210 FOREIGN TRADE ZONES

have not been approved. It may be mentioned in passing, however,
that according to public announcements on the subject, it is proposed
to convert a considerable isolated area into a zone completely exterritorial
 for customs purposes in which every class of operations can be
undertaken without customs control and subject to only ordinary
police measures.
The present free deposit consists of two covered warehouses of
the Bosch y Alsina Wharf, having an area of some 269,100 square feet.
The volume of storage space is approximately 2,825,120 cubic feet:
(See attached plan of harbor.) These have railway connection with
the Madrid-Zaragoza-Alicante Railroad by which merchandise can
be distributed all over Spain. Also goods can be shipped directly from
the warehouses by trucks and other vehicles. Vessels can come
alongside the Bosch y Alsina Wharf and discharge directly into the
warehouses. The equipment of the free deposit has been greatly
improved during the last two years and there are now cranes, inclined
runways for motor vehicles, and other modern equipment for the
handling and manipulation of all classes of merchandise.
In addition to the warehouses just mentioned, the administrator of
customs can designate other buildings for similar purposes in case the
space in the present free deposit should prove insufficient. The roy al
order of March 5, 1927, designated the assembling plant of an Amer
ican automobile concern as a free deposit, thus facilitating the operation
 of assembling cars and entering them for sale in Spain or exports:
tion to other countries. Similar steps could be taken in the case of
other industries or enterprises.
Admanistration.—The administration of the free deposit of Barcefona
 is in the hands of the consorcio del puerto franco de Barcelona,
Paseo Circunvalacion 1, Barcelona, but the actual operation of the
warehouses and the dependent services is in the hands of the Credito
y Docks de Barcelona, Pasaje del Comercio 7, Barcelona, which holds
a lease from the consorcio. There are four private guards in additio?
to the customs guards, port watchmen, and police, which patrol the
water front. On account of the fact that the services are leased and
that the consorcio del puerto franco is largely occupied with its plans
for the free port, it is impossible to give any figures as to the costs of
administration. It was stated in press articles some two or three
years ago that receipts from the storage of merchandise in the free
deposit amounted to only 70,000 pesetas annually. A decidedly
increased use of the free deposit has, however, taken place during the
last two years, and with the improved services now available this
tendency should continue to be in evidence.
Operations permitted in the free zone.—According to article 222 of
the customs regulations, and the royal decree of October 2, 1927, the
following operations are permitted in the free deposit: