CET exam by US Customs on cargo: do they really have the authority to break my items?

Question

We import pottery from Asia; our last container had a CET exam by US Customs. It is a pain, b/c it takes 2 wks & the importer has to pay for it (it's not cheap)! Even though they charged us, they broke many of our items & will not reimburse us for our loss. Our broker said, it is what it is and I better accept it.

Can anyone help me to find the governing law of these exams?

I doubt they have the right to break someone's property without any consequences if I pay for the exam!

Thanks.

Answer 1

You have to remember, you are dealing with the government.  What with the Patriot Act and all the other laws regarding foreign travel and importing, I don't think you can expect payment, at least not anytime soon.  I have done a cursory search of the U. S. Code and have not found the cite for the law that governs this, but you can search it yourself.  You can find the U. S. Code at http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/

Answer 2

It's really terrible, but it's the price you pay for importing goods from other countries.