Robert Reiner, Inc. v. United States

8 Cust. Ct. 613, 1942 Cust. Ct. LEXIS 663
CourtUnited States Customs Court
DecidedFebruary 19, 1942
DocketNo. 5579; Entry No. 4021
StatusPublished

This text of 8 Cust. Ct. 613 (Robert Reiner, Inc. v. United States) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Customs Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Robert Reiner, Inc. v. United States, 8 Cust. Ct. 613, 1942 Cust. Ct. LEXIS 663 (cusc 1942).

Opinion

Keefe, Judge:

This is an application for a review of the findings of the trial court, sitting in reappraisement, as to the proper dutiable [614]*614value of a machine known as a “legger,” a part of a hosiery machine used for making the legs of hosiery. The machine was imported in a knocked-down condition and in its imported condition it was not •complete and could not be operated because of the absence of certain parts supplied by the importer. The importer sold these machines together with a “footer” and certain mechanical operating equipment manufactured in the United States at a price set up in the factory •of his purchasers. It was conceded that there was no foreign nor export value, the importer being the sole agent in the United States •of the foreign manufacturer.

The merchandise was invoiced at 16,725 reichsmarks, packed, equivalent to United States $6,690. The importer entered the machine upon the basis of the United States value at $5,185, but it was appraised at 16,725, reichsmarks, packed, and the appraiser indicated that such price represented the cost of production.

Upon the evidence presented the trial court found that there was a United States vahie for the machine and that such value was $5,661.86, derived from the United States selling price of $8,955 as follows:

United States selling price_$8, 955. 00
Less 8 % general expenses_ 716.40
8, 238. 60
Less ocean freight and insurance_ 312. 00
7, 926. 60
Less duty (7,926.60-*-1.40)_ 2, 264. 74
United States and dutiable value_ $5, 661. 86

The Government, as well as the importer, appealed for a review of the findings of the trial court. The importer contended that an improper deduction for duty had been made. Later, however, it was conceded that the appeal was filed for the protection of the interests of his client. The Government contends that the trial court erred in manner following: First, that' no United States value exists for the merchandise because there was an absence of previously imported “leggers” of the particular size and gauge of the imported machine on the date of exportation of the involved merchandise available in the United States to be freely offered for sale, or sold to all purchasers; Second, that no United States value exists as the “leggers” were in a knocked-down condition rather than complete machines and cannot be used in their imported condition; Third, that previously imported “leggers” were offered for sale in the United States together with a complete hosiery machine, erected in a manufacturing plant, and that such machines were composed of parts manufactured in the United States as well as of foreign manufacture and that a breaking-down of [615]*615the price of a complete hosiery machine, installed in the purchaser’s plant, does not constitute a bona fide offer sufficient. to support a finding that a United States value exists; Fourth, that a United States value cannot be found for this machine because all of the sales in the United States were made to consumers in quantities of one machine, which is not a wholesale quantity, inasmuch as there must be first a wholesale quantity established from a wholesale transaction before all sales made at wholesale, retail, or to consumers in that quantity may be considered in arriving at a value; and Fifth, that in the event the court finds the existence of a United States value, the trial court improperly computed United States value, upon the basis of $8,955, when the documentary evidence establishes that the price at which the machine was sold to the consumer was $8,990.

Two witnesses testified for the importer. Such" testimony is sot out in detail in the decision of the trial court and it is unnecessary to again so relate it here. Five exhibits were admitted in evidence including a report of a customs agent who had examined the books and papers of the importer. From an examination of the invoice and entry papers and the evidence submitted, we find that on August 3, 1938, the involved 45-gauge, 24-section “legger” was exported from Germany. It was entered at New York on August 20, 1938, and after a preliminary examination at the wharf was designated for examination for appraisement purposes at the plant of the Caswell Knitting Mills in Yanceyville, N. C. Seven days before the date of shipment of the involved “legger,” to wit, July 27, 1938, the importer offered to deliver to the Graham Full Fashion, Inc., of Graham, N. C., two 45-gauge, 24-section “leggers,” identical with the machine here imported, for the sum of $8,990 each, f. o. b. New York harbor. If desired by the purchaser, the importer further offered to sell certain attachments which would also bo separately delivered to the company and to erect the machines at an additional cost, totaling in all $1,755, and in the event of, the acceptance the total contract price for the machines, including the attachments, motor, etc., would be $10,745, erected at the company’s plant. On July 30, 1938, a conditional contract of sale was entered into between the importer and the Graham Full Fashion, Inc., for the purchase of the two leggers covered by the offer of July 27, and it was agreed that one legger would leave the German factory in August and another in October of the year 1938. The title to the “leggers” was to remain in the seller until fully paid for. However, a 45-gauge, 24-section “legger” arrived in New York harbor on July 29, 1938, which was subsequently shipped to the said Graham Full Fashion, Inc., in pursuance to the contract of conditional purchase. It does not appear that said “legger” had been originally imported by plaintiff to fill the order of any particular purchaser.

[616]*616The evidence further discloses that the importer orders a quantity of machines at one time; that these imported machines weigh 4 tons each and are imported in a knoeked-down condition, and in such condition are shipped directly from the wharf at New York, the port of entry, to the firm purchasing the same without being opened or repacked; that the machines are purchased by the importer who directs their delivery to the firm or firms entering into agreements of purchase, nothing appearing upon the invoice papers dedicating any imported machines to a particular consumer; that the machines are offered for sale in their imported condition in quantities of one and a sale of a larger quantity brings no reduction in price; that the machines so sold are usually desired set up and completed by the importer at an increased cost, but that one machine in the year 1937 was sold without additional attachments; that such machines have been sold in the United States since 1922 and that there has not been any change in the price thereof in the year previous to the July importation.

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Bluebook (online)
8 Cust. Ct. 613, 1942 Cust. Ct. LEXIS 663, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/robert-reiner-inc-v-united-states-cusc-1942.