customs-protest-form19

name	customs-protest-form19
title	CBP Form 19 — Protest of Customs Decision
description	Drafts CBP Form 19 protests under 19 U.S.C. § 1514 and 19 C.F.R. Part 174 challenging tariff classification, valuation, origin, and trade preference decisions. Use when drafting customs protests, contesting liquidation decisions, or preparing Form 19 filings within the 180-day jurisdictional deadline.
author	CaseMark
author_url	https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/customs-protest-form19
license	Apache-2.0
version	0.1.0
execution_mode	open
jurisdiction	us
practice	trade
language	en
tags	["drafting","pleading"]

CBP Form 19 — Protest of Customs Decision

Draft a filing-ready protest preserving administrative and Court of International Trade review rights under 19 U.S.C. § 1514.

Prerequisites

Gather before drafting:

1. Entry docs — CF-7501 summaries, invoices, bills of lading (entry numbers, port codes, dates)
2. CBP decision docs — CF-29 notices, liquidation notices, ruling letters with exact dates
3. Merchandise specs — technical data sheets, material composition, HTS classifications (assigned and claimed)
4. Deadline check — confirm within 180 days of liquidation/decision per § 1514(c)(3)
5. Standing proof — importer of record status, consignee designation, or POA for agents/brokers

Quick Start

1. Extract entry data and CBP decision details from uploaded documents
2. Verify 180-day deadline — flag any timeliness risk before proceeding
3. Identify dispute type (classification, valuation, origin, preference, AD/CVD)
4. Draft each Form 19 section per the output structure below
5. Attach evidentiary exhibits with descriptions
6. Mark unverified citations with [VERIFY]

Document Extraction

Search uploads for:

Data Point	Source
11-digit entry number(s)	CF-7501, CBP correspondence
Port code (3-digit) + name	Entry documents
Entry date, liquidation date	CF-29, liquidation notice
CBP-assigned HTSUS classification	CBP ruling/notice
Declared vs. assessed value	Entry summary, CF-29
CBP-determined country of origin	CBP decision
Verbatim CBP decision language	Decision letters, CF-29

Output Structure

1. Protestant Identification

• Full legal name (including DBA), address with 9-digit ZIP
• Entity type + state of formation
• Standing basis: importer of record / consignee / owner / authorized agent
• If agent: POA reference, broker license number

2. Entry Identification

Per contested entry:

• 11-digit entry number, port code + name
• Date of entry (MM/DD/YYYY), date of liquidation/reliquidation