TNAG-2112-FCO40-3011-International-Rights-and-Obligations-Sub-Group-of-the-Sino-B-1990 — Page 151

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION RELATING

TO THE SIMPLIFICATION OF CUSTOMS FORMALITIES

(As this Convention is to remain open for signature until October 31st, 1924, the names of the countries and of their plenipotentiaries will be inscribed on that date in alphabetical order.)

Desiring to give effect to the principle of the equitable treatment of commerce laid down in Article 23 of the Covenant of the League of Nations;

Convinced that the freeing of international commerce from the burden of unnecessary, excessive or arbitrary Customs or other similar formalities would constitute an important step towards the attainment of this aim;

Considering that the best method of achieving their present purpose is by means of an inter- national agreement based on just reciprocity;

Have decided to conclude a Convention for this purpose;

The High Contracting Parties have accordingly appointed as their Plenipotentiaries:

(Names of Heads of States and Plenipotentiaries.)

Who, after communicating their full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed as follows:

Article I.

The Contracting States, with a view to applying between themselves the principle and the stipulations of Article 23 of the Covenant of the League of Nations with regard to the equitable treatment of commerce, undertake that their commercial relations shall not be hindered by excessive, unnecessary or arbitrary Customs or other similar formalities.

The Contracting States therefore undertake to revise, by all appropriate legislative or ad- ministrative measures, the provisions affecting Customs or other similar formalities which are prescribed by their laws or by rules, regulations or instructions issued by their administrative authorities, with a view to their simplification and adaptation, from time to time, to the needs of foreign trade and to the avoidance of all hindrance to such trade, except that which is absolutely necessary in order to safeguard the essential interests of the State.

Article 2.

The Contracting States undertake to observe strictly the principle of equitable treatment in respect of Customs or other similar regulations or procedure, formalities of the grant of licences, methods of verification or analysis, and all other matters dealt with in the present Convention, and consequently agree to abstain, in these matters, from any unjust discrimination against the commerce of any Contracting State.

The above principle shall be invariably applied even in cases in which certain Contracting States, in accordance with their legislation or commercial agreements, may reciprocally-agree to accord.still greater facilities than those resulting from the present Convention.

Article 3.

In view of the grave obstacles to international trade caused by import and export prohibi- tions and restrictions, the Contracting States undertake to adopt and apply, as soon as circum- stances permit, all measures calculated to reduce such prohibitions and restrictions to the smallest

S. d. N. 1700 bil. X1/23. Imp. Kondig.