---
kind: "section"
citation: "19 U.S.C. § 4061"
title: "19"
title_heading: "Customs Duties"
number: "4061"
heading: "Commencing of action for relief"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/19/4061"
units:
  - "Chapter 26 — Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade"
  - "Subchapter III — Relief from Imports"
  - "Part A — Relief From Imports Benefiting From the Agreement"
---

# §4061. Commencing of action for relief

- (a) **Filing of petition—** A petition requesting action under this part for the purpose of adjusting to the obligations of the [United States](/usc/19/1683.md?p=9) under the [Agreement](/usc/19/4002.md?p=1) may be filed with the [Commission](/usc/19/4002.md?p=3) by an entity, including a trade association, firm, certified or recognized union, or group of workers, that is representative of an [industry](/usc/19/1677.md?p=4-A). The [Commission](/usc/19/4002.md?p=3) shall transmit a copy of any petition filed under this subsection to the [United States](/usc/19/1683.md?p=9) [Trade Representative](/usc/19/1677.md?p=32).
- (b) **Investigation and determination—** Upon the filing of a petition under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Commission](/usc/19/4002.md?p=3), unless [subsection (d)](#d) applies, shall promptly initiate an investigation to determine whether, as a result of the reduction or elimination of a duty provided for under the [Agreement](/usc/19/4002.md?p=1), a [CAFTA–DR article](/usc/19/4051.md?p=1) is being imported into the [United States](/usc/19/1683.md?p=9) in such increased quantities, in absolute terms or relative to domestic production, and under such conditions that imports of the [CAFTA–DR article](/usc/19/4051.md?p=1) constitute a substantial cause of serious injury or threat thereof to the domestic [industry](/usc/19/1677.md?p=4-A) producing an article that is like, or directly competitive with, the imported article.
- (c) **Applicable provisions—** The following provisions of [section 2252 of this title](/usc/19/2252.md) apply with respect to any investigation initiated under [subsection (b)](#b):
  - (1) Paragraphs (1)(B) and (3) of subsection (b).
  - (2) [Subsection (c)](#c).
  - (3) Subsection (i).
- (d) **Articles exempt from investigation—** No investigation may be initiated under this section with respect to any [CAFTA–DR article](/usc/19/4051.md?p=1) if, after the date that the [Agreement](/usc/19/4002.md?p=1) enters into force, import relief has been provided with respect to that [CAFTA–DR article](/usc/19/4051.md?p=1) under this part.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–53, title III, § 311, Aug. 2, 2005, 119 Stat. 488.)

## Notes

### Termination of Section

For termination of section by section 107(d) of Pub. L. 109–53, see Effective and Termination Dates note below.

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This part, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (d), was in the original “this subtitle”, meaning subtitle A (§§ 311–316) of title III of Pub. L. 109–53, Aug. 2, 2005, 119 Stat. 488, which enacted this part and amended section 2252 of this title. For complete classification of subtitle A to the Code, see Tables.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective and Termination Dates

Section effective on the date the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement enters into force (Mar. 1, 2006) and to cease to have effect on the date the Agreement ceases to be in force with respect to the United States, and, during any period in which a country ceases to be a CAFTA–DR country, to cease to have effect with respect to such country, see section 107 of Pub. L. 109–53, set out as a note under section 4001 of this title.