When must I file a section 1581(c) complaint after the summons?

Identify the determination and confirm the Rule 3(a)(2) route. The rule names section 1581(c) actions contesting determinations listed in Tariff Act section 516A(a)(2) or (3).

Establish when the summons was filed. Rule 5(d)(4) ordinarily uses receipt and has a specific certified-or-registered-mail exception. This calculator does not establish compliance with that exception.

Do not replace summons filing with service, agency publication or a protest date. The separate statutory time to file the summons must be checked independently.

1. Use filing of the summons in the specified Rule 3(a)(2) action, not service or agency-publication date.
2. Exclude the established trigger day.
3. Count 30 calendar days.
4. If the final day is a Saturday, Sunday or Rule 6(a)(6) legal holiday, continue to the next day that is not. The rule lists national statutory holidays and days declared holidays by the President or Congress. Check additional declarations and actual clerk inaccessibility.

Exclude the established trigger day. Count every following calendar day, including intermediate Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, under USCIT Rule 6(a)(1).

The 30 days concern the complaint after the summons. They do not establish a new statutory window for starting an action.

Fictitious example

Fictitious summons filed August 24, 2026 in an established Rule 3(a)(2) action. This example assumes the summons itself was timely. Exclude August 24. August 25–31 supplies seven days. September 1–23 supplies 23 more. Day 30 is Wednesday.

Fictitious dates. No different order, additional declared holiday or actual clerk inaccessibility is assumed.

Other commencement routes

Rule 3(a)(1) provides summons-only commencement for section 1581(a) and (b) actions. Rule 3(a)(3) requires concurrent summons and complaint in other actions. Do not apply this later-complaint period to those routes.

Statutory summons time

Rule 3(a)(2) supplies the complaint period after summons filing. This review does not determine the applicable statutory summons period, standing or jurisdiction.

Paper filing

Rule 5(d)(4) ordinarily completes filing on receipt. Its mailing exception requires certified or registered mail, correct address and postage, and a return-receipt request. The calculator verifies none of those facts.

• This page does not calculate the statutory time to file the summons or determine trade-remedy jurisdiction.
• A computed complaint date does not cure an untimely summons or select the correct commencement route.

• Confirm the precise determination and Rule 3(a)(2) route.
• Check the separate statutory summons period and its filing evidence.
• Identify summons filing and prepare the complaint for filing.
• Check actual case orders, complaint requirements and separate service obligations.
• Rule 5(d)(3) generally requires represented persons to file electronically unless the court permits paper filing for good cause. An unrepresented person’s electronic filing requires an order.
• USCIT Rule 6(a)(4) ends electronic filing at midnight in the court’s time zone unless a statute, local rule or court order sets a different time. Other means use scheduled clerk closing. Rule 82(a) ordinarily specifies 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. clerk hours. Filing and effective service remain separate checks.
• Preserve effective service and filing evidence. Rule 5(d)(4) ordinarily uses receipt, with a specific properly addressed certified-or-registered-mail exception. Ordinary mailing alone does not satisfy that exception.