notice Published 2026-06-08

Certain Pickleball Paddles; Notice of Institution of Investigation

📌 ETDETA brief — importer impact summary (educational)

Brief takeaway: The ITC has opened a Section 337 investigation into certain imported pickleball paddles over alleged patent infringement, which could eventually lead to exclusion or cease-and-desist orders.

What changed: According to the notice, the ITC instituted an investigation based on a complaint filed by Sport Squad, Inc. (d/b/a JOOLA), alleging that the importation, sale for importation, and post-importation sale of certain pickleball paddles infringe claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 12,465,826 and 12,357,891. The notice states the complainant requests a limited exclusion order and cease-and-desist orders, and alleges a U.S. domestic industry exists or is being established.

Who's affected: The notice names certain pickleball paddles as the products at issue. It does not specify HTS codes or particular countries of origin; the investigation concerns imported paddles alleged to infringe the two cited patents.

What to review:
- Review whether pickleball paddles you import may fall within the scope described in the complaint.
- Check the cited patents ('826 and '891) against the design and features of your imported products.
- Confirm with your broker or trade counsel how a potential Section 337 exclusion or cease-and-desist order could affect your shipments.
- Review the ITC docket for updates on scope, respondents, and any orders issued.

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 April 7, 2026, under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, on behalf of Sport Squad, Inc. d/b/a JOOLA of North Bethesda, Maryland. An amended complaint was filed on April 17, 2026. A supplement to the amended complaint was filed on May 19, 2026. The amended 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 pickleball paddles by reason of the infringement of certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 12,465,826 ("the '826 patent") and U.S. Patent No. 12,357,891 ("the '891 patent"). The amended complaint, as supplemented, 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 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.