General Exclusion Order (GEO)

Definition

A General Exclusion Order is the broadest remedy available in a Section 337 investigation at the US International Trade Commission. A GEO directs CBP to exclude from entry any article that infringes the asserted intellectual property, regardless of who is importing it or where it is sourced. GEOs are reserved for cases where the USITC finds a widespread pattern of infringement and difficulty identifying all sources — common in consumer-electronics knockoffs. Unlike a Limited Exclusion Order (which names specific respondents), a GEO applies to the entire universe of potential importers. A GEO does not generate a duty rate; it triggers a CBP border-enforcement action at entry.