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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000912938-03-000024.txt : 20030114
<SEC-HEADER>0000912938-03-000024.hdr.sgml : 20030114
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030110163314
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000912938-03-000024
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	N-23C-1
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20021231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030110
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20030110

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MFS CHARTER INCOME TRUST
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000851170
		IRS NUMBER:				043055815
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1130

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		N-23C-1
		SEC ACT:		1940 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	817-00192
		FILM NUMBER:		03510996

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 BOYLSTON ST
		STREET 2:		15TH FLOOR
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02116
		BUSINESS PHONE:		18006372929

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 BOYLSTON STREET
		STREET 2:		15TH FLOOR
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02116

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MFS PRINCIPAL INCOME TRUST
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19890906
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>N-23C-1
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>mcr_12-02.htm
<DESCRIPTION>REPORT OF SHARES REPURCHASED, DECEMBER 2002
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>N23C-1 Submission</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY>
To: Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C.<HR>

<p>Statement of registered closed-end investment company with respect to purchases of its own securities pursuant to Rule N23C-1 during the last calendar month.
</p>
<p><b>MFS Charter Income Trust - MCR </b></p>
<caption>Report of the calendar month ending <b>December 31, 2002</b>:</caption>
<TABLE WIDTH=100% BORDER=1 CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=1>
	<TR>
		<TD><b>Date</b></TD>
		<TD><b>Identification of Security</b></TD>
		<TD><b>Shares Repurchased</b></TD>
		<TD><b>Repurchase Price</b></TD>
		<TD><b>NAV</b></TD>
		<TD><b>Broker</b></TD>
	</TR>
	<TR>
		<TD>12/10/02</TD>
		<TD>Shares of beneficial interest</TD>
		<TD>21,000</TD>
		<TD>8.26</TD>
		<TD>9.16</TD>
		<TD>Merrill Lynch</TD>
	</TR>
	<TR>
		<TD>12/12/02</TD>
		<TD>Shares of beneficial interest</TD>
		<TD>21,000</TD>
		<TD>8.26</TD>
		<TD>9.14</TD>
		<TD>Merrill Lynch</TD>
	</TR>
	<TR>
		<TD>12/16/02</TD>
		<TD>Shares of beneficial interest</TD>
		<TD>21,000</TD>
		<TD>8.25</TD>
		<TD>9.12</TD>
		<TD>Merrill Lynch</TD>
	</TR>
	<TR>
		<TD>12/16/02</TD>
		<TD>Shares of beneficial interest</TD>
		<TD>21,000</TD>
		<TD>8.2494</TD>
		<TD>9.12</TD>
		<TD>Merrill Lynch</TD>
	</TR>
	<TR>
		<TD>12/17/02</TD>
		<TD>Shares of beneficial interest</TD>
		<TD>21,000</TD>
		<TD>8.2336</TD>
		<TD>9.13</TD>
		<TD>Merrill Lynch</TD>
	</TR>
	<TR>
		<TD>12/18/02</TD>
		<TD>Shares of beneficial interest</TD>
		<TD>21,000</TD>
		<TD>8.2252</TD>
		<TD>9.16</TD>
		<TD>Merrill Lynch</TD>
	</TR>
	<TR>
		<TD>12/23/02</TD>
		<TD>Shares of beneficial interest</TD>
		<TD>23,000</TD>
		<TD>8.2626</TD>
		<TD>9.18</TD>
		<TD>Merrill Lynch</TD>
	</TR>
</TABLE>

<p>Total Shares Repurchased: <b>149,000</b></p>
<p>Remarks? <i>(none)</i></p>

<TABLE WIDTH=90% BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0>
<TR>
	<TD>Robert Flaherty, Assistant Treasurer</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
	<TD>MFS Investment Management</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

</BODY>
</HTML>

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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