Directory_and_Chronicle_1879 — Page 761

f

REGULATIONS FOR AMERICAN TRADE WITH JAPAN.

271

Vessels needing repairs may land their cargo for that purpose without the pay. ment of duty. All goods so landed shall remain in charge of the Japanese authorities, and all just charges for labour, storage, and supervision shall be paid thereon. But if any portion of such cargo be sold, the regular duties shall be paid on the portion so disposed of. Cargo may be transhipped to another vessel in the same harbour without the payment of duty; but all such transhipments shall be made under the supervision of Japanese officers, and after satisfactory proof has been given to the Custom-house authorities of the bond fide nature of the transaction, aud also under a permit to be granted for that purpose by such authorities.

The importation of opium being prohibited, if any person or persons shall smuggle, or attempt to smuggle any opium, he or they shall pay a fine of ($15) fifteen dollars for each catty of opium so smuggled, or attempted to be smuggled; and if more than one person shall be engaged in the offence, they shall collectively be held responsible for the payment of the foregoing penalty.

REGULATION III.-The owner or consignee of any goods, who desires to land them, shall make an entry of the same in the Japanese Custom-house. The entry shall be in writing and shall set forth the name of the person making the entry, and the name of the ship in which the goods were imported, and the marks, numbers, packages, and the contents thereof, with the value of each package extended separately in the one amount, and at the bottom of the entry shall be placed the aggregate value of all the goods contained in the entry. On each entry the owner or consignee sball certify in writing that the entry then presented exhibits the actual cost of the goods, and that nothing has been concealed whereby the Customs of Japan would be defraud- ed; and the owner or consignee shall sign bis rame to such certificate.

The original invoice or invoices of the goods so entered shall be presented to the Custom-house authorities, and shall remain in their possession until they have examined the goods contained in the entry. The Japanese officers may examine any or all of the packages so entered, and for this purpose may take them to the Custom- house, but such examination shall be without expense to the importer or injury to the goods, and after examination the Japanese shall restore the goods to their original condition in the packages (so far as may be practicable), and such examination shall be made without any unreasonable delay.

If any owner or importer discover that his goods have been damaged on the voyage of importation before such goods have been delivered to him, he may notify the Custom-house authorities of such damage, and he may have the damaged goods appraised by two or more competent and disinterested persons, who, after the examination, shall make a certificate setting forth the amount per cent. of damage on each separate package, describing it by its marks and number, which certificate shall be signed by the appraisers in presence of the Custom-house authorities, and the importer may attach the certificate to his entry, and make a corresponding deduction from it. But this shall not prevent the Custom-house authorities from appraising the goods in the manner provided in Article IV. of the treaty, to which these regulations are appended.

After the duties have been paid, the owner shall receive a permit, authorizing the delivery to him of the goods, whether the same are at the Custom-house or on ship- board. All goods intended to be exported shall be entered at the Japanese Custom- house before they are placed on ship-board. The entry shall be in writing, and shall state the name of the ship by which the goods are to be exported, with the marks and numbers of the packages, and the quantity, description, and value of their contents. The exporter shall certify in writing that the entry is a true account of all the goods contained therein, and shall sign his name thereto. Any goods that are put on board of a ship for exportation before they have been entered at the Custom-house, and all packages which contain prohibited articles, shall be forfeited to the Japanese Government. No entry at the Custom-house shall be required for supplies for use tshof ships, their crews and passengers, nor for the clothing, &c., of passengers.

Japan

REGULATION IV.-Ships wishing to clear shall give (24) twenty-four hours' notice 11 payday excepted) at the Custom-house, and at the end of that time they shall be