UNITED STATES EXPORTS OF CANNED FOODS TO SPANISH AFRICA, 1924-1929 2 Previous to 1929 "Canned fruits for salad" were included in United States export statistics under "Other fruit products" and not under "Other canned fruits." CANARY ISLANDS AND RIO DE ORO IMPORT DUTIES AND TAXES No duties are assessed on imports into Rio de Oro. Imports into the Canary Islands also are nominally free of customs duties. However, certain minor taxes are collected on most articles. These taxes fall into six classes, four of which apply to canned and preserved foodstuffs-the "marine transport" tax, varying according to the origin and destination of the merchandise, the war losses "tax, port tax, and the "insular board 66 tax. The marine transport tax on all such foodstuffs, from non-Spanish ports of the Mediterranean, from Atlantic ports on the coast of Africa as far south as Cape Blanco, and from other European ports not specified, is 6 pesetas per metric ton; and from other non-Spanish ports of the world, including the United States, 7.50 pesetas per metric ton (peseta, 10.49 cents United States currency on January 2, 1931). On all merchandise imported from Europe and the Mediterranean area (not including Spain and Spanish possessions) the "war losses" tax is 0.35 peseta per metric ton; and on imports from other countries (not including Spain and Spanish possessions) this tax is 0.50 peseta per metric ton. Shipments to and from Spain and Las Palmas and between Las Palmas and the other Canary Island ports are subject to a tax of 1.20 pesetas per metric ton as a port tax; and on imports from other ports of Europe and the Mediterranean and the Atlantic African ports as far south as Cape Blanco, 2.75 pesetas per metric ton is collected; while on imports from the United States and other countries not specified the port tax is 3 pesetas per metric ton. The "insular board" tax of 1 per cent of the invoice value applies on all canned and preserved foods except sardines. Foreign imports of foodstuffs into Las Palmas are subject also to a harbor tax amounting to 0.30 peseta per metric ton. These taxes on imports of American canned foods into Las Palmas total 11.30 pesetas per metric ton, with 1 per cent ad valorem additional (except on sardines). Similar amounts are collected on imports at other ports of the Canary Islands. MARKING-DOCUMENTATION No regulation regarding the marking of imported goods are in ffect in these Spanish colonies. Consular documents are not needed on shipments to the Canary slands and Rio de Oro. The usual commercial invoice and ocean ill of lading (which should go forward under separate cover) uffice. The usual exporter's declaration required by the United States ustoms regulations on all goods shipped out of the country is ecessary. SANITARY REQUIREMENTS AND FOOD LAWS No food laws have been established in Rio de Oro. The Spanish sanitary regulations are in force in the Canaries. These islands are considered as two Provinces of Spain, and for administrative purposes are an integral part of Spain. Foodstuffs must be tested, and those regarded as suspicious are submitted to complete analysis before being definitely classed as improper for human consumption and ordered to be denatured. If not adaptable to industrial uses, condemned foods are destroyed. All canned foods must be free from infectious agents or toxic elements. Concentrated milks must contain no foreign substance other than sugar (saccharose). Preservatives.-Antiseptic or other substances which tend to diminish the commercial or nutritive value may not be added to foodstuffs. No preservative is permissible in concentrated milks. Greening of vegetables is permitted if effected with not over 100 milligrams of copper per kilogram (100 parts per million) of solid matter. Colors. The use of mineral colors, gamboge and aconite of the vegetable colors, and certain coal-tar colors in foods is prohibited. Artificial sweetening.-No saccharine or similar artificial sweeteners may be used in the preparation of foodstuffs for sale in the Canary Islands. Containers.-Containers made of tin plate must not contain more than 1 per cent of lead nor more than 0.01 per cent of arsenic. Soldering must be done on the outside of the container and the solder must not contain over 10 per cent of lead. No lead or zinc may be used in the manufacture of rubber gaskets for the closing of tins, jars, or bottles holding canned or preserved foods. Labels.-No special regulations have been issued prescribing labels of particular type for canned and preserved foods. The texts of the Spanish food laws, which apply also in the Canary Islands, will be found on pages 232 to 240 of Trade Promotion Series No. 85, Canned Foods in Europe. SPANISH GUINEA Rio Muni and Fernando Po IMPORT DUTIES AND TAXES Import duties on canned and preserved foods are stated in Spanish pesetas (value on January 2, 1931, 10.49 cents United States currency) and are based on the net weight (which includes weight of immediate container) of the products. Such goods are classed under one general heading (item 29) as "Preserves of all classes," with a duty of 1 peseta per kilo when comi ty countries and 2 pesetas per kilo from other countries except Spain. Imports of these products from Spain are free of duty. Imports from the United States, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Argentina, Italy, France, Germany, and other countries not having most-favorednation status in this colony (through treaties with Spain) are subject to the general rates; while imports from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, and other countries having most-favored-nation status enjoy the lower rate. There are no customs surtaxes, nor sales or other internal taxes on imports into Spanish Guinea. The metric system of weights and measures is employed in these colonies for customs and general commercial purposes, although focal units are in use among the people. MARKING-DOCUMENTATION No special regulations in regard to the marking of imported goods are in force in Spanish Guinea. Dutiable goods should be accompanied by a certificate of origin, duly visaed by a Spanish consul. The Spanish regulations in regard to the form of the certificates are in effect. (See p. 64 of Trade Promotion Series No. 85, Canned Foods in Europe.) The fee for consular visa is $1.75. Shipping documents should go forward under separate cover, not in a parcel of merchandise. The usual exporter's declaration required by the United States customs regulations on all goods shipped out of the country is necessary. SANITARY REQUIREMENTS Although the Spanish laws governing the importation and sale of foodstuffs are not definitely applied in the Spanish possessions in the Gulf of Guinea, it is understood that the laws. in force in continental Spain are usually taken as a guide. Questions pertaining to the importation and sale of foodstuffs in the colonies are generally settled by the collector of customs at the time of importation and according to his own judgment. In the event of dissatisfaction on the part of the importer, he may appeal to the governor, whose decision is final. The customs tariff law of this colony prohibits the importation of damaged or adulterated foodstuffs. A summary of the Spanish sanitary requirements is found under Canary Islands; see page 361 of this present handbook. SPANISH GUINEA LAWS APPLYING TO CANNED FOODS The texts of the Spanish laws used as a guide in Spanish Guinea in regulating the importation and sale of foods are found on pages 232 to 240 of Trade Promotion Series No. 85, Canned Foods in Europe. An extract from the customs law regarding foods follows. CUSTOMS TARIFF LAW NO. 1737 OF DECEMBER 13, 1927 DISPOSITIONS FOR THE APPLICATION OF THE CUSTOMS TARIFF SEC. 2. Articles prohibited from importation: OCEANIA AUSTRALIA Australia's growing canning industry produces many lines of canned foods that are directly competitive with those of the United States. This is particularly true of fruits and milk-on which account none of these lines move to Australia in large quantities, not are they likely to do so. Fresh and frozen meats are available in the Commonwealth at very reasonable prices, and consequently almost no demand exists there for canned meats. The trade in nearly every item of canned vegetables, however, is important. The large exports of canned tomatoes in 1926 was the result of a crop failure in Australia, which was so severe that temporarily import duties were reduced to a figure that permitted American canned tomatoes to enter the market. American sardines have not tended to replace canned salmon. The latter American product is sold in Australia in competition with the Canadian, and may be expected to fluctuate in volume inversely with production in British Columbia. In general, an increasing consumption of canned fish and vegetables may be looked for in Australia. UNITED STATES EXPORTS OF CANNED FOODS TO AUSTRALIA, 1924-1929 1 Included with "Other canned fruits." under "Other fruit products" and not under "Other canned fruits." 'Previous to 1929 exports of "Canned fruits for salad" were included in United States export statistics 363 IMPORT DUTIES AND TAXES Specific rates of duty in Australia are stated in Australian pounds, with a par value the same as sterling. When converted to dollars, the exchange rate at time of clearance is used. Unless otherwise mentioned, specific duties are levied on net weight. Ad valorem rates are based either on the current domestic value of the goods in the country of origin at the time of exportation or on the actual selling price, whichever is the higher, plus all charges for placing goods on board at port of exportation, plus, in addition, 10 per cent of that sum (estimated to cover the ocean freight, etc.). Foreign merchandise values are converted into sterling, in the case of current domestic value, at the telegraphic rate on the date of exportation. When the actual selling price is used, the rate indicated in documents or the current telegraphic rate, presumably on date of clearance, is used. There is a primage tax of 4 per cent ad valorem; and a sales tax of 22 per cent of the sales price applying on canned foods, unless the importer is licensed to pay the tax at time of sale to a retailer or to the public direct. Imports from the United Kingdom are dutiable under the rate specified in the schedule below as "British preferential," while in certain cases, as noted, either the preferential rates or special rates are applicable to products from Canada or New Zealand. Unless thus noted, imports from these two British Dominions are admitted under the general rates, which apply to imports from the United States and all non-British areas. Outside packing cases or containers, even of the usual types, are dutiable separately, and must be shown on the invoice. Ordinary nonmetric units of weight are in use in Australia, with the British hundredweight of 112 pounds and the imperial units of dry and liquid measure employed in the tariff, the latter units being compulsory in trade also where products are sold by the gallon, etc. Tariff 9B 16 51 Article Spirituous preparations, viz: Essences, fruit ethers, aromas, and flavors; (1) Not more than 25 per cent of proof spirit.. (2) More than 25 per cent, but not more than 50 per cent of proof (3) More than 50 per cent, but not more than 75 per cent of proof (4) More than 75 per cent of proof spirit, but not overproof. Plus, in each case. Lime juice and other fruit juices not specified and fruit sirups, and liquid (a) In bulk. (b) In bottles. Fish (includes oysters), viz: (c) Preserved in tins or other air-tight vessels, including the weight Per pound Per pound of the liquid contents 3 4. 212 |