Evening journal., 1915-05-24
Importers NUSTTELL
WHOSELb bEHEMGOODS
New Customs Rule Will
Force Abolition of Old
System of Code Words
REGULATION IS
MOST DRASTIC

Importers who jealously conceal
the identity OF shippers from whom
they purchase THEN goods are ex-
pected to raise vigorous protest
against the new order of the Treasury
Department at Washington, which re-
quires collectors cf customs 10 notify
custom employees, importers and 9TH
ers concerned that beginning July 1,
invoices will not be certified by
American Consuls unless they bear
the name of the seller The notice
issued Ivy the Custom House at the
various ports reads:
Notice is hereby given that in let
ters dated April "a and May 5, 1915,
the Treasury Department. has directed
that the practice of permitting sellers
names to be indicated in invoices by
numbers must be discontinued. This
will commence with invoices certified
on and after July l, 1915. Shippers
should be instructed accordingly. In
voices certified on and after July J..
1915, which do not specify in full the
name of the shipper, as well as the
place where, and the time when the
goods were purchased. will be rejected
and entry permitted only upon a pro
forma invoice, with bond -or produc-
tion of a correct consular invoice,
specifying the necessary Information.
Importers to Protest.
It is an admitted fact that in re-
cent years an increasing number OF
importers in this country have re-
sorted TO the practice of concealing
the names of shippers abroad, from
whom they procure their wares. The
general practice has been. customs
employees declare, to have all goods
marked in code, which is understands
able only TO the exporter and import
er who do business with each other
The code number is always filed. with
the name of the shipper It represents
in the American consulate in the dis
trict from which the goods are ship
ped, and also with the appraisers Of
merchandise in the American port al
which the goods are to be entered
The consulates and appraisers. how
ever. have never been permitted tc
reveal the identity OF the shipper tC
anyone except the consignee or con
signor of the goods in question.
Importers who have made a study
of the new regulation are of the opin.
ion that the Treasury Department
does not believe the method of con
cealing the name of the shipper o.
goods. through the use Of a code. Il
in accordance with a clause of the
Customs act. covering the certifica
tion of invoices. This paragraph set
forth that, when invoices are present
cd to Consuls for certihcation, the!
shall have indorsed thereon. whel
so produced. a declaration signed b,
the purchaser, seller, manufacturer
owner or agent. setting forth that tn
invoice is in all respects correct ant
true. that II contains. If the merchan
disc was obtained by purchase, o
agreement for purchase. a true ant
full statement of the person from
whom the same was purchased"
Importers have already announced
that they will protest against the new
regulation. They take the stand tina
It is necessary for them to cover ul
the identity of the shipper in order 4
guard against the disclosure Of bust
ness secrets. It is believed a com
mittee will shortly visit the Secretar.
OF the Treasury and urge the revoca
ton Of the regulation or. at least,
modification of the new order.