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What is ITC?

International Trade Commission — the independent U.S. agency that investigates trade injury claims and advises on tariff policy. In the context of U.S. customs and tariff recovery, understanding itc is essential for navigating the CAPE refund process and ensuring accurate duty assessment.

Definition

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC, also known as USITC) is an independent, quasi-judicial federal agency that administers U.S. trade remedy laws, conducts trade-related investigations, and advises Congress and the President on trade matters. The ITC investigates whether imports cause material injury to domestic industries in antidumping and countervailing duty cases. It also administers Section 337 (unfair import practices, including IP infringement) and maintains the official Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. The ITC has 6 commissioners appointed by the President.

How ITC Relates to Tariff Refunds

The ITC maintains the official HTS — the classification system that determines which entries are subject to IEEPA and Section 301 tariffs and therefore eligible for CAPE refunds. The ITC's website (hts.usitc.gov) is the authoritative source for current HTS codes and duty rates.

Example

The ITC publishes the updated Harmonized Tariff Schedule reflecting new Section 301 exclusions. Tariffi's classification engine references the official ITC HTS data to determine which entries in your ES-003 are subject to the tariff and which have been excluded.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the ITC the same as USTR?
No. The ITC is an independent investigative and advisory agency. The USTR is part of the Executive Office of the President and develops trade policy. They serve different roles.
Does the ITC set tariff rates?
The ITC maintains the HTS and makes injury determinations in trade remedy cases, but Congress and the President set actual tariff rates. The ITC's role is advisory and administrative.

Related Terms

HTS CodeHarmonized Tariff Schedule code — the 10-digit number that determines the duty rate on imported goods in the U.S.Harmonized SystemInternational nomenclature for classifying traded products, maintained by the World Customs Organization and used by over 200 countries.Antidumping DutyAdditional tariff imposed on imports sold below fair market value to protect domestic industry.Countervailing DutyAdditional tariff imposed to offset foreign government subsidies on exported goods, levied after ITC investigation.Section 337Tariff Act provision prohibiting unfair practices in import trade, including patent and trademark infringement.

Legal References

  • 19 U.S.C. § 1330 — ITC Organization and Authority

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