---
kind: "section"
citation: "19 U.S.C. § 2561"
title: "19"
title_heading: "Customs Duties"
number: "2561"
heading: "Findings of reciprocity required in administrative proceedings"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/19/2561"
units:
  - "Chapter 13 — Trade Agreements Act of 1979"
  - "Subchapter II — Technical Barriers to Trade (standards)"
  - "Part C — Administrative and Judicial Proceedings Regarding Standards-Related Activities"
  - "Subpart 2 — other proceedings regarding certain standards-related activities"
---

# §2561. Findings of reciprocity required in administrative proceedings

- (a) **In general—** Except as provided under subpart 1, no Federal [agency](/usc/19/2578b.md?p=a-1) may consider a complaint or petition against any [standards](/usc/19/2576b.md?p=5)-related activity regarding an imported product, if that activity is engaged in within the [United States](/usc/19/1683.md?p=9) and is covered by the [Agreement](/usc/19/2518.md?p=1), unless the [Trade Representative](/usc/19/1677.md?p=32) finds, and informs the [agency](/usc/19/2578b.md?p=a-1) concerned in writing, that—
  - (1) the [country](/usc/19/1677.md?p=3) of origin of the imported product is a Party to the [Agreement](/usc/19/2518.md?p=1) or a foreign [country](/usc/19/1677.md?p=3) described in [section 2552(2) of this title](/usc/19/2552.md?p=2); and
  - (2) the dispute settlement procedures provided under the [Agreement](/usc/19/2518.md?p=1) are not appropriate.
- (b) **Exemptions—** This section does not apply with respect to causes of action arising under—
  - (1) the antitrust laws as defined in [section 12(a) of title 15](/usc/15/12.md?p=a); or
  - (2) statutes administered by the [Secretary](/usc/19/1681.md?p=1) of Agriculture.

  This section does not apply with respect to petitions and proceedings that are provided for under the practices of any Federal [agency](/usc/19/2578b.md?p=a-1) for the purpose of ensuring, in accordance with [section 553 of title 5](/usc/5/553.md), that interested [persons](/usc/19/1683.md?p=8) are given an opportunity to participate in [agency](/usc/19/2578b.md?p=a-1) rulemaking or to seek the issuance, amendment, or repeal of a rule.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 96–39, title IV, § 441, July 26, 1979, 93 Stat. 248; Pub. L. 103–182, title III, § 351(b)(2)(A), Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2122; Pub. L. 104–295, § 21(b)(1), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3529.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1996—Pub. L. 104–295 amended directory language of Pub. L. 103–182. See 1993 Amendment note below.

1993—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–182, as amended by Pub. L. 104–295, substituted “Trade Representative” for “Special Representative”.