§1514. Protest against decisions of Customs Service
(a) Finality of decisions; return of papers
Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, section 1501 of this title (relating to voluntary reliquidations), section 1516 of this title (relating to petitions by domestic interested parties), section 1520 of this title (relating to refunds), and section 6501 of title 26 (but only with respect to taxes imposed under chapters 51 and 52 of such title), any clerical error, mistake of fact, or other inadvertence, whether or not resulting from or contained in an electronic transmission, adverse to the importer, in any entry, liquidation, or reliquidation, and, decisions of the Customs Service, including the legality of all orders and findings entering into the same, as to-
(1) the appraised value of merchandise;
(2) the classification and rate and amount of duties chargeable;
(3) all charges or exactions of whatever character within the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Treasury;
(4) the exclusion of merchandise from entry or delivery or a demand for redelivery to customs custody under any provision of the customs laws, except a determination appealable under section 1337 of this title;
(5) the liquidation or reliquidation of an entry, or reconciliation as to the issues contained therein, or any modification thereof, including the liquidation of an entry, pursuant to either section 1500 of this title or section 1504 of this title;
(6) the refusal to pay a claim for drawback; or
(7) the refusal to reliquidate an entry under subsection (d) of section 1520 of this title;
shall be final and conclusive upon all persons (including the United States and any officer thereof) unless a protest is filed in accordance with this section, or unless a civil action contesting the denial of a protest, in whole or in part, is commenced in the United States Court of International Trade in accordance with chapter 169 of title 28 within the time prescribed by section 2636 of that title. When a judgment or order of the United States Court of International Trade has become final, the papers transmitted shall be returned, together with a copy of the judgment or order to the Customs Service, which shall take action accordingly.
(b) Finality of determinations
With respect to determinations made under section 1303 1 of this title or subtitle IV of this chapter which are reviewable under section 1516a of this title, determinations of the Customs Service are final and conclusive upon all persons (including the United States and any officer thereof) unless a civil action contesting a determination listed in section 1516a of this title is commenced in the United States Court of International Trade, or review by a binational panel of a determination to which section 1516a(g)(2) of this title applies is commenced pursuant to section 1516a(g) of this title.
(c) Form, number, and amendment of protest; filing of protest
(1) A protest of a decision made under subsection (a) shall be filed in writing, or transmitted electronically pursuant to an electronic data interchange system, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary. A protest must set forth distinctly and specifically-
(A) each decision described in subsection (a) as to which protest is made;
(B) each category of merchandise affected by each decision set forth under paragraph (1);
(C) the nature of each objection and the reasons therefor; and
(D) any other matter required by the Secretary by regulation.
Only one protest may be filed for each entry of merchandise, except that where the entry covers merchandise of different categories, a separate protest may be filed for each category. In addition, separate protests filed by different authorized persons with respect to any one category of merchandise, or with respect to a determination of origin under section 4531 of this title, that is the subject of a protest are deemed to be part of a single protest. Unless a request for accelerated disposition is filed under section 1515(b) of this title, a protest may be amended, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, to set forth objections as to a decision or decisions described in subsection (a) which were not the subject of the original protest, in the form and manner prescribed for a protest, any time prior to the expiration of the time in which such protest could have been filed under this section. New grounds in support of objections raised by a valid protest or amendment thereto may be presented for consideration in connection with the review of such protest pursuant to section 1515 of this title at any time prior to the disposition of the protest in accordance with that section.
(2) Except as provided in sections 1485(d) and 1557(b) of this title, protests may be filed with respect to merchandise which is the subject of a decision specified in subsection (a) by-
(A) the importers or consignees shown on the entry papers, or their sureties;
(B) any person paying any charge or exaction;
(C) any person seeking entry or delivery;
(D) any person filing a claim for drawback;
(E) with respect to a determination of origin under section 4531 of this title, any exporter or producer of the merchandise subject to that determination, if the exporter or producer completed and signed a USMCA certification of origin (as such term is defined in section 1508 of this title) covering the merchandise; or
(F) any authorized agent of any of the persons described in clauses (A) through (E).
(3) A protest of a decision, order, or finding described in subsection (a) shall be filed with the Customs Service within 180 days after but not before-
(A) date of liquidation or reliquidation, or
(B) in circumstances where subparagraph (A) is inapplicable, the date of the decision as to which protest is made.
A protest by a surety which has an unsatisfied legal claim under its bond may be filed within 180 days from the date of mailing of notice of demand for payment against its bond. If another party has not filed a timely protest, the surety's protest shall certify that it is not being filed collusively to extend another authorized person's time to protest as specified in this subsection.
(d) Limitation on protest of reliquidation
The reliquidation of an entry shall not open such entry so that a protest may be filed against the decision of the Customs Service upon any question not involved in such reliquidation.
(e) Advance notice of certain determinations
Except as provided in subsection (f), an exporter or producer referred to in subsection (c)(2)(E) shall be provided notice in advance of an adverse determination of origin under section 4531 of this title. The Secretary may, by regulations, prescribe the time period in which such advance notice shall be issued and authorize the Customs Service to provide in the notice the entry number and any other entry information considered necessary to allow the exporter or producer to exercise the rights provided by this section.
(f) Denial of preferential tariff treatment under the USMCA
If U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security finds indications of a pattern of conduct by an importer, exporter, or producer of false or unsupported representations that goods qualify under the rules of origin provided for in section 4531 of this title, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, may suspend preferential tariff treatment under the USMCA (as defined in section 4502 of this title) to entries of identical goods covered by subsequent representations by that importer, exporter, or producer until U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines that representations of that person are in conformity with such section 4531 of this title.
(g) Denial of preferential tariff treatment under United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement
If the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection or the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement finds indications of a pattern of conduct by an importer of false or unsupported representations that goods qualify under the rules of origin set out in section 202 of the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury, may deny preferential tariff treatment under the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement to entries of identical goods imported by that person until the person establishes to the satisfaction of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection that representations of that person are in conformity with such section 202.
(h) Denial of preferential tariff treatment under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement
If the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection or the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement finds indications of a pattern of conduct by an importer, exporter, or producer of false or unsupported representations that goods qualify under the rules of origin set out in section 4033 of this title, the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury, may suspend preferential tariff treatment under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement to entries of identical goods covered by subsequent representations by that importer, exporter, or producer until the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection determines that representations of that person are in conformity with such section 4033 of this title.
(i) Denial of preferential tariff treatment under the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement
If U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security finds indications of a pattern of conduct by an importer, exporter, or producer of false or unsupported representations that goods qualify under the rules of origin provided for in section 203 of the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury, may suspend preferential tariff treatment under the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement to entries of identical goods covered by subsequent representations by that importer, exporter, or producer until U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines that representations of that person are in conformity with such section 203.
(j) Denial of preferential tariff treatment under the United States–Korea Free Trade Agreement
If U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security finds indications of a pattern of conduct by an importer, exporter, or producer of false or unsupported representations that goods qualify under the rules of origin provided for in section 202 of the United States–Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury, may suspend preferential tariff treatment under the United States–Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act to entries of identical goods covered by subsequent representations by that importer, exporter, or producer until U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines that representations of that person are in conformity with such section 202.
(k) Denial of preferential tariff treatment under the United States–Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement
If U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security finds indications of a pattern of conduct by an importer, exporter, or producer of false or unsupported representations that goods qualify under the rules of origin provided for in section 203 of the United States–Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury, may suspend preferential tariff treatment under the United States–Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement to entries of identical goods covered by subsequent representations by that importer, exporter, or producer until U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines that representations of that person are in conformity with such section 203.
(l) Denial of preferential tariff treatment under the United States–Panama Trade Promotion Agreement
If U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security finds indications of a pattern of conduct by an importer, exporter, or producer of false or unsupported representations that goods qualify under the rules of origin provided for in section 203 of the United States–Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury, may suspend preferential tariff treatment under the United States–Panama Trade Promotion Agreement to entries of identical goods covered by subsequent representations by that importer, exporter, or producer until U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines that representations of that person are in conformity with such section 203.
(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title IV, §514,
Amendment of Section
For termination of amendment by section 107(c) of
For termination of amendment by section 107(c) of
For termination of amendment by section 107(c) of
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For termination of amendment by section 107(d) of
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
Section 1303 of this title, referred to in subsec. (b), is defined in section 1677(26) of this title to mean section 1303 as in effect on the day before Jan. 1, 1995.
Section 202 of the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, referred to in subsec. (g), is section 202 of
Section 203 of the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act, referred to in subsec. (i), is section 203 of
Section 202 of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, referred to in subsec. (j), is section 202 of
Section 203 of the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act, referred to in subsec. (k), is section 203 of
Section 203 of the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act, referred to in subsec. (l), is section 203 of
Codification
Section was formerly classified to former section 579 of this title subsequent to its classification to section 784 of title 28 prior to the general revision and enactment of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, by act June 25, 1948, ch. 464, §1,
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in act Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 356, title IV, §514,
Provisions that the decision of the collector as to duties, including dutiable costs and charges, and as to all fees and exactions, should be final and conclusive unless a protest was filed within 30 days after ascertainment and liquidation of duties, or within 15 days after payment of fees, charges and exactions, with further provisions as to fees, transmission of the papers to the Board of General Appraisers, etc., were contained in act Oct. 3, 1913, ch. 16, §III, N,
Provisions relating to decisions of the collector, and appeals therefrom to the Secretary of the Treasury were contained in R.S. §§2931, 2932, prior to repeal by section 29 of the Customs Administrative Act,
Amendments
2020-Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2)(E).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
2011-Subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l).
2009-Subsec. (a).
2007-Subsec. (i).
2006-Subsec. (c)(3).
2005-Subsec. (h).
2004-Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A).
2003-Subsec. (g).
1999-Subsec. (a)(7).
1996-Subsec. (a).
1993-
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (d).
Subsecs. (e), (f).
1988-Subsec. (b).
1986-Subsec. (a).
1984-Subsec. (a).
1980-Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
1979-Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d).
1970-
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2020 Amendment
"(1)
"(A) take effect on the date on which the USMCA enters into force [July 1, 2020]; and
"(B) apply with respect to a good entered, or exported from the United States, as the case may be, on or after that date.
"(2)
"(A) the amendments made by subsection (a) to section 592 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1592) and the amendments made by subsection (b) to section 514 of such Act (19 U.S.C. 1514) shall not apply with respect to the good; and
"(B) sections 592 and 514 of such Act, as in effect on the day before that date, shall continue to apply on and after that date with respect to the good.
"(3)
[For definition of "USMCA" as used in section 204(c) of
Effective and Termination Dates of 2011 Amendment
Amendment by
Amendment by
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Except as otherwise provided, amendment by
Effective and Termination Dates of 2007 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective and Termination Dates of 2005 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective and Termination Dates of 2003 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Amendment by section 208 of
Amendment by section 412(a) of
Effective and Termination Dates of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1979 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1970 Amendment
For effective date of amendment by
Construction of 1993 Amendment
Amendment by section 208 of
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the United States Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury, including functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 203(1), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6. For establishment of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the Department of Homeland Security, treated as if included in
Inconsistent Decisions of Customs Officers
"(1) The Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe regulations that-
"(A) effect uniformity in-
"(i) decisions described in section 514(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1514(a)) that are made by customs officers with respect to the same, or substantially similar, merchandise, and
"(ii) decisions to conduct intensified inspections or examinations of merchandise at ports of entry, and
"(B) establish procedures that allow individuals described in section 514(c)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1514(c)(1)), any port authority, and any other interested party (within the meaning of section 516(a)(2) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1516(a)(2))) to petition the Secretary to obtain such uniformity in an expedited and timely fashion.
"(2) The Secretary of the Treasury shall publish in the Federal Register and submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives the proposed and final form of the regulations prescribed under paragraph (1) and shall receive and consider comments from the public regarding the proposed form of such regulations during the 60-day period beginning on the date the proposed form of such regulations are published in the Federal Register.
"(3) The regulations prescribed under paragraph (1) shall take effect by no later than April 1, 1989.
"(4) By no later than September 1, 1989, the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report on the effectiveness of the regulations prescribed under paragraph (1) and recommendations for permanent legislation addressing uniformity."
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989
For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§1801–1899A] of
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
Functions of Secretary of the Treasury under this section insofar as they relate to any protest, petition, or notice of desire to contest described in section 1002(b)(1) of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, set out as a note under section 1516a of this title, transferred to Secretary of Commerce pursuant to Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1979, §5(a)(1)(D), 44 F.R. 69275,