, without making such a determination”.

Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1342(span)(2), inserted reference to subsec. (g) in two places.

Subsec. (e). Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1342(a)(3), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added pars. (2) and (3).

Subsec. (f)(1). Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1342(a)(4)(A), substituted “In addition to, or in lieu of,” for “In lieu of”.

Subsec. (f)(2). Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1342(a)(4)(B), substituted “$100,000 or twice” for “$10,000 or”.

Subsecs. (g) to (i). Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1342(a)(5), added subsecs. (g) to (i). Former subsecs. (g) to (i) redesignated (j) to (l), respectively.

Subsec. (j). Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1342(a)(5)(A), redesignated former subsec. (g) as (j). Former subsec. (j) redesignated (m).

Subsec. (j)(1)(B), (2), (3). Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1342(span)(3), inserted reference to subsecs. (g) and (i).

Subsec. (k). Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1342(span)(4), which directed the substitution “(j)” for “(g)” was executed by making that substitution in par. (1) and not in par. (2), as added by Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1342(a)(6), to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1342(a)(6), as amended by Puspan. L. 100–647, § 9001(a)(7), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1342(a)(5)(A), redesignated former subsec. (h) as (k).

Subsec. (l). Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1342(span)(5), inserted reference to subsecs. (g) and (i).

Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1342(a)(7), substituted “a proceeding involving a patent, copyright, or mask work under subsection (a)(1)” for “claims of United States letters patent” and “an owner of the patent, copyright, or mask work” for “a patent owner”.

Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1342(a)(5)(A), redesignated former subsec. (i) as (l).

Subsec. (m). Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1342(a)(5)(A), redesignated former subsec. (j) as (m).

Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1214(h)(3), substituted “general note 2 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States” for “general headnote 2 of the Tariff Schedules of the United States”.

Subsec. (n). Puspan. L. 100–418, § 1342(a)(8), added subsec. (n).

Subsec. (n)(2)(B). Puspan. L. 100–647, § 9001(a)(12), substituted “subsection (j)” for “subsection (h)”.

1984—Subsec. (c). Puspan. L. 98–620 inserted “, within 60 days after the determination becomes final,” after “appeal such determination”.

1982—Subsec. (c). Puspan. L. 97–164, § 163(a)(4), substituted “Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit” for “Court of Customs and Patent Appeals”.

Subsec. (i). Puspan. L. 97–164, § 160(a)(5), substituted “United States Claims Court” for “Court of Claims”.

1980—Subsec. (c). Puspan. L. 96–417 provided that the appeal of determinations to the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals be reviewed in accordance with chapter 7 of title 5 and substituted provision that review of findings concerning the public health and welfare, competitive conditions in the United States economy, the production of like or directly competitive articles in the United States, and United States consumers, the amount and nature of bond, or the appropriate remedy, be in accordance with section 706 of title 5 for provision giving such court jurisdiction to review determinations in same manner and subject to same limitations and conditions as in case of appeals from decisions of the United States Customs Court.

1979—Subsec. (span)(3). Puspan. L. 96–39, § 1105(a), substituted “a matter, in whole or in part,” for “the matter” and inserted provisions relating to matters based solely or in part on alleged acts and effects within the purview of section 1303, 1671, or 1673 of this title.

Puspan. L. 96–39, § 106(span)(1), substituted “part II of subtitle IV of this chapter” for “the Antidumping Act, 1921”.

Subsec. (c). Puspan. L. 96–39, § 1105(c), substituted “Any person adversely affected by a final determination of the Commission under subsection (d), (e), or (f)” for “Any person adversely affected by a final determination of the Commission under subsection (d) or (e)”.

Subsec. (f). Puspan. L. 96–39, § 1105(span), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

1975—Subsec. (a) Puspan. L. 93–618 substituted “Commission” for “President” and “as provided in this section” for “as hereinafter provided”.

Subsec. (span). Puspan. L. 93–618 designated existing provisions as first sentence of par. (1), substituted “The Commission shall investigate any alleged violation of this section” for “To assist the President in making any decisions under this section the commission is authorized to investigate any alleged violation hereof” in first sentence of par. (1) as so designated, and added remainder of par. (1) and pars. (2) and (3).

Subsec. (c). Puspan. L. 93–618 substituted provisions covering determinations by the Commission and appeals to the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals for provisions covering all aspects of hearings and review as part of investigations of unfair practices in import trade.

Subsec. (d). Puspan. L. 93–618 substituted provisions covering the exclusion of articles from entry, formerly covered in subsec. (e), for provisions directing that final findings of the Commission be transmitted with the record to the President, covered by subsec. (g).

Subsec. (e). Puspan. L. 93–618 substituted provisions covering the entry of articles under bond during investigation, formerly covered in subsec. (f), for provisions covering the exclusion of articles from entry, covered by subsec. (d).

Subsec. (f). Puspan. L. 93–618 added subsec. (f). Provisions of former subsec. (f) covering entry of articles under bond are covered by subsec. (e).

Subsec. (g). Puspan. L. 93–618 substituted provisions covering referral to the President, formerly covered by subsec. (d), for provisions covering the continuance of exclusion, covered by subsec. (h).

Subsec. (h). Puspan. L. 93–618 substituted provisions covering the period of effectiveness, formerly covered by subsec. (g), for provisions defining “United States”, covered by subsec. (j).

Subsec. (i). Puspan. L. 93–618 added subsec. (i).

Subsec. (j). Puspan. L. 93–618 added subsec. (j) defining “United States”, formerly covered by subsec. (h).

1958—Subsec. (c). Puspan. L. 85–686 struck out “under and in accordance with such rules as it may promulgate” after “commission shall make such investigation”. See section 1335 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by section 261(d)(1)(B)(ii) of Puspan. L. 103–465 effective on effective date of title II of Puspan. L. 103–465, Jan. 1, 1995, see section 261(d)(2) of Puspan. L. 103–465, set out as a note under section 1315 of this title.

Puspan. L. 103–465, title III, § 322, Dec. 8, 1994, 108 Stat. 4947, provided that: “The amendments made by this subtitle [subtitle C (§§ 321, 322) of title III of Puspan. L. 103–465, enacting sections 1368 and 1659 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, and amending this section and section 1446 of Title 28] apply—

“(1) with respect to complaints filed under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 [19 U.S.C. 1337] on or after the date on which the WTO Agreement enters into force with respect to the United States [Jan. 1, 1995], or
“(2) in cases under such section 337 in which no complaint is filed, with respect to investigations initiated under such section on or after such date.”

Effective Date of 1988 Amendments

Amendment by Puspan. L. 100–647 applicable as if such amendment took effect on Aug. 23, 1988, see section 9001(span) of Puspan. L. 100–647, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 1988 Amendments note under section 58c of this title.

Amendment by section 1214(h)(3) of Puspan. L. 100–418 effective Jan. 1, 1989, and applicable with respect to articles entered on or after such date, see section 1217(span)(1) of Puspan. L. 100–418, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3001 of this title.

Puspan. L. 100–418, title I, § 1342(d), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1216, provided that:

“(1)
(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and repealing section 1337a of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 23, 1988].
“(B) The United States International Trade Commission is not required to apply the provision in section 337(e)(2) of the Tariff Act of 1930 [19 U.S.C. 1337(e)(2)] (as amended by subsection (a)(3) of this section) relating to the posting of bonds until the earlier of—
“(i) the 90th day after such date of enactment; or
“(ii) the day on which the Commission issues interim regulations setting forth the procedures relating to such posting.
“(2) Notwithstanding any provision of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, the United States International Trade Commission may extend, by not more than 90 days, the period within which the Commission is required to make a determination in an investigation conducted under such section 337 if—
“(A) the Commission would, but for this paragraph, be required to make such determination before the 180th day after the date of enactment of this Act; and
“(B) the Commission finds that the investigation is complicated.”

Effective Date of 1982 Amendment

Amendment by Puspan. L. 97–164 effective Oct. 1, 1982, see section 402 of Puspan. L. 97–164, set out as a note under section 171 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Amendment by Puspan. L. 96–417 applicable with respect to civil actions commenced on or after Nov. 1, 1980, see section 701(span)(2) of Puspan. L. 96–417, set out as a note under section 251 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

Effective Date of 1979 Amendment

Amendment by section 106(span)(1) of Puspan. L. 96–39 effective Jan. 1, 1980, see section 107 of Puspan. L. 96–39, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1671 of this title.

Amendment by section 1105 of Puspan. L. 96–39 effective July 26, 1979, see section 1114 of Puspan. L. 96–39, set out as an Effective Date note under section 2581 of this title.

Effective Date of 1975 Amendment

Puspan. L. 93–618, title III, § 341(c), Jan. 3, 1975, 88 Stat. 2056, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 1337 of this title] shall take effect on the 90th day after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 3, 1975], except that, for purposes of issuing regulations under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 [this section], such amendments shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 3, 1975]. For purposes of applying section 337(span) of the Tariff Act of 1930 [subsec. (span) of this section] (as amended by subsection (a) [as amended by section 341(a) of Puspan. L. 93–618]) with respect to investigations being conducted by the International Trade Commission under section 337 of the Tariff Act [this section] on the day prior to the 90th day after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 3, 1975], such investigations shall be considered as having been commenced on such 90th day.”

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the United States Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury, including functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 203(1), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6. For establishment of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the Department of Homeland Security, treated as if included in Puspan. L. 107–296 as of Nov. 25, 2002, see section 211 of Title 6, as amended generally by Puspan. L. 114–125, and section 802(span) of Puspan. L. 114–125, set out as a note under section 211 of Title 6.

Congressional Findings and Purposes Respecting Part 3 of Puspan. L. 100–418

Puspan. L. 100–418, title I, § 1341, Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1211, provided that:

“(a)Findings.—The Congress finds that—
“(1) United States persons that rely on protection of intellectual property rights are among the most advanced and competitive in the world; and
“(2) the existing protection under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 [this section] against unfair trade practices is cumbersome and costly and has not provided United States owners of intellectual property rights with adequate protection against foreign companies violating such rights.
“(span)Purpose.—The purpose of this part [part 3 (§§ 1341, 1342) of subtitle C of title I of Puspan. L. 100–418, amending this section, repealing section 1337a of this title, and enacting provisions set out as a note above] is to amend section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to make it a more effective remedy for the protection of United States intellectual property rights.”

Executive Documents
Assignment of Certain Functions

Memorandum of President of the United States, July 21, 2005, 70 F.R. 43251, provided:

Memorandum for the United States Trade Representative

By the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby assign to you the functions of the President under section 337(j)(1)(B), section 337(j)(2), and section 337(j)(4) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1337(j)(1), (j)(2), and (j)(4)).

You are authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

George W. Bush.