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Protest of Customs Decision (Form 19)

Draft CBP Form 19 Protests in Minutes

18 minutes with CaseMark

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Workflow

Protest of Customs Decision (Form 19)

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Workflow

Protest of Customs Decision (Form 19)

Overview

Preparing a compliant CBP Form 19 protest requires meticulous attention to regulatory requirements, precise legal arguments, and thorough documentation of classification or valuation disputes. Manually drafting these protests is time-consuming, often taking hours to ensure all required elements are properly addressed and justified with supporting authority.

Challenging CBP customs decisions requires comprehensive legal analysis, precise regulatory compliance, and extensive documentation within strict 180-day deadlines. Manual protest drafting demands 12+ hours of attorney time to research precedent, analyze HTSUS classifications, construct valuation arguments, and ensure compliance with 19 USC 1514 and 19 CFR Part 174 requirements.

CaseMark automates CBP Form 19 protest drafting by extracting entry data from your documents, analyzing applicable statutes and case law, and generating comprehensive protests with proper legal citations and evidentiary support. The AI ensures all regulatory requirements are met while preserving your rights for Court of International Trade review.

How it works

  1. 1. Upload your documents

  2. 2. AI analyzes and extracts key information

  3. 3. Review and customize the generated content

  4. 4. Export in your preferred format (DOCX, PDF)

What you get

  • Entry Information

  • Protestant Details

  • Protested Decision Statement

  • Claim for Relief

  • Legal Justification and Arguments

  • Supporting Authority

  • Signature Block

What it handles

  • Entry Information

  • Protestant Details

  • Protested Decision Statement

  • Claim for Relief

  • Legal Justification and Arguments

  • Supporting Authority

  • Signature Block

Required documents

  • CBP Form 29 Notice of Action

    Official liquidation or reliquidation notice showing CBP's contested decision and triggering the 180-day protest deadline

    PDF, JPG, PNG

  • Entry Documentation

    Complete entry paperwork including entry numbers, port codes, dates of entry, and CBP-assigned classifications or values

    PDF, XLSX, CSV

  • Commercial Invoices

    Original commercial invoices showing transaction details, merchandise description, pricing, and terms of sale

    PDF, XLSX

  • CBP Decision Letters

    All correspondence from CBP explaining the classification, valuation, or origin determination being challenged

    PDF, DOCX

Supporting documents

  • Technical Specifications

    Product data sheets, material composition reports, or manufacturing specifications supporting classification or origin claims

    PDF, DOCX

  • Prior CBP Rulings

    Headquarters Ruling Letters or NY Ruling Letters on similar merchandise supporting the protestant's position

    PDF

  • Expert Affidavits

    Sworn statements from industry experts or technical specialists regarding merchandise characteristics or industry practices

    PDF, DOCX

  • Court Decisions

    Court of International Trade or Federal Circuit precedent supporting legal arguments on classification, valuation, or origin

    PDF

  • Power of Attorney

    CBP Form 5291 or other authorization if filing through customs broker or legal representative

    PDF

Why teams use it

Generate regulation-compliant Form 19 protests in under 10 minutes

Ensure all required elements are properly structured and documented

Reduce drafting time by 95% while maintaining legal precision

Standardize protest quality across all customs disputes

Focus on legal strategy instead of formatting and administrative details

Questions

What is the deadline for filing a CBP Form 19 protest?

You must file a protest within 180 days of the date of liquidation or reliquidation shown on the CBP Form 29 Notice of Action. This deadline is strictly enforced and cannot be extended, so timely filing is critical to preserve your rights. Missing this deadline permanently bars you from challenging the CBP decision administratively or in the Court of International Trade.

What types of CBP decisions can be challenged through a Form 19 protest?

Form 19 protests can challenge tariff classifications under the HTSUS, customs valuations under 19 USC 1401a, country of origin determinations, denials of preferential tariff treatment under free trade agreements, and assessments of antidumping or countervailing duties. The protest must identify the specific decision being contested and the legal basis for the challenge. Any protestable decision under 19 USC 1514 can be addressed through this process.

Do I need to be the importer of record to file a customs protest?

No, protests can be filed by the importer of record, the actual owner of the merchandise, the consignee, or an authorized agent acting on behalf of these parties. You must establish proper standing by demonstrating your relationship to the imported goods and your legal interest in the outcome. If filing as an agent, you need proper authorization such as a power of attorney on file with CBP.

How does CaseMark ensure my protest complies with all CBP requirements?

CaseMark follows the complete regulatory framework under 19 CFR Part 174, including all content requirements in Section 174.13. The AI extracts required information from your documents, structures arguments according to legal standards, cites applicable statutes and precedent, and formats the protest to CBP specifications. Every generated protest includes proper protestant identification, entry details, contested decision specification, affirmative relief claims, and supporting legal analysis ready for immediate filing.

What happens after I file a CBP Form 19 protest?

CBP will review your protest and issue a decision granting or denying the relief requested, typically within two years but sometimes longer for complex issues. If your protest is denied in whole or in part, you have 180 days from the denial date to file a civil action in the Court of International Trade to seek judicial review. The protest creates the administrative record that forms the foundation for any subsequent litigation, making thorough initial drafting essential.

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