Title 19 — Customs DutiesRelease 119-73
§181 Exclusion of imports from countries making discriminations
Title 19 › Chapter CHAPTER 3— - THE TARIFF AND RELATED PROVISIONS › Subtitle SUBTITLE III— - SPECIAL PROVISIONS › § 181
Summary
The President can block imports from any country that treats U.S. goods unfairly when those goods are imported to or sold in that country. He must announce the ban publicly and say when it starts. After that date, bringing in the named goods is illegal. He can change, end, or restart the ban whenever he thinks it serves the public interest.
Full Legal Text
Title 19, §181
Customs Duties — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whenever the President shall be satisfied that unjust discriminations are made by or under the authority of any foreign state against the importation to or sale in such foreign state of any product of the United States, he may direct that such products of such foreign state so discriminating against any product of the United States as he may deem proper shall be excluded from importation to the United States; and in such case he shall make proclamation of his direction in the premises, and therein name the time when such direction against importation shall take effect, and after such date the importation of the articles named in such proclamation shall be unlawful. The President may at any time revoke, modify, terminate, or renew any such direction as, in his opinion, the public interest may require.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
19 U.S.C. § 181
Title 19 — Customs Duties
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73