Customs Court is a federal court authorized to hear cases related to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The Customs Court has exclusive jurisdiction over civil actions and proceedings brought by, or on behalf of, the United States involving claims for liquidated damages, fraud, false claims, or violations of the Customs law or regulations. Every court order and judgment is reviewed by an appellate court.
What Type of Cases Are Heard in Customs Court?
Customs Court hears cases involving disputes over import duties, classification of merchandise, and other decisions related to customs law. These cases can involve imported goods that are misclassified in terms of rate of duty or origin or goods that are seized or forfeited. Other types of cases that the court hears include civil forfeiture, smuggling, and export violations.
What Are the Benefits to Litigants?
The biggest advantage of litigating in Customs Court is that litigants can go to court directly without needing to follow administrative due process steps. This cuts down on processing time, costs, and bureaucracy. Additionally, litigants don’t risk having to pay administrative costs or the costs of litigating a case before a commission. Finally, decisions made by Customs Court are subject to appeal to the Court of International Trade, which has exclusive, jurisdiction over appeals from decisions issued by the Customs Court.
Tips for Dealing With Customs Court
If you’re dealing with Customs Court, make sure to deal with the court procedures and deadlines, which are critical and tend to be strict. Additionally, try to hire an experienced attorney to represent you, as their knowledge of the law and customs may be invaluable. Finally, make sure to obtain and attach reliable documentation to support your claims, such as certificates of origin, invoices, and other important documents.