Us Code § 2581 - Auction of import licenses

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 2581 — Auction of import licenses, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 2581. Auction of import licenses

(a) In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the President may sell import licenses at public auction under such terms and conditions as he deems appropriate. Regulations prescribed under this subsection shall, to the extent practicable and consistent with efficient and fair administration, insure against inequitable sharing of imports by a relatively small number of the larger importers.

(b) "Import license" defined

For purposes of this section, the term "import license" means any documentation used to administer a quantitative restriction imposed or modified after July 26, 1979 under—

(1) section 125, 203, 301, or 406 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2135, 2253, 2411, or 2436),

(2) the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701–1706),

(3) authority under the notes of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, but not including any quantitative restriction imposed under section 22 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1934 (7 U.S.C. 624),

(4) the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. App. 1–44),1

(5) section 204 of the Agricultural Act of 1956 (7 U.S.C. 1854) other than for meat or meat products, or

(6) any Act enacted explicitly for the purpose of implementing an international agreement to which the United States is a party, including such agreements relating to commodities, but not including any agreement relating to cheese or dairy products.

(Pub. L. 96–39, title XI, §1102, July 26, 1979, 93 Stat. 307; Pub. L. 100–418, title I, §1214(k), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1158.)


Editorial Notes

References in Text

The International Emergency Economic Powers Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is Pub. L. 95–223, title II, Dec. 28, 1977, 91 Stat. 1626, which is classified generally to chapter 35 (§1701 et seq.) of Title 50, War and National Defense. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1701 of Title 50 and Tables.

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), is not set out in the Code. See Publication of Harmonized Tariff Schedule note set out under section 1202 of this title.

The Trading With the Enemy Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(4), is act Oct. 6, 1917, ch. 106, 40 Stat. 411, which was classified generally to sections 1 to 6, 7 to 39 and 41 to 44 of the former Appendix to Title 50, War and National Defense, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as chapter 53 (§4301 et seq.) of Title 50. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Amendments

1988—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 100–418 substituted "notes of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States" for "headnotes of the Tariff Schedules of the United States".


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–418 effective Jan. 1, 1989, and applicable with respect to articles entered on or after such date, see section 1217(b)(1) of Pub. L. 100–418, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3001 of this title.

Effective Date

Pub. L. 96–39, title XI, §1114, July 26, 1979, 93 Stat. 317, provided that: "Except as otherwise provided in this title, this title [enacting this subchapter, amending the Tariff Schedules of the United States and sections 1315, 1337, 2112, 2119, 2131, 2155, 2192, 2253, 2432, 2434, 2435, 2462, 2463, 2464, 2481, and 2486 of this title, section 5315 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and section 301 of Title 13, Census, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 2111, 2112, and 2464 of this title and 301 of Title 13, and amending a provision set out as a note under section 2101 of this title] shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act [July 26, 1979]."

1 See References in Text note below.

About This Section

19 U.S.C. § 2581 is part of Title 19 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 19 U.S.C. § 2581. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 2581

What does United States Code § 2581 cover?

Section 2581 ("Auction of import licenses") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

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