section 301 Published 2026-03-12

Certain Vehicle Parts and Components Thereof; Notice of Institution of Investigation

📌 ETDETA brief — importer impact summary (educational)

Brief takeaway: The ITC has opened a Section 337 investigation into whether certain imported vehicle parts, components, and vehicles infringe GM design patents, which could eventually lead to exclusion orders barring affected goods from entering the U.S.

What changed: According to the notice, a complaint was filed on February 5, 2026 by General Motors LLC and GM Global Technology Operations LLC alleging that importation and sale of certain vehicle parts, components, and vehicles containing them infringe 20 named U.S. design patents. The notice states the complainants request a general exclusion order, a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders; the notice describes an investigation being instituted, not a final determination.

Who's affected: The notice names certain vehicle parts, components thereof, and vehicles containing them. It cites 20 U.S. design patents, including the '997, '815, '816, '301, '247, '248, '256, '703, '318, '874, '406, '114, '025, '155, '807, '533, '939, '239, '647, and '803 patents. No specific HTS codes or countries of origin are identified in the notice.

What to review:
- Review whether your imported vehicle parts, components, or finished vehicles could resemble the designs covered by the named patents.
- Check the ITC docket for the accused products and respondents once identified.
- Confirm with your customs broker or trade counsel how a potential general or limited exclusion order might affect your entries.
- Review your sourcing and supplier design representations for the covered product categories.

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 February 5, 2026, under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, on behalf of General Motors LLC of Detroit, Michigan and GM Global Technology Operations LLC of Detroit, Michigan. The complaint 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 vehicle parts, components thereof, and vehicles containing same by reason of the infringement of certain claims of U.S. Design Patent No. D749,997 ("the '997 patent"); U.S. Design Patent No. D792,815 ("the '815 patent"); U.S. Design Patent No. D792,816 ("the '816 patent"); U.S. Design Patent No. D793,301 ("the '301 patent"); U.S. Design Patent No. D828,247 ("the '247 patent"); U.S. Design Patent No. D828,248 ("the '248 patent"); U.S. Design Patent No. D828,256 ("the '256 patent"); U.S. Design Patent No. D847,703 ("the '703 patent"); U.S. Design Patent No. D848,318 ("the '318 patent"); U.S. Design Patent No. D856,874 ("the '874 patent"); U.S. Design Patent No. D818,406 ("the '406 patent"); U.S. Design Patent No. D826,114 ("the '114 patent"); U.S. Design Patent No. D843,025 ("the '025 patent"); U.S. Design Patent No. D883,155 ("the '155 patent"); U.S. Design Patent No. D902,807 ("the '807 patent"); U.S. Design Patent No. D930,533 ("the '533 patent"); U.S. Design Patent No. D955,939 ("the '939 patent"); U.S. Design Patent No. D859,239 ("the '239 patent"); U.S. Design Patent No. D848,647 ("the '647 patent"); and U.S. Design Patent No. D826,803 ("the '803 patent"). The complaint further alleges that an industry in the United States exists or is in the process of being established as required by the applicable Federal Statute. The complainants request that the Commission institute an investigation and, after the investigation, issue a general exclusion order, a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders.

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

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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.