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  upholsterer. ­

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  marking, ­
  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