Source: https://openjurist.org/322/us/202/union-brokerage-co-v-jensen
Timestamp: 2019-01-21 03:56:33
Document Index: 786020641

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1484', '§ 1484', '§ 1484', '§ 1484', '§ 1505', '§ 1505', '§ 1499', '§ 1499', '§ 6', '§ 1641', '§ 1641', '§ 11', '§ 11', '§ 11', '§ 11']

322 US 202 Union Brokerage Co v. Jensen | OpenJurist
322 U.S. 202 - Union Brokerage Co v. Jensen
322 US 202 Union Brokerage Co v. Jensen
64 S.Ct. 967
88 L.Ed. 1227
UNION BROKERAGE CO.
On goods shipped from Canada into this country the consignee of imported merchandise must 'make entry' of them at the office of the collector of customs at Noyes either in person or by an authorized agent, and this must be done within forty-eight hours of the report of the vehicle which carried the goods unless the collector extends the time. Tariff Act of 1930, 46 Stat. 590, 722, 52 S.Ct. 1083, 19 U.S.C. § 1484(a), 19 U.S.C.A. § 1484(a). To make entry, the contents and value of the shipment must be declared and the tariff estimated, and the production of a certified invoice and a bill of lading is generally required. 19 U.S.C. § 1484(b)(c)(e)(g), 19 U.S.C.A. § 1484(b, c, e, g). Speed in making entry is vital, because goods cannot proceed to their ultimate destination until its completion. Apart from the fact that importers cannot always or even often make entries in person, the procedure makes demands upon skill and experience. The specialist in these services is the customhouse broker. In addition, he advances the duty in order that the goods may be cleared. 19 U.S.C. § 1505, 19 U.S.C.A. § 1505. The competence of the broker also bears on the efficient collection of customs duties in that the likelihood of additional assessment or refund after final determination of the duty is greatly lessened by accuracy in the tentative computation. But since errors and differences of opinion are inevitable, to insure collection of deficiencies, the Government requires a bond prior to release. 19 U.S.C. § 1499, 19 U.S.C.A. § 1499; 19 Code Fed.Reg. § 6.27.
The business of customhouse brokers, it is apparent, demands a sense of responsibility and skill. To protect importers as well as the Treasury, Congress has authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to 'prescribe rules and regulations governing the licensing as customhouse brokers of citizens of the United States of good moral character, and of corporations, associations, and partnerships, and may require as a condition to the granting of any license, the showing of such facts as he may deem advisable as to the qualifications of the applicant to render valuable service to importers and exporters.' 46 Stat. 759, 19 U.S.C. § 1641(a), 19 U.S.C.A. § 1641(a). Elaborate regulations define the investigation to be made of the character and reputation of the applicant and his experience in customs matters. 31A Code Fed.Reg. § 11.3(b). The applicant is then directed to appear before an examining subcommittee which determines the 'applicant's knowledge of customs law and procedure and his fitness to render valuable service to importers and exporters.' 31A Code Fed.Reg. § 11.3(e)(f). On approval of a favorable report of the sub-committee by the Committee on Enrollment and Disbarment of the Treasury Department, a license issues. 31A Code Fed.Reg. §§ 11.3(f)(g), 11.4. 'A licensed customhouse broker requires no further enrollment under the regulations in this part for the transaction, within the customs districts in which he is licensed, of any business relating specifically to the importation or exportation of merchandise under customs or internal-revenue laws.' 31A Code Fed.Reg. § 11.5.
This brings us to the final question. Does the Minnesota legislation do that which the Commerce Clause was designed to prevent—does it express hostility toward those engaged in foreign commerce or practically obstruct its conduct? What we have said makes it abundantly clear that the business of Union is related to the process of foreign commerce. As the trial court found, the customhouse broker in clearing the shipments, 'aids in the collection of customs duties and facilitates the free flow of commerce between a foreign country and the United States'. The fees exacted by customhouse brokers 'are charges upon the commerce itself'; they are charges for services afforded in the movement of goods beyond the boundaries of a State. See Hopkins v. United States, 171 U.S. 578, 591, 592, 19 S.Ct. 40, 45, 43 L.Ed. 290; Wickard v. Filburn, 317 U.S. 111, 122, 63 S.Ct. 82, 87, 87 L.Ed. 122.