5. CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN, &c.

When goods are shipped to certain countries, a "Certificate of Origin" is required. This is a document in a form prescribed by the Government concerned, and signed by an authority designated by such Government, certifying to the country in which the goods have been produced or manufactured. In the United Kingdom these certificates are issued chiefly by the Chambers of Commerce in the principal towns. Distinct forms of certificate are required by each foreign country. Formerly Switzerland and Russia required these documents for goods exported from the British Isles, but they are now dispensed with. The reason for the use of these documents is the higher rates of duty levied by the countries in question, owing to a "tariff war" with another country, on goods imported from one of these countries into the other. Goods from other countries are admitted at lower rates, and in order to obtain the benefit of these lower rates certificates have to be produced proving that the goods are really the produce or manufacture of countries not concerned in the "tariff war." During recent years there have been tariff wars between Switzerland and France (lasting two-and-a-half years), between Germany and Spain (lasting two years), between Germany and Russia (lasting nine months), and between France and Italy (lasting for nine years, and only just come to an end).

For Italy, the certificate may be made out in the language of the country of origin, and the signature of the secretary of a Chamber of Commerce is sufficient; but for Spain the certificate must be wholly in French or wholly in Spanish, and the signature of the Chamber of Commerce official must be visé by the Spanish Consul of the district whence the goods are exported.

For Canada, a Declaration of Origin has to be made by the exporter in order to obtain the reduction of 25% of the import duty now granted on goods manufactured in the United Kingdom, India, New South Wales, &c. This declaration must be written, printed, or stamped on the back of the invoice.

Specimens of the forms above mentioned are given on the following pages.

Certificates of Origin will also be required for Japan after 1st January, 1899.

sincerely, and truly declare that the following goods, viz:

Forwarded on the 16th day of September, 1898, by steamer

Palermo

of British Manufacture or origin, and have not been

Certificate of Origin for goods shipped to Spain by a merchant.

CAMARA DE COMERCIO DE BRADFORD, INGLATERRA.

CERTIFICADO DE ORIGEN.

El abajo firmado, Secretario de la Camara de Comércio de Bradford, Inglaterra, certifica que

Comerciante

John Bentley, ó negociante de esta plaza y cuya personalidad para el efecto es reconocido por mi, domiciliado en Bradford calle de Bridge No. 379 ha declarado ante mi, bajo su responsabilidad, que las mercancías designadas á continuación son de orígen y fabricación Inglesa, conforme á las facturas fidedignas que me han sido presentadas por el expedidor y cuyas mercancías se destinan á Rodrigo Trigrero

la consignación de

Valencia

á

comerciante ó industrial

CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN FOR CANADA.

[Printed on the back of the Invoice.]

(Form of Certificate ("B") prescribed to be written, printed, or stamped on invoices of all articles except raw and refined sugars, for entry under the British Preferential Tariff of Canada, when made and signed by a person other than an individual exporter.)

of...

I,

William Neville,

hereby certify that I am

the Manager

Collier, Gates & Co., .of Bradford, England, the exporters of the articles included in this invoice, and that I am duly authorised to make and sign this certificate on behalf of the said exporter.

Collier, Gates & Co.

Barton, Macdonald & Co.,

I have the means of knowing and I do hereby certify that this invoice from the said. amounting to.

to

One hundred and twenty-five pounds six shillings and sixpence,

is true and correct; that all the articles included in the said invoice are bonâ fide the produce or manufacture of the following country, viz. :. England, and that a substantial portion of the labour of such country has entered into production of every manufactured article included in the said invoice to the extent in each article of not less than one-fourth of the value of every such article in its present condition ready for export to Canada.

Signed

William Neville.

Dated at Bradford, England, this

24th day of September, 189 8.

(N.B.-The countries which are at present entitled in Canada to the benefits of the British Preferential Tariff are the United Kingdom, Bermuda, the British West Indies, British Guiana, British India, Ceylon, Straits Settlements, and New South Wales.)

THE EXPORTATION OF GOODS--Continued

EXPORTATION OF BONDED GOODS

Bonded Goods are goods stored in an approved warehouse, the occupier or owner of which has given a "bond" to the Customs authorities, undertaking that the goods shall not be removed from the warehouse for the purpose of home consumption until the Customs or Excise duties have been paid. It is, however, expressly provided that such goods may be exported without payment of duty under certain restrictions imposed by law.

Bonded goods exported consist chiefly of wines and spirits, tea, coffee, and tobacco. These have usually been purchased from the importer, through a broker or otherwise, the transfer being effected by Dock Warrants or Delivery Orders.

Before such goods are permitted to be exported, the exporter or his agent must deliver to the Customs authorities a Bond' giving particulars of the goods and security for their proper shipment. This Bond must be signed by the exporter (or some person on his behalf) and also by a surety, who must be a person of some standing, who thus bind themselves, under a penalty of twice the amount of the duty, that the goods shall be duly exported or otherwise accounted for to the satisfaction of the Customs authorities. This Bond must be executed in the presence of the proper Customs officer, and must bear an Inland Revenue stamp according to the amount of the penalty of the Bond. (Sometimes а "General Bond" is given covering any number of shipments, and provided that the aggregate amount of duties involved does not exceed the penalty named in the Bond, a Bond for each shipment is then not necessary.)

This Bond, together with a Bond Note (a copy of which is given on the next page), is handed to the Customs Bond Clerk, who after examination signs and returns the latter. This is printed on yellow paper.