• Blogs
• Bookmark/Share
• Contact Us

Enter Search Term(s):

Records of the U.S. Court of International Trade

(Record Group 321)
1890-1977
395 cu. ft.

Overview of Records Locations

Table of Contents

• 321.1 ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY
  
• 321.2 RECORDS OF THE BOARD OF U.S. GENERAL APPRAISERS 1890-1928 111 lin. ft.
  
• 321.3 RECORDS OF THE U.S. CUSTOMS COURT 1914-77 458 lin. ft.
  

321.1 ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established: In the Judicial branch, by the Customs Court Act of 1980 (94 Stat. 1727), October 10, 1980.

Predecessor Agencies:

Board of U.S. General Appraisers, Department of the Treasury (1890-1926)

• U.S. Customs Court (1926-80)
  

Functions: Adjudicates civil actions against the United States arising from federal laws governing import transactions and civil actions commenced by the United States to recover customs duties, to recover on a customs bond or for certain penalties, alleging fraud or negligence. Reviews agency determinations under the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 involving antidumping and countervailing duty matters, and determinations as to the eligibility of workers, firms, and communities for adjustment assistance under the Trade Act of 1974.

Finding Aids: Preliminary Inventory in National Archives microfiche edition of preliminary inventories.

Related Records: Record copies of publications of the U.S. Court of International Trade and its predecessors in RG 287, Publications of the U.S. Government. Records of District Courts of the United States, RG 21.
Records of the U.S. Customs Service, RG 36.

Top of Page

321.2 RECORDS OF THE BOARD OF U.S. GENERAL APPRAISERS
1890-1928
111 lin. ft.

History: Established in the Department of the Treasury by the Customs Administrative Act (26 Stat. 136), June 10, 1890, to supervise the classification and valuation of imported goods for customs duty purposes. Superseded by the U.S. Customs Court, 1926. SEE 321.3.

Textual Records (in New York): Letters sent by the board, 1890- 1914. Decisions of the board in protest cases, 1893-1926. Decisions rendered by general appraiser W.B. Howell, 1901-28.

Top of Page

321.3 RECORDS OF THE U.S. CUSTOMS COURT
1914-77
458 lin. ft.

History: Established in the Judicial branch by the Customs Court Act (44 Stat. 669), May 28, 1926, superseding the Board of U.S. General Appraisers. Integrated into the court system by acts of August 7, 1939 (53 Stat. 1223), and June 25, 1948 (62 Stat. 943). Designated a court of record under Article III of the Constitution by an act of July 14, 1956 (70 Stat. 532). Redesignated the U.S. Court of International Trade, 1980. SEE 321.1.

Textual Records (in New York): Card index to protest cases, 1930- 50. Decisions of the court in protest cases, 1926-76; for remission of additional duty, 1922-61; for reappraisement of assessed duty, 1930-77; on petitions for abatement of duty, 1923- 35; and on applications for rehearing, 1914-72. Orders and decrees, including orders to dismiss for lack of prosecution, 1935-76.

---

Bibliographic note: Web version based on Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States. Compiled by Robert B. Matchette et al. Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1995.
3 volumes, 2428 pages.

Ordering information

This Web version is updated from time to time to include records processed since 1995.

---

Top of Page