PACKING AND SHIPPING 319 
scarce in many of these lands. The metal 
strips will find another use and the waterproof 
paper and burlap covering will serve some 
particular purpose, perhaps be sold to the up 
holsterer. 
Your shipping instructions will also tell you 
exactly what signs or marks to put upon the 
outside of the case or its covering. Observe 
this with precision. The net and gross 
weights must also be marked thereon in a 
legible manner. Be sure that in weighing and 
marking the case you use the metric system 
for this is the only one used through all of 
Latin America. They know nothing of 
pounds and ounces. It is a wise plan to have 
your shipping clerk familiarize himself with 
this method, so as to avoid mistakes in mark 
ing, which may cause the importer much 
trouble at the custom house when the goods 
arrive. 
Never place anything of a foreign nature 
in a packing case unless expressly instructed to 
do so by the shipper. Many exporters often 
take advantage of a small space available in a