Opinion ID: 77171
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Rigel's Alleged Disclaimer as to Penalties

Text: 28 GAIC next challenges its liability under the bond agreement by pointing to a disclaimer allegedly submitted by Rigel along with the rest of the entry documents. The district court found insufficient evidence of a valid disclaimer to consider this argument. R1(Sigrid/Consolidated)-42 at 6, n.2; Id. 26 at 7 n. 5. We review the district court's findings of fact for clear error . . . . Kentov v. Sheet Metal Workers' Int'l Ass'n Local 15, AFL-CIO, 418 F.3d 1259, 1262 (11th Cir.2005). Clear error is a highly deferential standard of review. As the Supreme Court has explained, a finding is `clearly erroneous' when although there is evidence to support it, the reviewing court on the entire evidence is left with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed. Holton v. City of Thomasville Sch. Dist., 425 F.3d 1325, 1350-51 (11th Cir.2005) (citations and quotations omitted). 29 In finding no valid disclaimer, the court observed that GAIC had not offered any evidence demonstrating that the disclaimer [was] authentic or otherwise admissible. R1(SIGRID/Consolidated)-42 at 6, n.2; Id. 26 at 7 n. 5. Even if the disclaimer had been included when Rigel presented the lading and unlading documents, the court noted that there was no evidence that Customs accepted the disclaimer, adopted it, or otherwise agreed to it. Id. 42 at 6, n. 2; Id. 26 at 7 n. 5. There is no indication on the face of Form 301 of any modification of the terms of the bond, which clearly incorporates all conditions set out in 19 C.F.R. § 113.64. Finally, such a disclaimer would essentially negate the purpose of the bond, which Customs required to be posted in this case. We find no error. GAIC's argument as to the disclaimer must fail.