The Sun.
London, England, 1853-04-22 00:00:00

12. SIMPLIFICATION OF ENTRIES OF FREE GOODS.

My lords attach great importance to the subject of the
twelfth head of recommendations, namely, the Simplification
of the Entry of Free Goods. They wish to make known in
the most distinct manner their judgment, that the proper and
primary business of a revenue department, with respect to
this class of goods, is the business of search only, but for
which object my lords are clearly of opinion that a previous
entry is absolutely necessary. At the same time they are of
opinion that this business should be conducted with care, and
even with strictness ; and they think the circumstance that a
commodity is free from duty is by no means to be regarded as
in itself any reason for relaxing the examinations necessary,
in order to ascertain that it really is what it purports to be:
If in any case relaxations, founded on this principle, have
been allowed to creep in, they ought to be subjected anew to
careful consideration.

But when the operation of search has been thus efficiently
conducted, then, as my lords conceive, the less the concern
of the department with these goods the better. All that re-
mains is to obtain a statistical record adequate for public pur-
pose. • -

My lords aro of opinion, from a perusal of the board's ob-
servations on this subject, that the present state of the law
and practice, taken together, is not satisfactory; but they arc
of opinion that the changes proposed by the committee would
not afford the contemplated relief to the merchant, while
they would iu some cases be impracticable so far as the re-
venue is concerned, and in all cases of very doubtful effect.
Nor do my lords believe that the mode suggested, of collect-
ing information for statistical purposes, would be so certain
or accurate in its operation as the one at present in use,
while the additional labour that it would impose upon mer-
chants and brokers would be considerable. They aro therefore
pleased to direct that the continued attention of the commis-
sioners should be given to this subject.
My lords have already given orders for a clause beingin-
serted in the next Customs bill, dispensing in future with the
use of manifests. My lords are also pleased to direct that the
additional facility recommended by the commissioners for
the entry of free goods inwards, viz., by the establishment
of a small and separate branch for the receipt and examina-
tions of free goods entries only, in place of their passing with
all other entries, through the Long Room, shall be immedi-
ately put in practice. By this means free goods entries,
with regard to which, as a rule, time is of much more impor-
tance than in respect to goods which are to be bonded, will
be dispatched immediately to the various stations. But so
far as regards the actual examination of such goods, my lords
request that, in place of relaxing the mode of examination,
the Commissioners of Customs will consider what means they
can recommend with a view the more effectually to prevent
the importation of free goods, and especially of such as are
very bulky being made a,vehiele of smuggling, as in the case
reported with regard to oil by the Baron 08y. To this point
my lords direct the special attention of the commissioners.
With respect to goods outwards, my lords entirely concur
with the views of the Commissioners of Customs, that for the
reasons given the recommendation of the committee cannot
be adopted: " But my lords. are pleased to dispense with the
use of " cockets," except When the shipper applies for them,
as my lords are advised that in some foreign, markets they, are
of great utility, being considered in the light of certificates of
origin.