J.W. Hampton, Junior & Co. v. United States

J.W. Hampton, Jr. & Co. (plaintiff) imported barium dioxide, which carried a statutory tariff of four cents per pound. Under the Tariff Act, Congress authorized the President to appoint a Tariff Commission and, guided by the Commission's advice and specific statutory guidelines, to adjust tariff rates. Acting under this authority, the President raised the tariff on barium dioxide from four to six cents per pound, and Hampton was assessed at the higher rate. Hampton challenged the assessment, arguing Congress had unconstitutionally delegated its legislative power to the President by letting him set tariff rates.