The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-05-21
FACTS FOR TRAVELLERS.

Rigid Enforcement of Custom House Regu-
lations-Articles That are Exempt From
Duty.
New York Commercial Advertiser.l
The regulations of the treasury depart
ment relative to the importation and entry
of baggage arriving at this port by foreign
steamers are being enforced with rigor
heretofore unknown, with the evident
determination of putting an end to FASH
ionable smuggling" and all other attemp pts
to evade the payment of Custom House
duties. In consequence, passengers are
often loud in expressing their dissatisfaction
and there are signs of a tempest brewing.
One method employed by the United
States special agent is to have a corps of
movement carefully, and If an inspector is
observed receiving any consideration for
services rendered, his discharge Immediately
follows. Custom House Off GERS, In remark
ing upon this subject, observe that the rules
enforced by the new deputy surveyor are
productive of great annoyance to travellers,
unless care Is taken on their part to avoid
cause OF suspicion. Passengers are first
questioned by staff officers on board the
steamer before arrival, and required to
make declaration, swearing to the correct
ness of their statement, and signing their
name. When the ship is at her dock an
officer makes a search, and If anything is
found beyond the articles named in the
declaration they are seized without further
ceremony. This course differs from usage
heretofore, and should be understood.
Until lately passengers had the option of
paying duty on the spot, but under the cir,
cumstances just described, articles found
are sent forthwith to q seizure room; the
officer would not be allowed to receive
anything.
In one respect the operations of the treas
ury rules sometimes bear on individuals
with peculiar hardship. If a passenger for
any reason fails to attend promptly to his
at the examination, the entire personal
effects go at once to the public store, and
can only be recovered after delay-often
very serious-and expense in the payment
of brokerage. In such case the passenger
may be prevented from attending to engage
ments ashore, however pressing, perhaps
for lack of suitable apparel or something
else in the baggage essential to his wants.
An instance occurred the other day where a
passenger became indebted to the ship and
the baggage was held as security. His first
course was to go to the postoffice for a
money order known to be there awaiting to
be called for. When he returned to the
ship the baggage was already in the public
store
Grave difficulties arise in determining
what articles are or have been sin actual
use," and therefore exempt. As specified
IN the treasury circular, new articles of
clothing which have not been In actual use
abroad, and not necessary for the present
comfort or convenience of the owner, are
chargeable with duty" So likewise If any
jewelry that has not been worn, and in re-
gard to watches, duty must be demanded
on all watches but one brought into the
United States by single passenger"
1t is obvious, therefore, that tourists and
passengers now contemplating a trip to
Europe need not calculate on advantages to
arise from an adroit "dodglng" Of Custom
House officials on their return. No offset
can be made in this way to the necessary
and unavoidable expenses of trip; for it
Is unpleasant to lose the souvenirs OF travel
carefully gathered, or even to be suspected
of the crime of smuggling. 7els