Legal Definitions - Court of International Trade

The Court of International Trade (CIT) is a court in the United States that was created in 1980 to replace the U.S. Customs Court. It has the power to hear all civil actions related to international trade that involve government agencies, actions, and officials.

For example, the CIT can hear cases related to tariffs imposed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and decisions made by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC).

When a case is brought before the CIT, it is assigned to one of the court's nine judges by the chief judge. However, if the case is particularly complex, it may be heard by a panel of three judges.

If a party is unhappy with the decision made by the CIT, they can appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Overall, the Court of International Trade plays an important role in resolving disputes related to international trade in the United States.