United States v. F.H. Fenderson, Inc.

10 Ct. Int'l Trade 758
CourtUnited States Court of International Trade
DecidedDecember 5, 1986
DocketCourt No. 84-07-01008
StatusPublished

This text of 10 Ct. Int'l Trade 758 (United States v. F.H. Fenderson, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Court of International Trade primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. F.H. Fenderson, Inc., 10 Ct. Int'l Trade 758 (cit 1986).

Opinion

Memorandum Opinion and Order

Carman, Judge:

The United States (Government) commences this action against defendant F. H. Fenderson, Inc. (Fenderson) to recover a civil penalty for an alleged negligent violation of section 592 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. § 1592 (1982). The complaint alleges the defendant, as importer of record, negligently entered, introduced, or caused to enter or introduce a series of entries of merchandise (crabmeat) from Canada into the commerce of the United States by means of false documents that incorrectly stated the dutiable values for the merchandise. These improper state[759]*759ments resulted in a potential loss of revenue in the amount of $834.08.

Government moves under Rule 56 of this Court for summary judgment on the grounds there are no genuine issues of material fact as to the case. Fenderson opposes Government’s motion and contends there are genuine issues of material fact in dispute. Fenderson cross-moves for summary judgment on the same grounds as Government’s motion and contends Government, through its Customs branch, is attempting to illegally assess multiple penalties for the same alleged violation of 19 U.S.C. § 1592, has failed to follow its own regulations with respect to voluntary disclosure, and has violated Fenderson’s rights under 19 U.S.C. § 1618 by refusing to accept a second supplemental petition. Based upon the following discussion, Government’s motion for summary judgment is denied, and Fender-son’s cross-motion for summary judgment is also denied.

UncontRoveRTEd Facts

The following facts are not in dispute:

From approximately May 1981, to and including September 1981, the defendant, F. H. Fenderson, a customhouse broker, as importer of record, entered, introduced, or caused to enter or introduce merchandise (crabmeat) from Canada into the Commerce of the United States at the Port of Calais, Maine. Fenderson as importer of record filed seven consumption entries on behalf of Landry & Landry, an exporter, utilizing documents supplied by Landry & Landry. On each of the pro forma invoices accompanying the seven entries in question, the Canadian exporter certified the "currency of value” was Canadian. On each of the Special Customs invoices accompanying the entries in question, the Canadian exporter stated the invoice price for the merchandise involved and certified Canadian currency was used. Fenderson, as customhouse broker, relied on these certified forms in filing the entries on behalf of the exporter, and, as importer of record, converted the invoiced amount to an equivalent amount in United States dollars.

Government claims the entries and other documents were false in that they stated incorrect dutiable values of the merchandise. The invoices submitted with the entries indicated the transactions were in Canadian money, when, in fact, Government argues, payment for the transactions was made in the amount shown on the invoice but in United States currency. Government contends this conversion from Canadian dollars to United States dollars was a negligent act by Fenderson which resulted in a potential loss of revenue in the amount of $834.08.

On September 30, 1981 the District Director at Portland, Maine sent a Prepenalty Notice, covering 12 entries, to Landry & Landry, the exporter of the merchandise and the preparer of the invoices. These 12 entries included the seven entries which are at issue in this case. On October 21, 1981, Landry & Landry responded to the [760]*760Prepenalty Notice and sent a check for $1,657.73 drawn on a Canadian bank. The check was returned two days later because it was not drawn on a United States Bank.

By memorandum dated November 3,1981, Fenderson tendered its check for $1,657.73 as a "Voluntary Tender” on behalf of Landry & Landry; a receipt dated November 5, 1981 was issued by Customs. Notice of Penalty in the amount of $6,630.32 was issued to Landry & Landry on November 4, 1981, and Landry & Landry petitioned for relief by letter dated November 24, 1981. A decision was issued to Landry & Landry’s attorney on January 18, 1982 with a finding of gross negligence but mitigating the penalty to $3,315.46. This amount was forwarded to Customs by memoranda dated March 4, 1982, and Customs issued a receipt.

A Prepenalty Notice covering seven of the same entries as involved the Landry & Landry penalty was sent to Fenderson. The response was filed by Fenderson on October 26,1982. A Penalty Notice in the amount of $1,668.16 was issued to Fenderson on November 6, 1981 with a culpability determination of negligence. Fenderson filed a petition on January 3, 1982, and a decision was made on January 11, 1982 reducing the penalty to $250.00 in accordance with the guidelines in the Fines, Penalties and Forfeitures Handbook as it relates to brokers. Additional information in the form of a supplemental petition dated February 7,1982 was filed with Customs, and a response dated February 9,1983 from the Regional Commissioner was transmitted through the District Director to Fenderson on February 18, 1983.

Based on these communications and transactions among Customs, Fenderson, and Landry & Landry, Fenderson argues Government, through its Customs branch, is illegally assessing multiple penalties; has failed to follow its own regulations; and has violated Fender-son’s rights in refusing to accept the second supplemental petition.

Discussion

The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has set forth the standards this Court must utilize in determining a summary judgment question as follows:

[Sjummary judgment under Rule 56, Fed. R. Civ. P., is entirely appropriate * * * where there is no genuine issue of material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. * * * The movant bears the burden of demonstrating absence of all genuine issues of material fact, * * * the * * * court must view the evidence in a light most favorable to the nonmovant and draw all reasonable inferences in its favor, * * * and must resolve all doubt over factual issues in favor of the party opposing summary judgment.* * *

SRI International v. Matsushita Electric Corporation of America, 775 F.2d 1107, 1116 (Fed. Cir. 1985) (citations and footnotes omitted). This Court recognizes: "[it] would be manifestly unfair and violative [761]*761of due process to deprive [a party] of its day in court where basic factual issues require resolution.” Yamaha International Corp. v. United States, 3 C.I.T. 108 (1982).

As an initial matter, Government has submitted its motion for summary judgment supported by documents referred to as Copp’s Deposition Exhibits. Rule 56(f), Rules of the Court of International Trade sets forth, in part: "Supporting and opposing affidavits shall be made on personal knowledge, shall set forth such facts as would be admissible in evidence, and shall show affirmatively that the affi-ant is competent to testify to the matters stated therein.” Mr.

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Bluebook (online)
10 Ct. Int'l Trade 758, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-fh-fenderson-inc-cit-1986.