320 SELLING LATIN AMERICA 
box to enclose a package of cards or some 
other advertising material. In most Latin 
American countries it is against the law for 
a case to contain anything more than what the 
bill of lading or the consular invoice expressly 
states, and the trouble that ensues from this 
desire to really help the purchaser can never 
be understood by those so far away from the 
native customs official who seizes every oppor 
tunity to extort money from the local dealer 
in the shape of fines and fees. 
The merchant in ordering will generally 
definitely state just how he wants the goods 
which you are shipping him declared, so 
as to properly conform to the classification 
in vogue in the local custom house and its 
tariff regulations. Here it again behooves 
you to follow his instructions word for word, 
otherwise the officious custom house employe 
sees another chance to levy a fine and the un 
fortunate importer becomes correspondingly 
disgusted with your methods of doing busi 
ness with him. 
Finally, the packages should agree in num