40°42′54″N 74°0′13″W/40.71500°N 74.00361°W/ 40.71500; -74.00361

The United States Court of International Trade (case citations: Ct. Int'l Trade; also abbreviated as CIT) is a United States federal court that adjudicates civil actions arising out of United States customs and international trade laws. Seated in Lower Manhattan, New York City, the court exercises broad jurisdiction over most trade-related matters and is permitted to hear and adjudicate cases originating anywhere in the United States as well as internationally.

The court originated with the Customs Administrative Act of 1890, which established the Board of General Appraisers as a quasi-judicial entity of the United States Department of the Treasury to hear disputes primarily concerning tariffs and import duties. In 1926, Congress replaced the Board with the United States Customs Court, an administrative tribunal with greater judicial functions, which in 1930 was made independent of the Treasury Department. In 1956, the United States Customs Court was reconstituted by Congress as an Article III tribunal, giving it the status and privileges of a federal court. The Customs Courts Act of 1980 established the United States Court of International Trade in its current form, granting it jurisdiction over all trade matters and conferring its judges with life tenure.

The court's subject matter jurisdiction is limited to particular questions in international trade and customs law, though it may also decide any civil action against the United States government, its officers, or its agencies arising out of any law connected to international trade. As an Article III tribunal, the United States Court of International Trade can decide controversies in both law and equity, and is thus allowed to grant relief in virtually all means available, including money judgments, writs of mandamus, and preliminary or permanent injunctions.

Led by a chief judge, the CIT is composed of nine judges appointed by the United States president and confirmed by the United States Senate. No more than five judges can be of the same political party. Cases are typically heard by just one judge, although trials involving potential constitutional issues or broad legal implications for customs laws may be decided by a three-judge panel. The court operates on procedures and protocols drawn heavily from the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

History

In 1890, the United States Congress passed legislation creating the Board of General Appraisers, a quasi-judicial administrative unit within the United States Department of the Treasury. The Board had nine members appointed by the President of the United States and empowered to review decisions of United States Customs officials concerning the amount of duties to be paid on importations.

In 1926, Congress responded to the increasing number and complexity of customs cases by replacing the Board of General Appraisers with the United States Customs Court, an independent Article I tribunal, retaining the jurisdiction and powers of the Board of General Appraisers. In 1928, the United States Customs Court became the first federal tribunal in the United States to have a woman judge, when President Calvin Coolidge nominated Genevieve R. Cline to the court. Although many members of the United States Senate objected to Cline's appointment, both because of her sex, and because they believed she was self-taught and had no judicial experience, her supporters advocated strongly for her, including Katherine Pike, president of the National Association of Women Lawyers and a number of club-women. Cline won U.S. Senate confirmation on May 25, 1928, received her commission on May 26, 1928, and took her oath of office in the Cleveland Federal Building on June 5, 1928.

On July 14, 1956, Congress made the United States Customs Court an Article III tribunal, again without changing its jurisdiction, powers, or procedures. After making some procedural changes in the Customs Courts Act of 1970, Congress addressed substantive issues concerning the court's jurisdiction and remedial powers in the Customs Courts Act of 1980, which broadened the power of the court and renamed it the United States Court of International Trade.

On May 28, 2025, a three-judge panel of the court ruled in V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. United States that President Donald Trump overstepped his authority by using the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to justify sweeping tariff hikes under his Liberation Day trade policy. The court held that the IEEPA does not grant presidents the power to impose such broad import taxes. The judges also struck down a separate set of tariffs the Trump administration had levied on China, Mexico, and Canada, which had been justified as a response to drug trafficking and illegal immigration. The court found that these measures exceeded executive authority.

Courthouse

The James L. Watson Court of International Trade Building on Foley Square

The James L. Watson Court of International Trade Building, located on Foley Square in lower Manhattan in New York City, houses the court. Also known as 1 Federal Plaza, it was built in 1968 adjacent to the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building. In 2003, the building was named in honor of James L. Watson, a judge of the United States Customs Court from 1964 to 1980, and of the Court of International Trade from 1980 to 2001.

Jurisdiction

The court possesses limited subject matter jurisdiction, meaning that it may hear only cases involving particular international trade and customs law questions. For example, the court hears disputes such as those involving protests filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, decisions regarding Trade Adjustment Assistance by the United States Department of Labor or United States Department of Agriculture, customs broker licensing, and disputes relating to determinations made by the United States International Trade Commission and the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration regarding anti-dumping and countervailing duties.

There is one notable exception to the court's jurisdiction. In cases involving antidumping and countervailing duties imposed on Canadian or Mexican merchandise, an interested party can request that the case be heard before a special ad hoc binational panel organized under Chapter 19 of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement.

Procedure

Most cases are heard by a single judge. If a case challenges the constitutionality of a U.S. law or has important implications regarding the administration or interpretation of the customs laws, then it may be heard by a three-judge panel. Many Judges of the Court of International Trade also regularly sit by designation on three-judge panels of the United States courts of appeals.

Although the Court maintains its own rules of procedure, they are patterned for the most part on the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The court has held that decisions interpreting the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure are "instructive" in interpreting its own rules.

Current composition of the court

As of July 8, 2025[update]:

#TitleJudgeDuty stationBornTerm of serviceAppointed by
ActiveChiefSenior
24Chief JudgeMark A. BarnettNew York City19632013–present2021–present—Obama
25JudgeClaire R. KellyNew York City19652013–present——Obama
26JudgeJennifer Choe-GrovesNew York City19692016–present——Obama
27JudgeGary KatzmannNew York City19532016–present——Obama
28JudgeTimothy M. ReifNew York City19592019–present——Trump
29JudgeM. Miller BakerNew York City19622019–present——Trump
31JudgeLisa Wen-Jia WangNew York City19802024–present——Biden
32JudgeJoseph A. LaroskiNew York City19712024–present——Biden
33JudgeVacantNew York City––——–
11Senior JudgeJane A. RestaniNew York City19481983–20152003–20102015–presentReagan
13Senior JudgeThomas J. Aquilinoinactive19391985–2004—2004–presentReagan
19Senior JudgeJudith Barzilayinactive19441998–2011—2011–presentClinton
20Senior JudgeDelissa A. Ridgwayinactive19551998–2019—2019–presentClinton
21Senior JudgeRichard K. EatonNew York City19481999–2014—2014–presentClinton
22Senior JudgeTimothy C. StanceuNew York City19512003–20212014–20212021–presentG.W. Bush
23Senior JudgeLeo M. GordonNew York City19522006–2019—2019–presentG.W. Bush

Vacancies and pending nominations

SeatPrior Judge's Duty StationSeat last held byVacancy reasonDate of vacancyNomineeDate of nomination
9New York CityStephen VadenResignationJuly 7, 2025Kara WestercampMarch 2, 2026

Former judges of the United States Court of International Trade

#JudgeBorn–diedActive serviceChief JudgeSenior statusAppointed byReason for termination
—Samuel Rosenstein1909–1995——1980–1995L. Johnson / Operation of lawdeath
1Paul Peter Rao1899–19881980–1988——Truman / Operation of lawdeath
2Morgan Ford1911–19921980–1985—1985–1992Truman / Operation of lawdeath
3Scovel Richardson1912–19821980–1982——Eisenhower / Operation of lawdeath
4Frederick Landis Jr.1912–19901980–1983—1983–1990L. Johnson / Operation of lawdeath
5James Lopez Watson1922–20011980–1991—1991–2001L. Johnson / Operation of lawdeath
6Herbert N. Maletz1913–20021980–1982—1982–2002L. Johnson / Operation of lawdeath
7Bernard Newman1907–19991980–1983—1983–1999L. Johnson / Operation of lawdeath
8Edward D. Re1920–20061980–19911980–1991—L. Johnson / Operation of lawretirement
9Nils Boe1913–19921980–1984—1984–1992Nixon / Operation of lawdeath
10Gregory W. Carman1937–20201983–20141996–20032014–2020Reagandeath
12Dominick L. DiCarlo1928–19991984–19961991–19961996–1999Reagandeath
14Nicholas Tsoucalas1926–20181986–1996—1996–2018Reagandeath
15R. Kenton Musgrave1927–20231987–1997—1997–2023Reagandeath
16Richard W. Goldberg1927–20231991–2001—2001–2023G.H.W. Bushdeath
17Donald C. Pogue1947–20161995–20142010–20142014–2016Clintondeath
18Evan Wallach1949–present1995–2011——Clintonelevation
30Stephen Vaden1982–present2020–2025——Trumpresignation

Former judges of the United States Customs Court

#JudgeBorn–diedActive serviceChief JudgeSenior statusAppointed byReason for termination
1William Barberie Howell1865–19271926–19271926–1927—McKinley / Operation of lawdeath
2Israel F. Fischer1858–19401926–19321927–1932—McKinley / Operation of lawretirement
3Byron Sylvester Waite1852–19301926–1930——T. Roosevelt / Operation of lawretirement
4Charles Paul McClelland1854–19441926–19391934–1939—T. Roosevelt / Operation of lawretirement
5Jerry Sullivan1859–19481926–1939——Wilson / Operation of lawretirement
6George Stewart Brown1871–19411926–19411939–1940—Wilson / Operation of lawretirement
7William C. Adamson1854–19291926–1928——Wilson / Operation of lawretirement
8George Emery Weller1857–19321926–1930——Wilson / Operation of lawretirement
9George M. Young1870–19321926–19321932—Coolidge / Operation of lawdeath
10William Josiah Tilson1871–19491928–19491932–1934—Coolidgedeath
11Genevieve R. Cline1877–19591928–1953——Coolidgeretirement
12David Hayes Kincheloe1877–19501930–1948——Hooverretirement
13Walter Howard Evans1870–19591931–1941——Hooverretirement
14Frederick W. Dallinger1871–19551932–1942——Hooverretirement
15William John Keefe1873–19551933–1947——F. Rooseveltretirement
16Thomas Joseph Walker1877–19451940–1945——F. Rooseveltdeath
17Webster Oliver1888–19691940–19671940–19651967–1969F. Rooseveltdeath
18William A. Ekwall1887–19561942–1956——F. Rooseveltdeath
19William Purington Cole Jr.1889–19571942–1952——F. Rooseveltelevation
20Charles Lawrence1878–19751943–1965—1965–1975F. Rooseveltdeath
21Irvin Charles Mollison1898–19621945–1962——Trumandeath
22Jed Johnson1888–19631947–1963——Trumandeath
23Paul Peter Rao1899–19881948–19801965–1971—Trumanreassignment
24Morgan Ford1911–19921949–1980——Trumanreassignment
25David John Wilson1887–19761954–1966—1966–1976Eisenhowerdeath
26Mary Donlon Alger1893–19771955–1966—1966–1977Eisenhowerdeath
27Scovel Richardson1912–19821957–1980——Eisenhowerreassignment
28Philip Nichols Jr.1907–19901964–1966——L. Johnsonelevation
29Frederick Landis Jr.1912–19901965–1980——L. Johnsonreassignment
30James Lopez Watson1922–20011966–1980——L. Johnsonreassignment
31Lindley Beckworth1913–19841967–1968——L. Johnsonresignation
32Herbert N. Maletz1913–20021967–1980——L. Johnsonreassignment
33Bernard Newman1907–19991968–1980——L. Johnsonreassignment
34Samuel Rosenstein1909–19951968–1970—1970–1980L. Johnsonreassignment
35Edward D. Re1920–20061968–19801977–1980—L. Johnsonreassignment
36Nils Boe1913–19921971–19801971–1977—Nixonreassignment

Former members of the Board of General Appraisers

#MemberBorn/DiedActive servicePresidentSenior statusAppointed byReason for termination
1Charles H. Ham1831–19021890–19021897–1902—B. Harrisonresignation
2George C. Tichenor1838–19021890–19021890–1897—B. Harrisondeath
3Joseph Biddle Wilkinson Jr.1845–19151890–1899——B. Harrisonresignation
4James A. Jewellc.1840–19121890–1903——B. Harrisonresignation
5Henderson M. Somerville1837–19151890–19151910–1914—B. Harrisondeath
6Ferdinand N. Shurtleff1837–19031890–1899——B. Harrisonremoval
7Joseph Lewis Stackpole1838–19041890–1890——B. Harrisonresignation
8Thaddeus S. Sharretts1850–19261890–1913——B. Harrisonremoval
9George H. Sharpe1828–19001890–1899——B. Harrisonresignation
10Wilbur Fisk Lunt1848–19081891–1908——B. Harrisondeath
11William Barberie Howell1865–19271899–19261925–1926—McKinleyreassignment
12Israel F. Fischer1858–19401899–19261902–1905—McKinleyreassignment
13Marion De Vries1865–19391900–19101906–1910—McKinleyelevation
14Byron Sylvester Waite1852–19301902–1926——T. Rooseveltreassignment
15Charles P. McClelland1854–19441903–1926——T. Rooseveltreassignment
16Eugene Gano Hay1853–19331903–1923——T. Rooseveltretirement
17Roy Chamberlain1861–19531908–1913——T. Rooseveltremoval
18Samuel B. Cooper1850–19181910–1918——Taftdeath
19Jerry Bartholomew Sullivan1859–19481913–19261914–1925—Wilsonreassignment
20George Stewart Brown1871–19411913–1926——Wilsonreassignment
21William C. Adamson1854–19291917–1926——Wilsonreassignment
22George Emery Weller1857–19321919–1926——Wilsonreassignment
23George M. Young1870–19321924–1926——Coolidgereassignment

Chief judges

President (Board of General Appraisers)
President (Board of General Appraisers) Tichenor 1890–1897 Ham 1897–1902 Fischer 1902–1905 De Vries 1906–1910 Somerville 1910–1914 Sullivan 1914–1925 Howell 1925–1926Chief Judge (Customs Court) Howell 1926–1927 Fischer 1927–1932 Young 1932–1932 Tilson 1932–1934 McClelland 1934–1939 Brown 1939–1940 Oliver 1940–1965 Rao 1965–1971 Boe 1971–1977 Re 1977–1980Chief Judge (Court of International Trade) Re 1980–1991 DiCarlo 1991–1996 Carman 1996–2003 Restani 2003–2010 Pogue 2010–2014 Stanceu 2014–2021 Barnett 2021–present
Tichenor1890–1897
Ham1897–1902
Fischer1902–1905
De Vries1906–1910
Somerville1910–1914
Sullivan1914–1925
Howell1925–1926
Chief Judge (Customs Court)
Howell1926–1927
Fischer1927–1932
Young1932–1932
Tilson1932–1934
McClelland1934–1939
Brown1939–1940
Oliver1940–1965
Rao1965–1971
Boe1971–1977
Re1977–1980
Chief Judge (Court of International Trade)
Re1980–1991
DiCarlo1991–1996
Carman1996–2003
Restani2003–2010
Pogue2010–2014
Stanceu2014–2021
Barnett2021–present

Chief judges have administrative responsibilities with respect to the Court of International Trade, and preside over any panel on which they serve unless circuit judges are also on the panel. Unlike the Supreme Court, where one justice is specifically nominated to be chief, the office of chief judge rotates among the court judges. To be chief, a judge must have been in active service on the court for at least one year, be under the age of 65, and have not previously served as chief judge. A vacancy is filled by the judge highest in seniority among the group of qualified judges. The chief judge serves for a term of seven years or until age 70, whichever occurs first. The age restrictions are waived if no members of the court would otherwise be qualified for the position.

Under the Board of General Appraisers, the position of Chief Judge was entitled "President". When the office was created in 1948, the chief judge was the longest-serving judge who had not elected to retire on what has since 1958 been known as senior status or declined to serve as chief judge. After August 6, 1959, judges could not become or remain chief after turning 70 years old. The current rules have been in operation since October 1, 1982.

Succession of seats

Seat 1
Seat 1 Seat established on June 10, 1890 by 26 Stat. 131, 136 Wilkinson, Jr. 1890–1899 De Vries 1900–1910 Cooper 1910–1918 Weller 1919–1930 Kincheloe 1930–1948 Rao 1948–1988 Goldberg 1991–2001 Stanceu 2003–2021 Laroski 2024–presentSeat 2 Seat established on June 10, 1890 by 26 Stat. 131, 136 Sharpe 1890–1899 Howell 1899–1927 Tilson 1928–1949 Ford 1949–1985 Musgrave 1987–1997 Eaton 1999–2014 Reif 2019–presentSeat 3 Seat established on June 10, 1890 by 26 Stat. 131, 136 Ham 1890–1902 Waite 1902–1930 Evans 1931–1941 Ekwall 1942–1956 Richardson 1957–1982 Carman 1983–2014 Choe-Groves 2016–presentSeat 4 Seat established on June 10, 1890 by 26 Stat. 131, 136 Shurtleff 1890–1899 Fischer 1899–1932 Dallinger 1932–1942 Lawrence 1943–1965 Landis, Jr. 1965–1983 Aquilino, Jr. 1985–2004 Gordon 2006–2019 Wang 2024–present
Seat established on June 10, 1890 by 26 Stat. 131, 136
Wilkinson, Jr.1890–1899
De Vries1900–1910
Cooper1910–1918
Weller1919–1930
Kincheloe1930–1948
Rao1948–1988
Goldberg1991–2001
Stanceu2003–2021
Laroski2024–present
Seat 2
Seat established on June 10, 1890 by 26 Stat. 131, 136
Sharpe1890–1899
Howell1899–1927
Tilson1928–1949
Ford1949–1985
Musgrave1987–1997
Eaton1999–2014
Reif2019–present
Seat 3
Seat established on June 10, 1890 by 26 Stat. 131, 136
Ham1890–1902
Waite1902–1930
Evans1931–1941
Ekwall1942–1956
Richardson1957–1982
Carman1983–2014
Choe-Groves2016–present
Seat 4
Seat established on June 10, 1890 by 26 Stat. 131, 136
Shurtleff1890–1899
Fischer1899–1932
Dallinger1932–1942
Lawrence1943–1965
Landis, Jr.1965–1983
Aquilino, Jr.1985–2004
Gordon2006–2019
Wang2024–present
Seat 5
Seat 5 Seat established on June 10, 1890 by 26 Stat. 131, 136 Tichenor 1890–1902 Hay 1903–1923 Young 1924–1932 Keefe 1933–1947 Johnson 1947–1963 Watson 1966–1991 Pogue 1995–2014 Baker 2019–presentSeat 6 Seat established on June 10, 1890 by 26 Stat. 131, 136 Sharretts 1890–1913 Sullivan 1913–1939 Walker 1940–1945 Mollison 1945–1962 Nichols, Jr. 1964–1966 Maletz 1967–1982 Restani 1983–2015 Katzmann 2016–presentSeat 7 Seat established on June 10, 1890 by 26 Stat. 131, 136 Somerville 1890–1915 Adamson 1917–1928 Cline 1928–1953 Alger 1955–1966 Newman 1968–1983 DiCarlo 1984–1996 Barzilay 1998–2011 Barnett 2013–presentSeat 8 Seat established on June 10, 1890 by 26 Stat. 131, 136 Stackpole 1890 Lunt 1891–1908 Chamberlain 1908–1913 Brown 1913–1941 Cole, Jr. 1942–1952 Wilson 1954–1966 Beckworth 1967–1968 Re 1968–1991 Wallach 1995–2011 Kelly 2013–present
Seat established on June 10, 1890 by 26 Stat. 131, 136
Tichenor1890–1902
Hay1903–1923
Young1924–1932
Keefe1933–1947
Johnson1947–1963
Watson1966–1991
Pogue1995–2014
Baker2019–present
Seat 6
Seat established on June 10, 1890 by 26 Stat. 131, 136
Sharretts1890–1913
Sullivan1913–1939
Walker1940–1945
Mollison1945–1962
Nichols, Jr.1964–1966
Maletz1967–1982
Restani1983–2015
Katzmann2016–present
Seat 7
Seat established on June 10, 1890 by 26 Stat. 131, 136
Somerville1890–1915
Adamson1917–1928
Cline1928–1953
Alger1955–1966
Newman1968–1983
DiCarlo1984–1996
Barzilay1998–2011
Barnett2013–present
Seat 8
Seat established on June 10, 1890 by 26 Stat. 131, 136
Stackpole1890
Lunt1891–1908
Chamberlain1908–1913
Brown1913–1941
Cole, Jr.1942–1952
Wilson1954–1966
Beckworth1967–1968
Re1968–1991
Wallach1995–2011
Kelly2013–present
Seat 9
Seat 9 Seat established on June 10, 1890 by 26 Stat. 131, 136 Jewell 1890–1903 McClelland 1903–1939 Oliver 1940–1967 Rosenstein 1968–1970 Boe 1971–1984 Tsoucalas 1986–1996 Ridgway 1998–2019 Vaden 2020–2025 vacant 2025–present
Seat established on June 10, 1890 by 26 Stat. 131, 136
Jewell1890–1903
McClelland1903–1939
Oliver1940–1967
Rosenstein1968–1970
Boe1971–1984
Tsoucalas1986–1996
Ridgway1998–2019
Vaden2020–2025
vacant2025–present

See also

External links