notice Published 2026-04-14

Certain Electric Aircraft, Power Systems for Electric Aircraft, and Components Thereof

📌 ETDETA brief — importer impact summary (educational)

Brief takeaway: A company has asked the U.S. International Trade Commission to investigate imports of certain electric aircraft and power systems for alleged patent infringement, which could eventually lead to import restrictions.

What changed: According to the notice, a Section 337 complaint was filed on March 10, 2026 (supplemented March 19, 2026) by Archer Aviation Inc., alleging that the importation, sale for importation, and post-importation sale of certain electric aircraft, power systems, and components infringe claims of five named U.S. patents. The notice states the complainant requests that the Commission institute an investigation and, after investigation, issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

Who's affected: The notice names electric aircraft, power systems for electric aircraft, and components thereof. It cites U.S. Patent Nos. 11,945,594; 12,162,614; 8,469,306; 12,103,404; and 12,472,087. No specific HTS codes or countries of origin are specified in the notice.

What to review:
- Review whether your imported products fall within the categories described (electric aircraft, power systems, or their components).
- Confirm with your broker or trade counsel whether the named patents may be relevant to your goods.
- Check for any subsequent ITC action, such as institution of an investigation or issuance of exclusion/cease and desist orders.
- Review your supply chain documentation for potentially affected product lines.

This is general information, not legal advice and not a compliance determination — confirm specifics with a licensed customs broker or trade counsel.

Official notice

Notice is hereby given that a complaint was filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission on March 10, 2026, under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, on behalf of Archer Aviation Inc. of San Jose, California. A supplement to the complaint was filed on March 19, 2026. The complaint, as supplemented, alleges violations of section 337 based upon the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain electric aircraft, power systems for electric aircraft, and components thereof by reason of the infringement of certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 11,945,594 ("the '594 patent"); U.S. Patent No. 12,162,614 ("the '614 patent"); U.S. Patent No. 8,469,306 ("the '306 patent"); U.S. Patent No. 12,103,404 ("the '404 patent"); and U.S. Patent No. 12,472,087 ("the '087 patent"). The complaint further alleges that an industry in the United States exists as required by the applicable Federal Statute. The complainant requests that the Commission institute an investigation and, after the investigation, issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

Source: Federal Register · International Trade Commission · Read the official notice ↗

Check how this affects your product

Run a U.S. import compliance self-check → Check an HTS classification → Estimate duty & landed cost →

Need help moving this shipment?

ETDETA coordinates the logistics side of your U.S. import — booking, ocean freight, inland transportation, and customs-clearance coordination through licensed customs brokers.

Get a Full Freight Quote →

Related updates

This update is a general educational summary based on public CBP CSMS / Federal Register information. It is not legal advice, customs broker advice, a final classification, duty determination, entry instruction, or compliance determination. Importers should confirm applicability, effective dates, HTSUS/Chapter 99 reporting, rates, refunds, PSC procedures, and filing instructions with their licensed customs broker, trade counsel, and/or CBP.