PREFACE. THAT portion of the contents of this work which embraces a revised Table of Duties, includes but few changes since the publication of the previous edition. These consist in the admission, duty-free, of a few articles of minor importance, viz. :-Oxymuriate of Tin, Chloride of Lime, Platina Wire, Sheet Iron, and Tin Plates-in the modification of duties on Plums, on Hats and Bonnets of Felt, and on manufactures of Caoutchouc-in a reduction, until the 30th March, 1860, of the duties on Tea and Sugar, and in an increased rate on Spirits consumed or distilled in Ireland. The last-mentioned provision was specially enacted for the purpose of assimilating the duties on Spirits in Ireland with those chargeable in England and Scotland; so that-Spirits hitherto having been exceptional-all articles of importation, since the 19th April last, are assessed with the same rates of duty in one part of the United Kingdom as in the other. Other portions of this volume, however, contain new regulations of great importance to persons concerned in the importation, exportation, and transhipment of merchandise; likewise a practical treatise on the mode of preparing and filling up Customs' Bonds, and some useful comments on the Registry, Admeasurement, Registry, Transfer and Mortgage of Ships, together with a carefully prepared alphabetical list of all the known Ports or places of Shipment from whence merchandise is imported into this country. Notwithstanding the absence of any new important enactments of a fiscal character, the Compiler trusts that the present edition, which has undergone the strictest revision, and which comprises all orders and regulations affecting Custom House business, to the latest day of publication, will be as acceptable as its predecessors, and in conclusion, begs most respectfully to offer his best thanks to Patrons, Friends, and Subscribers, in every quarter of the globe, for their kind interest and continued support. EDWIN BEEDELL. No. 40, TREDEGAR SQUARE, Bow ROAD, London, October 20th, 1858. |