Enforcement of Tariff Regulations

The agency responsible for applying tariffs in the United States is U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). CBP administers the collection of tariffs at U.S. ports of entry, classifies merchandise, assesses tariffs using the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (USHTS), and collects applicable tariffs or penalties from importers.

The U.S. Customs Service was part of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. It was established in 1789 to collect duties on imported goods, which were a primary source of revenue for the federal government at the time. Administration of customs laws was placed under the Secretary of the Treasury by an act of September 2, 1789.

Over time, the Customs Service underwent multiple reorganizations within the Treasury Department. For example, in 1927, it became the Bureau of Customs and was later renamed the U.S. Customs Service in 1973. In 2003, as part of a broader reorganization under the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the U.S. Customs Service was dissolved, and its functions were transferred to the Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Customs and Border Protection

Additionally, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the Department of Commerce play roles in setting and enforcing tariff policies, particularly in cases involving unfair trade practices or international agreements. Congress retains constitutional authority to impose tariffs but has delegated significant powers to the Executive Branch over time.

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