NETHERLANDS : ROTTERDAM.
85
municipality of "Rotterdam for storage purposes. The second establishment
is formed by the grounds, warehouses, and sheds along the
“ entrepôt ” harbor on the left side of the Maas.
Merchandise subject to duty is transported to the free entrepôt
under the supervision of customs officers. The duty must be paid
when the goods leave these warehouses, unless they are to be exported
under bond.
The directors of the free entrepôts of the community of Rotterdam
have provided me with the following information regarding their
Warehouses :
The community’s bonded warehouses consist of the “ East India house,” a
Government building let to the community, and the warehouses along the entrepot
harbor, which are owned by the community. The lofts, basements, warehouse
floors, and sheds cover a surface of 45,500 square meters (54.425 square
yards). The original cost of the East India house is unknown, but the cost of
the entrepôt dock and warehouses has been 1,000.000 florins ($040,000).
Besides the storing of goods at fixed rates, the free entrepôt lets whole warehouses,
lofts, basements, or separate parts for one year or a shorter term at
different rates, varying according to accommodation and kind of goods to lie
stored. In the warehouse or separate space rented the tenant may, under the
supervision of the customs officers, manipulate his goods so fqr as required, and
he may also use the hydraulic cranes and jiggers for loading and unloading
steamers and vessels by paying 10 florins ($4.02) per day for each crane and
florins ($3.22) per day for each jigger. He may also hire necessary tools and
make use of the electric light at prescribed rates.
The charges for storage of goods are calculated per month at fixed rates ; they
depend on the weight, measure, and value of goods. For the majority of goods
storage is charged per 100 kilograms (220.40 pounds) ; for grain, rates are
Quoted per last (85.2 bushels) or per cubic meter (35.314 cubic feet) ; for large
Packages and lumber, per square meter (10.704 square feet).
Except inflammable or otherwise dangerous goods, all dutiable or free goods
°f foreign origin may be stored in the warehouses. The storage of Dutch goods
°r foreign goods on which the duty has been paid is not permitted by the customs
authorities. The goods of American origin stored in the bonded warehouses
of the free entrepôt are dried fruits, grain, tobacco, oats, oil. -lumber,
machinery, etc. The length of time that goods remain in bond differs very much
und depends on various circumstances, as demand, market price, etc. Depositors
°f all nationalities and their goods are treated exactly alike.
The advantages of storing in the free entrepôt and the facilities granted
owners are that they may, under the supervision of the management, store and
deliver the goods by their own workmen; such facilities are not allowed by the
Private warehouse companies of this port. If desired, however, the storage and
delivery can be effected by the laborers of the free entrepôt at fixed rates. The
loading and discharging of steamers must be effected by the employees of the
owners or depositors of the goods.
Supervision over the bonded warehouses is exercised day and night by the
customs officers. No goods are allowed to pass in or out unless accompanied
oy custom-house permits or passports. The bonded warehouses of the free
entrepôt are surrounded by a stone wall on the land side and on the river side
j j y railings and lock booms. The locking and unlocking of the gates, lock
booms, etc., is done by the customs officers.
The amounts received for rents and storage rates during the last three years
' v ere as follows :
Receipts of free entrepôt at Rotterdam in 1901, 1902, and 190ft.
Year.
1901
190¿
l9o:i
Warehouses.
$42.172
42,810
4:1.240
Receipts from—
Sheds.
Grounds.
$9.979
10,77(1
10,074
$3,045
2,10.1
1,871
Total.
$55,19«
55.(18«
65,185
