Belgium: Brussels.
17
very moderate charges. It may be said that the average cost of
cartage from the warehouse to any part of the docks or quays is 40
cents per ton of 1,000 kilograms (2,204.6 pounds).
Stanislas H. Haine,
V ice-Com ul-Geiieral.
Antwerp, Belgium, July 15,1004.
* BRUSSELS. «
(From United States Consul Roosevelt, Brussels, Belgium.)
The dimensions of the public warehouse of Brussels are 115 by 61
meters (377.2 by 200 feet). The building, which covers an area of
70 ares 15 cent a res (8,390 square yards), comprises an underground
cellar constructed for storing wines and spirits and five additional
stories, thoroughly appointed, for the reception and storage of all
kinds of merchandise.
The original cost is estimated at 2.000.000 francs ($386,000). The
warehouse was built by the communal administration of Brussels,
but. subsequently sold to the present owners, the Anonymous Society
?f Canal and Maritime Installation of Brussels. The establishment
is conducted by the above-named company, assisted by a commission
appointed by the Government, composed of members of the company
and officials of the communal administration of Brussels and the customs
bureau.
While goods remain in bond no duty charge is made, and none is
collected if goods are reexported. Duty is payable when goods are
taken out of bond and put upon the market for sale. By this arrangement
merchants are privileged to sell their goods for export free
of entrance duty into Belgium and to pay duty upon goods only
when taken out of bond to be sold upon the home market.
In 1903 receipts amounted to 93,061.77 francs ($17,960.92) and
ordinary expenses to 22,206.33 francs ($4,285.82).
The classes of goods chiefly stored are wines, spirits, native and
foreign sugar, tobacco, tissues, leather, dried fruits, conserved fruits,
and groceries.
No limit is placed upon goods in bond. Generally wines and
liquors remain several years in the warehouse. The length of time,
concerns other merchandise, varies according to circumstances.
Sometimes goods are taken out a few days after entry and sometimes
they remain in bond for several months. Usually they are taken out
io the course of the year.
a Accompanying the report of Consul Roosevelt, and filed In the Bureau of
Statistics, where they may he consulted by parties interested, are five Inclosures.
1 hree of these contain the rules and regulations, including scale of charges for
me Entrepôt Public de Bruxelles. Another shows the quantity of American
W°ds in store at the warehouse January 1, 1904, and the other gives the scale
°f charges for storage in United States money. Those charges vary, according
jo the class of goods, from one half cent per 220.40 pounds per month for all
hinds of metals to 19.3 cents for the same weight of silk and 77.2 cents for
carriages. Alcoholic liquors are charged 1.9 cents per 20.42 gallons iu wood
°r 2.3 cents per 100 bottles.
18762-05 M 2
