Case: Axle of Dearborn, Inc. v. Department of Commerce

1:25-00091 | U.S. Court of International Trade

Filed Date: May 16, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a case about the elimination of the de minimis exemption for low-value goods imported from China. On May 16, 2025, Axle of Dearborn, Inc. d/b/a Detroit Axle, a Michigan-based, family-owned automotive parts distributor, filed this lawsuit in the U.S. Court of International Trade against the Department of Commerce, Department of Homeland Security, Department of the Treasury, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Represented by private counsel, the plaintiff alleged that executive orders…

This is a case about the elimination of the de minimis exemption for low-value goods imported from China. On May 16, 2025, Axle of Dearborn, Inc. d/b/a Detroit Axle, a Michigan-based, family-owned automotive parts distributor, filed this lawsuit in the U.S. Court of International Trade against the Department of Commerce, Department of Homeland Security, Department of the Treasury, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Represented by private counsel, the plaintiff alleged that executive orders issued by President Trump unlawfully eliminated the de minimis exemption codified at 19 U.S.C. § 1321(a)(2)(C). The exemption previously allowed goods valued under $800 to be imported duty-free, significantly benefiting U.S. consumers and small businesses. The plaintiff sought declaratory and injunctive relief under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), arguing that the President's actions exceeded statutory authority, violated required procedural rules under 19 U.S.C. § 1321(b), and were arbitrary and capricious.

The case was assigned to a three-judge panel composed of Judge Gary S. Katzmann, Judge Timothy M. Reif, and Judge Jane A. Restani.

The plaintiff claimed that removing the exemption immediately subjected it to substantial tariffs and fees, threatening its viability by significantly increasing operational costs. On May 21, the plaintiff moved for a preliminary injunction (PI) and expedited partial summary judgment to reinstate the exemption, highlighting imminent, irreparable harm including potential facility closures and significant layoffs expected by late June 2025. The Ecommerce Innovation Alliance filed an amicus brief supporting Detroit Axle, emphasizing broader adverse impacts on small ecommerce businesses and U.S. consumers.

On May 30, the defendants requested a stay pending resolution of related appeals in V.O.S. Selections and State of Oregon cases. The plaintiff opposed, citing ongoing irreparable harm.

On July 28, the three-judge panel denied the plaintiff’s motion for a preliminary injunction and stayed the case pending final resolution of V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. United States in the Federal Circuit. The court held that any relief Detroit Axle sought was already encompassed in the broader V.O.S. injunction, which was currently stayed on appeal. Accordingly, the court declined to grant duplicative, contingent relief. The case remained stayed as of July 2025.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Scott Shuchart (5/21/2025)

Brian Chen (7/29/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70287201/parties/axle-of-dearborn-inc-v-department-of-commerce/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Dupree, Thomas H. (District of Columbia)

Harper, Nick (District of Columbia)

Harper, Denis Nicholas (New York)

Attorney for Defendant

Attorney-in-Charge, Attorney-in-Charge (District of Columbia)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Kearney, James K. (New York)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
2

1:25-00091

Complaint

May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025

Complaint
38

1:25-00091

Order

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Order/Opinion

2025 WL 2105012

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70287201/axle-of-dearborn-inc-v-department-of-commerce/

Last updated Sept. 15, 2025, 10:39 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

Summons . Filed by Samantha Clark Sewall of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP on behalf of Axle of Dearborn, Inc. d/b/a Detroit Axle. (Sewall, Samantha) (Entered: 05/16/2025)

May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025

PACER
2

Complaint against All Defendants. Answer due by 7/15/2025. Filed by Samantha Clark Sewall of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP on behalf of Axle of Dearborn, Inc. d/b/a Detroit Axle.(Sewall, Samantha) (Entered: 05/16/2025)

May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025

Clearinghouse
3

Form 5 Information Statement . Filed by Samantha Clark Sewall of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Sewall, Samantha) (Entered: 05/16/2025)

May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025

PACER
4

Form 11 Notice of Appearance . Filed by Samantha Clark Sewall of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP on behalf of All Plaintiffs.(Sewall, Samantha) (Entered: 05/16/2025)

May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025

PACER
5

Form 13 Corporate Disclosure Statement . Filed by Samantha Clark Sewall of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Sewall, Samantha) (Entered: 05/16/2025)

May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025

PACER
6

Form 11 Notice of Appearance . Filed by Liridona Sinani of U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of All Defendants.(Sinani, Liridona) (Entered: 05/19/2025)

May 19, 2025

May 19, 2025

PACER
7

Certificate of service . Filed by Samantha Clark Sewall of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP on behalf of Axle of Dearborn, Inc.. (Sewall, Samantha) (Entered: 05/19/2025)

May 19, 2025

May 19, 2025

PACER
8

Form 11 Notice of Appearance . Filed by Alexander J. Vanderweide of U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of All Defendants.(Vanderweide, Alexander) (Entered: 05/20/2025)

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

PACER
10

Motion to Expedite (related document(s) 9 ). Responses due by 6/11/2025. Filed by Thomas H. Dupree, Jr of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP on behalf of Axle of Dearborn, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Dupree, Thomas) (Entered: 05/21/2025)

1 Proposed Order

View on PACER

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

RECAP
9

Application/Motion for preliminary injunction and partial summary judgment. Responses due by 6/11/2025. Filed by Thomas H. Dupree, Jr of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP on behalf of Axle of Dearborn, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Mike Musheinesh, # 2 Proposed Order)(Dupree, Thomas) (Entered: 05/21/2025)

1 Declaration of Mike Musheinesh

View on PACER

2 Proposed Order

View on PACER

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

RECAP
11

Order entered on 5/23/2025 assigning action to Judges Gary S. Katzmann, Timothy M. Reif, and Jane A. Restani.(Swindell, Stephen) (Entered: 05/23/2025)

May 23, 2025

May 23, 2025

RECAP
12

Motion for leave to File Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Plaintiff. Responses due by 6/20/2025. Filed by James K. Kearney of Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP on behalf of Ecommerce Innovation Alliance. (Attachments: # 1 Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Plaintiff) (Kearney, James) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

PACER
13

Motion to stay proceedings. Responses due by 6/20/2025. Filed by Liridona Sinani of U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of All Defendants.(Sinani, Liridona) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

RECAP
14

Response to Motion to stay proceedings (related document(s) 13 ). Filed by Thomas H. Dupree, Jr of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP on behalf of All Plaintiffs.(Dupree, Thomas) (Entered: 05/30/2025)

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

RECAP
15

Paperless Order entered on 6/5/2025: Upon consideration of the motion by the Ecommerce Innovation Alliance for Leave to File an Amicus Curiae Brief, May 30, 2025, ECF No. 12, it is hereby ORDERED by the panel that the motion is granted; and it is further ORDERED that the proposed brief is accepted for filing. (Goell, Geoffrey) (Entered: 06/05/2025)

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025

PACER
16

Amicus Curiae Brief Deemed Filed (related document(s) 12 ). Filed by James K. Kearney of Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP on behalf of Ecommerce Innovation Alliance. (Goell, Geoffrey) (Entered: 06/05/2025)

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025

RECAP
17

Paperless Order entered on 6/5/2025: Upon consideration of Defendants' Motion to Stay Proceedings, May 30, 2025, ECF No. 13, it is hereby ORDERED that Defendants' Motion to Stay is DENIED without prejudice; and it is further ORDERED that Defendants will file a response of no more than 14,000 words to Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Expedited Partial Summary Judgment, May 21, 2025, ECF No. 9, no later than June 20, 2025; and it is further ORDERED that Plaintiff will file a reply of not more than 7,000 words in further support of its Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Expedited Partial Summary Judgment with a particular focus on the de minimis issue and Plaintiff's argument that it is distinct from the other issues in Plaintiff's Motion no later than July 7, 2025. (Goell, Geoffrey) (Entered: 06/05/2025)

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025

PACER
18

Motion for reconsideration (related document(s) 17 ). Responses due by 6/27/2025. Filed by Thomas H. Dupree, Jr of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Dupree, Thomas) (Entered: 06/06/2025)

1 Proposed Order

View on PACER

June 6, 2025

June 6, 2025

RECAP
19

Response to Motion For Reconsideration (related document(s) 18 ). Filed by Liridona Sinani of U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of All Defendants.(Sinani, Liridona) (Entered: 06/06/2025)

June 6, 2025

June 6, 2025

RECAP
20

Paperless Order entered on 6/16/2025 denying Motion for reconsideration: Upon consideration of Plaintiff's Motion for Reconsideration, June 6, 2025, ECF No. 18, of the court's Scheduling Order, June 5, 2025, ECF No.17, Defendants' Response, June 6, 2025, ECF No. 19, and upon consideration of all other papers, it is hereby ORDERED that Plaintiff's motion is DENIED. (Related Doc # 18 ). (Goell, Geoffrey) (Entered: 06/16/2025)

June 16, 2025

June 16, 2025

PACER
21

Public Response to Motion, Motion to Dismiss, and Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment (related document(s) 9 ). Replies due by 7/11/2025. Filed by Liridona Sinani of U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of All Defendants.(Sinani, Liridona) (Entered: 06/20/2025)

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

RECAP
22

Emergency Motion for extension of time until 6/25/2025 to file the confidential version of defendants' brief (related document(s) 21, 17, 9 ). Responses due by 7/11/2025. Filed by Alexander J. Vanderweide of U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of All Defendants.(Vanderweide, Alexander) (Entered: 06/20/2025)

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

RECAP
23

Paperless Order entered on 6/23/2025 granting Motion for extension of time. ORDERED that Defendants' Emergency Motion for Extension of Time, June 20, 2025, ECF No. 22, is GRANTED; and it is further ORDERED that the time for Defendants to file the confidential version of its Motion to Dismiss, Response in Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Partial Summary Judgment, and Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment, June 20, 2025, ECF No. 21, is hereby extended five (5) days, from June 20, 2025, up through and including, June 25, 2025 (Related Doc # 22 ). (Goell, Geoffrey) (Entered: 06/23/2025)

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

PACER
24

Consent Motion for protective order, Consent Motion for leave to file amended public brief. Responses due by 7/15/2025. Filed by Liridona Sinani of U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Attachment A, # 2 Attachment B)(Sinani, Liridona) (Entered: 06/24/2025)

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

PACER
25

Order entered on 6/25/2025 granting Consent Motion for protective order. ORDERED that the Court will separately enter the stipulated protective order; and it is further ORDERED that defendants may file an amended public version of its brief, within two business days of this order, to remove any unnecessary redactions (Related Doc # 24 ). (Goell, Geoffrey) (Entered: 06/25/2025)

June 25, 2025

June 25, 2025

RECAP
26

Order entered on 6/25/2025: Stipulated Protective Order issued. (Goell, Geoffrey) (Entered: 06/25/2025)

June 25, 2025

June 25, 2025

PACER
27

Confidential Response to Motion, Motion to Dismiss, and Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment (related document(s) 9 ). Replies due by 7/16/2025. Filed by Liridona Sinani of U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of All Defendants.(Sinani, Liridona) (Entered: 06/25/2025)

June 25, 2025

June 25, 2025

PACER
28

Public Response to Motion, Motion to Dismiss, and Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment (related document(s) 9 ). Replies due by 7/16/2025. Filed by Liridona Sinani of U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of All Defendants.(Sinani, Liridona) (Entered: 06/25/2025)

June 25, 2025

June 25, 2025

RECAP
29

Reply in support of Detroit Axle's Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Summary Judgment (related document(s) 27, 21, 28 ). Filed by Thomas H. Dupree, Jr of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Mike Musheinesh)(Dupree, Thomas) (Entered: 06/26/2025)

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

RECAP
30

Motion to Expedite (related document(s) 9 ). Responses due by 7/17/2025. Filed by Thomas H. Dupree, Jr of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Dupree, Thomas) (Entered: 06/26/2025)

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

RECAP
31

Paperless Order entered on 7/2/2025: It is ORDERED that the court's consideration of Counts III and IV of Plaintiff's Complaint is STAYED pending the final resolution of all appellate review proceedings in V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. United States, No. 25-1812 (Fed. Cir. docketed May 28, 2025) and its member case, No. 25-1813 (Fed. Cir. Docketed May 28, 2025). It is further ORDERED that oral argument on Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction, focusing exclusively on the de minimis exemption issues addressed in Counts I and II of Plaintiff's Complaint, will take place on July 10, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. EDT in Courtroom 1 of the James L. Watson Courthouse, with 25 minutes allotted to each side. The parties are instructed to inform the court no later than July 3, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EDT, if they seek leave to present anything other than oral presentation by counsel. SO ORDERED by the panel. (Goell, Geoffrey) (Entered: 07/02/2025)

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

PACER
31

Paperless Order entered on 7/2/2025: It is ORDERED that the court's consideration of Counts III and IV of Plaintiff's Complaint is STAYED pending the final resolution of all appellate review proceedings in V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. United States, No. 25-1812 (Fed. Cir. docketed May 28, 2025) and its member case, No. 25-1813 (Fed. Cir. Docketed May 28, 2025). It is further ORDERED that oral argument on Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction, focusing exclusively on the de minimis exemption issues addressed in Counts I and II of Plaintiff's Complaint, will take place on July 10, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. EDT in Courtroom 1 of the James L. Watson Courthouse, with 25 minutes allotted to each side. The parties are instructed to inform the court no later than July 3, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EDT, if they seek leave to present anything other than oral presentation by counsel. SO ORDERED by the panel. (Goell, Geoffrey) (Entered: 07/02/2025)

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

PACER
32

Response to Court's Request/Order . Filed by Liridona Sinani of U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of All Defendants. (Sinani, Liridona) (Entered: 07/03/2025)

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

RECAP
33

Response to Court's Request/Order . Filed by Thomas H. Dupree, Jr of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Dupree, Thomas) (Entered: 07/03/2025)

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

RECAP
34

Form 11 Notice of Appearance for Sarah E. Welch and Justin R. Miller. Filed by Justin Reinhart Miller of U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of All Defendants.(Miller, Justin) (Entered: 07/07/2025)

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

PACER
35

Information concerning public access to the audio livestream for the hearing scheduled for June 10, 2025, at 3:30pm EDT is available on the Court's website at https://www.cit.uscourts.gov/upcoming-court-proceedings-accessible-teleconference-or-audio-livestream. (Swindell, Stephen) (Entered: 07/09/2025)

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

PACER
36

Oral Argument held on July 10, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. in CIT Courtroom 1. . (Goell, Geoffrey) (Entered: 07/11/2025)

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

RECAP
37

Transcript of Oral Argument held on 7/10/2025 filed with court. Pursuant to Administrative Order 08-01 re: the redaction of personal data identifiers. Notice of Intent to Redact Deadline due 7/24/2025. Redaction Request due 8/7/2025. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 8/18/2025. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 10/15/2025. (Goell, Geoffrey) (Entered: 07/17/2025)

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

PACER
38

Order entered on 7/28/2025, Slip Op. 25-96: The court denies Plaintiff's motion to for a preliminary injunction and stays the remainder of the case. (related document(s) 9 ) (Goell, Geoffrey) (Entered: 07/28/2025)

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

RECAP
39

Motion to alter/amend/correct the Complaint (related document(s) 2 ). Responses due by 9/26/2025. Filed by Thomas H. Dupree, Jr of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Amended Complaint, # 2 Exhibit B - Redline of Complaint and Amended Complaint, # 3 Proposed Order)(Dupree, Thomas) (Entered: 09/05/2025)

1 Exhibit A - Amended Complaint

View on RECAP

2 Exhibit B - Redline of Complaint and Amended Complaint

View on RECAP

3 Proposed Order

View on PACER

Sept. 5, 2025

Sept. 5, 2025

RECAP
40

Motion to lift stay, Motion for partial summary judgment (related document(s) 38 ). Responses due by 9/26/2025. Response to Dispositive Motion due by 10/10/2025. Filed by Thomas H. Dupree, Jr of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Mike Musheinesh, # 2 Proposed Order)(Dupree, Thomas) (Entered: 09/05/2025)

1 Declaration of Mike Musheinesh

View on RECAP

2 Proposed Order

View on PACER

Sept. 5, 2025

Sept. 5, 2025

RECAP
41

Consent Motion for errata to correct document number# 39-2 filed with the Court electronically on September 5, 2025 (related document(s) 39 ). Responses due by 9/29/2025. Filed by Thomas H. Dupree, Jr of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP on behalf of Axle of Dearborn, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Proposed Order)(Dupree, Thomas) (Entered: 09/08/2025)

Sept. 8, 2025

Sept. 8, 2025

PACER
42

Paperless Order entered on 9/9/2025 granting Motion for errata (Related Doc # 41 ). Upon consideration of Plaintiff's Consent Motion for Errata, Sept. 8, 2025, ECF No. 41, it is hereby ORDERED that Plaintiff's Consent Motion for Errata is GRANTED, Plaintiff's corrected copy, ECF No, 41-1, shall be substituted for ECF No. 39-2. SO ORDERED by the panel. (Cheevers, Casey) Modified on 9/9/2025 (Cheevers, Casey). (Entered: 09/09/2025)

Sept. 9, 2025

Sept. 9, 2025

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: New York

Case Type(s):

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: May 16, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Privately held auto parts retailer/importer

Plaintiff Type(s):

Closely-held (for profit) corporation

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Department of Commerce (- United States (national) -), Federal

Department of Homeland Security (- United States (national) -), Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Special Case Type(s):

Three-Judge District Court

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Other