United States v. Titan Metals Corp. , 378 F. Supp. 3d 1325 ( 2019 )

Slip Op. 19-
UNITED STATES COURT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE
THE UNITED STATES,
Plaintiff,
Before: Gary S. Katzmann, Judge
v.
Court No. 13-00398
TITAN METALS CORPORATION,
Defendant.
OPINION
[Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment is granted.]
Dated:$SULO
P. Davis Oliver, Trial Attorney, Commercial Litigation Branch, Civil Division, U.S. Department
of Justice, of Washington, DC, for plaintiff. With him on the brief were Chad A. Readler, Acting
Assistant Attorney General, Jeanne E. Davidson, Director and Franklin E. White, Jr., Assistant
Director. With them on the supplemental brief dated December 17, 2018, was Joseph H. Hunt,
Assistant Attorney General.
Peter J. Koenig, Squire Patton Boggs, of Washington, DC, for defendant.
Katzmann, Judge: This case presents a “tangled web” 1 of changing stories and disputed
consequences: an importer claims that duties are not owed because the goods fall outside the scope
of an antidumping order; then five years after the importation of the merchandise, the importer
abandons that argument and newly contends that duties are not owed because the merchandise was
“American Goods Returned” and not subject to the order. Could it be said that the importer acted
with reasonable care in declining to indicate why merchandise plainly covered by an AD Order
1
In the words of Sir Walter Scott in his poem, “Marmion”: “Oh! What a tangled web we weave
when first we practice to deceive!”
Court No. 13-00398 Page 2
was duty-free? Was the importer’s dishonesty so egregious that the Government was entitled to
the maximum penalty permitted by the statute authorizing penalties for false statements, acts and
omissions in connection with the importation of merchandise into the United States? Or was the
importer only deserving of a lesser penalty, if any? These questions are now before the court, in
a case arising from an action by plaintiff, the United States (“the Government”), against defendant,
Titan Metals Corporation (“Titan Metals”), to collect unpaid antidumping duties and a civil penalty
under 19 U.S.C. § 1592 for negligent tariff misclassification. Titan Metals is a small business
based in Houston, Texas, engaged primarily in buying domestic origin forging scrap and selling it
to India. Titan Metals does not typically import goods into the United States. At issue is its one-
time importation of stainless steel flanges from India, which Titan Metals declared as free from
antidumping duties on its entry summary. The Government alleges that the merchandise was
subject to antidumping duties and that Titan Metals violated 19 U.S.C. § 1592 by making
materially false statements and omissions in its entry documentation. The Government filed a
motion for summary judgment in this court. Finding no genuine issue of material fact, the court
grants the Government’s motion for summary judgment and orders Titan Metals to pay
$146,368.64 in antidumping duties and a penalty of $141,984.98, 50% of the statutory maximum
of $283,969.97.
BACKGROUND
On February 2, 1994, the Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) published its Amended
Final Determination and Antidumping Duty Order on Certain Forged Stainless Steel Flanges from
India (“AD Order”). 59 Fed. Reg. 5994 (Dep’t Commerce Feb. 2, 1994), Pl.’s App. 1; Pl.’s
Statement of Undisputed Facts, ¶¶ 1 (Jan. 7, 2017), ECF No. 30 (“PSUF”). The AD Order imposed
duties on certain types of stainless steel flanges from India. AD Order; PSUF, ¶ 2. On October
Court No. 13-00398 Page 3
25, 2004, Titan Metals filed an entry summary with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”),
entry number ANA/006500, for its importation of stainless steel flanges from India and indicated
that its merchandise was exempt from antidumping duties. Pl.’s First Set of Interrogatories and
Requests for Admission (Aug. 4, 2015), Pl.’s App. 95 (“Pl.’s First Request”). Specifically, Titan
Metals identified the entry type as “01” (consumption entry) rather than “03” (antidumping entry)
and did not deposit any antidumping duties at the time of entry. Id. at Ex. A; Decl. of Laura Webb,
¶ 7 (Nov. 6, 2017), Pl.’s App. 137 (“Laura Webb Decl.”). Titan Metals included in its entry
documents a Generalized System of Preferences Certificate of Origin containing a declaration by
the Indian exporter Rollwell Forge that the imported merchandise was produced in India, as well
as a stamp from India’s Export Inspection Council attesting to the same. Pl.’s First Request at Ex.
D.
On August 26, 2005, CBP liquidated Titan Metals’ entry of the stainless steel flanges as
free of duty, but, on November 26, 2005, CBP determined that the imported merchandise was
subject to the AD Order. Laura Webb Decl., ¶¶ 6–7. CBP issued a pre-penalty notice to Titan
Metals in January 2006 and a notice of penalty and duty demand on May 8, 2006 for a penalty of
$292,737.28 and a demand of $146,368.64 for actual loss of revenue. Letter from John Sanders
to Titan Metals Corporation (Jan. 12, 2006), Pl.’s App. 5; Letter from John Sanders to Lawrence
Hanson (May 8, 2006), Pl.’s App. 8. On July 31, 2006, Titan Metals’ counsel responded that the
imported items were unfinished and therefore not subject to the AD Order. Letter from Lawrence
Hanson to John Sanders (July 31, 2006), Pl.’s App. 10. He did not claim that the items were
Court No. 13-00398 Page 4
American Goods Returned. 2 Id.; Laura Webb Decl., ¶ 25. Later, CBP asked Titan Metals’ counsel
on numerous occasions to compare the imported merchandise to the scope of the AD Order, but
he did not respond. Laura Webb Decl., ¶ 26. Titan Metals’ new counsel became involved after
the deadline for post-entry amendment had passed. Def.’s Reply to PSUF, ¶ 69 (Mar. 15, 2018),
ECF No. 37.
On April 24, 2007, CBP’s Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures’ Division (“FP&F”) referred
Titan Metals’ petition against the penalty and duty demand to CBP’s Office of Regulations and
Rulings (“OR&R”). Memorandum from FP&F to Director (April 24, 2007), Pl.’s App. 12. On
May 29, 2007, OR&R issued a decision finding that Titan Metals failed to exercise reasonable
care. Letter from Charles Ressin to John Sanders (May 29, 2007), Pl.’s App. 15.
On September 11, 2009, Titan Metals asserted for the first time in a response to CBP’s
amended penalty notice that the imported merchandise was American goods exported and
returned. Letter from Peter Koenig to Commissioner (Sept. 11, 2009), Pl.’s App. 26. After a few
2
19 C.F.R. § 10.13 defines “American Goods Returned” under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule
of the United States (“HTSUS”):
Subheading 9802.00.80, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
(HTSUS), (19 U.S.C. 1202), provides that articles assembled abroad in whole or in
part of fabricated components, the product of the United States, which (a) were
exported in condition ready for assembly without further fabrication, (b) have not
lost their physical identity in such articles by change in form, shape, or otherwise,
and (c) have not been advanced in value or improved in condition abroad except by
being assembled and except by operations incidental to the assembly process such
as cleaning, lubricating, and painting, are subject to a duty upon the full value of
the imported article, less the cost or, if no charge is made, the value of such products
of the United States. The rate of duty which is assessed upon the dutiable portion
of the imported article is that which is applicable to the imported article as a whole
under the appropriate provision of the HTSUS (19 U.S.C. 1202) for such article. If
that provision requires a specific or compound rate of duty, the total duties assessed
on the imported article are reduced in such proportion as the cost or value of the
returned United States components which qualify for the exemption bears to the
full value of the assembled article.
Court No. 13-00398 Page 5
rescissions due to miscalculation, CBP issued its fourth and final pre-penalty notice and duty
demand on November 1, 2011, demanding $146,368.64 in antidumping duties and $283,969.97 in
penalties. Letter from Celia Grau to Titan Metals (Nov. 1, 2011), Pl.’s App. 35. In a January 6,
2012 letter to CBP in response to CBP’s November 1, 2011 letter, Titan Metals reasserted that the
imported merchandise was U.S. origin product mistakenly shipped to India and returned and thus
was not subject to antidumping duties. Letter from Peter Koenig to Celia Grau (Jan. 6, 2012), Pl.’s
App. 41. Titan Metals provided documentation of its purchase of forging scrap from Beaumont
Iron & Metal Corp. (“Beaumont”), a Texas-based company, and its shipment of the forging scrap
to Kanungo Ferromet Ltd. (“Kanungo”) in India. Letter from Peter Koenig to Celia Grau (Jan. 6,
2012).
CBP then compared the documentation of the imports into the United States and the
documentation of Titan Metals’ return of the erroneous shipment to Beaumont. CBP found that
the weight of the imported merchandise (35,837 lbs.) did not match the weight of the merchandise
returned to Beaumont (37,346 lbs.) and that the value of the imported merchandise ($91,749) did
not match the value of the merchandise returned to Beaumont ($24,275). Letter from Peter Koenig
to Celia Grau (Jan. 6, 2012), at Ex.10, Pl’s App. 74; Pl.’s First Request at Ex. A. On March 21,
2012, CBP issued another letter to Titan Metals’ counsel in response to the January 6, 2012 letter,
in which it stated that Titan Metals had not demonstrated that the imported merchandise was
“returned exactly as is” as claimed by Titan Metals, and therefore determined that a violation
occurred and that Titan Metals was culpable as alleged in the pre-penalty notice dated November
1, 2011. Letter from Celia Grau to Peter Koenig, (Mar. 21, 2012), Pl.’s App. 89.
On April 20, 2012, Titan Metals’ counsel explained in an email to Commerce that the
discrepancy in value was due to the fact that Titan Metals’ export to India was believed to be scrap
Court No. 13-00398 Page 6
metal, whereas its import from India was believed to be good products (i.e., forgings). Email
Correspondence between Peter Koenig and Fletcher Benton (May 30, 2012), Pl.’s App. 90.
However, the letter provided no explanation as to the discrepancy in weight. Id.
On May 30, 2012, FP&F referred this matter to the Associate Chief Counsel in Houston
for collection. PSUF, ¶ 95. On December 12, 2013, the Government brought an action against
Titan Metals in this court, alleging that Titan Metals committed a negligent violation of 19 U.S.C.
§ 1592 and owed the Government $283,969.97 in penalties and $146,368.64 in antidumping
duties. Pl.’s Br. at 9.
In its September 2015 response to the Government’s discovery request, Titan Metals
explained the timeline of events that led it to export and import what it argued was American
Goods Returned. Def.’s Resp. to Pl.’s First Request (Sept. 2, 2015), Pl.’s App. 118. Titan Metals
contended that Beaumont erroneously shipped on May 24, 2004 what it believed to be scrap metal,
which turned out to be good product (i.e., actual forgings as opposed to scrap metal from making
forgings), to Titan Metals; that Beaumont asked Titan Metals to return the merchandise after
realizing the mistake; and that Titan Metals subsequently asked Kanungo to return the products
from India to the United States, which were the imported merchandise at issue. Id.
On October 1, 2015, in response to Government questioning during a deposition taken for
the purposes of this litigation, Titan Metals’ president Mukesh Turakhia (“Turakhia”) admitted
that Titan Metals’ statement on its entry forms indicating that the steel flanges were produced in
India was false and that he knew that the statement was false at the time of forwarding the entry
forms to CBP. Deposition Transcript of Mukesh Turakhia, 177–78 (Oct. 1, 2015), Def.’s App. 1
(“Turakhia Dep. Tr.”). Turakhia further testified that Titan Metals did not review the entry forms
or discuss them with its customs broker Potts, McCanless & McCanless before submitting them to
Court No. 13-00398 Page 7
CBP. Id. at 69–70. Turakhia noted that Titan Metals was in the business of buying forging scrap
metal from American companies and exporting it to India and was not a repeat importer. Turakhia
Dep. Tr. at 13. Turakhia also acknowledged that Titan Metals did not file with CBP a declaration
by its foreign shipper, Kanungo, attesting that the articles were exported from the United States
“and returned without having been advanced in value or improved in condition by any process of
manufacture or other means,” which is required for American Goods Returned to receive tax-free
treatment. 19 C.F.R. § 10.1(a)(1) (2017); Turakhia Dep. Tr. at 192. Hitesh Kanungo, the head of
Kanungo, subsequently testified that the imported merchandise was American Goods Returned.
Deposition of Hitesh Kanungo, Kanungo Ferromet Ltd., p. 11, 18, 23–33, 38, 40, 46–47, 62–65,
67, 79–85, 99–100, 105 (Aug. 1, 2016), Def.’s App. 68 (“Kanungo Dep.”).
The Government filed a motion for summary judgment on November 7, 2017, and Titan
Metals filed its response on March 15, 2018. ECF No. 30, 37. Oral argument was held on
November 20, 2018. ECF No. 42. On December 6, 2018, the court ordered supplemental briefing.
ECF No. 44. The Government filed its supplemental brief on December 17, 2018. ECF No. 45.
Titan Metals did not file a response. On December 18, 2018 the court then ordered additional
supplemental briefing from both parties and for Titan Metals to include in its brief its response to
the questions issued by the court in the December 6, 2018 order. ECF No. 46. After a stay due to
a lapse in appropriations, the Government and Titan Metals filed their supplemental briefs on
February 6, 2019. ECF Nos. 51–52.
Court No. 13-00398 Page 8
APPLICABLE LAW
I. Jurisdiction and Standard of Review
The court has jurisdiction over the underlying action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1582(1).3
The court decides all issues de novo in actions under section 1592. 19 U.S.C. § 1592(1).
II. Summary Judgment Standard
The court will grant summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no genuine
dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. USCIT
R. 56(a). To raise a genuine issue of material fact, a party cannot rest upon “mere allegations or
denials” and must point to sufficient supporting evidence for the claimed factual dispute to require
resolution of the differing version of the truth at trial. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S.
242, 248–49 (1986); see also USCIT R. 56(e); Saab Cars USA, Inc. v. United States, 434 F.3d
1359, 1368 (Fed. Cir. 2006).
As the Federal Circuit has emphasized, “the burden is not on the movant to produce
evidence showing the absence of a genuine issue of material fact.” Sweats Fashions, Inc. v. Pannill
Knitting Co., Inc., 833 F.2d 1560, 1563 (Fed. Cir. 1987). Rather, “the burden on the moving party
may be discharged by ‘showing’ — that is, pointing out to the [Court] — that there is an absence
of evidence to support the non-moving party’s case.” Id. (quoting Celotex Corp v. Catrett, 477
3
28 U.S.C. § 1582 provides that:
The Court of International Trade shall have exclusive jurisdiction of any civil action
which arises out of an import transaction and which is commenced by the United
States—
(1) to recover a civil penalty under section 592, 593A, 641(b)(6), 641(d)(2)(A),
704(i)(2), or 734(i)(2) of the Tariff Act of 1930;
(2) to recover upon a bond relating to the importation of merchandise required by
the laws of the United States or by the Secretary of the Treasury; or
(3) to recover customs duties.
Court No. 13-00398 Page 9
U.S. 317, 325 (1986)). Once the movant has shown that no genuine issue of material fact exists,
the party opposing summary judgment must demonstrate that such genuine issue of material fact
does exist. Id. at 324. To establish a genuine issue of material fact, a party “must point to an
evidentiary conflict created on the record” because “mere denials or conclusory statements are
insufficient.” SRI Int’l v. Matsushita Elec. Corp. of Am., 775 F.2d 1107, 1116 (Fed. Cir. 1985).
A material fact is one that “might affect the outcome of the suit,” and a dispute is genuine “if the
evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party.” Anderson,
477 U.S. at 248. “In reviewing facts, all reasonable inferences must be drawn in favor of the party
opposing summary judgment.” Id. at 255.
III. Antidumping Duties
19 U.S.C. § 1673 provides that Commerce must impose antidumping duties on subject
merchandise that “is being, or is likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value” when
“an industry in the United States [] is materially injured, or [] is threatened with material injury.”
Commerce issues an AD Order, which defines the subject merchandise and imposes a duty rate on
that subject merchandise upon importation to the United States. 19 U.S.C. § 1673. 19 C.F.R. §
10.13 provides an exception for American Goods Returned to the duty rate imposed by Commerce
on subject merchandise. Goods exported from the United States and returned in the same condition
are not subject to antidumping duties. Id. Upon entry, an importer must declare on CBP Form
7501 whether the goods fall within category “01”, a consumption entry, or category “03”, an
antidumping entry. 19 C.F.R. § 142. If an importer claims its goods otherwise subject to an
antidumping order are duty-free because they are American Goods Returned, the importer must
meet the regulatory requirements of 19 C.F.R. § 10.1, addressed below.
Court No. 13-00398 Page 10
IV. Penalties for Negligent Tariff Misclassification
19 U.S.C. § 1592 imposes a monetary penalty for negligent tariff misclassification. The
Government has the burden of proof to establish the act or omission constituting the violation, and
the alleged violator shall have the burden of proof that the act or omission did not occur because
of negligence pursuant to 19 U.S.C. § 1592(e)(4). Statutory negligence, unlike common-law
negligence, shifts the burden of persuasion to the defendant to demonstrate lack of negligence; that
is, CBP has the burden merely to show that a materially false statement or omission occurred, and
once it has done so, the defendant must affirmatively demonstrate that it exercised reasonable care
under the circumstances. 19 U.S.C. § 1592(e)(4); United States v. Ford Motor Co., 463 F.3d 1267,
1279 (Fed. Cir. 2006). Thus, the court must decide if any genuine issue remains regarding whether
Titan Metals made false statements in its CBP filings; whether the false statements were material;
and whether Titan Metals affirmatively demonstrated reasonable care.
DISCUSSION
Titan Metals contends that its merchandise is American Goods Returned, and thus no
antidumping duties are owed. Titan Metals acknowledges it submitted fraudulent entry
documents, subjecting it to potential penalties, but argues that should the court decide to impose
penalties, the penalties should be below the statutory maximum because of mitigating factors. Id.
The antidumping duties and penalties owed are addressed in turn.
I. Antidumping Duties
Titan Metals contends a genuine issue of material fact persists for the court to resolve at
trial regarding whether its imported steel flanges were subject to antidumping duties, arguing they
were instead duty-free American Goods Returned. The court, however, finds that Titan Metals’
shipment was subject to the AD Order because (1) the AD Order definitively covered the
Court No. 13-00398 Page 11
merchandise at issue; and (2) Titan Metals has not met the regulatory requirements for declaring
its merchandise as American Goods Returned. 4 For these reasons, the court finds no genuine issue
of material fact left to resolve regarding duties owed and grants summary judgment for the
Government on the issue of duties owed.
A. Titan Metals Imported the Type of Flanges Covered by the AD Order.
In the first pre-penalty notice, issued on January 12, 2006, CBP decided and notified Titan
Metals that the merchandise was dutiable under the AD Order. PSUF, ¶ 50. In a letter dated May
8, 2006, CBP issued the notice of penalty and duty demand “for immediate deposit of the actual
loss of revenue due (antidumping duties) in the amount of $146,368.64,” pursuant to 19 U.S.C. §
1592(d). Letter from John Sanders to Lawrence Hanson (May 8, 2006). CBP found that Titan
Metals’ description of its merchandise, “stainless steel forgings (rough)” was “consistent with
subheading 7307.21.1000 HTSUS, ‘Other, of stainless steel: Flanges: Not machined, not tooled,
and not otherwise processed after forging.’” PSUF, ¶ 48. Titan Metals’ then-counsel responded
to CBP with a letter on July 31, 2006, in which he suggested that the imported items were
unfinished and therefore not subject to the AD Order. Letter from Lawrence Hanson to John
4
The Government also argues that the January 6, 2012 letter submitted by Titan Metals’ counsel
to CBP “fails to meet the statutory and regulatory requirements governing protests,” Pl.’s Second
Suppl. Br. at 2, pursuant to 19 U.S.C. § 1514(c) and 19 C.F.R. § 174.13, and thus “CBP’s decisions
regarding classification and duty rate [are] correct and conclusive,” Pl.’s First Suppl. Br. at 3
(citing United States v. Khan, 41 CIT __, __, 234 F. Supp. 3d 1357, 1377 (2017)). The
Government further contends that even if the court treats the letter as a protest, it was untimely
pursuant to 19 U.S.C. § 1514(a). Titan Metals instead argues that the letter met the legal
requirements of a protest and was timely because the 180-day filing limit provided for in 19 U.S.C.
§ 1514(a) applies only to liquidation, which it argues is inapplicable here. Def.’s Suppl. Br. at 1–
2. If the court found that the 180-day limit did apply to pre-penalty and duty notices, however,
Titan Metals contends that the clock would not have begun until CBP issued a final pre-penalty
and duty notice. Id. Because this court finds no genuine issue of material fact that Titan Metals’
merchandise was covered by the AD Order and Titan Metals failed to meet the requirements of
establishing American Goods Returned, the court need not reach the issues of whether the protest
was invalid or untimely and what effect such a finding might have had in the instant litigation.
Court No. 13-00398 Page 12
Sanders (July 31, 2006), Pl.’s App. 10. OR&R rejected this argument, pointing to the plain
language of the AD Order, which covered “unfinished” flanges, and noting that Titan Metals did
not request a scope ruling. PSUF, ¶¶ 58–59. Thereafter, CBP on several occasions rescinded and
revised its penalty calculations, but the finding that Titan Metals’ merchandise fell under the AD
Order, and thus duties were owed, remained unchanged. Pl.’s Second Suppl. Br. at 3.
Titan Metals has since abandoned its argument that the merchandise was not subject to
antidumping duties because the AD Order did not cover unfinished flanges. Titan Metals
acknowledged before the court that prior counsel was incorrect in asserting that the merchandise
was not covered by the AD Order. Instead, Titan Metals has recognized that the AD Order, which
includes unfinished flanges in its description, covers unfinished flanges like those imported by
Titan Metals. 5
The AD Order reads, “certain forged stainless steel flanges both finished and not-finished”
(emphasis added). The plain language thus unambiguously covers unfinished stainless steel
flanges. Neither party now disputes this material fact. The court therefore concludes that the scope
of the AD Order covered the type of flanges imported by Titan Metals, with no genuine issue to
resolve regarding this material fact.
B. Titan Metals Has Not Followed the Requisite Steps to Establish that the
Merchandise Was American Goods Returned.
Whether the merchandise qualifies as American Goods Returned is a question of material
fact because it is one which “might affect the outcome of the suit.” Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248.
5
In its supplemental brief, current counsel for Titan Metals notes, “Titan’s initial [] counsel []
sa[ying] that an antidumping order that explicitly covers unfinished flanges by its terms does not
[include] [sic] unfinished flanges. Really?” Def.’s Suppl. Br. at 2.
Court No. 13-00398 Page 13
The classification of American Goods Returned here determines whether the merchandise is
exempt from the AD Order, and thus whether duties are owed.
The Government argues that there is no genuine issue here regarding the fact that the
merchandise is not American Goods Returned. The Government contends that it has met its burden
of “‘showing’ — that is, pointing out to the [Court] — that there is an absence of evidence to
support the non-moving party’s case” that the goods in question are American Goods Returned.
Sweats Fashions, 833 F.2d at 1563 (quoting Celotex, 477 U.S. at 325 (1986)). The Government
argued in its motion for summary judgment that:
Titan Metals did not assert a claim for American Goods Returned on its entry
summary. See PSUF at ¶ 64. Titan Metals did not obtain a declaration from
Rockwell Forge that the products at issue were exported from the United States and
returned. See PSUF at ¶ 65. Titan Metals did not submit any documentation to
Customs that included a statement from a U.S. manufacturer verifying that the steel
flanges at issue were manufactured in the United States. See PSUF at ¶ 68. Titan
Metals did not submit any post-entry amendments to Customs indicating that the
steel flanges at issue are American Good Returned. See PSUF at ¶ 69.
Titan Metals responds that its goods were in fact American Goods Returned and thus exempt from
duties under the AD Order. Def.’s Suppl. Br. at 3. Titan Metals contends that “[t]he United States
fails to claim, much less demonstrate, otherwise, in all its briefing and cited authority. All the
United States said was that American Goods Returned was not requested at the time of entry,
which is not dispositive.” Id. Titan Metals further notes that, “[i]ndeed, well after the Titan entry
here, CBP itself explicitly requested information from Titan as to American Goods Returned, itself
indicating that such information can be provided after entry.” Id.
As an initial matter, Titan Metals confuses the issue. While CBP may accept information
after entry, and certainly has discretion to attempt to clarify entries made in error, of relevance
here is the fact that Titan Metals still has not submitted all necessary paperwork to establish that
Court No. 13-00398 Page 14
is products are American Goods Returned, almost fifteen years after the merchandise was
imported.
The court concludes that the Government met its burden of “showing . . . an absence of
evidence to support [Titan Metals’s] case” that its merchandise was American Goods Returned.
In fact, as the Government argues, Titan Metals’ own documentation indicates that flanges were
not American Goods Returned. PSUF, ¶¶ 19–41. The GSP Certificate of Origin for the steel
flanges, which includes the certification stamp of India’s Export Inspection Council, verifies that
the steel flanges were products of India. PSUF, ¶¶ 19–23. Titan Metals’ entry documentation also
includes a declaration signed by Rollwell Forge, affirming that the products were made in India.
PSUF, ¶ 26. The bill of lading also states that India is the country of origin. PSUF, ¶¶ 28–30.
Lastly, a comparison of the documentation for Titan Metals’ imports into the United States with
the documentation of Titan Metals’ return of the erroneous shipment to Beaumont reveals that the
value and weights of the shipments did not match, a discrepancy which Titan Metals fails to
sufficiently explain. Letter from Peter Koenig to Celia Grau (Jan. 6, 2012), at Ex. 9–10; Pl.’s First
Request at Ex. A.
With the Government’s burden met, Titan Metals “must point to an evidentiary conflict
created on the record” because “mere denials or conclusory statements are insufficient.” SRI Int’l,
775 F.2d at 1116. Titan Metals, however, has only presented denials and conclusory statements
in its efforts to establish an evidentiary conflict. Turakhia asserted in his deposition that the goods
were American Goods Returned. Turakhia Dep. Tr. at 66–67. Hitesh Kanungo, the head of
Kanungo, also stated that the imported merchandise was American Goods Returned. Kanungo
Dep., Def.’s Br. at p. 11, 18, 23–33, 38, 40, 46–47, 62–65, 67, 79–85, 99–100, 105.
Court No. 13-00398 Page 15
In any event, quite apart from these “denials” and “conclusory statements,” it is undisputed
Titan Metals has failed to comply with the regulatory requirements of 10 C.F.R. § 10.1 for
imported goods, otherwise subject to an AD Order, to receive duty-free treatment as American
Goods Returned. SRI Int’l, 775 F.2d at 1116. An importer must file a declaration from the foreign
shipper asserting “that to the best of [his or her] knowledge and belief the articles [t]herein
specified were exported from the United States . . . and that they are returned without having been
advanced in value or improved in condition by any process of manufacture or other means.” 10
C.F.R. § 10.1(a)(1). The importer also must file “[a] declaration by the owner, importer,
consignee, or agent having knowledge of the facts regarding the claim for free entry.” 10 C.F.R.
§ 10.1(a)(2). “In any case in which the value of the returned articles exceeds $2,500 and the articles
are not clearly marked with the name and address of the U.S. manufacturer, [CBP] may require . .
. such other documentation or evidence as may be necessary to substantiate the claim for duty-free
treatment.” 10 C.F.R. § 10.1(b). Additional documentation CBP may require includes “a
statement from the U.S. manufacturer verifying that the articles were made in the United States,
or a U.S. export invoice, bill of lading or airway bill evidencing the U.S. origin of the articles
and/or the reason for the exportation of the articles.” Id.
Titan Metals has not presented CBP or the court with a declaration from the shipper,
Rollwell Forge, verifying that the shipment contained American Goods Returned. Titan Metals,
moreover, has not provided documentation from a U.S. manufacturer asserting that the flanges at
issue were produced in the United States. Titan Metals does not dispute that it has not provided
this documentation. Without it, Titan Metals cannot meet the bare minimum regulatory
requirements to establish that its shipment was American Goods Returned. Because Titan Metals
Court No. 13-00398 Page 16
has not provided more than “mere denials or conclusory statements,” see SRI Int’l, 775 F.2d at
1116, it has failed to demonstrate that a genuine issue of material fact exists.
The proffered reasons 6 for Titan Metals’ failure to provide the appropriate paperwork do
not ameliorate its failure to meet the regulatory requirements for American Goods Returned. Here,
“failure of documentation . . . was [a] basis for the decision. [CBP] chose not to classify the goods
as American Goods Returned, but rather to classify them as dutiable, because of the inadequacy
of [Titan Metals’] documentation.” Prosegur, Inc. v. United States, 25 CIT 364, 140 F. Supp. 2d
1370, 1378 (2001). Titan Metals’ “error was a failure to comply with 19 C.F.R. § 10.1,” and thus
the presumption of correctness of the government’s classification has not been overcome. Id. See
also J.F. Goldkamp & Co. v. United States, 38 Cust. Ct. 376, 384, C.D. 1890 (1957) (holding
“proof offered, in lieu of a certificate of exportation, [which] consists merely of some facts from
which an inference of support of plaintiff's position may be drawn . . . may not be accepted in lieu
of a certificate of exportation”). As there is no genuine issue of material fact remaining regarding
duties owed under the AD Order, the court finds Titan Metals liable for antidumping duties in the
amount of $146,368.64, pursuant to 19 U.S.C. § 1592(d).
6
Titan Metals explained that:
“[t]he India export and U.S. import documents had errors as to that return,
apparently due to misunderstanding of Indian export law, compounded by the fact
that Titan Metal[s] (not in the business of US importing) had not appreciated U.S.
import law in this one-off single importation it had ever done (and forced upon it),
and Indian company Rockwell had no understanding of how to return American
goods, as had not experienced that (did not do, except this lone case). Plaintiff
United States deposed all involved in this matter for multiple hours, including going
through all the pertinent documents in the depositions. All deponents testified to
the same effect, as to the above.
Def.’s Br. at 3.
Court No. 13-00398 Page 17
II. Penalties Owed
Titan Metals acknowledged during oral argument that its falsification of customs
documents may subject it to some penalty, and the parties dispute the amount of penalty applicable.
Pursuant to 19 U.S.C. § 1592(c), the maximum allowable civil penalty for a negligent violation of
19 U.S.C. § 1592(a)(3) is “(A) the lesser of— (i) the domestic value of the merchandise, or (ii)
two times the lawful duties, taxes, and fees of which the United States is or may be deprived, or
(B) if the violation did not affect the assessment of duties, 20 percent of the dutiable value of the
merchandise.” Because the violation affected the assessment of duties, the Government asks the
court to impose the statutory maximum allowable under 19 U.S.C. § 1592(a)(3)(A), the lesser of
which is the domestic value of the merchandise, calculated at $283,969.97. Titan Metals does not
contest the methodology of the calculation but instead asks the court to impose a penalty below
the statutory maximum due to mitigating factors.
A. Penalty Factors
The court ordinarily considers fourteen non-exclusive factors to determine the appropriate
civil penalty amount for a violation of the statute prohibiting fraud, gross negligence, or negligence
with respect to a tariff misclassification: (1) the defendant’s good faith effort to comply with the
statute; (2) the defendant’s degree of culpability; (3) the defendant’s history of previous violations;
(4) the nature of the public interest in ensuring compliance with the regulations involved; (5) the
nature and circumstances of the violation at issue; (6) the gravity of the violation; (7) the
defendant’s ability to pay; (8) the appropriateness of the size of the penalty to the defendant’s
business and the effect of a penalty on the defendant’s ability to continue doing business; (9) that
the penalty not otherwise be shocking to the conscience of the court; (10) the economic benefit
gained by the defendant through the violation; (11) the degree of harm to the public; (12) the value
Court No. 13-00398 Page 18
of vindicating the agency’s authority; (13) whether the party sought to be protected by the statute
has been adequately compensated for the harm; and (14) such other matters as justice may require.
United States v. Complex Machine Works Co., 23 CIT 942, 947–48, 83 F. Supp. 2d 1307, 1313–
14 (1999); 19 U.S.C. § 1592(c). The existence of some mitigating factors does not necessarily
preclude the imposition of the maximum penalty. See, e.g., Ford Motor Co., 463 F.3d at 1285
(rejecting the argument that three potentially mitigating factors precluded the imposition of the
maximum penalty). The court must not presume that the maximum penalty requested by the
Government is warranted and give the Government’s request special weight; instead, it must weigh
the relevant considerations de novo and make an independent determination of the amount of
penalty appropriate for the case. United States v. Nat’l Semiconductor Corp., 547 F.3d 1364, 1370
(Fed. Cir. 2008); Ford Motor Co., 463 F.3d at 1285; Complex Mach. Works, 83 F. Supp. 2d at
1312.
In Nat’l Semiconductor Corp., the Federal Circuit held that this court permissibly awarded
the maximum penalty after determining that at least six Complex Mach. Works factors disfavored
mitigation: (1) history of violations; (2) degree of harm to the public; (3) ability to pay; (4) effect
of penalty on defendant’s ability to continue operations; (5) windfall economic benefit gained by
defendant; and (6) the party sought to be protected by the statute had been adequately compensated
for the harm. 547 F.3d at 1368–69. Nat’l Semiconductor Corp. emphasized that, in that case, a
penalty of less than the maximum would reward the importer for its violation and held that the
“trial court’s discretion permits more than simply counting the factors pointing in each direction.”
Id. The court, moreover, does not need to reserve the maximum penalty for grossly negligent
violations, and it is within the court’s discretion to apply the maximum penalty to negligent
violations. Id. at 1368.
Court No. 13-00398 Page 19
By contrast, applying the Complex Mach. Works factors, courts have also declined to
impose the statutory maximum penalty where importers committed fraud or negligence. In United
States v. Inn Foods, Inc., the Federal Circuit ruled that the court’s assessment of a $7.5 million
penalty for the importer’s fraudulent entry of frozen vegetables that deprived the Government of
import duties was justly imposed, representing only half of the value of the imported goods or half
of the amount of the maximum penalty. 560 F.3d 1338, 1350 (Fed. Cir. 2009). The court noted
that the Tariff Act of 1930 set the maximum penalty at the domestic value of merchandise, but set
no minimum, and that “the offense was serious and culpable, but the maximum penalty was
unlikely to be necessary to deter future violations by Inn Foods.” Id. The court considered not
only aggravating factors such as the importer’s lack of good faith effort to comply with the Act,
knowingly fraudulent conduct that was ongoing for years, and substantial amount of duty lost, but
also mitigating factors such as that the importer’s actions occurred many years prior, and that the
importer had corrected its past practices. Id. Most recently, in United States v. Deladiep, Inc., the
court imposed a penalty of 20% of the maximum allowable to penalize defendants for their
negligent violations of the statute and lack of cooperation at the administrative level, to deter future
violations, and to reflect the magnitude of the wrongdoing. 41 CIT __, __, 255 F. Supp. 3d 1326,
1340 (2017).
B. Application of Penalty Factors to Titan Metals
Against the backdrop of these cases on penalty, the court accounts for both mitigating and
aggravating Complex Mach. Works factors to decide whether the maximum statutory penalty is
warranted.
Titan Metals argues that it has no past violations, was a one-time importer, and is a small
business, and thus should not be ordered to pay more than a small penalty. Def.’s Br. at 3. Three
Court No. 13-00398 Page 20
Complex Machine Works factors -- (3) the history of violations, (7) the defendant’s ability to pay,
and (8) the appropriateness of the penalty relative to the business size and the effect of the penalty
on the business’ continued operations -- weigh in favor of some mitigation of the penalty imposed.
See Complex Mach. Works, 83 F. Supp. 2d at 1315. As a small business not routinely involved
in the business of importation into the United States, with no previous violations and no reported
violations since the one-time infraction, Titan Metals is not a repeat player familiar with customs
laws and regulations. See Turakhia Dep. Tr. at 25, 38–39, 70–71. The first time Titan Metals
hired an import broker, moreover, was for the merchandise at issue here. Id. at 68. While no
evidence has been presented to the court regarding Titan Metals’ ability to pay, Turakhia testified
in his deposition that Titan Metals had five employees in 2015, including his daughter, a secretary,
an employee who manages export documentation, and another employee who manages accounts
and logistics. Id. at 25–26. The company had three employees at its founding in 2001. Id. at 27.
Titan Metals’ size, therefore, is also mitigating factor in the penalty calculation.
Turning to potentially aggravating factors, the Government argues that Titan Metals’
knowingly fraudulent material statement to CBP that its merchandise was exempt from
antidumping duties demonstrates bad faith and culpability, which merits the maximum penalty.
Pl.’s Br. at 17. As noted, Titan Metals’ counsel has acknowledged that its president knowingly
falsified CBP forms, which demonstrates bad faith and culpability. PSUF, ¶ 72. The court
considers, under the Complex Mach. Works framework, “(2) the defendant’s degree of culpability;
. . . (5) the nature and circumstances of the violation at issue; [and] (6) the gravity of the violation.”
See Complex Mach. Works, 83 F. Supp. 2d at 1312. It is unclear why Titan Metals would falsely
claim that its merchandise was produced in India on its entry documentation if, as it now contends,
it was produced in the United States and thus entitled to duty-free importation. Titan Metals made
Court No. 13-00398 Page 21
a false statement nonetheless. See Turakhia Dep. Tr. at 177. While Titan Metals was a one-time
importer, even small, unsophisticated, first-time importers should understand that knowingly
submitting false statements to CBP is illegal. “[I]t is vital that the penalties imposed deter future
lawbreakers from considering such actions to ensure the submission of true and accurate
statements to Customs so that the agency may carry out its functions.” Complex Mach. Works,
83 F. Supp. 2d at 955 (emphasis added). The court finds Titan Metals’ falsification of CBP forms
to be particularly egregious and that it weighs in favor of the maximum penalty.
The Government also argues that Titan Metals’ previous counsel did not respond to the
Government’s multiple requests to compare the imported merchandise to the scope of the AD
Order, which demonstrates Titan Metals’ lack of cooperation with administrative agencies. PSUF,
55–57. Under Complex Mach. Works factor (1), the court should look to whether Titan Metals
made a good faith effort to comply. 83 F. Supp. 2d at 1312. The court concludes, based on CBP’s
many efforts to resolve this issue and Titan Metals’ limited and often non-responsive
communications, that Titan Metals did not make a good faith effort to comply. See generally
PSUF.
In sum, the determination of penalty here is not the product of some talismanic formulation,
but of weighing factors as enunciated in the case law in the context of the particulars of the case
under review. In the end, balancing the considerations, the court determines that Complex
Machine Works factors (3), (7), and (8) weigh in favor of mitigation, while (2), (5), (6), and (1)
weigh against mitigation and in favor of the maximum penalty. See 83 F. Supp. 2d at 1312.
Because Titan Metals is a one-time importer, a small business, and has no history of prior
violations, but nonetheless falsified CBP documents and failed to cooperate fully with CBP, the
court imposes a penalty amount of 50% of the statutory maximum.
Court No. 13-00398 Page 22
CONCLUSION
The court grants the Government’s motion for summary judgment. Drawing “all
reasonable inferences” in favor of Titan Metals, the court nonetheless concludes that there is no
genuine dispute that Titan Metals is liable for duties owed and negligently violated 19 U.S.C. §
1592, exposing it to civil penalties. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 255. The court holds Titan Metals is
liable for duties owed under the AD Order, in the amount of $146,368.64. The court also concludes
that Titan Metals negligently violated 19 U.S.C. § 1592 by making materially false statements and
omissions. The court orders Titan Metals to pay 50% of the maximum penalty permitted under
the statute, in the amount of $141,984.98.
/s/ Gary S. Katzmann
Gary S. Katzmann, Judge
Dated:$SULO
New York, New York