What Is 19 U.S.

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: 19 U.S. refers to Title 19 of the United States Code, which governs customs, tariffs, and international trade. It was originally codified in 1934 and includes over 2,000 sections regulating import duties, trade agreements, and border enforcement.

Key Facts

Title 19 U.S.C. was formally codified in 1934 as part of the U.S. Code revision
It contains more than 2,000 individual sections spanning trade, tariffs, and customs
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforces provisions under 19 U.S.C.
Section 1592 addresses fraud and false statements in importation, with penalties up to $500,000 per violation
The Trade Act of 1974 significantly amended 19 U.S.C. to expand presidential trade authority

Overview

19 U.S. refers to Title 19 of the United States Code, the federal statutory framework governing customs, tariffs, and international trade. This comprehensive body of law regulates how goods enter and exit the United States, including duties, inspections, and trade agreements.

Originally codified in 1934, Title 19 has been amended by numerous statutes, including the Trade Act of 1974 and the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015. It serves as the legal foundation for U.S. trade policy and customs enforcement.

Formal codification: Title 19 was officially organized and published as part of the U.S. Code in 1934, consolidating prior customs laws dating back to the 18th century.
Scope: It contains over 2,000 sections covering tariffs, import quotas, trade remedies, customs procedures, and enforcement mechanisms.
Enforcement agency: The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), under the Department of Homeland Security, is the primary agency responsible for enforcing Title 19.
Historical roots: Many provisions trace back to the Tariff Act of 1789, one of the first laws passed by Congress after the Constitution was ratified.
Modern relevance: Title 19 has been central to recent trade actions, including the imposition of Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods starting in 2018.

How It Works

Title 19 operates through a structured legal framework that defines duties, regulates imports, and empowers enforcement agencies. Each section addresses specific aspects of trade compliance, valuation, and penalties.

Customs duties:Section 1 establishes the general tariff schedule, requiring importers to pay duties based on the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification.
Entry and appraisement:Section 1484 mandates that all imported goods must have a formal entry filed, including accurate value, classification, and country of origin.
Prohibited imports:Section 1305 bans entry of goods made with forced labor, enforced through the Withhold Release Orders (WROs) issued by CBP.
Trade remedies:Section 1671 governs countervailing duties on imports benefiting from foreign government subsidies, with rates sometimes exceeding 100%.
Penalties:Section 1592 imposes civil penalties for negligence, fraud, or gross negligence in import declarations, up to $500,000 per violation.
Intellectual property:Section 1526 authorizes CBP to seize counterfeit goods, protecting trademarks registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key provisions across major trade-related titles in the U.S. Code.

Title	Focus Area	Key Agency	Notable Section	Penalty Example
19 U.S.C.	Customs, tariffs, trade	CBP	Section 1592	$500,000 civil penalty
15 U.S.C.	Consumer protection	FTC	Section 45	False advertising fines
22 U.S.C.	Foreign relations	State Department	Section 2761	Sanctions enforcement
18 U.S.C.	Criminal law	DOJ	Section 1001	5 years imprisonment
7 U.S.C.	Agriculture imports	USDA	Section 7731	Product seizure

This table highlights how Title 19 uniquely focuses on import regulation and tariff enforcement. While other titles address trade-related issues, 19 U.S.C. remains the primary legal authority for customs operations and international trade compliance.

Why It Matters

Title 19 U.S.C. plays a critical role in shaping U.S. economic policy, national security, and consumer protection. Its enforcement ensures fair trade practices and safeguards domestic industries from unfair competition.

Revenue generation: In 2023, customs duties collected under 19 U.S.C. totaled over $85 billion, funding federal operations.
Supply chain security: CBP uses 19 U.S.C. authorities to inspect over 20 million cargo containers annually at U.S. ports.
Anti-dumping enforcement: The Department of Commerce has imposed duties as high as 248% on certain dumped steel imports.
Forced labor prevention: Since 2020, CBP has issued over 80 WROs blocking goods linked to Uyghur regions.
Intellectual property: In 2022, CBP seized over 27,000 shipments of counterfeit goods valued at $3.3 billion.
Trade negotiations: Provisions in 19 U.S.C. underpin U.S. leverage in agreements like the USMCA, effective 2020.

Understanding 19 U.S.C. is essential for businesses engaged in international trade, legal professionals, and policymakers. Its broad reach continues to evolve with global trade dynamics and enforcement priorities.