Wm. A. Foster & Co. v. United States

15 Cust. Ct. 459, 1945 Cust. Ct. LEXIS 1077
United States Customs Court·Decided November 20, 1945·No. No. 6233; Entry No. 800509·Published·Cited by 4 cases

Opinion

Tilson, Judge:

This is an application for review of the decision and judgment of the trial court granting the motion of appellee to [460] dismiss the appeal upon a finding that the importer had failed to njake out a prima jade case. Although briefs were filed before this court by both parties, the application for review was submitted without oral argument.

The record in this case consists of an affidavit of the managing director of the manufacturer of the instant gage glasses, which was admitted in evidence and marked exhibit 1, and a special agent’s report, which was admitted in evidence and marked exhibit 2.

In exhibit 1 affiant states that he is the managing director of Palatine Glass Co., the exporter of the instant merchandise; that said firm is a manufacturer and dealer in glass articles, gage glasses, machinery glass; manufacturing and selling gage glasses both for home consumption and for export to foreign countries, including the United States; and that

* * * the prices and discounts appearing on said invoice to L. Solomon & Son, Inc., of New York City, consist of gauge glasses of the size and quantity specified above and represent the true market value of said gauge glasses in Great Britain at the time of shipment and that the Palatine Glass Co. Ltd., were prepared and willing to sell in the same quantities such gauge glasses at the prices and discounts to L. Solomon & Son Inc., as .hereinabove set forth.

Affiant further states that the prices appearing on the invoices to L. Solomon & Son, are in fact the actual prices paid for such gage glasses; that he attaches to his affidavit a price list which forms the basis of sales made both in the home market and for export to the United States; that their selling prices and discounts to all purchasers both for home consumption and for export to other countries are the same in similar quantities as supplied to L. Solomon & Son; and that they “are at present supplying similar goods at similar prices to a purchaser for home consumption.”

In exhibit 2 the special agent reports that he called at the office of Palatine Glass Co., Ltd., the exporter herein, and interviewed Mr. Philip Child, who is the same person who signed the affidavit, exhibit 1. The special agent further states that the information contained in his report was obtained from a personal inspection of the regular books of account and other records of Palatine Glass Co., and that Mr. Child placed those records at his disposal and supplied supplemental information.

The following is quoted from the special agent’s report:

The manufacturers did not have any figures available to show the exact cost of fusing the ends of the gauge glasses, but they had quoted the importer, L. Solomon & Son, Inc., of New York, a price of 3d per dozen, or 3/- per gross for fusing the ends of the gauge glasses.
I found where the manufacturers had sold gauge glasses in the home market in foot lengths with cut .ends. The glasses were priced at the list price, and the only indication of a concession in price for cut ends instead of fused ends was a higher discount allowed. In some cases 65% was allowed, and to another customer 70% [461] was allowed from the list price. In no instance could I find where there had been a definite deduction of Sd per dozen as an allowance for -cut ends over fused ends. .As stated above, the only indication was a higher discount allowed. [Italics ours.]

Following this is a tabulation of the results of an analysis of all home market sales of gage glasses,made during the monthsof January, February, and March 1935. In this tabulation is listed 151 invoices as showing a discount of 50 per centum, 27 invoices as showing a discount of 60 per centum, 38 invoices as showing a discount of 65 per centum, and 3 invoices as showing a discount of 70 per centum. These discounts are from the base prices shown on .the price list, one of which price lists is attached to exhibit 1.

The merchandise was invoiced, entered per dozen feet, and appraised per dozen pieces as follows:

Plain Gauge Glasses
Invoice Entered Appraised
25 Doz. Size 12 x ]4 Doz. Ft. 25 v-same 0/4/6
36 Doz. Size 12 x % Doz Ft. 36 ’ % same 0/6/0
25 Doz. Size 12 x % Doz. Ft] 25 Vs same 0/7/6
Less discount 12 m Less Carr. Fob & Consul Fee Less 3D for fuse-ing ends Less 50% discount FOB,. Packed

The items of Carr. Fob and Consul Fee, amounting to £0-1-5 and £0-10-5, respectively, are nondutiable items and are so returned by the appraiser on the invoice. As will be seen from the above, all these gage glasses are 12 inches in length and the fact that they were invoiced and entered “per dozen feet” and appraised “per dozen pieces” is not here material.

If, as stated by the special agent, heretofore quoted, the only indication of a concession in price for cut ends instead of fused ends was a higher discount allowed, then it would appear that consideration should be given to the question of whether or not the appraiser erred in allowing the 3d per dozen for cut ends instead of fused ends. And if it should be found that the appraiser was in error in this respect, then the question arises as to what is the proper value of the instant gage glasses ■ having cut ends. The special agent reports that he found sales of gage glasses with cut ends at lfst prices less discounts of 65 per centum and 70 per centum.

It is true that the special agent gives a tabulation of sales in which it is shown that the major portion of the sales are made at list prices less a discount of 50 per centum, but it is also to be noted that this is “An analysis of all home market sales of gauge glasses,” among which, of course, are included gage glasses with cut ends. The only evidence given by the special agent of sales of gage glasses with cut ends is at the list prices less discounts of 65 per centum-and 70 per [462] centum. However, in view of the conclusion we have reached, these-are questions for consideration by the trial court.

With reference to the weight to be given to the statements contained in the affidavit, exhibit 1, the trial court observed:

The unsupported statement of the affiant that the invoice prices represent the-“true market value of said gauge glasses in Great Britain” is a conclusion to which-no evidentiary value attaches.
The further statement of the affiant that the manufacturers “were prepared' and willing to sell” falls far short, of establishing the freely offered prices for this merchandise either for home consumption or for exportation to countries-other than the United States. * * *

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Wm. A. Foster & Co. v. United States, 15 Cust. Ct. 459, 1945 Cust. Ct. LEXIS 1077 (cusc 1945).

15 Cust. Ct. 459 (Wm. A. Foster & Co. v. United States) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

Related

American Bravo Co. v. United States
55 Cust. Ct. 736 (U.S. Customs Court, 1965)
Luria Steel & Trading Corp. v. United States
42 Cust. Ct. 480 (U.S. Customs Court, 1959)
Gerhard & Hey Co. v. United States
30 Cust. Ct. 580 (U.S. Customs Court, 1953)
Selig v. United States
21 Cust. Ct. 342 (U.S. Customs Court, 1948)