86
WAREHOUSES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
accepted, and on those weights the duties are collected. In the verification
the custom-house officers from time to time weigh a certain
number of packages taken haphazard, and if a discrepancy is found
they may require the merchandise to be reweighed.
RECEIPTS.
The bonded warehouse company and the other private warehouse
companies of Havre issue documents representing the values of goods
stored, which can be readily negotiated. For the details of the system,
which is both simple and effective, I would refer to a special
report on the subject, entitled “ Stored goods as collateral for loans,”
sent from this consulate and dated August 14, 1002. a
A. M. Thackara, Consul.
Havre, France, August 25,190
LA ROCHELLE.
(From United States Consul Jackson, La Rochelle, France.)
The bonded warehouse at the La Pal lice dock was built for the purpose
which it serves and is about 160 feet long by 125 feet wide. It
is composed of a basement, ground floor, and upper story. It cost
145,000 francs ($27,985). It belongs to the city and is under the
direction of the customs and octroi services.
Merchandise deposited in this warehouse pays the import tax
according to the general tariff on such quantities as are withdrawn
for consumption on French territory. While in the warehouse it is
under the surveillance of the custom officials, who occupy themselves
on)y with duties on merchandise entered and withdrawn, while a
storekeeper from the city follows the movement of the merchandise
in order to decide upon and receive the tax for storage, which is
turned over to the municipal treasury.
This service was established to favor French importers who desire
to purchase their merchandise abroad at a favorable moment and yet
who do not care to receive it immediately or pay the customs duty at
once. The administration does everything possible to encourage
commerce in this particular way.
The charges for storage depend on the nature of the merchandise
and are made by the month, each article paying according to the
tariff, which details more than 200 articles or kinds of merchandise.
The charges are based on the unit of 100 kilos (220.46 pounds) or
any fraction thereof. There is a charge for handling, which
includes reception, weighing, and stowing.
The receipts and expenditures on account of service were, in 1901,
$661 and $87; in 1902, $860 and $64, and in 1903, $216 and $75.
The principal classes of goods stored are wines, tobacco, tea, preserved
fruits, oils, coffee, pepper, wood pulp, ironware, flour, agricultural
machines, cordage,etc. Up to the present time Americans have
not profited by the presence of this warehouse. There are, however,
no distinctions made on account of nationality. It is difficult to
« Special Consular Reports, volume xxv. page 24.
