§1351 — Title 19 Customs Duties | U.S. Code

Summary

The President can make trade deals with other countries and can change U.S. import duties and rules to help U.S. businesses sell more abroad. The President may announce increases, decreases, new limits, or temporary continuations of duties to carry out those deals, and may stop those announcements at any time. But there are strict limits: no duty put in place can be raised more than 50% above the rate that existed on July 1, 1934, and articles cannot be moved from taxable to duty-free lists by these actions. Reductions in duties must follow date-based caps tied to rates on January 1, 1945, January 1, 1955, and July 1, 1958, and many cuts must be phased in over years (for example, some decreases can be split into parts with no more than one-third becoming effective at once, parts must wait at least one year before the next part, and some decreases may take up to four annual stages). For some older or specified agreements there are exact percent limits (for example, 50%, 15%, 5%, 20%, 2%, 10%, 1%, and a possible extra 0.5% or small rounding to simplify calculations). There are special rules for Cuban products that allow applying an older 1902 reciprocity treaty and limit how much duties on Cuban goods can be lowered, using the same date-based ceilings and other specified rules. “Duties and other import restrictions” means duty rates, how goods are classified, and non-duty limits or charges on imports. If duties were changed for war or an emergency, further changes are measured from the post-war or post-emergency rate. The President should seek advice from industry, farming, and labor representatives while negotiating these agreements.

Title 19, §1351

Customs Duties — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)For the purpose of expanding foreign markets for the products of the United States (as a means of assisting in establishing and maintaining a better relationship among various branches of American agriculture, industry, mining, and commerce) by regulating the admission of foreign goods into the United States in accordance with the characteristics and needs of various branches of American production so that foreign markets will be made available to those branches of American production which require and are capable of developing such outlets by affording corresponding market opportunities for foreign products in the United States, the President, whenever he finds as a fact that any existing duties or other import restrictions of the United States or any foreign country are unduly burdening and restricting the foreign trade of the United States and that the purpose above declared will be promoted by the means hereinafter specified, is authorized from time to time—

(A)To enter into foreign trade agreements with foreign governments or instrumentalities thereof: Provided, That the enactment of the Trade Agreements Extension Act of 1955 shall not be construed to determine or indicate the approval or disapproval by the Congress of the executive agreement known as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

(B)To proclaim such modifications of existing duties and other import restrictions, or such additional import restrictions, or such continuance, and for such minimum periods, of existing customs or excise treatment of any article covered by foreign trade agreements, as are required or appropriate to carry out any foreign trade agreement that the President has entered into hereunder.

(2)No proclamation pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection shall be made—

(A)Increasing by more than 50 per centum any rate of duty existing on July 1, 1934; except that a specific rate of duty existing on July 1, 1934, may be converted to its ad valorem equivalent based on the value of imports of the article concerned during the calendar year 1934 (determined in the same manner as provided in subparagraph (D)(ii)) and the proclamation may provide an ad valorem rate of duty not in excess of 50 per centum above such ad valorem equivalent.

(B)Transferring any article between the dutiable and free lists.

(C)In order to carry out a foreign trade agreement entered into by the President before June 12, 1955, or with respect to which notice of intention to negotiate was published in the Federal Register on November 16, 1954, decreasing by more than 50 per centum any rate of duty existing on January 1, 1945.

(D)In order to carry out a foreign trade agreement entered into by the President on or after June 12, 1955, and before July 1, 1958, decreasing (except as provided in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph) any rate of duty below the lowest of the following rates:

(i)The rate 15 per centum below the rate existing on January 1, 1955.

(ii)In the case of any article subject to an ad valorem rate of duty above 50 per centum (or a combination of ad valorem rates aggregating more than 50 per centum), the rate 50 per centum ad valorem (or a combination of ad valorem rates aggregating 50 per centum). In the case of any article subject to a specific rate of duty (or a combination of rates including a specific rate) the ad valorem equivalent of which has been determined by the President to have been above 50 per centum during a period determined by the President to be a representative period, the rate 50 per centum ad valorem or the rate (or a combination of rates), however stated, the ad valorem equivalent of which the President determines would have been 50 per centum during such period. The standards of valuation contained in section 1401a of this title (as in effect, with respect to the article concerned, during the representative period) shall be utilized by the President, to the maximum extent he finds such utilization practicable, in making the determinations under the preceding sentence.

(E)In order to carry out a foreign trade agreement entered into by the President on or after July 1, 1958, decreasing any rate of duty below the lowest of the rates provided for in paragraph (4)(A) of this subsection.

(3)(A)Subject to the provisions of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of this paragraph and of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (4) of this subsection, the provisions of any proclamation made under paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection, and the provisions of any proclamation of suspension under paragraph (5) of this subsection, shall be in effect from and after such time as is specified in the proclamation.

(B)In the case of any decrease in duty to which paragraph (2)(D) of this subsection applies—

(i)if the total amount of the decrease under the foreign trade agreement does not exceed 15 per centum of the rate existing on January 1, 1955, the amount of decrease becoming initially effective at one time shall not exceed 5 per centum of the rate existing on January 1, 1955;

(ii)except as provided in clause (i), not more than one-third of the total amount of the decrease under the foreign trade agreement shall become initially effective at one time; and

(iii)no part of the decrease after the first part shall become initially effective until the immediately previous part shall have been in effect for a period or periods aggregating not less than one year.

(C)No part of any decrease in duty to which the alternative specified in paragraph (2)(D)(i) of this subsection applies shall become initially effective after the expiration of the three-year period which begins on July 1, 1955. If any part of such decrease has become effective, then for purposes of this subparagraph any time thereafter during which such part of the decrease is not in effect by reason of legislation of the United States or action thereunder shall be excluded in determining when the three-year period expires.

(D)If (in order to carry out a foreign trade agreement entered into by the President on or after June 12, 1955) the President determines that such action will simplify the computation of the amount of duty imposed with respect to an article, he may exceed any limitation specified in paragraph (2)(C) or (D) or paragraph (4)(A) or (B) of this subsection or subparagraph (B) of this paragraph by not more than whichever of the following is lesser:

(i)The difference between the limitation and the next lower whole number, or

(ii)One-half of 1 per centum ad valorem.

(4)(A)No proclamation pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection shall be made, in order to carry out a foreign trade agreement entered into by the President on or after July 1, 1958, decreasing any rate of duty below the lowest of the following rates:

(i)The rate which would result from decreasing the rate existing on July 1, 1958, by 20 per centum of such rate.

(ii)Subject to paragraph (2)(B) of this subsection, the rate 2 per centum ad valorem below the rate existing on July 1, 1958.

(iii)The rate 50 per centum ad valorem or, in the case of any article subject to a specific rate of duty or to a combination of rates including a specific rate, any rate (or combination of rates), however stated, the ad valorem equivalent of which has been determined as 50 per centum ad valorem.

(B)(i)In the case of any decrease in duty to which clause (i) of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph applies, such decrease shall become initially effective in not more than four annual stages, and no amount of decrease becoming initially effective at one time shall exceed 10 per centum of the rate of duty existing on July 1, 1958, or, in any case in which the rate has been increased since that date, exceed such 10 per centum or one-third of the total amount of the decrease under the foreign trade agreement, whichever is the greater.

(ii)In the case of any decrease in duty to which clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph applies, such decrease shall become initially effective in not more than four annual stages, and no amount of decrease becoming initially effective at one time shall exceed 1 per centum ad valorem or, in any case in which the rate has been increased since July 1, 1958, exceed such 1 per centum or one-third of the total amount of the decrease under the foreign trade agreement, whichever is the greater.

(iii)In the case of any decrease in duty to which clause (iii) of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph applies, such decrease shall become initially effective in not more than four annual stages, and no amount of decrease becoming initially effective at one time shall exceed one-third of the total amount of the decrease under the foreign trade agreement.

(C)In the case of any decrease in duty to which subparagraph (A) of this paragraph applies (i) no part of a decrease after the first part shall become initially effective until the immediately previous part shall have been in effect for a period or periods aggregating not less than one year, nor after the first part shall have been in effect for a period or periods aggregating more than three years, and (ii) no part of a decrease shall become initially effective after the expiration of the four-year period which begins on July 1, 1962. If any part of a decrease has become effective, then for the purposes of clauses (i) and (ii) of the preceding sentence any time thereafter during which such part of the decrease is not in effect by reason of legislation of the United States or action thereunder shall be excluded in determining when the three-year period or the four-year period, as the case may be, expires.

(5)Repealed. Pub. L. 87–794, title II, § 257(b), Oct. 11, 1962, 76 Stat. 882.

(6)The President may at any time terminate, in whole or in part, any proclamation made pursuant to this section.

(b)Nothing in this section or the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 [19 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.] shall be construed to prevent the application, with respect to rates of duty established under this section or the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 pursuant to agreements with countries other than Cuba, of the provisions of the treaty of commercial reciprocity concluded between the United States and the Republic of Cuba on December 11, 1902, or to preclude giving effect to an agreement with Cuba concluded under this section or the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, modifying the existing preferential customs treatment of any article the growth, produce, or manufacture of Cuba. Nothing in this chapter or the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 shall be construed to preclude the application to any product of Cuba (including products preferentially free of duty) of a rate of duty not higher than the rate applicable to the like products of other foreign countries (except the Philippines), whether or not the application of such rate involves any preferential customs treatment. No rate of duty on products of Cuba shall be decreased—

(1)In order to carry out a foreign trade agreement entered into by the President before June 12, 1955, by more than 50 per centum of the rate of duty existing on January 1, 1945, with respect to products of Cuba.

(2)In order to carry out a foreign trade agreement entered into by the President on or after June 12, 1955, and before July 1, 1962, below the applicable alternative specified in subsection (a)(2)(C) or (D) or (4)(A) (subject to the applicable provisions of subsection (a)(3)(B), (C), and (D) and (4)(B) and (C)), each such alternative to be read for the purposes of this paragraph as relating to the rate of duty applicable to products of Cuba. With respect to products of Cuba, the limitation of subsection (a)(2)(D)(ii) or (4)(A)(iii) may be exceeded to such extent as may be required to maintain an absolute margin of preference to which such products are entitled.

(3)In order to carry out a foreign trade agreement entered into after June 30, 1962, and before July 1, 1967, below the lowest rate permissible by applying title II of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 [19 U.S.C. 1821 et seq.] to the rate of duty (however established, and even though temporarily suspended by Act of Congress or otherwise) existing on July 1, 1962, with respect to such product.

(c)(1)As used in this section, the term “duties and other import restrictions” includes (A) rate and form of import duties and classification of articles, and (B) limitations, prohibitions, charges, and exactions other than duties, imposed on importation or imposed for the regulation of imports.

(2)For purposes of this section—

(A)Except as provided in subsection (d), the terms “existing on July 1, 1934”, “existing on January 1, 1945”, “existing on January 1, 1955”, and “existing on July 1, 1958” refer to rates of duty (however established, and even though temporarily suspended by Act of Congress or otherwise) existing on the date specified, except rates in effect by reason of action taken pursuant to section 1362 of this title.

(B)The term “existing” without the specification of any date, when used with respect to any matter relating to the conclusion of, or proclamation to carry out, a foreign trade agreement, means existing on the day on which that trade agreement is entered into.

(d)(1)When any rate of duty has been increased or decreased for the duration of war or an emergency, by agreement or otherwise, any further increase or decrease shall be computed upon the basis of the post-war or post-emergency rate carried in such agreement or otherwise.

(2)Where under a foreign trade agreement the United States has reserved the unqualified right to withdraw or modify, after the termination of war or an emergency, a rate on a specific commodity, the rate on such commodity to be considered as “existing on January 1, 1945” for the purpose of this section shall be the rate which would have existed if the agreement had not been entered into.

(3)No proclamation shall be made pursuant to this section for the purpose of carrying out any foreign trade agreement the proclamation with respect to which has been terminated in whole by the President prior to July 5, 1945.

(e)

(f)It is declared to be the sense of the Congress that the President, during the course of negotiating any foreign trade agreement under this section, should seek information and advice with respect to such agreement from representatives of industry, agriculture, and labor.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Trade Agreements Extension Act of 1955, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A), is act June 21, 1955, ch. 169, 69 Stat. 162, which is classified to section 1351(a), (b), (c), (e), 1352(c), 1352a, 1363(b), and 1364(a), (b), (e) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

of 1955 Amendment note set out under section 1654 of this title and Tables. Paragraph (5) of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (a)(3)(A), was repealed by Pub. L. 87–794, title III, § 257(b), Oct. 11, 1962, 76 Stat. 882. The Trade Expansion Act of 1962, referred to in subsec. (b), is Pub. L. 87–794, Oct. 11, 1962, 76 Stat. 872, which is classified generally to chapter 7 (§ 1801 et seq.) of this title. Title II of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, also referred to in subsec. (b), is classified generally to subchapter II (§ 1821 et seq.) of chapter 7 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 1801 of this title and Tables. section 1362 of this title, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(A), related to suspension or withdrawal of concessions from Communistic areas and was repealed by Pub. L. 87–794, title II, § 257(e)(1), Oct. 11, 1962, 76 Stat. 882.

Amendments

1979—Subsec. (a)(2)(D)(ii). Pub. L. 96–39 struck out reference to standards of valuation contained in section 1402 of this title. 1962—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 87–794, § 257(b), repealed par. (5) which provided that, subject to the provisions of section 1362 of this title, duties and other import restrictions proclaimed pursuant to this section shall apply to all articles the growth, produce, or manufacture of all foreign countries, whether imported directly or indirectly, and required the President to suspend the application to articles the growth, produce, or manufacture of any country because of its discriminatory treatment of American commerce or because of other acts (including the operations of international cartels) or policies which in his opinion tend to defeat the purposes of this section. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 87–794, § 257(a), inserted references to the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 in first and second sentences, substituted “1955, and before

July 1, 1962” for “1955” in par. (2), and added par. (3). Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 87–794, § 257(b), repealed subsec. (e) which related to reports to Congress by the President and the Tariff Commission. 1958—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 85–686, § 3(a)(1), substituted “any rate of duty existing on

July 1, 1934” for “any rate of duty existing on

July 1, 1945”, and inserted provisions permitting conversion of a specific rate of duty existing on

July 1, 1934, to its ad valorem equivalent, and allowing an ad valorem rate of duty not in excess of 50 per centum above such ad valorem equivalent. Subsec. (a)(2)(D). Pub. L. 85–686, § 3(a)(2), (3), inserted “and before

July 1, 1958,” after “

June 12, 1955”, in opening par., and substituted “section 1401a or 1402 of this title (as in effect, with respect to the article concerned,” for “section 1402 of this title (as in effect”. Subsec. (a)(2)(E). Pub. L. 85–686, § 3(a)(4), added subpar. (E). Subsec. (a)(3)(A). Pub. L. 85–686, § 3(a)(5), inserted “and of subparagraph (B) of paragraph 4 of this subsection” after “subparagraphs (B) and (C) of this paragraph”, and substituted “suspension under paragraph (5)” for “suspension under paragraph (4)”. Subsec. (a)(3)(D). Pub. L. 85–686, § 3(a)(6), inserted “or paragraph (4)(A) or (B)” after “paragraph (2)(C) or (D)”. Subsec. (a)(4) to (6). Pub. L. 85–686, § 3(a)(7), (8), added par. (4) and redesignated former pars. (4) and (5) as (5) and (6), respectively. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 85–686, § 3(b)(1), substituted “an agreement with Cuba” for “an exclusive agreement with Cuba” in opening par. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 85–686, § 3(b)(2), inserted “or (4)(A)” after “subsection (a)(2)(C) or (D)”, “and (4)(B) and (C)” after “subsection (a)(3)(B), (C), and (D)”, and “or (4)(A)(iii)” after “subsection (a)(2)(D)(ii)”. Subsec. (c)(2)(A). Pub. L. 85–686, § 3(c), defined “existing on

July 1, 1934” and “existing on

July 1, 1958”. Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 85–686, § 3(d), provided for the inclusion in the report of the results of action taken to obtain removal of foreign trade restrictions (including discriminatory restrictions) against United States exports, remaining restrictions, and the measures available to seek their removal in accordance with the objectives of this section. Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 85–686, § 3(e), added subsec. (f). 1955—Subsec. (a). Act

June 21, 1955, § 3(a), among other changes, authorized the President to reduce tariff rates existing on

January 1, 1955 by a total of 15 percent in stages of not more than 5 percent of such rates, or to reduce those rates which are higher than 50 percent of the value of an import to a rate not less than 50 percent, in stages of not more than one-third of the reduction in any one year. Subsec. (b). Act

June 21, 1955, § 3(b), made applicable to Cuban products the new limits of authority to reduce tariffs. Subsec. (c). Act

June 21, 1955, § 3(c), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2). Subsec. (e). Act

June 21, 1955, § 3(d), added subsec. (e). 1949—Subsec. (a). Act Sept. 26, 1949, struck out obsolete language referring to the depression which existed at the time of the original enactment of section. Subsec. (b). Act Sept. 26, 1949, substituted period for colon following Cuba, struck out proviso which followed, and inserted in lieu thereof the last two sentences. 1945—Subsec. (a)(2). Act

July 5, 1945, struck out “existing” after “per centum any”, and inserted “, however established, existing on

January 1, 1945 (even though temporarily suspended by Act of Congress),” after “rate of duty”. Subsec. (b). Act

July 5, 1945, struck out “payable” after “That the duties”, and substituted “however established, existing on

January 1, 1945 (even though temporarily suspended by Act of Congress).” for “now payable thereon” in proviso. Subsec. (d). Act

July 5, 1945, added subsec. (d). 1943—Subsec. (a)(2). Act

June 7, 1943, inserted matter within parentheses in proviso.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1979 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 96–39 effective

July 1, 1980, see section 204(a) of Pub. L. 96–39, set out as a note under section 1401a of this title. Treaty Between United States and CubaThe treaty concluded between the United States and the Republic of Cuba, on Dec. 11, 1902, referred to in subsec. (b) of the text, was terminated Aug. 21, 1963, pursuant to notice given by the United States on Aug. 21, 1962. See Bevans, Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States of America, 1776–1949, vol. VI, page 1106. Tariff Treatment of Cuban Products Pub. L. 87–456, title IV, § 401,

May 24, 1962, 76 Stat. 78, provided that: “(a) Cuba is hereby declared to be a nation described in section 5 of the Trade Agreements Extension Act of 1951, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1362, relating to imports from nations and areas dominated or controlled by the foreign government or foreign organization controlling the world Communist movement). Articles which are—“(1) the growth, produce, or manufacture of Cuba, and “(2) imported on or after the date of enactment of this Act [

May 24, 1962], shall be denied the benefits of concessions contained in any trade agreement entered into under the authority of section 350 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1351). “(b) Nothing in subsection (a) shall affect the rates of duty or the customs or excise treatment of articles the growth, produce, or manufacture of any country other than Cuba. “(c) Subsection (a) shall not apply on or after the date on which the President proclaims that he has determined that Cuba is no longer dominated or controlled by the foreign government or foreign organization controlling the world Communist movement. “(d) The Act of

December 17, 1903 (19 U.S.C. 124, 125), and section 316 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1316), both relating to the implementation of the treaty with Cuba concluded on

December 11, 1902, shall not apply during the period during which subsection (a) applies.” Congressional Approval or Disapproval of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Pub. L. 85–686, § 10, Aug. 20, 1958, 72 Stat. 680, provided that: “The enactment of this Act [enacting section 1335 of this title, amending section 1333, 1336, 1337, 1351, 1352a, 1360 and 1364 of this title, and enacting notes set out under section 1351 and 1352 of this title] shall not be construed to determine or indicate the approval or disapproval by the Congress of the executive agreement known as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.” Reduction of Protection Resulting From 1956

Amendments

Act Aug. 2, 1956, ch. 887, § 2(e), 70 Stat. 946, provided that: “In any action relating to tariff adjustments by executive action, including action taken pursuant to section 350 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended [this section] the United States Tariff Commission [now United States International Trade Commission] and each officer of the executive branch of the Government concerned shall give full consideration to any reduction in the level of tariff protection which has resulted or is likely to result from the amendment of section 402 of the Tariff Act of 1930 made by this Act [section 1401a and 1402 of this title].” section 2(e) of act Aug. 2, 1956, effective only as to articles entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after thirtieth day following publication of the final list provided for in section 6(a) of said act Aug. 2, 1956, set out in note under section 1402 of this title, see note set out under section 1401a of this title. Commission on Foreign Economic PolicyAct Aug. 7, 1953, ch. 348, title III, §§ 301–310, 67 Stat. 473–475, as amended by Pub. L. 89–554, § 8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 657, provided for the establishment of a Commission on Foreign Economic Policy to examine and report on the subjects of international trade and its enlargement consistent with a sound domestic economy, our foreign economic policy, and the trade aspects of our national security and total foreign policy, and to recommend appropriate policies and measures. The Commission was to submit a report on its findings within 60 days after the second session of the 83rd Congress was convened, and was to expire 90 days after the submission of its report to Congress. Extension of Presidential AuthorityFor extensions of authority of President to enter into trade agreements under this section, up until close of Dec. 31, 1962, see notes under section 1352 of this title.

Executive Documents

Administration of Trade Agreements ProgramFor provisions relating to the administration of the trade agreements program, see Ex. Ord. No. 11846, Mar. 27, 1975, 40 F.R. 14291, set out as a note under section 2111 of this title. Executive Order No. 9832 Ex. Ord. No. 9832, Feb. 25, 1947, 12 F.R. 1363, revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 10004, Oct. 6, 1948, 13 F.R. 5851. Executive Order No. 10004 Ex. Ord. No. 10004, Oct. 6, 1948, 13 F.R. 5851, superseded by Ex. Ord. No. 10082, Oct. 5, 1949, 14 F.R. 6105. Executive Order No. 10082 Ex. Ord. No. 10082, Oct. 5, 1949, 14 F.R. 6105, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 10170, Oct. 13, 1950, 15 F.R. 6901, which related to administrative procedures for reciprocal trade-agreements program, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 11075, Jan. 15, 1963, 28 F.R. 473, set out as a note under section 1801 of this title. Executive Order No. 10741 Ex. Ord. No. 10741, Nov. 26, 1957, 22 F.R. 9451, which established the Trade Policy Committee, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 11075, Jan. 15, 1963, 28 F.R. 473, set out as a note under section 1801 of this title.

§1351 Foreign trade agreements

Summary

Title 19, §1351

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Short Title

Short Title

Amendments

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Amendments

Executive Documents

Citations & Metadata