What Is 19 USC

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: 19 USC refers to Title 19 of the United States Code, which governs customs, tariffs, and international trade. It was originally codified in 1926 and contains over 4,000 sections regulating import duties, trade enforcement, and border security.

Key Facts

19 USC was first codified in 1926 as part of the U.S. Code revision
It contains more than 4,000 individual sections as of 2023
Chapter 12 governs the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Section 1307 bans imports of goods made with forced labor
The Trade Act of 1974 significantly amended multiple sections of 19 USC

Overview

19 USC, or Title 19 of the United States Code, is the primary federal statute governing customs, international trade, and import regulations in the United States. It outlines the legal framework for tariffs, trade enforcement, and the operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), forming the backbone of U.S. trade policy.

This title plays a critical role in regulating goods entering and leaving the country, ensuring compliance with trade agreements, and protecting domestic industries. Its provisions are enforced by multiple federal agencies, including CBP, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the International Trade Commission.

Enforcement Authority: Section 1497 grants CBP officers the power to inspect and seize prohibited or undervalued imports at U.S. ports of entry.
Forced Labor Ban: Section 1307 explicitly prohibits the importation of goods produced with forced labor, a provision increasingly enforced since 2020.
Tariff Collection: Chapter 4 outlines procedures for assessing and collecting customs duties, with over $80 billion collected annually under its authority.
Trade Remedies: Sections 1671–1677 allow the imposition of countervailing and anti-dumping duties on unfairly traded foreign goods.
Port Security: Post-9/11 amendments expanded CBP’s authority under 19 USC to screen cargo for security threats, enhancing border protection.

How It Works

19 USC establishes the legal mechanisms for managing U.S. trade and customs operations, from tariff assessment to import restrictions. Each section defines specific powers, procedures, and penalties applicable to importers, exporters, and enforcement agencies.

Section 1307: Prohibits importation of goods made with forced labor; enforced through Withhold Release Orders (WROs) issued by CBP since 1930.
Section 201: Authorizes the President to impose temporary import restrictions if domestic industries face serious injury from surges in imports.
Section 1202: Requires accurate classification of goods under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), affecting duty rates for over 10,000 product categories.
Section 1592: Imposes civil penalties for fraud, negligence, or intentional misdeclaration of import values or origins.
Section 1581: Grants CBP the right to conduct warrantless searches of vehicles and containers at U.S. borders without probable cause.
Section 1675: Provides procedures for sunset reviews of anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders every five years.

Comparison at a Glance

Key provisions of 19 USC compared to related statutes and international trade frameworks:

Provision	19 USC	Related Law or Agreement
Tariff Authority	Grants CBP power to assess duties under Chapter 4	Harmonized System (HS) Code used globally
Forced Labor Ban	Section 1307, enforced since 1930	Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (2021)
Trade Disputes	Domestic remedies under Section 201	WTO Safeguards Agreement
Customs Enforcement	Section 1592 penalties for misdeclaration	Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)
Border Searches	Section 1581 allows warrantless searches	Fourth Amendment exceptions upheld by Supreme Court

This table highlights how 19 USC aligns with international standards while maintaining unique U.S. enforcement mechanisms. The integration of domestic law with global trade norms ensures consistency but also allows for unilateral actions in national interest cases, such as CBP’s use of WROs under Section 1307.

Why It Matters

19 USC is essential for maintaining fair trade, protecting national security, and supporting domestic industries. Its enforcement directly impacts supply chains, consumer prices, and international relations, especially in high-tension trade environments.

Supply Chain Compliance: Importers must verify the origin and labor practices behind goods to avoid seizures under Section 1307.
Revenue Generation: Customs duties collected under 19 USC contributed over $85 billion to federal revenue in fiscal year 2022.
Trade Wars: Provisions like Section 201 were invoked during the 2018 steel tariffs, affecting $33 billion in imports from multiple countries.
Human Rights Enforcement: CBP issued 60+ WROs between 2020 and 2023 targeting goods from Xinjiang and other high-risk regions.
Legal Precedent: Supreme Court rulings, such as United States v. Ramsey (1977), uphold border search powers under 19 USC.
Global Influence: U.S. enforcement under 19 USC pressures other nations to align with forced labor and environmental standards.

As global trade evolves, 19 USC remains a dynamic tool for balancing economic interests with ethical and security concerns. Its continued enforcement shapes how American businesses compete internationally and how the U.S. upholds its trade obligations.