U.S. International Trade Commission Starts Enforcement Case Over Synthetic Hair Imports
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On January 22, 2026, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) announced that it has started a formal enforcement proceeding. This action is related to a prior case about certain pre-stretched synthetic braiding hair and the packaging that comes with it.
The new case targets Vivace, Inc. doing business as Dae Do Inc. from Port Washington, New York. Vivace is charged with not following the Commission’s orders from a decision made on September 29, 2025.
The initial investigation began on September 9, 2024. It was started after a complaint from JBS Hair of Atlanta, Georgia. The case focused on Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. It related to claims that some companies were importing and selling synthetic hair products that infringed on U.S. patents.
Three U.S. patents were involved: Patent No. 10,786,026, Patent No. 10,945,478 (called the ‘478 patent), and Patent No. 10,980,301 (called the ‘301 patent). The USITC investigated many companies. These were split into three groups:
- Defaulting Respondents: This group included Vivace, A-Hair Import Inc., Crown Pacific Group Inc., Loc N Products, LLC, and Zugoo Import Inc. They were found to be in default in separate rulings throughout late 2024 and early 2025.
- Consent Order Respondents: These companies agreed to settle. They include Chois International, Inc., I & I Hair Corp., Kum Kang Trading USA, Inc., Mink Hair, Ltd., Oradell International Corp., and Twin Peak International, Inc.
- Remaining Respondents: These firms were removed from the case when the complainant withdrew the complaint against them on April 29, 2025.
On September 29, 2025, the Commission issued limited exclusion orders and cease and desist orders against the Defaulting Respondents, including Vivace. These types of orders are common under Section 337 to stop companies from selling or importing products found to infringe U.S. laws.
On December 18, 2025, JBS Hair filed a follow-up enforcement complaint. The claim was that Vivace continued to sell and import items that infringe claim 20 of the ‘478 patent and claims 1, 4 through 9, and 11 of the ‘301 patent. This would violate the previous orders.
After reviewing the complaint and documents, the USITC decided the complaint meets the legal requirements for an enforcement proceeding.
Now, a formal enforcement process is underway. The Commission has ordered the Chief Administrative Law Judge to pick an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This ALJ will conduct the hearings, make findings (called an Enforcement Initial Determination), and suggest further actions if needed.
The Commission’s decision to start this process was made on January 20, 2026.
This proceeding is under the rules found in 19 CFR 210.75(a). The U.S. Office of Unfair Import Investigations is also a party in the enforcement action.
Issued by the Commission’s Secretary, Lisa Barton, on January 20, 2026.
Federal Register Document Number: 2026-01184
For access to case documents, view the Commission’s electronic docket at https://edis.usitc.gov. For general information, visit https://www.usitc.gov.
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